TOWING WITH AN A-FRAME

Why tow a car?

Parking even a small motorhome can be difficult at times

Why use an A-frame?

A purpose-built trailer does the job but it takes up room on site

Money no object?

An alternative ...

... but all that weight at the rear and a long overhang?

You may not end up like this but your rear axle is under strain

An A-frame looks to be the ideal answer

An A-frame looks even better when folded up and in its storage mode

Compact and lightweight

But first some basics

• To tow by A-frame or with a trailer you must have a suitable driving licence

• And your motorhome must be rated for the weight of the car

Driving licence basics

A car driving licence (category B) gained after 1st January 1997 entitles you to drive:

A vehicle with GVW (or MAM) of 3,500kg and tow a trailer with GVW not exceeding 750kg (Smart car GVW approx 1,050kg)

2,750 – 3,500kg + 750kg

OR A heavier trailer as long as the combined MAM does not exceed 3,500kg

Driving licence basics

Category B licence

2450kg + 1050kg = 3,500kg

Category BE licence

3,500kg + 2000kg?

So not much leeway for towing with a motorhome unless you take a further test to gain a B + E licence

Driving licence basics

More mature drivers with car licences gained before 1st January 1997 have categories B, BE, C1(107) & C1E and are thus able to drive:

A motorhome with GVW up to 7,500 kg or a tow an outfit where the combined GVW does not exceed 8,250kg

Motorhome with GVW 7,020kg towing a Smart car with GVW 1,050kg has a combined GVW of 8,250kg and is within the C1 driving licence limit

7020kg + 1050kg = 8,250kg

Driving licence BasicsDon’t forget when you reach the age of 70

If you don’t complete form D4 you will lose your “grandfather rights”

And your licence will revert to categories B and BE

It limits you to driving motorhomes with maximum GVW of 3,500kg but the BE category gives good towing possibilities

Motorhome towing basics

Your motorhome will have a plate or plates looking like this

GTW

GrossTrain weight

GVW

Gross Vehicle Weight

Motorhome towing basics

Check you are reading the correct plate

Motorhome towing basics

For the plate shown:

GTW 5,300kgGVW 3,300kg --------- Max trailer weight 2,000kg

Motorhome towing basics

But also check your handbook

Why not go out and buy any A-Frame?

• Possibly not legal

• Lack of recognised standards

The legal history

A-frames were in the past considered illegal except for recovery of vehicles in emergency

Until a motorhomer, Terry Nash, got to argue the case with the Department for Transport (DfT)

We now have an information sheet published by DfT

DfT Information sheet details

When an “A-frame” is attached to a vehicle (eg a motor car and towed by a motor vehicle (eg motorhome) we believe the “A-frame” and car become a single unit and as such are classified in legislation as a trailer.

As a consequence the car and “A-frame” are required to meet the technical requirements for trailers when used on the road in Great Britain.

( Construction and Use Regs and Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations

From the above I hope it is clear that we believe the use of “A-frames” to tow cars behind other vehicles is legal provided the braking and lighting regulations are met.

..this is our understanding of the Regulations, it is only the Courts which can reach a definitive interpretation of the law.

So legal then?

Need to agree what the regulation requirements are appropriate to A-frame trailers

Not all A-frame suppliers agree

There is no regulatory process which A-frames need to go through – no testing – no type approval

Some vehicle legislation experts would argue with the DfT’s approach whatever trailer requirements you meet

The legal issues

Lighting:

Car lights or lighting board to be connected to motorhome system

Motorhome number plate to be displayed at rear of car and be illuminated, plus triangular reflectors

The legal issues – brakes (1)

A trailer needs to be capable of being reversed “without imposing a sustained drag force”

“Devices used for this purpose must engage and disengage automatically”

“This will be very difficult to achieve on an A-frame using an inertia (over-run ) device”

The legal issues – brakes (2)

• But there is no regulation that demands the use of a servo

• Regulations require a minimum of 50% of braking efficiency –

when your car engine is switched off there is no servo operating.

• Some suppliers claim their systems meet this efficiency without the

servo.

• DfT information sheet suggests a remote vacuum pump be

installed to recharge the car’s servo reservoir

The legal issues – brakes (3)

In the event of main coupling failure, regulations require provision of a secondary coupling or a breakaway coupling - this is usually satisfied by a cable attachment from motorhome to car handbrake.

Miscellaneous legal issues (1)

Miscellaneous legal issues (2)

You are obliged to inform your vehicle insurer of any

modifications to your insured vehicles

Legal issues – recent developments

• UNECE Regulation 13 came into force 1 November 2014

• This only permits over-run brakes on centre axle trailers – concerns about being retrospective and was expected to completely replace EU Directive 71/320/EEC

• DfT has introduced UNECE 13 and repealed the directive under its Type Approval legislation, but retained the directive for its C & U Regulations

• DfT say, “An A-frame being neither a vehicle nor a trailer is not subject to Type Approval therefore there is no direct impact on these devices from the legal change….

We have no plans to change this flexible approach.”

So legal then?

• Reputable A-frame suppliers do their best to produce A-frames which they believe are legal

• Without a legal framework or type approval there is no guarantee

• Refer to the DfT information sheet and check a manufacturers claims and question them on conformity of their product

• Remember the DfT is the regulatory authority in the UK - the same approach is not taken in mainland Europe

What about mainland Europe?

European authorities do not see a car towed with an A-frame as a trailer

Generally one vehicle towing another is not permitted unless in an emergency

It is not known how regulation UNECE 13 has been introduced in Europe

But it could be that its introduction will be another means of outlawing A-frames – at least those using over run braking systems

What about mainland Europe?

The Vienna Convention is seen as the answer to our prayers – but such pleas often fall on deaf ears

Response from the Austrian Ministry for Transport:

“The use of A-frames for towing a car behind a motorhome is not allowed in Austria.

These regulations are behavioural rules as defined by the Vienna Convention and apply therefore also for foreign drivers”

DfT says, ”We cannot comment on the interpretation of this (the Vienna Convention) and whether they permit or prohibit the use of A frames in their national traffic”

What about mainland Europe?

In practice this means you may be stopped by the police

Feedback from motorhomers indicates this is not as frequent as you may expect – but it does happen

If stopped you may expect: A warning or a fine and be ordered to proceed separately

Summary

• A-frames are almost certainly legal in UK -

subject to compliance with regulations as outlined by DfT

• In Europe a car with A-frame attached is not regarded as a trailer –

there is no guarantee the Vienna Convention will be recognised as

appropriate.

• you may be stopped by police with the possibility of being fined or

forced to travel with two independent vehicles

Towing with an A-frame

Thank you