Motorhome + trailer combo?
Discussion
No issues with a trailer with a car on top, as long as you have grandfather rights ie car test passed before 1/1/97, and the combination is no more than 8.25 tonnes.
You would need to pass C1+E test if you passed your car test after 1/1/97 assuming the combo to be more than 3.5t gross.
Using an 'A' frame attachment to a towed vehicle will not comply with current construction and use legislation, (brakes, braking efficiencies, reversing etc) despite the fact that the A-frame, if fitted correctly is probably more stable and less hassle than a trailer.
If the vehicle combination satisfies current uk con and use regs, it should be OK in Europe.
You would need to pass C1+E test if you passed your car test after 1/1/97 assuming the combo to be more than 3.5t gross.
Using an 'A' frame attachment to a towed vehicle will not comply with current construction and use legislation, (brakes, braking efficiencies, reversing etc) despite the fact that the A-frame, if fitted correctly is probably more stable and less hassle than a trailer.
If the vehicle combination satisfies current uk con and use regs, it should be OK in Europe.
Edited by iaha on Saturday 29th September 07:58
Thank you for the info' Iaha, thats put my mind at ease.
As for you Eccles,I guess you know me to well
I did have a close look at a couple of 1920's caravans at an recent show that are in proper use, absolutely beatiful they are too. But I will have to go for an modernish motorhome of about 10 or 12 years old and hope for a bit of reliabilty. Its this or an skoda octavia to tow with and use B@B at the various venues.
As for you Eccles,I guess you know me to well
I did have a close look at a couple of 1920's caravans at an recent show that are in proper use, absolutely beatiful they are too. But I will have to go for an modernish motorhome of about 10 or 12 years old and hope for a bit of reliabilty. Its this or an skoda octavia to tow with and use B@B at the various venues.OK thanks flat in fith, I shall bear that in mid for sure. I think that the trailer will be an 11' or 12' load bed (old Brian James or something like) and loaded with my vintage Austin Swallow saloon or Fiat Panda. Both of these cars are lightweights with about 10' in length. I guess I need an motorhome with an 2.5 lt deisel or hope for a turbo version which may be out of my budget.
it is not the engine size but the chassis weight which may give you issues. When I was looking at buying one there were very few that would tow above 750kg some due the using an Alko chassis which is a lightweight affair, others were due to the total gross weight exceeding the manufacturers vehicle limit.
An A frame for a car over 750kgs can be made to meet braking requirements with a BrakeBuddy.
There is still much debate over whether this is legal but at least you would be showing willing, it would take a pretty pedantic trafpol to question it.
Only my opinion of course!
There is still much debate over whether this is legal but at least you would be showing willing, it would take a pretty pedantic trafpol to question it.
Only my opinion of course!
Having spent a few hours on the web I find the whole question of towing behind an motorhome even more confusing then ever. Spotted a couple of motorhomes which would suit me and asked the respective owners about gross towing capacities and just got a blank stare. Perhaps I'm worrying to much and should go back to common sense regarding this issue. The trailer cars I will tow are the Fiat Panda or my vintage Austin 7 Swallow.
Do what I did. I thought about this and costed the ownership of a mobile home including the depreciation of this additional vehicle, the loss of investment income on the purchase price at c.6.25%, the higher fuel consumption when compared to my Mondeo Diesel whilst on holiday, the camp site charges, the servicing costs, the insurance of this additional vehicle, the road tax of the additional vehicle, etc, etc. If you add it all up, you can have several weeks in 4- or 5-star hotels plus travelling costs in an ordinary car to and from. You get 24-hour room service as well.
Mr2Mike said:
And you avoid the hatred of other motorists stuck behing you on single carriageways. If that matters to you.
Other motorists with an attitude of hate toward other road users, like tractor drivers, HGV drivers, cycle riders, horse riders and all the rest seem to have an problem with themselves and need to chill out a little perhaps. I usually pull over at sensible points when I can if a Q is forming which cannot get passed me in REASONABLE time.Cooperman said:
Do what I did. I thought about this and costed the ownership of a mobile home including the depreciation of this additional vehicle, the loss of investment income on the purchase price at c.6.25%, the higher fuel consumption when compared to my Mondeo Diesel whilst on holiday, the camp site charges, the servicing costs, the insurance of this additional vehicle, the road tax of the additional vehicle, etc, etc. If you add it all up, you can have several weeks in 4- or 5-star hotels plus travelling costs in an ordinary car to and from. You get 24-hour room service as well.
Very good points made, but as half my life has been spent, it feels, in these type of hotels I would prefer to spend the other half slumming it. The ideal antidote.
crankedup said:
tigger1 said:
On a related note - when towing a car behind a motorhome, which numberplate should be on the back of the towed car?
I would be towing using an trailer, so towing vehicle number plate to back of trailer. If using an 'A'frame then thats a nick!
A car on an A frame becomes a trailer and must show the same lights and reg as the towing vehicle.
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