A frame towing

jordano

jordano

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Nov 19, 2014
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blackpool
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34,273
MH
Triango CI Cipro55
Exp
3 years
i am a bit confused I have been informed repeatedly that I cannot use an a frame in Spain but I am here at the Lincoln show and have talked to six people who use one and have done for lots of time and never had a problem in Spain one even stopping to ask police for directions can I or can't I use a a frame will I or will not be stopped do I just take a chance does the declaration ofCE conformity make any difference ?
 
You would be taking a huge risk in Spain, better make sure there are two drivers
 
The following has been copied from a Spanish police web site.


Following frequent questions regarding the possibility of a motorhome towing a car, this possibility is prohibited in Article 9.3 of the Reglamento General de Vehículos whic prohibits the movement of a motor vehicle towing another, unless there is an immediate risk of damage or injury and it cannot be dragged by another specifically for that purpose, in which case it is allowed only to the nearest place where it will not hinder traffic movement and provided that it is not on a motorway.

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So I guess the people who have used one in Spain have just been lucky not to be stopped I've lady I talked to and is connected to the motorhome Chanel on TVs has used hers to pull a smart car to taraggona in Spain for the last 12 years
 
I don't tow a car now but I never took it to Spain when I used to tow , as Lynne does not drive if I was told to unhook it I would of been stuffed not forgetting the fine .

I no people when they get to the Spanish border they unhook the car and drive the car to where they are going to in Spain.
 
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact

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jordano said:
So I guess the people who have used one in Spain have just been lucky not to be stopped I've lady I talked to and is connected to the motorhome Chanel on TVs has used hers to pull a smart car to taraggona in Spain for the last 12 years
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They have been very lucky not being stopped , fined and made to uncouple .
I've heard the bragging before from the minority who think the rules do not apply to them .
The Spanish do not tolerate them , end of .
If a car is that important you can hire one for reasonable cost .
 
jordano said:
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact
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Ken Rose (I assume) will not be in the 'van when you get stopped, fined, told to unhitch and to go on your way.

Unless you are comfortable with arguing with a Police Officer in Spain in Spanish and prepared to be arrested, get kept overnight for the next Magistrate (or similar) then ignore what well versed members on here will confirm, then fine,(no pun), buy this A frame at vast expense and carry on.
If you have a ounce or metric equivalent of CS, buy a trailer and do not use an A Frame in Spain.
 
jordano said:
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact
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I would ask them for assurance that they will pay any fines incurred and any other costs if your stopped .
The Traffico are not interested in any translation that you may show them but if you fancy arguing with them on the side of the road , rather you than me
 
jordano said:
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact[/QUOT

Does it keep all four wheels off the road, if no go call him a great big fibbing salesman
Click to expand...
 
jordano said:
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact
Click to expand...
Not worth the paper it's written on...Will he also pay your on the spot fine and recover your toad out of Spain if you are a sole driver.
Of course he won't.

Brisey said:
The following has been copied from a Spanish police web site.


Following frequent questions regarding the possibility of a motorhome towing a car, this possibility is prohibited in Article 9.3 of the Reglamento General de Vehículos whic prohibits the movement of a motor vehicle towing another, unless there is an immediate risk of damage or injury and it cannot be dragged by another specifically for that purpose, in which case it is allowed only to the nearest place where it will not hinder traffic movement and provided that it is not on a motorway.
Click to expand...

A frames are illegal in Spain as above...end of.
Germany and France are slowly heading the same way.

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jordano said:
Just talked to a guy called Ken Rose agent for Car-A-Tow that there product is classed as a trailer and conform to any Spanish legalities and will provide a translation of this fact
Click to expand...

"Any Spanish legalities"

Hmmmm

Smells like typical salesman BS to me.

Ask him for the specific laws and exactly how his product complies.

As has been said already whatever nonsense he cons you into believing won't get you anywhere when the Trafficos decide to fine you. You will be paying them if you want to continue your journey.
 
I have had a house in Spain for over 12 years and I know that trying to tell a Spanish policeman that it allowed in the UK and that means it is allowed in Europe, is like trying to sell an ice cube in Iceland (the country) Forget it.

AN "A" FRAME IS NOT......REPEAT, NOT LEGAL IN SPAIN!!

