[eclaire]

Have seen 3 set ups with A frames in the last month so the police must be turning a blind eye still :-}
cheers
claire:-}

[Challenger]

We used to have a motorhome and towed a smart car (this country only). I became so worried about it being legal that we actually got rid of both and went back to caravanning.
The letter above is actually a non legal load of rubbish so much so I would think it would make the position worse.
The only legal way to take a car is to put it on a trailer or go back to caravanning which we did.

[Beejay]

At the German Caravan Show last year I looked at several A frame towing units designed for motorhomes. All had a braking system operating the car brakes and electrics allowing the car road lights to work in tandem with the towing vehicle. The towed car brakes are operated by a pendulum device in the passenger footwell. Actuation set up was critical apparently. Heath Robinson perhaps but, apparently, met all the E.U. regulations. Auto reverse is not needed because the brakes are not applied by over-run action.
As the German TUV requirements are very strict it is probable that these units are road legal throughout Europe. As this type of unit cannot be distinguished on the road from unbraked A frames it may be that many of those seen are legal.

A towing dolly is permitted for recovery only and the vehicle must be registered as a recovery vehicle. The specification of a recovery vehicle is defined for VED purposes as:

constructed or permanently adapted primarily for the purposes of lifting and/or towing and/or transporting a disabled vehicle. It can only be used for:
1 recovering a disabled vehicle
2 moving a disabled vehicle from where it broke down to a place to be repaired or scrapped
3 moving a disabled vehicle from where it was taken for repair or scrap to another such place
4 removing a vehicle from the road for the police or local authority

Further although it is unacceptable for recovery vehicles to carry passenger the DfT accepts a second person might be approved if he is required to assist in carrying out the functions of the recovery vehicle.

[RogerL]

Beejay, on 01 August 2010 - 02:31 PM, said:

At the German Caravan Show last year I looked at several A frame towing units designed for motorhomes. All had a braking system operating the car brakes and electrics allowing the car road lights to work in tandem with the towing vehicle. The towed car brakes are operated by a pendulum device in the passenger footwell. Actuation set up was critical apparently. Heath Robinson perhaps but, apparently, met all the E.U. regulations. Auto reverse is not needed because the brakes are not applied by over-run action.
As the German TUV requirements are very strict it is probable that these units are road legal throughout Europe. As this type of unit cannot be distinguished on the road from unbraked A frames it may be that many of those seen are legal.

A towing dolly is permitted for recovery only and the vehicle must be registered as a recovery vehicle. The specification of a recovery vehicle is defined for VED purposes as:

constructed or permanently adapted primarily for the purposes of lifting and/or towing and/or transporting a disabled vehicle. It can only be used for:
1 recovering a disabled vehicle
2 moving a disabled vehicle from where it broke down to a place to be repaired or scrapped
3 moving a disabled vehicle from where it was taken for repair or scrap to another such place
4 removing a vehicle from the road for the police or local authority

Further although it is unacceptable for recovery vehicles to carry passenger the DfT accepts a second person might be approved if he is required to assist in carrying out the functions of the recovery vehicle.

I don't doubt the accuracy of your information - but surely the Europe-wide requirement is for trailer brakes operated by/from the hitch over-run device?

Trailer braking requirements are non-existent for "broken down vehicles" as they are exempt - for instance towing a car using a towing rod.

[Beejay]

RogerL, on 01 August 2010 - 06:26 PM, said:

I don't doubt the accuracy of your information - but surely the Europe-wide requirement is for trailer brakes operated by/from the hitch over-run device?

Trailer braking requirements are non-existent for "broken down vehicles" as they are exempt - for instance towing a car using a towing rod.

There are exemptions from the efficiency requirements for............"and certain other trailers fitted with over-run brakes". Truck trailers do not have over-run brakes.

Using a rope or towing bar is condoned, in the U.K., for recovery to a place of safety only. Other use may involve offences including using an unbraked trailer.

From Directgov.
In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional recovery

Towing with a rope is not permitted in most (all?) European counties.