Towing with an A frame/towing dolly/recovery dolly
Discussion
Could somebody who understands it better then me, clarify to law on using an A frame please.
I'm looking at purchasing a van and a frame to recover cars to my garage (local area only).
A berlingo size van and this type of A frame https://www.phoenixtrailer.co.uk/product/towing-do...
I passed my test in 2003, so would I need to take a trailer test, or, are A frames for broken down vehicles except?
Thank you
I'm looking at purchasing a van and a frame to recover cars to my garage (local area only).
A berlingo size van and this type of A frame https://www.phoenixtrailer.co.uk/product/towing-do...
I passed my test in 2003, so would I need to take a trailer test, or, are A frames for broken down vehicles except?
Thank you
A frames can only be used to tow broken down vehicles to a defined garage, not for transporting vehicles from A to B. The towed vehicle must also be road legal. you will need fully working light board, beacons on the recovery vehicle. In fact, it's best if the recovery vehicle LOOKS like a recovery vehicle, and not just some van or similar. You need the correct driving license (as has already been mentioned)
Vehicle weights etc also come into the equation. Using an A frame now will sooner or later get you stopped to see if you comply with everything, and they will go into it with fine toothed comb.
Whilst the tow dolly that you show has brakes, they're only on the dolly wheels and in the eyes of the law, it still means that the towed car is an "unbraked trailer"
I'm unsure, but a tacho may be required, further research required for this point.
The kerbside weight of a Citroen Berlingo is somewhere between 1,490 kg and 1630 kg, so you would be limited to what you can tow, even with something like a VX astra, you'd be very close to the limit, i would suggest something considerably larger as the tow vehicle.
you'd be much better off with a proper recovery truck, then you can carry vehicles that are not road worthy, or legal. Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mitsubishi-Canter-75-Bre...
Vehicle weights etc also come into the equation. Using an A frame now will sooner or later get you stopped to see if you comply with everything, and they will go into it with fine toothed comb.
Whilst the tow dolly that you show has brakes, they're only on the dolly wheels and in the eyes of the law, it still means that the towed car is an "unbraked trailer"
I'm unsure, but a tacho may be required, further research required for this point.
The kerbside weight of a Citroen Berlingo is somewhere between 1,490 kg and 1630 kg, so you would be limited to what you can tow, even with something like a VX astra, you'd be very close to the limit, i would suggest something considerably larger as the tow vehicle.
you'd be much better off with a proper recovery truck, then you can carry vehicles that are not road worthy, or legal. Something like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mitsubishi-Canter-75-Bre...
Edited by Gafferjim on Thursday 16th February 00:16
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/safety/towing...
Towing on an A-frame
You can only use an A-frame or recovery dolly legally to recover a vehicle which has broken down.
If you tow a car that hasn't broken down using an A-frame or dolly, then the law treats the combination as a trailer which must meet the appropriate braking and lighting rules.
Trailers under 750kg don't have to be fitted with braking systems, but if a braking system is fitted to a trailer of any weight then the braking system must operate correctly. This isn’t possible for normal systems fitted to cars, particularly the brake servo, which would not be working unless the engine was running.
Trailer regulations also require use of a secondary coupling system to make sure that the trailer is stopped automatically if the main coupling fails while you’re towing or, in the case of trailers up to a maximum mass of 1,500kg, that the drawbar doesn’t touch the ground so the trailer has some residual steering.
To comply with lighting regulations while being towed, the car (in its capacity as a trailer) would need triangular red reflectors and the number plate of the towing vehicle.
Towing on an A-frame
You can only use an A-frame or recovery dolly legally to recover a vehicle which has broken down.
If you tow a car that hasn't broken down using an A-frame or dolly, then the law treats the combination as a trailer which must meet the appropriate braking and lighting rules.
Trailers under 750kg don't have to be fitted with braking systems, but if a braking system is fitted to a trailer of any weight then the braking system must operate correctly. This isn’t possible for normal systems fitted to cars, particularly the brake servo, which would not be working unless the engine was running.