Now, back to my beer :)

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Billy23 said:
I have had a house in Spain for over 12 years and I know that trying to tell a Spanish policeman that it allowed in the UK and that means it is allowed in Europe, is like trying to sell an ice cube in Iceland (the country) Forget it.

AN "A" FRAME IS NOT......REPEAT, NOT LEGAL IN SPAIN!!

Now, back to my beer :)
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Spot on......

We will however continue to use ours in U.K. We have it here at Lincoln, in fact.
 
I'm not sure if some people have quite grasped the actual issue with regard to Spanish national road traffic law.
The issue is that it is, and always has been here in Spain, illegal to tow a road vehicle (car van lorry bus etc) with another road vehicle on any public road.
It matters not whether the tool used for towing is a rope, a bar, or an Aframe. It is the act of towing a car with your Motorhome that's illegal.
Some people will get away with doing so, just as some get away with speeding or drink driving or any other illegal acts whilst driving. But the fine and inconvenience if caught and instructed to decouple and continue only as the 2 separate road vehicles that you plainly are under Spanish law, is a big big risk. Even bigger I assume is the implications in the event of any accident when both the Spanish Trafico Police and your insurers both realise youwere driving illegally at the time.
 
There's not a lot of difference in cost of buying a trailer. To buying an Aframe and all the kit that goes with it.
Buy a trailer it's not worth the hassle to Aframe.
 
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Speve said:
There's not a lot of difference in cost of buying a trailer. To buying an Aframe and all the kit that goes with it.
Buy a trailer it's not worth the hassle to Aframe.
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True, but we would need a big trailer for the car (Fiesta) - plus there is nowhere to store it at home. This, combined with the fact that we will never tour abroad with the car/motorhome means the A frame is ideal for us.

Horses for courses really. There are no rights or wrongs in UK, just different paths......
 
You are going as usual to get two camps here.... Those who for some inexplicable reason don't like A frames so love to criticise. Those who use them who will of course defend.
Now me I'm a user. Not worried to much about getting my collar felt especially over a minor infringement and being an old git realise life's full of risks and chances.

Technically it's not legal to use an A frame in Spain. But the chances of a prosecution is actually very very small indeed. But yes it's possible.

So it's a wee gamble. Think about it and think about the small penalty IF you get a pull. Personally I don't give a monkeys I really don't. Europe is huge and for me if I want to eliminate the tiny risk then I won't go to Spain.

We can worry ourselves to death over just about anything. Bugger it just go and enjoy.

Now where did I leave my pith helmet ????

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Excellent! Clarification...

If you like your a-frame it's okay to tow in Spain.

And if you don't see the point of a-frames or tow cars you are sure everyone will be prosecuted as they cross the border.
 
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Charlie said:
You are going as usual to get two camps here.... Those who for some inexplicable reason don't like A frames so love to criticise. Those who use them who will of course defend.
Now me I'm a user. Not worried to much about getting my collar felt especially over a minor infringement and being an old git realise life's full of risks and chances.

Technically it's not legal to use an A frame in Spain. But the chances of a prosecution is actually very very small indeed. But yes it's possible.

So it's a wee gamble. Think about it and think about the small penalty IF you get a pull. Personally I don't give a monkeys I really don't. Europe is huge and for me if I want to eliminate the tiny risk then I won't go to Spain.

We can worry ourselves to death over just about anything. Bugger it just go and enjoy.

Now where did I leave my pith helmet ????
Click to expand...

And the risk of being stopped and fined is small ? How can you be so sure of that
 
It won't be a prosecution. It will be an on the spot fine by the Trafficos, of whatever amount they feel like charging you, and you will not be continuing your journey, or going anywhere else other than a cashpoint, until you pay them.

If anyone thinks they are likely to win an argument with Trafficos at the side of the road then go for it. If you piss them off then theres every chance they would impound both your vehicles just for fun.
 
Sidney said:
Excellent! Clarification...

If you like your a-frame it's okay to tow in Spain.

And if you don't see the point of a-frames or tow cars you are sure everyone will be prosecuted as they cross the border.
Click to expand...

Quite......

The Nomad said:
So "the rule of law should apply to everyone else but me in any country I visit", is actually being argued as valid philosophy?
Click to expand...

Foghorn Leghorn said:
And the risk of being stopped and fined is small ? How can you be so sure of that
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Does it really matter? If a person wants to manage their own risk then ok. It does not impact on others so let's not make a song and dance about it........ (y)

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