Towing

[Weekend Warrior]

Now the youngest one has a horse ,the horse trailer has taken the spot I had earmarked for my car trailer .Now realistically I probably don’t really need a trailer ,as the wife keeps telling me , as any Trackdays I do tend to be close enough to drive the car to and from. The only time I would ever have the need to tow would be when I’m having problems and want to get the car somewhere to get it looked at .A friend of a friend is selling an A frame towing device and that got me thinking ....... it’s small and doesn’t take up much space ,does anyone use them ,are there any reasons not to use them ? 

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

3 hours ago, Weekend Warrior said:

are there any reasons not to use them ?

 

This is usually the cue for a can of worms popping open!

 

I don't know if the situation has ever been resolved, but when the topic has come up in the past, there seems considerable doubt as to it's legality, for anything other than vehicle recovery.

 

That's not to say many don't do it and never get stopped or have an issue.

 

But then, not wanting to point out the obvious, but if you only normally trailer it when the car has a problem, an A frame type may of limited use anyway, as it kind of needs a road legal, more or less working car!

[Jenko]

I read up on this recently, and the only conclusion I could come up with is...if the car being towed is road legal, then it's ok. You certainly see enough motor homes with smart cars attached to them.

 

As Dave said though...... a can of worms!.

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Not quite. If the towed car has brakes they need to operate. (Unless the car is broken down then exemptions are allowed). Although as you say theres loads of motorhomes bombing about with cars attached that I doubt are braked.

 

Trailers having a maximum laden weight not exceeding 750kg are not required to have brakes fitted. However, if the trailer (regardless of mass) is fitted with a braking system, then all brakes in that system must operate correctly and efficiently. This means that the braking systems of small ‘microcars’ (under 750kg in weight) must still operate, even when the vehicle is being towed. Unless the vehicle is broken down, when C&U makes special provision.

 

All the regs are here for some light reading.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-frames-and-dollies/a-frames-and-dollies

[Mark (smokey mow)]

ok I’ll bite 😄
 

It depends on the A-frame.

 

for the purposes of the legislation a car on an A-frame is treated as a trailer and likewise if fitted with brakes these must be operational.  
 

smart cars behind campers get away with this as they typically have a linked braking system to the tow vehicle.

 

In all other cases an A-frame is for recovery purposes only which is normally to a place of safety rather than a 50mile tow home from a track day.

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Just get rid of the horse, much safer and cheaper in the long run and no more space problems 

[Mole]

Do more track days that are further away and then you will need to have a trailer..plus you have it just in case of a break down!

Get a big horse box so the car can fit in it!

[Simon Waterfall Syman84]

Don't want to get into legalities but I before trailer, pulled westy to nurburgring on one and as a plus unhooked at the ferry we drove 2 cars on as it was cheaper than car and trailer at the time. 

 

A different time. Probably get pulled these days.