A frame in europe
- Thread starter Compo
- Start date
John H
Full Member
- Posts
- 5,537
- Likes
- 3,930
The confusion arises from the fact that the matter of legality in the UK has never been tested in the courts. This enables the manufacturers to claim they are legal in the UK and the police in France, Spain etc to say that this has never been proved. IF they were legal in the UK then they would be legal throughout the EU for a British registered vehicle even if they weren't legal for a local registered vehicle. Anyone willing to take the matter to court?
colinm
Full Member
- Posts
- 4,687
- Likes
- 5,270
As I posted earlier from back end of last year all trailers require certification, if an A frame manufacturer or owner gets a cert then they will be legal around the world let alone EU, without one then AFAIK all new A frame are illegal.
Trailer Certification
John H
Full Member
- Posts
- 5,537
- Likes
- 3,930
Of course the French - and anyone else - are entitled to make their own rules. Thus if they decided that vehicles with A-frames weren't allowed on certain roads then that would be the law. But the current dispute is about road-worthiness and the French (and others) using the lack of clarity to say that A-frames cannot be used. If it were tested in court and if it was proved that A-frames are declared legally roadworthy in the UK then the French would have to go to the bother of banning them from certain routes. It is far easier for them to be able to say they aren't legal in the UK and so you can't use them.
John H
Full Member
- Posts
- 5,537
- Likes
- 3,930
I think you are confusing two different things here. EU Construction and Use Rules state that the regulations that apply are the ones in the country of registration. Thus if A-frames were legal in the UK they would be legal on a UK registered car in France. However, France is perfectly able to restrict certain vehicles from certain roads. It would be far more time-consuming for them than relying on the uncertainty that exists at present and it might also mean that foreign vehicles might be able to go where local similar vehicles couldn't, which would create mayhem. However, whichever way it goes, the reality on the ground is the same - it would be very unwise to argue with the gendarme that stops you!
Micky
Guest
a frame or trailer
Purchased motor home and smart car 18months ago checked for advice as you do re towing ,I was still at a lose so I rang the as,who informed me that I can use the a frame system but next year I will have to buy a trailer,so I got the trailer first no probs
Purchased motor home and smart car 18months ago checked for advice as you do re towing ,I was still at a lose so I rang the as,who informed me that I can use the a frame system but next year I will have to buy a trailer,so I got the trailer first no probs
Compo
Free Member
- Posts
- 240
- Likes
- 126
a frame towing in europe
ok lets look at my problem another way guys i have a autotrail comanche tag axle with max mass of 6000kgs i have a smart car with a factory weight of 730kgs
if i get a trailer at 350kgs =1180kgs autotrail state 1000kgs max towing capacity what do i do????????????????????????????????????????????????
ok lets look at my problem another way guys i have a autotrail comanche tag axle with max mass of 6000kgs i have a smart car with a factory weight of 730kgs
if i get a trailer at 350kgs =1180kgs autotrail state 1000kgs max towing capacity what do i do????????????????????????????????????????????????
Mullsy
Guest
Its actually 1080kgs.If you use a noseweight of 80 kgs it would actually be a legal tow.I personally wouldn't like to tow as close as this to the limits.
shortcircuit
Full Member
- Posts
- 1,577
- Likes
- 832
The mass your are towing is still 1180 kgs no matter how you balance the trailer, so overweight?
Deleted member 3011
Guest
.
They probably believe in fairies at the bottom of the garden too. Other factors come into play besides the axle ratings and braking ability. What about ratings of towbars that are tacked on to the end of fairly insubstantial extended chassis members. Or increased propensity for jackknifing because of the increased overhang together with poor braking on the toad.
John H
Full Member
- Posts
- 5,537
- Likes
- 3,930
I never said it was a trailer. That has nothing to do with what I have been saying - why mention it? Perhaps to draw attention away from the fact that you are still confusing two different things - but it doesn't matter because the end result of both is that it is unwise to use an A-frame in France or Spain!
mark61
Full Member
- Posts
- 8,190
- Likes
- 15,654
lebesset
Guest
for what is worth am in spain parked next to a french motorhomer who tells me that he has given up an A frame because not only can he not use it in spain but that it has been ruled illegal in france as well
his theory is that this has come about because although only Aframes using hydraulic brakes were used in france , because of the breakdown rules the truck could only move the car and motorhome if had a caravan type towhitch , otherwise 2 trucks would be required
his theory is that this has come about because although only Aframes using hydraulic brakes were used in france , because of the breakdown rules the truck could only move the car and motorhome if had a caravan type towhitch , otherwise 2 trucks would be required
Mullsy
Guest
The car 730 the trailer 350 which equals 1080 not 1180.The point I was making is that the noseweight is transferred to the tow vehicle so its not really a question of distributing the weight on the trailer.A noseweight of 80kgs should leave an axle weight of 1000kgs.He would be very close.I wonder if he could the transfer the spare wheels/tools/jack ect to the M/H assuming he has the payload capacity
Just read back,its now 780 so 1130kg.Hopefully,the initial tow limit is wrong.Always reminds me why I gave up towing and haven't missed it
Last edited: