Cars behind RV’s
Discussion
Prompted by following an RV with a small car behind it with all 4 wheels on the ground presumably on some kind of A frame. My wife commented’What a good idea’
Is it’?
There’s a niggling part of my brain that says towing a car long term without the engine running can’t be good for it can it?
Or won’t it trouble it at all?
There are various cars that shouldn't be flat towed for a variety of reasons.
I've owned several that should only be suspended towed, usually manufacturers' advice regarding oil pumps not operating and various parts being starved of oil. I think my old TR7 V8 should not have been flat towed due to oil starvation in the gearbox, parts of the 'box will be spinning due to the rear wheels driving the propshaft round... Similar story with many older automatics.
Can't, offhand think of any modern, small, front drivers that would be affected tho'...
I've owned several that should only be suspended towed, usually manufacturers' advice regarding oil pumps not operating and various parts being starved of oil. I think my old TR7 V8 should not have been flat towed due to oil starvation in the gearbox, parts of the 'box will be spinning due to the rear wheels driving the propshaft round... Similar story with many older automatics.
Can't, offhand think of any modern, small, front drivers that would be affected tho'...
KTMsm said:
99% of the time it's illegal
Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
I don’t think the bit about most are on unbraked A-Frame is correct.Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
My parents tow a car behind their motorhome and the A frame has a connection through to the car’s brake system.
I helped them purchase a new system when they changed their tow car a few years ago and all the A frames being targeted at motorhome owners had either a mechanical or an electrical connection to car’s brakes.
k20ris said:
I've always wondered if the mileage increases?
Are you buying a car which has done say, 10k miles and been towed another 10k in its life?
Usually something like an Aygo, 500 or UP from experience.
Usually they won't, certainly if it's a digital sensor. Mechanical ones then probably will.Are you buying a car which has done say, 10k miles and been towed another 10k in its life?
Usually something like an Aygo, 500 or UP from experience.
That said, if it's towed slowly behind a motorhome while not running down the motorway, does it really matter? The wear will be absolutely minimal.
cannot see it being a problem apart from possible extra wear on the tyres but with htese small cars are the tyres that dear? alos most people i know who do have a towcar also have a large family car as a daily runner. it is probably better for the little cars as it keeps things moving.
Scrump said:
KTMsm said:
99% of the time it's illegal
Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
I don’t think the bit about most are on unbraked A-Frame is correct.Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
My parents tow a car behind their motorhome and the A frame has a connection through to the car’s brake system.
I helped them purchase a new system when they changed their tow car a few years ago and all the A frames being targeted at motorhome owners had either a mechanical or an electrical connection to car’s brakes.
It’s quite a complex system which bolts into the strengthened chassis of the car and has electric systems that operate the cars lights and brakes and was quite expensive from what he said
It’s much more than just hooking it up and dragging it
There’s a YouTube camper chap called bob earnshaw that did a couple of videos about his VW Up that he tows and the kit fitted to it
Scrump said:
KTMsm said:
99% of the time it's illegal
Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
I don’t think the bit about most are on unbraked A-Frame is correct.Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
My parents tow a car behind their motorhome and the A frame has a connection through to the car’s brake system.
I helped them purchase a new system when they changed their tow car a few years ago and all the A frames being targeted at motorhome owners had either a mechanical or an electrical connection to car’s brakes.
At least that's how it worked with my Smart car towed behind a Tag axle RV.
It was type approved and fully legal.
rallycross said:
These are mobile chicanes usually getting in the way of everyone else.
Mine was way quicker than an HGV and many loaded vans. Albiet of course we have mandatory speed limits when towing.Are you are anti car trailers for track day cars as well?
Edited by Nomme de Plum on Thursday 18th May 14:48
Nomme de Plum said:
Scrump said:
KTMsm said:
99% of the time it's illegal
Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
I don’t think the bit about most are on unbraked A-Frame is correct.Most are towed on an unbraked A frame so the max weight is 750kg ( as it's an unbraked trailer)
My parents tow a car behind their motorhome and the A frame has a connection through to the car’s brake system.
I helped them purchase a new system when they changed their tow car a few years ago and all the A frames being targeted at motorhome owners had either a mechanical or an electrical connection to car’s brakes.
At least that's how it worked with my Smart car towed behind a Tag axle RV.
It was type approved and fully legal.
Properly installed they are legal in the UK.
Not legal in the EU though.
Some people argue that as they are legal in the UK, that makes them legal for a UK registered vehicle to tow them in the EU. Just as it is with any other UK trailer. EU plod take a very different view though and using one just opens yourself up to a load of pain.
In the UK you can just slap your tow vehicle registration plate on the trailer and you're good to go. In most of Europe the trailer needs a separate registration (& MOT type safety test). Therefore the argument that your towed car is really just a trailer and because you put the tow vehicle registration plates on it, it forms part of the single unit covered by a single registration becomes a tough one to argue.
Not legal in the EU though.
Some people argue that as they are legal in the UK, that makes them legal for a UK registered vehicle to tow them in the EU. Just as it is with any other UK trailer. EU plod take a very different view though and using one just opens yourself up to a load of pain.
In the UK you can just slap your tow vehicle registration plate on the trailer and you're good to go. In most of Europe the trailer needs a separate registration (& MOT type safety test). Therefore the argument that your towed car is really just a trailer and because you put the tow vehicle registration plates on it, it forms part of the single unit covered by a single registration becomes a tough one to argue.
We sometimes tow a little Citroen C2 behind the truck. That was the truck can stay on site, saves a fortune in diesel! As mentioned the set up has a braked connection, and uses a 7pin tow connection under the bonnet for the lights. As long as the car is in neutral, no worries at all!
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