a frame question (1 Viewer)

keith

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Aug 25, 2007
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looking at a frame made by a firm in chorley lancs.i thought they had to have brakes fitted but apparently not any body know anyt different ..

May be one of the new type where the brakes are activated electronically and can reversed more easily because there is no overun brake. £1500 I believe. :Eeek:
 

haganap

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or it is possible that it is a normal unbraked aframe designed for cars under a certain weight.

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haganap

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irrespective of weight, if a car has brakes they must be operational when it's towed by an A frame ...

No reason to doubt that Jim, but when looking for a car to tow I came across many under 900kg (or 750kg) cant remmeber which that were advertised as unbraked and not needing to be because of the weight, That is what the owners were stating? or will this open up another aframe debate :cry::Blush:
 

scotjimland

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No reason to doubt that Jim, but when looking for a car to tow I came across many under 900kg (or 750kg) cant remmeber which that were advertised as unbraked and not needing to be because of the weight, That is what the owners were stating? or will this open up another aframe debate :cry::Blush:

no debate Paul .. no ambiguity

the 750kg rule says that brakes are not required if the trailer is under 750kg GVW

.... but if fitted they MUST work

I know of no car without brakes :winky:

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Bryan

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Jul 19, 2007
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Scotjimland is quite correct and I second what he says.


If vehicle over 750kgs then it must have brakes

If brakes fitted (regardless of weight)they must operate when towing vehicle brakes


Seemples!
 
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fender_man44

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a frame puzzled??

thank you all for the replys but still no wiser the firm in question is EASY-TOW.CO.UK chap i knew had one got pulled by coppers they were clueless and let him go ,,no brakes on the a frame just a lightboard for the lights and indicators..any more help please
 

scotjimland

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thank you all for the replys but still no wiser the firm in question is EASY-TOW.CO.UK chap i knew had one got pulled by coppers they were clueless and let him go ,,no brakes on the a frame just a lightboard for the lights and indicators..any more help please

I've had a look at their site, these A frames are only legal for recovery / breakdown , there is also a speed limit , can't recall exactly but I think its 50 mph, maybe less,

If you are serious about buying and using an A frame buy one from the reputable makers such as a CarATow .. ensure you buy and fit a 'braked' frame ..

It is perfectly legal to use a lighting board but far more convenient to have the cars lights wired to the motorhome lighting circuits via the 7 pin trailer socket, this is an option when you have a frame fitted.

As an aside, if planning to go to Europe, particularly Spain, be aware that some users have been stopped and made to unhitch and in some instances also fined..

hope that helps

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656

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Jul 30, 2007
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We had an AFrame fitted to our Smart Car. As Jim said, brakes must work if fitted. Also the towed vehicle MUST carry the number plate of the towing vehicle and 2 red triangles in the back window. This from my sons brother in law who is a traffic cop. Where no brake cable can be seen, then unless an alternative system is used the towed vehicle will be deamed illegal and subject to a prohibition order preventing the vehicle to be towed. As Bryan said, Simples!!!
 

pappajohn

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just had a look and its a recovery A frame.

when used by a professional recovery company no brakes are required and it should be used to get the disabled car off the road to a safe place only....ie: the next service area on a motorway.

also, in reply to Pauls comments.....it is the toads GROSS weight thats taken into account.......not the kerb/unladen weight.
not many cars with a gross weight under 750kg.
 

scotjimland

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also, in reply to Pauls comments.....it is the toads GROSS weight thats taken into account.......not the kerb/unladen weight.
not many cars with a gross weight under 750kg.

The only car I know under 750kg GVW is the Link Removed Max laden weight 675kg

but as already mentioned, it's academic, brakes must work when being A framed

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keith

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Have a look at this site. This is not a recovery system but an A Frame operated by an electronic box that can sense deceleration forces and apply the brakes.
 

Bryan

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thank you all for the replys but still no wiser the firm in question is EASY-TOW.CO.UK chap i knew had one got pulled by coppers they were clueless and let him go ,,no brakes on the a frame just a lightboard for the lights and indicators..any more help please


Yes, you are wiser :winky::ROFLMAO:

Let's keep it simple - if you tow a car it's brakes must apply when towing vehicle brakes.

The recovery system you indicate does indeed have a speed limit too. Not 50 but 40mph.

Just do what everyone else does.

Get a BRAKED a-frame and have the lights wired so you don't need a light board.

Our light conversion cost £60-£70 all in.

HTH

Bryan
 
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fender_man44

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Mar 15, 2008
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about 4 years
a frames

once again thank you all for your replys ..think i will give the a frame a miss..let the wife drive the car behind me..
 

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