towing dollys and A-frames
17 May 2008, 02:33 PM
#1
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towing dollys and A-frames
who knows the law on using a dolly or an a frame, does the car your towing need to be road legal or not. I have an off road jeep that i need to tow with my van and dont have the room to keep a trailer so a dolly or a frame would take up less room. ive heard off people you can get done usein them if its not a leagel car. any input on this people. cheers scott
17 May 2008, 03:09 PM
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I have a motor home and want to tow a Fiat Seicento behind it using an A-frame. This car has a kerb weight under 750 kg so am I legal with this outfit?
Sorry no is the answer. The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 - 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small "car". This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety
Sorry no is the answer. The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 - 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small "car". This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety
17 May 2008, 05:12 PM
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You can get braked dollys..
HEAVY DUTY BRAKED TOWING DOLLY/ CARS OR VANS RECOVERY on eBay, also, Recovery Tools, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 18-May-08 21:00:00 BST)
but in my case a trailer was just as cheap second hand and the law states that if any wheels of a vehicle are in contact with the ground whilst being towed it must be T&T and insured (unless being recovered to either place of repair or home) i.e point to point is not allowed, how this is enforced i wouldn't know, i just went for the least hassle option
HEAVY DUTY BRAKED TOWING DOLLY/ CARS OR VANS RECOVERY on eBay, also, Recovery Tools, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 18-May-08 21:00:00 BST)
but in my case a trailer was just as cheap second hand and the law states that if any wheels of a vehicle are in contact with the ground whilst being towed it must be T&T and insured (unless being recovered to either place of repair or home) i.e point to point is not allowed, how this is enforced i wouldn't know, i just went for the least hassle option
17 May 2008, 09:23 PM
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A-frames are a very grey area legally. I have one and use it a fair bit and have never had any bother. I went into the cop-shop and asked what the laws were and their answer was "dunno" they honestly didnt know for definate one way or another if it was legal. The concensus was that if the setup looked ok - ie a decent towcar, not pulling a landrover with an escort, all tyres were legal, nothing had sharp edges etc and there was a trailerboard howing the correct lights and numberplate on the back of the setup, then they wouldnt have a problem.
Now,this is hardly a definative answer and a vosa checkpoint or different coppers may well have a different opinion.
The "official" line is they are only for recovering a broken down car to a place of safety.
From what I have gathered on the subject....and I stand to be corrected if anyone knows 100% the other way, id be interested to hear the sources....once an a-frame is attatched, the towed car is classed as a trailer. As posted above, most cars are over 750kgs, so you are towing an unbraked trailer. Is this a serious offence? I have no idea.
does the towed car need insurance? well, as far as I can tell, no. My cars policy covers everything I tow for third-party risks. the policy states that it incudes trailers, caravans and towed vehicles.
Hundreds of motorhome owners use a-frames and dont seem to have problems. I have seen a w people using them at trackdays, and police waiting outside the event have nevestopped anyone. Personally, I have used mine a lot for several years and never had a problem, despite being "spotted" by various police cars while using it. Dos this make it ok? well, thats open to interpretation.
Mine is an ex RAC thing with the built in braking system. Its not that great, but better than nothing I suppose.
Now,this is hardly a definative answer and a vosa checkpoint or different coppers may well have a different opinion.
The "official" line is they are only for recovering a broken down car to a place of safety.
From what I have gathered on the subject....and I stand to be corrected if anyone knows 100% the other way, id be interested to hear the sources....once an a-frame is attatched, the towed car is classed as a trailer. As posted above, most cars are over 750kgs, so you are towing an unbraked trailer. Is this a serious offence? I have no idea.
does the towed car need insurance? well, as far as I can tell, no. My cars policy covers everything I tow for third-party risks. the policy states that it incudes trailers, caravans and towed vehicles.
Hundreds of motorhome owners use a-frames and dont seem to have problems. I have seen a w people using them at trackdays, and police waiting outside the event have nevestopped anyone. Personally, I have used mine a lot for several years and never had a problem, despite being "spotted" by various police cars while using it. Dos this make it ok? well, thats open to interpretation.
Mine is an ex RAC thing with the built in braking system. Its not that great, but better than nothing I suppose.
18 May 2008, 12:05 PM
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Most people would never have a problem *until* someone got killed in an accident involving a vehicle with dolley/A frame. At which point, the experts would go over it with a fine tooth-comb and fault or not, the brown sticky stuff would hit the whirly thing!
(It's at this point also that your insurance company would run for cover)
(It's at this point also that your insurance company would run for cover)
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18 May 2008, 12:22 PM
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I overtook three Motorhomes yesturday towing Smart fortwos on A-frames (GVT is above 1000kg).
The law is as clear as muddy water: Needs to have some test cases put through court to define it better.
The law is as clear as muddy water: Needs to have some test cases put through court to define it better.
18 May 2008, 06:37 PM
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ill be towing a suzuki sj striped out for off roading so not to much weight in it. i think im gonna take a chance and use my mates a frame, if i do get a pull i think its gonna be the old act daft excuse. cheers for your inputs
20 May 2008, 02:31 PM
#10
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I used to tow a mini "special" autotest car with an A frame.
Was less than 750kg so no issue with unbraked weight. At the time, it was classed as a trailer as the mounting was rigid.
Certainly not road legal as a car (although it was always towed on legal tyres) with a light board attached to the back.
Never had any problems with the police, and my insurance co confirmed it was covered third party.
Was less than 750kg so no issue with unbraked weight. At the time, it was classed as a trailer as the mounting was rigid.
Certainly not road legal as a car (although it was always towed on legal tyres) with a light board attached to the back.
Never had any problems with the police, and my insurance co confirmed it was covered third party.
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