Towing A frame in France

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We have an A Frame, but just use it in U.K. I believe it is illegal in France, Spain etc. but as you say it’s a grey area, so for us it’s not worth arguing if pulled over. We are going to France in June and plan to rent a car for a few days here and there.
 
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There has been a lot of debate on this so best search. But, advice is no, it’s illegal. It will depend upon the officer. Your gamble if they fine you and/or make you decouple.
 
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Yes as I thought ,I dont think using 1 in the uk for us is enough of a pull .So forget it seems in order .
 
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We have been A framing in France for many years - never had a problem
came to a road closure a couple of years ago and the police helped me to unhook and turn the motor home around and rehook the toad.
i have seen many French motor homes with a toad attached.

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Many many posts and conflicting opinions/experiences on this if you do a Forum search.
Here's just one of them............

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

A-framing A “TOAD” in France.

There is much said about the legality or otherwise of a-framing a towed car. BE AWARE! There is a post this morning on a FB a-framing group where the poster says “Just been pulled by French plod for my tow car!!” It’s fair to say that enforcement is patchy at best but, caution is required!
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
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It is a gamble, I've seen many 'toads' in France, but friends of mine with a holiday home in France were told to uncouple their car and leave it for collection at the side of the road.

Fortunately they both could drive so ended up one following the other.
 
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LesW said:
It is a gamble, I've seen many 'toads' in France, but friends of mine with a holiday home in France were told to uncouple their car and leave it for collection at the side of the road.

Fortunately they both could drive so ended up one following the other.
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^This is first hand experience thank you for sharing,
 
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What a silly regulation. Half the motorhomes in North America use toads and there is no evidence that it presents any more of a safety issue than towing a trailer. Bureaucrats at work methinks.
 
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GarryP said:
What a silly regulation. Half the motorhomes in North America use toads and there is no evidence that it presents any more of a safety issue than towing a trailer. Bureaucrats at work methinks.
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Yep. Exactly. No evidence of serious issues but the pen pushers simply say it’s illegal because it’s not legal.
IIRC everything in France is illegal until laws are passed to make it legal. Wonder when they legalised nookie? 😂😂
 
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If it’s illegal in France why do the French make and use them?

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LesW said:
It is a gamble, I've seen many 'toads' in France, but friends of mine with a holiday home in France were told to uncouple their car and leave it for collection at the side of the road.

Fortunately they both could drive so ended up one following the other.
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It’s seems it’s always a friend of a friend
If I got stopped in France and told to uncouple or a fine I would be happy with 3rd option have my day in court at least it would end this rubbish of legal or illegal

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Conniedriving said:
It’s seems it’s always a friend of a friend
If I got stopped in France and told to uncouple or a fine I would be happy with 3rd option have my day in court at least it would end this rubbish of legal or illegal
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It’s not that simple, here or abroad, A Frame regulation is complex and guidance is provided in the following link.

A-frames

www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
 
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Conniedriving said:
It’s seems it’s always a friend of a friend
If I got stopped in France and told to uncouple or a fine I would be happy with 3rd option have my day in court at least it would end this rubbish of legal or illegal
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.. but you would still have to leave your car at the side of the road.
 
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GarryP said:
What a silly regulation. Half the motorhomes in North America use toads and there is no evidence that it presents any more of a safety issue than towing a trailer. Bureaucrats at work methinks.
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Simple rule:
If you can't reverse it, then you should not be driving it on the road.

A trailer can usually be reversed, a toad usually can't.
 
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Brains said:
Simple rule:
If you can't reverse it, then you should not be driving it on the road.

A trailer can usually be reversed, a toad usually can't.
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Sorry mate but a toad can be reversed. Think your going off track from the original post
Ps most motor bikes can not be reversed?
 
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Conniedriving said:
Sorry mate but a toad can be reversed. Think your going off track from the original post
Ps most motor bikes can not be reversed?
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A toad 'can' be reversed, but how many toad haulers have the skill to reverse?
Even the few that may have the ability will not be able to reverse far.

The American road system was designed for motorised vehicles, the European road system was designed for foot traffic and horse and cart. So you can not compare the rules between them.

Two motorhomes with toads on a Cornish lane or a Highland single track would block the road until one is made capable of reversing.

I know most toad haulers therefore try to stick to the main roads to avoid the possible need to reverse, but it still means the basic waggoners rule should apply "If you can't reverse it, then you are not leaving the yard with it"
 
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Brains said:
A toad 'can' be reversed, but how many toad haulers have the skill to reverse?
Even the few that may have the ability will not be able to reverse far.
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You are quite correct with that . That aside..the thread seems to be going off again? A bit like reversing a Toad!!

Kev :giggle:(y)
 
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We have a smart car toad, We have never taken it to France mainly because if we were involved in an accident i imagine it might be the insurance company would say we were not covered as regardless wether the toad was the corse we were towing illegally
 
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Conniedriving said:
You would not get out of the port if there were a issue
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So why have all the vehicles devoid of country stickers been allowed out for the last 50 years?
sweetie said:
Is that why a very large percentage of caravans have motor movers fitted:unsure:
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yes they can't reverse.

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Brains said:
A toad 'can' be reversed, but how many toad haulers have the skill to reverse?
Even the few that may have the ability will not be able to reverse far.

The American road system was designed for motorised vehicles, the European road system was designed for foot traffic and horse and cart. So you can not compare the rules between them.

Two motorhomes with toads on a Cornish lane or a Highland single track would block the road until one is made capable of reversing.

I know most toad haulers therefore try to stick to the main roads to avoid the possible need to reverse, but it still means the basic waggoners rule should apply "If you can't reverse it, then you are not leaving the yard with it"
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One thing to remember particularly when faced with a narrow space, if you get up enough speed you can take everything with you…..think that may apply to reversing but haven’t tried that one yet 😉
 
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Brains said:
A toad 'can' be reversed, but how many toad haulers have the skill to reverse?
Even the few that may have the ability will not be able to reverse far.

The American road system was designed for motorised vehicles, the European road system was designed for foot traffic and horse and cart. So you can not compare the rules between them.

Two motorhomes with toads on a Cornish lane or a Highland single track would block the road until one is made capable of reversing.

I know most toad haulers therefore try to stick to the main roads to avoid the possible need to reverse, but it still means the basic waggoners rule should apply "If you can't reverse it, then you are not leaving the yard with it"
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A caravan can be reversed but how many caravaners have the skill to reverse if the road is narrow, bad enough watching some trying to reverse on to a pitch.
 
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dunnah01 said:
Just unhook it and do a 3 point turn
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Here you go, and hour of video filmed in a single week in Cornwall.
How many times would you need to unhook and perform the 3 point turn (if you had the room)

If you cant reverse it, don't drive it!
 
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