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Corkills Abarth

Author Topic: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500  (Read 1508 times)

F150pickup

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #15 on: September 29, 2010, 03:14:20 PM »
Found this seems to be some confusion on this. Thats why we see so many cars being towed by motor homes



http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/vehicles/vssafety/factsheetaframes.pdf
Paul

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F150pickup

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #16 on: September 29, 2010, 03:51:11 PM »
And more bit more up to date then 1995

http://www.caratow.com/legal.php

Paul

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Nibor

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2010, 01:32:23 PM »
I'm sure you are aware that it is technically illegal to tow a vehicle in the UK with an A frame unless the vehicle is being recovered.  

"An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety."

http://www.ntta.co.uk/faq/default.htm


No, thats wrong, it is legal, it never used to be, it was allowed in most European countries well before Britain, but Britain didn't consider it safe, but now the laws regarding A-frames have changed and it is completely legal, for towing, not just recovery. Trust me, I researched it all, and it was fitted proffessionally by a Bosch mechanics branch, and after using it for about 4 days straight through both Scotland and England, we got no problems with the police or the transport controllers when we boarded the ferry. In fact most people at the ferry crossing seemed fascinated by the A-frame. And also, A-frames have a braking system, they use the cars brakes, the one thats being towed


« Last Edit: September 30, 2010, 01:35:42 PM by Nibor »
Abarth 500 Esseesse
Funk White with Green Mirrors and Stickers
12-spoke 17" Black Team Dynamic Rims
GTT Cold Ram Induction Kit and TMC Tuning Box
Koni Rears
Magneti Marelli Street-Race backbox due in June

Starship

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #18 on: October 18, 2010, 01:43:28 PM »
Hi Nobor, can you tell us who your motorhome insurance is with? When we mentioned towing with an A-frame, ours didn't want to know. Thanks.
Funk White, Skydome, Red Abarth stripes and door mirrors, Red leather seats, silly grin.

TallPaul

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #19 on: October 19, 2010, 12:19:57 PM »
That's all kinds of wrong, buy a small tent & Stove and just take the Abarth  ;D
(obviously not in this country when non stop rain would make it miserable  ;D)

Technically its quite interesting how it works, how does the steering work, does it just drag the fronts around as you corner?

Braking system looks like that on a SanKey trailer  :o
500 Abarth in white with 10 spokes.
NOW WITH MONZA :D

Nibor

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #20 on: October 19, 2010, 01:23:35 PM »
That's all kinds of wrong, buy a small tent & Stove and just take the Abarth  ;D
(obviously not in this country when non stop rain would make it miserable  ;D)

Technically its quite interesting how it works, how does the steering work, does it just drag the fronts around as you corner?

Braking system looks like that on a SanKey trailer  :o

I've done that too, you can fit a 3 man tent, 4 pillows, an airbed and pump, 2 large sleeping bags, a medium sized stove, and a lantern in the boot if you spend 20 minutes arranging it :P


And the steering is so amazingly simple... You put the spare key in the ignition, and turn it about half a click, before everything turns on, it takes the steering lock off and allows the wheels to turn whenever the motorhome does, it sorta follows the curve the motorhome takes.

As for the insurance, I'll have to get back to you on that, its my dads motorhome, he does the driving
Abarth 500 Esseesse
Funk White with Green Mirrors and Stickers
12-spoke 17" Black Team Dynamic Rims
GTT Cold Ram Induction Kit and TMC Tuning Box
Koni Rears
Magneti Marelli Street-Race backbox due in June

TallPaul

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #21 on: October 19, 2010, 03:56:45 PM »
Pillows? Airbeds? Medium sized Stoves?

Its not the Ritz you know  ;)

Get yourself a Themarest mat, a MSR Stove (runs on same fuel as Abarth - less to take) and a smaller tent  :P  ;)
500 Abarth in white with 10 spokes.
NOW WITH MONZA :D

Nibor

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Re: Fitting an A-Frame for towing an Abarth 500
« Reply #22 on: October 20, 2010, 05:25:32 PM »
Pillows? Airbeds? Medium sized Stoves?

Its not the Ritz you know  ;)

Get yourself a Themarest mat, a MSR Stove (runs on same fuel as Abarth - less to take) and a smaller tent  :P  ;)

I camp in style, my camping is equivelent to a 5 star hotel, I even hire a tentkeeper and a chef that cooks full breakfast buffets ;]
Abarth 500 Esseesse
Funk White with Green Mirrors and Stickers
12-spoke 17" Black Team Dynamic Rims
GTT Cold Ram Induction Kit and TMC Tuning Box
Koni Rears
Magneti Marelli Street-Race backbox due in June

 

hungry