A-Frame Towing Europe

Ah takes me back

"How does the arrangement apply the brakes on the towed vehicle?"

They don't, It's all done with whatever your towing with.

There can't be many cars weighing less than 750kg which is the limit above which an overrun braking system on the towed vehicle is required by law, so that would nowadays be a killer criterion.

Lutz

I have read many of your negative comments regarding A-Frames and I agree there has never a legal challenge to the A-Frame Assembly in the UK, but as I understand it the DOT have stated that they consider the A-Frame and Car Assembly to be a Trailer and must meet the legal requirements for such. I know there are a number of A-Frame assemblies that will not meet these legal requirements and I would agree they would be illegal.

Your point about about anchorage points and technical change also do not apply in my case as with the A-Frame removed there is no visible change to the front of the car.

One more point if I fabricate my own trailer or even have one fabricated by a specialist company, would this need to be type approved.

Finally in the UK any challenge to an A-frame assembly that meets all the Trailer requirements would surely need to be brought on the grounds of safety i.e. causing a danger to yourself or other road users.

To the best of my knowledge, MM, they can only be used legally in this country for recovery purposes over short distances.

If I read this correctly' its all down to what you call it and what it's used for Is it an A frame or a Dolly?

From the manufactures adverts they seem to use the word Dolly in the description to get round the grey area of the Law?

Like this one rated at 3.5 ton A Frame Dolly

Lutz, As far as I am aware trailer law states that if the trailer is fitted with brakes then they must be capable of being operated by the towing vehicle so whether a car is less than 750Kgs is irrelevent. It still has to be braked.

Paul, not all A-Frames when removed leave no sign that they are fitted. Car-a-Tow fit a permanent bar to the front of the car which is probably lethal in the event of hitting someone..

peedee

The answer is YES to having a trailer type approved, we had a trailer fabricated for our 3 wheel scooter. The paperwork was all taken care of by the company who made it, the plate and license number is clear to see on the A frame.

Hi John

I have posted on one of your threads on this subject before because I once used an A-Frame here in Spain. With out doubt I think a car on an A-Frame is more stable  then most things I have seen towed here including Caravans but the facts are that the Guardia Civil here don't like A-Frame usage full stop why that is I don't know but when the local police came round to speak to me after being stopped for the fourth time by the Guardia he was very sympathetic but told me under no circumstance's should I use it again because the Traffico had sent him.

Just as an aside to this one of my neighbours tows a cement mixer behind his works van and keeps it SAFE with two lengths of rope, so one rule for the locals and another for us it seems and with Brexit coming shortly your pleas will fall on deaf ears i'm afraid.

You need to see one 

Tammygirl

Thanks for a simple and streight forward answer.

I'm obviously well out of date on this subject, the last trailer I had was long before the introduction of type approval (April 2013).