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I read that there is to be a change to the regulations in 2014, is this correct?
Do all the A frames designed to tow cars mentioned in this forum meet the new requirements?
Do we know if any law change will be retrospective?
Boris, the short answers to your questions are Yes, No and No - in that order.
Regulation 13 will, as I understand it, superceed current legislation.
The clause in question is:-
5.2.2.2. Trailers of category O2 shall be equipped with a service braking system either of the continuous or semi-continuous or of the inertia (overrun) type. The latter type shall be permitted only for centre axle trailers. However, electrical braking systems conforming to the requirements of Annex 14 to this Regulation shall be permitted.
I think it is safe to say that not all the A frames designed to tow cars mentioned in this forum meet the new requirements.
I am not aware of a precedent where newly introduced laws have been applied retrospectively.
No it will not make it a criminal offence to use an A frame that is not 2014 compliant today or until 2014, but it will apply to all A frames, whenever constructed, used after 2014 comes in to force, which is what I think the OP meant to ask.
By retrospective I meant that, for example, trailers put into service after Oct12 will have reversing lights legislated. It does not, in my understanding, mean if you have a trailer that was first put into service before Oct12 without reversing lights that you will not be able to use it after Oct12.
I am not aware of legislation being back dated to apply to products built/first put into service prior to such legislation hitting the statute books.
If you know different please share and point me at the authority who has enforced this - it would help me to talk with them.
My understanding is that the Euro 2014 regs will apply to any trailer whenever built or constructed so older trailers, ie A frames that no longer comply, will not be able to be used
5.2.2.2. Trailers of category O2 shall be equipped with a service braking system either of the continuous or semi-continuous or of the inertia (overrun) type. The latter type shall be permitted only for centre axle trailers. However, electrical braking systems conforming to the requirements of Annex 14 to this Regulation shall be permitted.
It isn't retrospective, but it does prohibit their use prospectively. I think the onus is on you to show the "grandfathering" of rights provision for trailers already in existence which will not comply with the EU directive when it comes in in 2014. (I checked, there isn't one I can see) Its just the same as with emissions, the older vehicles are caught, and penalised, even though legal at time of contsruction and purchase. The law subsequently changed. Tough
i dont see how laws can be applied retrospectively old cars spring to mind, if they were made without seatbelts then they dont require them.....yet another grey area for the a frame fraternity!!
I'm taking it with a pinch of salt. Wait and see what happens in practice especially in the UK.
peedee
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When seat belts came in there was a time when certain vehicles not originally fitted had to retrospectively comply by having the belts fitted, I can't remember what the cut off was for earlier vehicles.
As I have poinetd out the emission rergs apply to the vehicle whenever it was built, so they have a limited retrospective effcet, I undersatnd that the towing regs will be the same
I fully agree that it may not be 2014 in UK, and may be much later elsewhere, it will not solve the EU problem, because the question still to be answered, and not even considered in the directive is whather a car with power available and brakes etc is ever a trailer.
Even if it is if one EU counr try passed a law saying no trailers to be towed at all or a car when towed is not a trailer except for recovery, I don't think the directive solves that one
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