hiya guys i know it been covered before but a mazda 6 2.5 sport has a tow rating of 1600kg i want to tow an mx5 on an a frame from time to time. does the mx5 need to be taxed and tested insurance etc or can it be declaired as sorn? is it legal to tow the mx5 to and from a drift day on an a frame? cheers guys
hope this clears it up for you. “A”- Frames When an "A" frame is attached to a vehicle (e.g. a motor car) and towed by a motor vehicle (e.g. motorhome) we believe the "A" frame and car become a single unit and as such are classified in legislation as a trailer. As a consequence the car and “A”-frame are required to meet the technical requirements for trailers when used on the road in Great Britain. These requirements are contained within the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986/1078) as amended (C&U) and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/1796) as amended (RVLR). Trailers having a combined axle mass not exceeding 750kg are not required to have brakes fitted. However, if the trailer (regardless of mass) is fitted with a braking system, then all brakes in that system must operate correctly. The regulations do not include design constraints on how this should be achieved but, for example, it could be met by direct linking of the trailer brakes to the brake system of the towing vehicle or by automatic inertia (overrun) operation via the towing hitch. Inertia systems can only be used for trailers with a maximum combined axle mass of 3500kg. Regulations 15 and 16 of C&U set out the braking requirements - including minimum braking efficiencies for trailer brakes. Subject to certain age exemptions, the regulation requires the braking system to comply with the construction, fitting and performance requirements of European Community Directive 71/320/EEC along with its various amending Directives. Alternatively the braking system can comply with the corresponding UNECE Regulation No.13.09. In addition, C&U Regulation 18 requires the braking system to be maintained in good and efficient working order. If the brakes of the towing vehicle do not directly operate the trailer brakes the use of an inertia (overrun) system is acceptable. If the trailer braking system has power assistance (i.e. servo or full power) it is likely that this assistance will be required while in motion to meet the required braking efficiencies. This is because once the vacuum reservoir is depleted it is possible that the brakes will not meet the braking efficiency. To prevent the trailer being used illegally a remote vacuum pump, powered from the tow vehicle, could be installed to recharge the reservoir, alternatively a source could be made available from the tow vehicle. From 1 October 1988 the inertia braking system was required to allow the trailer to be reversed by the towing vehicle without imposing a sustained drag and such devices used for this purpose must engage and disengage automatically. This will be very difficult to achieve on an “A” frame using an inertia (overrun) device. Other provisions from Regulation 15 and Regulation 86A of C&U require the fitting and use of a secondary coupling system in which the trailer is stopped automatically if the main coupling separates whilst the combination is in motion. Alternatively, in the case of trailers up to a maximum mass of 1500kg, the drawbar must be prevented from touching the ground and the trailer able to retain some residual steering. Whilst being towed, trailers are subject to the relevant requirements given in RVLR, including the use of triangular red reflectors. There would be further requirements for the display of the appropriate number plate, etc. From the above I hope it is clear that we believe the use of "A" frames to tow cars behind other vehicles is legal provided the braking and lighting requirements are met. However, while this is our understanding of the Regulations, it is only the Courts which can reach a definitive interpretation of the law. Dollies The use of “dollies” is intended for the recovery of broken down vehicles, not for the transportation of a vehicle from “A” to “B”. Under Regulation 83 of C&U a motor car is permitted to tow two trailers when one of them is a towing implement and the other is secured to and either rests on or is suspended from the implement. When used for recovering broken down vehicles “dollies” are exempt from having an operational braking system fitted, provided that the towing vehicle is capable of meeting the minimum prescribed braking requirements for the combination. However, if “dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to be fitted with an operational braking system. Additionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed car which are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a trailer. The dolly would also be required by Regulation 22 of C&U to be fitted with suspension. Regulations 19 and 22 in C&U permit a broken down vehicle to be recovered without complying with these requirements. However, there is further legislation under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 that introduces a limitation on the maximum speed that the combination can be driven; this is 40mph on motorways and 20mph on other roads. The use of “A”- Frames in other EU countries The Vienna Convention is the international law that governs this issue. We cannot comment on the interpretation of this by other European countries and whether they permit or prohibit the use of A-frames in their national traffic. Anyone intending to travel through a European country and using an A-frame to tow a vehicle would be recommended to seek independent advice as to the laws within that country. Legislation The Department for Transport does not supply copies of legislation but some information on various sources where they can be obtained is provided below. If you would like to purchase printed copies of Statutory Instruments these are available from The Stationery Office (TSO)
I wouldn't even consider it. Aside from the legalities, what if you bin the MX5 and fuck the suspension etc, no way of getting it home. Get your B&E license and use a proper twin axle braked trailer, then you have no issues.
but with a trailer id have to buy a bigger tow car which has to be a 4x4 because it will need a bigger tow rating
sorry too thread jack but while the subject is goin would i be legal wih a towing licence. in a transit tipper with a road legal s13 welded diff on a dolly ? also is a welded diff even safe on a dolly
Or Merc e-class estate. My e320cdi got 32mpg towing my jzx81 and never missed a beat. I shall be getting another for sure.
Trouble is that the tow car is my dads. He's looking into a new car and doesn't mind me using it to tow with but he want it to be perfectly legal
What fancy ass trailer are you using that adds 2.2 tonnes to the weight of a drift car?! Even a Passat estate has enough towing capacity to legally tow something like an s-body on a basic trailer. The 530D Touring and the Mercedes e320CDI estates have a max weight of 2.1 tonnes; more than enough for even a heavy weight drift car and a decent, non covered trailer.
My understanding is its 3500kg gross weight, that's including the tow vehicle. Would like to know if it's right though.
You can tow up to 3500kg gross on a normal license, but the trailer cannot exceed the weight of the tow vehicle. Dollies are just a no no, don't even consider it. A normal spec averaged sized track or drift car is gonna be at least 1000-1200kg. Twin axle trailer is 4-600kg roughly. That puts the minimum at 1400-1800kgs, leaving potentially not enough out of the 3500kg limit for the tow car. And don't forget you have to add in your own weight, tools, spares etc. Believe me I have looked into a lot of different ways of doing this and the easiest thing to do is just get a trailer license and twin axle trailer.
