Wanting tow car

[Robbiechausson788]

Any tow cars for sale in northwest area ideally ?

 

[TonyEmm]

Not this hairy chestnut again ... it is ILLEGAL to tow one vehicle with another in many parts of mainland Europe, putting an A-frame on does NOT stop it being a vehicle no matter how many things you do to make it more trailer-like. In the UK we can often do things like this unless they are specifically banned/unlawful etc but abroad it is usually the opposite, ie you can ONLY do it if there is some law/agreement/rule/permission which specifically allows it.

I'm just gonna go and make some and settle down for the 'debate'.

I’ll get my tin hat out!

 

[TonyEmm]

Any tow cars for sale in northwest area ideally ?

There are plenty for sale on the specialist a-frame groups on FB!
Try https://www.facebook.com/groups/921897484990172

 

[dunnah01]

This is confirmation that you can’t believe everything the a-frame suppliers tell you, or the paperwork they give you.
a ‘Declaration of Conformity’ is NOT a certificate of conformity. They are NOT issued in London and/or Brussels, they are a self declaration that their product conforms. Sadly, it doesn’t.

98/37/EC Machinery directive specifically excludes vehicles and their trailers.

2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive is only applicable to DC circuits between 75 volts and 1500 volts. (Not 12 volt systems).

Countries can (and do) have their own national laws regarding the towing of motorised vehicles. There is no automatic exclusion for 6 months or any other period. (See the previous comments ref. Questions for written answers in the EU Parliament).

There is no requirement for ANY signage, merely reflective triangles.

Their documents issued in other languages claim the a-frame is CE approved. In fact, none are, there are no standards for a-frames.

The paperwork is purely a marketing exercise. …. …..

And the UK no longer recognise CE marking anyway

 

[TonyEmm]

And the UK no longer recognise CE marking anyway

That’s actually not the case.
would you believe that this afternoon, I was donating a pile of stuff to a local charity shop. They took most of it but kicked out a giant teddy bear.
why? Because it didn’t have a CE label on it!

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[Minxy]

I just want to make it clear before anyone starts to call us 'A-frame haters' just because we are pointing out the actual reality of A-frame usage, I have NO problem whatsoever with someone doing it (safely) - indeed we used to town a Bond minicar on a 'bar' for many years - but I take great exception when a company gives purchasers a load of blurb saying it IS legal and approved etc when it isn't, NOT in this country (even though it is 'accepted'), and especially NOT in other countries where they could get big fines for using them.

 

[dunnah01]

That’s actually not the case.
would you believe that this afternoon, I was donating a pile of stuff to a local charity shop. They took most of it but kicked out a giant teddy bear.
why? Because it didn’t have a CE label on it!

Did they check for a UKCA mark

 

[TonyEmm]

Did they check for a UKCA mark

It didn’t even have a washing label!

 

[Jev88]

Bought the wife's daily car and Towcar Fiat 500 from a chap in Stoke that converts nothing else..... Message me if you want his number. Cuttentihas 66, 67 and 71 plates finished.

 

[TonyEmm]

Bought the wife's daily car and Towcar Fiat 500 from a chap in Stoke that converts nothing else..... Message me if you want his number. Cuttentihas 66, 67 and 71 plates finished.

I have a list of U.K. suppliers at https://spinner28.wixsite.com/tonys...liers-and-their-systems-in-alphabetical-order. It should include your contact in Stoke!

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[Jev88]

No,. Not on that list.

 

[Coolcats]

And the UK no longer recognise CE marking anyway

Talk about increasing costs for product manufacturers products will need both UKCA and CE if sold in U.K. and the EU market ! It really doesn’t make any sense at all.

 

[dunnah01]

Talk about increasing costs for product manufacturers products will need both UKCA and CE if sold in U.K. and the EU market ! It really doesn’t make any sense at all.

Just keeps on givin doesn't it ..

 

[Fdhadi]

Not sure the OP actually mentioned towing abroad so what’s all the fuss about

 

[donkey]

I am interested to know just why countries actually object to the use of A frames. Are they considered to be unsafe? If so why?
I have seen some very unsuitable/unsafe vehicle/trailer combinations in my time.

Geoff

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[Jev88]

I am interested to know just why countries actually object to the use of A frames. Are they considered to be unsafe? If so why?
I have seen some very unsuitable/unsafe vehicle/trailer combinations in my time.

Geoff

I think it mostly boils down to "towing a motorised vehicle with another motorised vehicle".

 

[Neil S]

I would ask these manufacturers who say their A-frames are legal to use an abroad for a written assurance that they’ll pay any fines or other costs incurred if / when your stopped .
Bet you a pound to a penny none will step up to mark

 

[Manic]

I would consider a trailer , some of the Aframes are more expensive than a trailer would be.

 

[Minxy]

It didn’t even have a washing label!

