Motorhome and towing
Discussion
jdwcd said:
Looking at buying a mini cooper s (bmw) for towng across Europe this summer with my motorhome, anyone know which is best and which is legal, bar or trailer
If it is a U.K. registered rig then you can use either, but for instance I live in Spain and a bar is illegal and I have to use a trailer and the Guardia do stop and check Motorhomes towing with a bar.Been discussed on SP&L many a time.
Towing with a bar, assuming you mean A-frame is illegal for anything other than recovering a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Same for a 2 wheel dolly. Also different speed limits apply, and disconnecting an ignition wire does not allow you to call the vehicle a breakdown and tow it the length of Europe.
You might get away with it in many countries, but a full car trailer is the only pan European legal solution for vehicle you suggest. Even a Caterham would not be legal because it is not kerb weight but gross vehicle weight that needs to be below the 750 kg unbraked trailer limit.
You can buy A frames which link the two vehicles with braking and lights thus in theory turning the towed car into a braked trailer however there is some controversy which suggests that the A frames on the market don't meet the requirement of have auto reverse brakes which meet the efficiencies of EC directive 71/320.
Then how are you going to argue with a foreign policeman who wants to fine you or impound your vehicle when he doesn't speak English and you don't speak the local language beyond being able to order a beer and some grub, maybe, downhill with a following wind and ability to point at a menu.
Also as above poster says A frame illegal in Spain since 31/03/2010, illegal on German motorways,
Convinced enough yet? Trailer all the way.
Towing with a bar, assuming you mean A-frame is illegal for anything other than recovering a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Same for a 2 wheel dolly. Also different speed limits apply, and disconnecting an ignition wire does not allow you to call the vehicle a breakdown and tow it the length of Europe.
You might get away with it in many countries, but a full car trailer is the only pan European legal solution for vehicle you suggest. Even a Caterham would not be legal because it is not kerb weight but gross vehicle weight that needs to be below the 750 kg unbraked trailer limit.
You can buy A frames which link the two vehicles with braking and lights thus in theory turning the towed car into a braked trailer however there is some controversy which suggests that the A frames on the market don't meet the requirement of have auto reverse brakes which meet the efficiencies of EC directive 71/320.
Then how are you going to argue with a foreign policeman who wants to fine you or impound your vehicle when he doesn't speak English and you don't speak the local language beyond being able to order a beer and some grub, maybe, downhill with a following wind and ability to point at a menu.
Also as above poster says A frame illegal in Spain since 31/03/2010, illegal on German motorways,
Convinced enough yet? Trailer all the way.
F i F said:
Been discussed on SP&L many a time.
Towing with a bar, assuming you mean A-frame is illegal for anything other than recovering a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Same for a 2 wheel dolly. Also different speed limits apply, and disconnecting an ignition wire does not allow you to call the vehicle a breakdown and tow it the length of Europe.
You might get away with it in many countries, but a full car trailer is the only pan European legal solution for vehicle you suggest. Even a Caterham would not be legal because it is not kerb weight but gross vehicle weight that needs to be below the 750 kg unbraked trailer limit.
You can buy A frames which link the two vehicles with braking and lights thus in theory turning the towed car into a braked trailer however there is some controversy which suggests that the A frames on the market don't meet the requirement of have auto reverse brakes which meet the efficiencies of EC directive 71/320.
Then how are you going to argue with a foreign policeman who wants to fine you or impound your vehicle when he doesn't speak English and you don't speak the local language beyond being able to order a beer and some grub, maybe, downhill with a following wind and ability to point at a menu.
Also as above poster says A frame illegal in Spain since 31/03/2010, illegal on German motorways,
Convinced enough yet? Trailer all the way.
ThanksTowing with a bar, assuming you mean A-frame is illegal for anything other than recovering a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Same for a 2 wheel dolly. Also different speed limits apply, and disconnecting an ignition wire does not allow you to call the vehicle a breakdown and tow it the length of Europe.
You might get away with it in many countries, but a full car trailer is the only pan European legal solution for vehicle you suggest. Even a Caterham would not be legal because it is not kerb weight but gross vehicle weight that needs to be below the 750 kg unbraked trailer limit.
You can buy A frames which link the two vehicles with braking and lights thus in theory turning the towed car into a braked trailer however there is some controversy which suggests that the A frames on the market don't meet the requirement of have auto reverse brakes which meet the efficiencies of EC directive 71/320.
Then how are you going to argue with a foreign policeman who wants to fine you or impound your vehicle when he doesn't speak English and you don't speak the local language beyond being able to order a beer and some grub, maybe, downhill with a following wind and ability to point at a menu.
Also as above poster says A frame illegal in Spain since 31/03/2010, illegal on German motorways,
Convinced enough yet? Trailer all the way.
Trailer it is then
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff