Taggy Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) I am planning to tow my ep70 Boxy starlet to tuning developments using an A-Frame, something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CAR-RECOVERY-A-FRAME-TOWING-DOLLY-2-5TON-/251218012686?pt=UK_Recovery_Tools&hash=item3a7dc2aa0e has anyone towed with an A-frame before and more to the point can i do it on the motorway. I understand there are only to be used for recovery of vehicles, which in this case i am doing, its being recovered to and from a garage. (ill just say its broken down) Will i have any problems towing a starlet like this or should it be fine, car only weighs like 700kg so i cant see it being a problem. Oh and the car i am towing it with isn't particularly big either, its a smart for four, weighs about 1300kg if i remember right and can tow 800kgs. I wanted to tow the starlet boxy to tuning developments as its miles away and i dont want to take any chances with engine problems on the rollers getting it mapped! last thing i need is getting stuck 240miles away from home lol Edited January 25, 2013 by Taggy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lew777 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 speak with mike ive had my car picked up on a flat bed before. might be cheaper then that frame unless you already have one Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lugzy clart Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I looked at this before n gave up there's a lot of rules n regs behind it all. I used google n camper vans forums to find my info if any of this helps. I might be right in remembering that u need to get the brakes from the smart car to work with the boxys brakes by I'm not 100% on that Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ryan-11 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 My mate towed my glanza with one, we used it on the motorway, Had to take the front bumper and intercooler pipes off tho Quote Link to post Share on other sites
steve-gers Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Yeah used one and there pretty good much better thsn rope or bar. Work perfect apart from at very slow speeds it tends to pull the car sideways a bit but works fine still. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taggy Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 cool, gonna get one then, will come in handy to tow to the track days too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Glanza Mac Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I believe A frames are now illegal to use but dollys are still legal but dont quote me on that.Rob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
_shaun_ Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 As above they are illegal unless u have just broke down and are moving the car a short distance I was looking at one but turns out I need a breakex trailer instead Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taggy Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 so what about all these motorhomes i keep seeing towing smart cars behind them?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
yaristurbo Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 so what about all these motorhomes i keep seeing towing smart cars behind them??Have brakes connected to van Quote Link to post Share on other sites
lukEp Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 (edited) It's all to do with weight, if it's under 750kg it can be towed on an a frame if it's over 750kg you need to use a braked trailer/towing device. You'll only have a problem if the DVhellA pull you while towing anything over 750kg. I've towed loads and never been pulled but theyve alway been under 750kg ;)Smart car = 730KG Edited January 26, 2013 by lukEp Quote Link to post Share on other sites
_shaun_ Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 taken from aa web site Towing on an A-frameAn A-frame or recovery dolly can only be used legally to recover a vehicle which has broken down.If you tow a car that hasn't broken down using an A-frame or dolly then the law treats the combination as a trailer which must meet the appropriate braking and lighting rules.Trailers below 750kg don't have to be fitted with braking systems, but if a braking system is fitted to a trailer of any weight – as is clearly the case for a car – then the braking system must operate correctly. This is not possible for normal systems fitted to cars, particularly the brake servo, which would not be working unless the engine was running.Trailer regulations also require the fitting and use of a secondary coupling system to ensure that the trailer is stopped automatically if the main coupling separates while the trailer is in motion or, in the case of trailers, up to a maximum mass of 1,500kg that the drawbar is prevented from touching the ground and the trailer has some residual steering.To comply with lighting regulations while being towed, the car (in its capacity as a trailer) would need triangular red reflectors and the number plate of the towing vehicle.The simplest and safest way to tow a car behind a motorhome is to use a car transporter trailer. This can be done completely legally as long as you make sure you don't exceed the towing car's Maximum Permissible Towing Mass and the Gross Train Weight (maximum permitted weight of car and trailer combined) specified by the car manufacturer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
james@cjperformance Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 taggy you taking it up there for mapping? i know someone that picks cars up on a transporter and travels up and fown the country alot. you could get him to pick it up and go with him if your doing that then drive the boxy back Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bean Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 I used one to move my kp as I had taken hje engine out. I read up on It a bit and it seemed a bit of a grey area. My mate used his diesel bmw to move it. Using a smart car is asking to get pulled though I think! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Taggy Posted January 26, 2013 Author Share Posted January 26, 2013 I didn't want to take any chances ragging it on the rollers something going wrong and then being stuck with no car to get back, I was going to tow it up there and back. Thanks for the advice though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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