Are you sure it was a teddy bear and not a real bear that's in hibernation?

 

[Minxy]

Not sure the OP actually mentioned towing abroad so what’s all the fuss about

Not a fuss, just making him aware in case it was in his plans to do so.

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[rb62]

Yer I’ve looked on there thanks . I have a fiesta for my job so was just looking at LNB and they do trailers to suit. Was thinking that if possible would be the cheapest option knowing it wouldn’t be getting used regularly. Thoughts ?

yer I’ve got a certified from the company that fitted the towbar as he said you needed it if going abroad Would of ideally got an A frame fitted to my fiesta st line x edition if I could find someone to do it.

You may have a certificate for the towbar but the answer to what weight you can tow is dictated by your Chausson VIN plate.

 

[Coolcats]

You may have a certificate for the towbar but the answer to what weight you can tow is dictated by your Chausson VIN plate.

absolutely I made a spreadsheet for trailers and VIN plate its an interesting quandary once the weights are input

Here is something else people need to consider

"Whilst being towed, A-frame and car ‘units’ are subject to the relevant requirements (for trailers) given in RVLR, including the use of triangular red reflectors to the rear. There are also requirements for the display of the appropriate number plate on the rear of the towed ‘unit’."

 

[the1andonly]

"Whilst being towed, A-frame and car ‘units’ are subject to the relevant requirements (for trailers) given in RVLR, including the use of triangular red reflectors to the rear. There are also requirements for the display of the appropriate number plate on the rear of the towed ‘unit’."

A nice solution to this problem. The car number plate is held off with a gap to use simple sprung loaded brackets. The black extension is the rear of an old numberplate.

 

[Robbiechausson788]

You should check the VIN plate! It overrules anything a salesman might tell you….

WEIGHTS & VIN PLATES!

The information here is based on a motorhome conversion of a commercial chassis but it holds true for virtually any vehicle.VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number.It's a unique 17 digit number which includes coded information such as Country of Assembly, the Manufacturer, the Body Style...

spinner28.wixsite.com

I’ve had air bags done on rear and tow bar fitted and had it re weighed now from 3550 to 4100kg. Been told now by sv tech that I originally could tow 700 kg but now 150 kg How does that work when surely I’ve improved the ride / handling of the MH. I think there will be many people riding around with tow cars not realising they shouldn’t be and could void their insurance. I really think this should be highlighted on this forum.

 

[Manic]

The 3550kg and 4100kg are these the Motorhome weight Or what it been uprated to.
If so the extra is taken off the train weight.
when I had my motorhome uprated , I lost 200kg of what i could tow

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[vkr15s]

This issue I believe is a major problem with Chauson and lack of knowledge with their Uk sales agents as I was assured when I ordered a new one I would be able to tow, only to find out that the limit was 400kg. So basically I can tow the trailer but the car will have to stay at home!

 

[pappajohn]

This issue I believe is a major problem with Chauson and lack of knowledge with their Uk sales agents as I was assured when I ordered a new one I would be able to tow, only to find out that the limit was 400kg. So basically I can tow the trailer but the car will have to stay at home!

Are you sure that's not the unbraked towing weight?
My car has an unbraked limit of 400kg but a braked limit of 1500kg.
Obviously the 400kg is the limit of the cars braking system when an unbraked trailer is added but the braked trailer removes a lot of effort having its our braking system.

 

[vkr15s]

Are you sure that's not the unbraked towing weight?
My car has an unbraked limit of 400kg but a braked limit of 1500kg.
Obviously the 400kg is the limit of the cars braking system when an unbraked trailer is added but the braked trailer removes a lot of effort having its our braking system.

I am sure this is correct as I kicked up such a fuss the dealer got the response direct from Chauson.I have taken lots of advice on this and the common comment is it is the way the chassis is extended and ironically Chauson said it is okay with the same model on a Fiat to tow. I went for the Ford because of the bhp and six speed auto box as opposed to the Fiat nine speed box.

 

[TonyEmm]

I’ve had air bags done on rear and tow bar fitted and had it re weighed now from 3550 to 4100kg. Been told now by sv tech that I originally could tow 700 kg but now 150 kg How does that work when surely I’ve improved the ride / handling of the MH. I think there will be many people riding around with tow cars not realising they shouldn’t be and could void their insurance. I really think this should be highlighted on this forum.

Fitting air bags may have increased your MGW (and useable payload) but it’s not increased your GTW.
Towing weight is not set in stone. Nominally it’s the difference between GTW and GVW but, if you’re not utilising all your payload, you can add the balance to your towing limit.

Reduced payload = increased towing limit!
What you must not do is exceed any of the weights on the VIN plate….

 

[towacarsteve]

Any tow cars for sale in northwest area ideally ?

I have a few if you haven’t got sorted
Aygo’s from 67 to 2022
Also a few Auto’s
All converted ready to go