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Technical Motorhome tow car?

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Technical Motorhome tow car?

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mulaz

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Does anyone have any info on towing a panda behind a motorhome.
i have managed to obtain a quality a tow-a-car A-frame cheaply http://www.caratow.com/ but need some advice on the bolt fixings.
Does the panda 2010 model have 2 towing eyes? as i think these would be the best bet to fix the main bracket to the car.
any help would be grateful:)
 
I saw a Seicento being towed behind a motorhome on the autobahn last week if that's of any interest to you.
 
Seen this one on ebay not too long ago.
The photo may be of some use or you could try contacting the seller.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-panda-100hp-2007-57-reg-/270884515733?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f11f9af95&clk_rvr_id=309380106234

HTH

Neil.


$(KGrHqV,!lcE6h)6uy23BO+zM+MITw~~60_3.JPG
 
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just to fetch this to your attention

I have a motor home and want to tow a Fiat Seicento behind it using an A-frame. This car has a kerb weight under 750 kg so am I legal with this outfit? Sorry no is the answer. The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 - 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small "car". This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety.
Click to expand...




http://ntta.co.uk/faq/
 
I agree, the legal position is dodgy . I'm sure it's illegal in France & Spain ( or rather they inforce the law!)
I'd use a trailer , Ivor Williams do a perfect single axle car trailer for about £1K brand new. It looks low enough to slip under the tail of a motor home when you're 'on site'
 
Sorry it looked like paragraphs on my phone earlier


this is what i was refering to

. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety.



load more info here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...+tow+a+car+on+an+A+Frame+behind+my+Motorhome?

And if you want to get really really technical and do lots of maths and apply for approval of your trailer,,,,,

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:1971L0320:20070101:en:PDF

thats before you get on to lighting and reflectors
 
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i have heard this story over and over again about A-Frames and the laws about them being legal or illegal to transport a car.

Car-a-tow legal info http://www.caratow.com/legal.php this company has sold many units over the years and still does, they and other companies continue to state that they are fine and within the Law.

Back in the real world i have had many years of caravaning and now i am using a motorhome and tour through Europe and the UK.
Speaking to lots of motorhome owners you will be told that they have had no problems in the UK with a professional braked A-FRAME system being used to tow a car behind a motorhome. the police don't give a second look.

The worst case i have heard of is for a unit to be uncoupled in France
i know of someone who uses a A-Frame to tow his large jeep suv 4x4 behind his American motorhome using a brake buddy (remote brake system) with no problems in the UK.
 
mulaz said:
i have heard this story over and over again about A-Frames and the laws about them being legal or illegal to transport a car.

Car-a-tow legal info http://www.caratow.com/legal.php this company has sold many units over the years and still does, they and other companies continue to state that they are fine and within the Law.

Back in the real world i have had many years of caravaning and now i am using a motorhome and tour through Europe and the UK.
Speaking to lots of motorhome owners you will be told that they have had no problems in the UK with a professional braked A-FRAME system being used to tow a car behind a motorhome. the police don't give a second look.

The worst case i have heard of is for a unit to be uncoupled in France
i know of someone who uses a A-Frame to tow his large jeep suv 4x4 behind his American motorhome using a brake buddy (remote brake system) with no problems in the UK.
Click to expand...

Just because they've not had issues doesn't make it legal. A few questions, how do they stand insurance was should towed car become detached or hit while being towed. What insurance policy does it come off of, the cars or the motor homes?

Have insurance companies even been approached and what's their views on it?

Ultimately people do it without issue, legally or not, but should it be illegal **** will hit the fan should this action result in an injury or fatality should an incident occur!
 
mulaz said:
i have heard this story over and over again about A-Frames and the laws about them being legal or illegal to transport a car.

Car-a-tow legal info http://www.caratow.com/legal.php this company has sold many units over the years and still does, they and other companies continue to state that they are fine and within the Law.

Back in the real world i have had many years of caravaning and now i am using a motorhome and tour through Europe and the UK.
Speaking to lots of motorhome owners you will be told that they have had no problems in the UK with a professional braked A-FRAME system being used to tow a car behind a motorhome. the police don't give a second look.

The worst case i have heard of is for a unit to be uncoupled in France
i know of someone who uses a A-Frame to tow his large jeep suv 4x4 behind his American motorhome using a brake buddy (remote brake system) with no problems in the UK.
Click to expand...



Well its ultimately your call we do try and point out the legality of things when we can that way you can make an informed decision about your planned ideas some people genuinely do not know and are happy for the heads up...

(what is the max permissable towed mass of the camper and has the VIN tag / Ratings plate been amended since it was modified / built to be/ as a camper (many are VERY close to the Max axle loading solo) likewise Max train weight or what ever the eec has renamed it as...




As MEP says above Insurance will be a huge implication should you be in an accident (not always have to be your fault if someone pulls out and you hit them but your car/ trailer brakes are not upto scratch it could cause you real problems) once you have a policy cancelled you might as well be black listed by most insurance co's


Same goes for people who Mod their cars not always knowing (or caring) about the laws (HID lights for example)

Or using those strap on boot mounted cycle racks most car shops sell


As the old saying goes its all good fun till someone looses an eye
 
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dft are no good they only have opinions on laws some of the time same as the rest of us, they cant make the law.

it worries me that maybe all the people using these may not get a payout from insurance if we cant find out what traffic act and section they break ( or not) be good if we could find out for sure for the op.

like all the people towing large twin wheel caravans with non comercial vehicles, loads do it, police and vosa dont pull them, but ive read stories on caravan forums about people crashing with such a setup and not getting a penny off insurance. only the smallest of twin wheel caravans can be towed with a car, 4x4 or light van


Andy Monty said:
be far cheaper and much easier legally to get a car trailer....
Click to expand...

motor homes are already very heavy, a trailer could send it over its legal weight
 
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At the end of the day you're going to at pay similar money for a trailer that you can use for other things & know you're 100% legal [so long as you comply with weights, licence limits etc]

for me it'd be a 'no brainer', The only disadvantage is where to keep the trailer both on site & at home.
 
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THe MH's are a funny breed, and leaving a trailer about in cities when they tour abroad might fill them with horror. An A frame they can stash under their bunks.

I was going to say that dragging a trailer limits one to 60 mph in the UK, but I presume that is the same with a Panda being towed.
 
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