Trailer regulations also require use of a secondary coupling system to make sure that the trailer is stopped automatically if the main coupling fails while you’re towing or, in the case of trailers up to a maximum mass of 1,500kg, that the drawbar doesn’t touch the ground so the trailer has some residual steering.
To comply with lighting regulations while being towed, the car (in its capacity as a trailer) would need triangular red reflectors and the number plate of the towing vehicle.
Hi. Here's a few views from someone who tows cars regularly, and has considered all the questions you are considering.
1) A Berlingo is prob not big enough. I use a LWB Frontera, (2800kg towing weight) which is pretty good, but the bigger the better. Defo use a LWB 4*4 with a ladder chassis. It's just better. I reckon you need about 150 bhp as a minimum, which is way higher than my Fronty, so I will be changing this for s Jeep GC in due course.
2) The braked towing dollies make a superb towing solution. They are small, easy to load, easy to maneuver, quick to load,and generally stable to tow. Make sure the one you buy has a pivoting centre section. You will not be able to reverse these dollies, so bear that in mind.
3) Despite being great to use, there is a load of uncertainty about the legal use of them. As far as I am aware, you are only allowed to recover a broken down vehicle, that must be road legal from an area that is considered dangerous. Ie, you cannot legally recover from someones drive. Nevertheless, I use one fairly frequently, and it works really well, and have never been stopped.
4) Trailer is the ultimate safe transport unit (but you need a bigger van), all the wheels must be braked, and it's OK to reverse. But it's slow and cumbersome, and loves following ridges on the motorway, so is really slow to tow. (50mph most of the time for me). It takes up lots of room, is at real risk of being nicked, and is just a PITA. But legal.
5) If you are doing it to make some money, have a chat to some local recovery people, and see if they will do a deal for you - they will normally recover at about 1.00 GBP per mile, and it will normally cost you about 60p excluding the kit. You can use it to judge your profit potential, without breaking the bank, and shelling out for a towing dolly / trailer.
1) A Berlingo is prob not big enough. I use a LWB Frontera, (2800kg towing weight) which is pretty good, but the bigger the better. Defo use a LWB 4*4 with a ladder chassis. It's just better. I reckon you need about 150 bhp as a minimum, which is way higher than my Fronty, so I will be changing this for s Jeep GC in due course.
2) The braked towing dollies make a superb towing solution. They are small, easy to load, easy to maneuver, quick to load,and generally stable to tow. Make sure the one you buy has a pivoting centre section. You will not be able to reverse these dollies, so bear that in mind.
3) Despite being great to use, there is a load of uncertainty about the legal use of them. As far as I am aware, you are only allowed to recover a broken down vehicle, that must be road legal from an area that is considered dangerous. Ie, you cannot legally recover from someones drive. Nevertheless, I use one fairly frequently, and it works really well, and have never been stopped.
4) Trailer is the ultimate safe transport unit (but you need a bigger van), all the wheels must be braked, and it's OK to reverse. But it's slow and cumbersome, and loves following ridges on the motorway, so is really slow to tow. (50mph most of the time for me). It takes up lots of room, is at real risk of being nicked, and is just a PITA. But legal.
5) If you are doing it to make some money, have a chat to some local recovery people, and see if they will do a deal for you - they will normally recover at about 1.00 GBP per mile, and it will normally cost you about 60p excluding the kit. You can use it to judge your profit potential, without breaking the bank, and shelling out for a towing dolly / trailer.
Thanks for all the advice, I also own an Iveco Daily (2010 2.3 lwb) which has a good towing capacity (1800 kg iirc). If I do the trailer test then I'll just use that.
At present I get all the cars that need it, recovered in on a flatbed.
All that cars that come into the garage are legal, just not movable under their own steam (broken engine/clutch/alternator etc)
I mainly want to use an A frame over a trailer because of storage, and the likely hood of it getting nicked!
At present I get all the cars that need it, recovered in on a flatbed.
All that cars that come into the garage are legal, just not movable under their own steam (broken engine/clutch/alternator etc)
I mainly want to use an A frame over a trailer because of storage, and the likely hood of it getting nicked!
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