A-Frame towing??

[leamyj]

Toying with the idea of purchasing an a-frame towing dolly to tow the mx5 for track days etc..anyone ever used them on an mx5? Is it a good or bad idea?


something like this

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/1-8ton-SOLO-SING ... 2246wt_952

Comments please.

John

[leamyj]

Hmm, I've been advised that the use of this type of towing device is illegal.....

[hoopsbhoy]

Strictly speaking its not illegal. I had discussions with the traffic corp about it recently.

HOWEVER, the car you are towing has wheels on the road so essentially it has to be taxed. I have never seen any guard enforcing such nonsence and the regular towing laws re weight etc still stand when you add that to the likely hood of having tip on track and not been able to tow the car home, its probably not worth it.

[leamyj]

Strictly speaking its not illegal. I had discussions with the traffic corp about it recently.

HOWEVER, the car you are towing has wheels on the road so essentially it has to be taxed. I have never seen any guard enforcing such nonsence and the regular towing laws re weight etc still stand when you add that to the likely hood of having tip on track and not been able to tow the car home, its probably not worth it.

Yeah, there's quite a lot of grey area around this question. Mondello's only 8 miles from my door so if it was to get pranged and unable to get home then it's not that big of an issue... I'd rather get done for no tax on a vehicle being towed than take a chance on driving an uninsured and untaxed car to a track....

John

PS
On the question of towing weight, what is the kerbweight of a mk1 1.6 anyway??

[Steve]

do trailers (if it was classed as one on an A-Frame) over a certain weight need to be braked? I think its 750kgs in the UK.

[MX5Spares]

To my knowledge , ur not allowed tow a car with both its axles still on the road.ie it has to have 2 or all 4 wheels off the road.If something unforeseen happened ,insurance may withdraw cover.....

[Damo]

As long as the weight of the car and the A Frame do not exceed the towing capacity of the tow vehicle and also the vehicle being towed must be under 750kg. If over 750kg there must be a braking system controlled by the tow vehicle. If you check your nct white paper it usually has the weight of the vehicle on it, but I don't know how accurate it is. I don't think an Mx5 is under 750kg. Also check with your insurance. If over 750kg you need a licence to draw a trailer.

[MX5Spares]

Mx5 is approx 950kg.Bare shell with nothing on it is 320kg. I know this from dumping old UK shells for scrap metal.50e approx.

[leamyj]

As long as the weight of the car and the A Frame do not exceed the towing capacity of the tow vehicle and also the vehicle being towed must be under 750kg. If over 750kg there must be a braking system controlled by the tow vehicle. If you check your nct white paper it usually has the weight of the vehicle on it, but I don't know how accurate it is. I don't think an Mx5 is under 750kg. Also check with your insurance. If over 750kg you need a licence to draw a trailer.

Hmm, looks like I'd probably need something like this instead of the a-frame setup...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Braked-car-to ... 3f22b37a15


Who is responsible for issuing a licence to draw a trailer heavier than 750g? Is it the local authority?

[MX5Spares]

Still same situation....not allowed by insurance as above.Has all four wheels on road ....

[leamyj]

Still same situation....not allowed by insurance as above.Has all four wheels on road ....

Eh?? The front wheels of the vehicle being towed are not in contact with the road, they are sitting on the dolly....

[MX5Spares]

Ah sorry......me headlamps are bad !! yes thats the job.Used by recovery lads in UK and fully legal.

[barney]

John, licence issued the same as any other licence now, unless it's already on your licence. If not, you have to do a theory test and a driving test with a twin axle trailer with brakes and if i'm not mistaken it has to have high sides e.g. a tin axle 8x4 trailer with mesh sides.

[leamyj]

Thanks Brian...now where's me feckin' licence???