Towing a small car safely
- Thursday, 8 November 2007
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DAVID SAYS At first sight, the concept of towing a small car on an A-frame seems much simpler than having to load it on and off a trailer. However, there are some important factors to consider. Firstly, if the gross weight of your proposed car exceeds 750kg, your towing mechanism must include a braked system, whether A-frame or trailer. Secondly, the gross weight of your proposed rig (motorhome plus car plus A-frame or trailer) must not exceed your motorhome's Gross Train Weight. And thirdly, if using a trailer, recognise that this exerts a down force right at the rear of your motorhome. Some models are built with short overhangs with this in mind, (Autocruise's Starburst and Stardream are examples), but many are made with the maximum of overhang, and your trailer may overload the rear axle – or depress your rear suspension. As to legality, in the UK many motorhomers happily tow on A-frames without trouble. The legality of doing so has yet to be tested and until it is, motorhomers treat their towed cars as 'articulated trailers'. You can find out more from one of the specialists in A-frames, such as TOWtal in Stoke-on-Trent (01782 333422) or Car-a-Tow in Poole (01202 632456). If you are towing you may not exceed 60mph in the UK, nor use the outside lane of motorways.
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