TOWING WITH AN AFRAME Why tow a car

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 1 st January 1997 entitles you to drive: A vehicle with GVW (or MAM) of 3, 500 kg and tow a trailer with GVW not exceeding 750 kg (Smart car GVW approx 1, 050 kg) OR A heavier trailer as long as the combined MAM does not exceed 3, 500 kg 2, 750 – 3, 500 kg + 750 kg

Driving licence basics Category B licence 2450 kg + 1050 kg = 3, 500 kg So not much leeway for towing with a motorhome unless you take a further test to gain a B + E licence Category BE licence 3, 500 kg + 2000 kg?

Driving licence basics More mature drivers with car licences gained before 1 st January 1997 have categories B, BE, C 1(107) & C 1 E 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, 250 kg 7020 kg + 1050 kg = 8, 250 kg Motorhome with GVW 7, 020 kg towing a Smart car with GVW 1, 050 kg has a combined GVW of 8, 250 kg and is within the C 1 driving licence limit

Driving licence Basics Don’t forget when you reach the age of 70 If you don’t complete form D 4 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, 500 kg but the BE category gives good towing possibilities

Motorhome towing basics Your motorhome will have a plate or plates looking like this GTW GVW Gross Train weight Gross Vehicle Weight

Motorhome towing basics Check you are reading the correct plate

Motorhome towing basics For the plate shown: GTW GVW Max trailer weight 5, 300 kg 3, 300 kg ----2, 000 kg

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 (Df. T) We now have an information sheet published by Df. T

Df. T 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 “Aframe” 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 Df. T’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) • 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. • Df. T information sheet suggests a remote vacuum pump be installed to recharge the car’s servo reservoir • But there is no regulation that demands the use of a servo

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 • Df. T has introduced UNECE 13 and repealed the directive under its Type Approval legislation, but retained the directive for its C & U Regulations • Df. T 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 Df. T information sheet and check a manufacturers claims and question them on conformity of their product • Remember the Df. T 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 Df. T 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” 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 foreign drivers”

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 Df. T • 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