Solid tow bars
Discussion
Hi all its about time for the Bi22le question of the week! lets hope it works first time instead of having to post it three times and then all three pop up (sorry PH admin!). Anyway, I went to Classic ford today at Santa Pod. Quality day with many amazing cars. On the way home I saw a Ford Angular being towed by a fixed tow bar. Infact it was two as one. One went slightly left and one to the right to triangulate and auto turn the trailing car I think. Does anybody use this method of towing their 7 type car? I dont have space for a trailer and dont fancy driving 2 hours to a track in discomfort then blow it up! These seem like a great in between way for people that dont have space but want to turn up at the track and have a dedicated car for ragging. Any product advice and feedback would be good. Thanks.
What you're describing is an A-frame. It enables you to tow a car without a driver in it. The bad news is that unbraked A-frames are only legal if the towed car has a maximum permitted weight under the unbraked trailer weight limit (750 Kgs). Braked A-frames are available to allow heavier vehicles to be towed (subject to the towing weight limits of the towcar) but they cost a lot more.
Ford Anglia 105E kerb weight is under 750Kg, though the weight of the A Frame might put it over, as many kit cars are well under 750Kg it is an option for taking a car to track days.
I remember a guy used to tow his Westfield on an A frame behind an Impreza to track days at Knockhill some years ago.
I remember a guy used to tow his Westfield on an A frame behind an Impreza to track days at Knockhill some years ago.
Unfortunatly Im not expecting to tow a 500+BHP Space frame Ford Angula but a 500kg MNR or similar! So this A frame thing is a go then! I currently have a Ford Focus 1.6D estate company car so that means I save on fuel getting about too! Rich regarding your front elivated towing frame you will be fine with a RWD car as long as its in neutral. It will be the same as coasting in neutral or clutch pedal pressed. Although if your car is low it may scrape at the back when driving over bumps (something to consider). These A frames fold up aswell so when not in use I can slide it under my kit car out of the way. Compared to a trailer they are cheap at about £150 new (I have not fully looked into it yet). Does any one know how they fit on the towed car? surely two fixing points are needed at equal distances from the middle. Thanks again in advance.
Bi22le said:
Does any one know how they fit on the towed car? surely two fixing points are needed at equal distances from the middle. Thanks again in advance.
I have used one where all four wheels of the towed car stay on the road, and the A frame attaches to the ends of the steering rack, enabling it to steer the towed car round corners. You have to remember to unlock the steering lock though!http://www.cjautos.org.uk/phdi/p1.nsf/supppages/cj...
Is this the sort of thing?
Could solve a problem for me too...
Is this the sort of thing?
Could solve a problem for me too...
Corpulent Tosser said:
Ford Anglia 105E kerb weight is under 750Kg, though the weight of the A Frame might put it over, as many kit cars are well under 750Kg it is an option for taking a car to track days.
I remember a guy used to tow his Westfield on an A frame behind an Impreza to track days at Knockhill some years ago.
It's the maximum all-up weight that matters from the legal point of view - not the kerb weight. Braked A-frames can be used to tow heavier vehicles, but the ordinary cheap unbraked ones can't.I remember a guy used to tow his Westfield on an A frame behind an Impreza to track days at Knockhill some years ago.
Bi22le said:
groomie thats exactly what i say in my original post! One of them please! 265 plus vat is steep but cheaper than a trailer. Interesting comment about gearbox oil while towing. Does that apply to a bec? How easy is it to disconnect the prop shaft?
You may find you can get away with the driven wheels on the road, but it's not something you want to find out the hard way if your gearbox isn't OK like this. To be on the safe side make sure the driven wheels are off the road or disconnect the prop especially if towing at high speed or over any distance. As long as you have a steering lock (that you can rely on), picking the rear wheels up would be OK.
A frames are for recovery use only,for towing broken down cars to a safe haven/garage vosa are getting hot on this now, towing dollys are the same the broken down car has to have taxed & mot as its on the road ,towing a trailer for own use (not earning ££)is ok but as a business you WILL require a tachograph to be fitted to the tow car/4x4/truck, also watch your weights of what your car can tow as most go overweight with a car & trailer behind
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