Quality towing rig (renault content)

[twosmoke300]

I think that's known as the tail wagging the dog

[dieselnutjob]

even the clever ones that work the car`s handbrakes are illegal. 

 

If you are going to go to all of the effort to make such a mechanism, why not hook it up to the brake pedal rather than the handbrake?  Then it would be legal.

[dieselnutjob]

According to wikipedia Fiat Cinquecentos are 675–727kg so that would work

[D Spares & Tyres]

If you are going to go to all of the effort to make such a mechanism, why not hook it up to the brake pedal rather than the handbrake?  Then it would be legal.

i forget why exactly but when reading all the laws, they made sure that was illegal too. I`ll try find paperwork out

[D Spares & Tyres]

I think that's known as the tail wagging the dog

I can still picture the bus driver`s face as I headed towards him

[dave21478]

brakes need to be auto-reverse trailer style and need to apply equal braking effort on all four wheels. Hence cars will not be able to comply even if the frame is linked to the brake pedal (mine does this)

As for the weights, it goes on the cars gross vehicle weight, not its unladen or kerb weight, which will be more than 750kgs. The only stuff with a gross weight under 750kgs is perhaps some westfield type of things and sans-permis type of things.

[D Spares & Tyres]

yes that sounds right, Its all coming back to me now.....

[twitcherman]

We have a Peugeot 107 modified to tow behind our camper.

 

Braking is via a pneumatic ram which acts on the brake pedal. Also has an exhauster pump to maintain servo vacuum. Braking is actuated via an accelerometer and a signal from the brake light of the towing electrics - if deceleration + brake activation of the towing vehicle, it applies the brakes, sensitivity can be adjusted until it's "right". Also has a breakaway mechanism which applies the brakes automatically, and the car lights work with the towing vehicle lights, so no need for a trailer board.

 

Another legal requirement is the ability to reverse automatically, which is the reason for having the brake light sensor.

[twitcherman]

BTW, I think a Smart comes under the weight limit, I think you can even put one on a suitable unbraked trailer.

[Aston Martin]

[dieselnutjob]

Was there actually a large number of accidents with A frames and dollies that caused the government to clamp down?  I've never heard of one but if people were having accidents then it's kind of fair enough.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I dont think theres been a deliberate campaign to scupper A-frames, i think its more that theres just lots of little trailer-related legal nuggets that they fall foul of.

[wuvvum]

BTW, I think a Smart comes under the weight limit, I think you can even put one on a suitable unbraked trailer.

Don't think it does - my uncle has one to tow behind his camper, and he had to get a braked A-frame for it.

[robinmasters]

Next door to that there's a place called 'Reliable Rentals', who have two Honda Accords, two Rover 800s, and a Hyundai Trajet on their forecourt.

[cort1977]

We have a Peugeot 107 modified to tow behind our camper.

 

Braking is via a pneumatic ram which acts on the brake pedal. Also has an exhauster pump to maintain servo vacuum. Braking is actuated via an accelerometer and a signal from the brake light of the towing electrics - if deceleration + brake activation of the towing vehicle, it applies the brakes, sensitivity can be adjusted until it's "right". Also has a breakaway mechanism which applies the brakes automatically, and the car lights work with the towing vehicle lights, so no need for a trailer board.

 

Another legal requirement is the ability to reverse automatically, which is the reason for having the brake light sensor.

I was going to mention these type of systems, quite popular with the 5th wheel rv crowd here. For general use by the average shiter I would guess that a trailer is going to be cheaper than trying to use a controller like that to make an a frame strictly legal.

 

Surely most police have got better things to do than worry too much about a frames unless you are stupid like matey in the video?

[Lankytim]

I think even cars below 750 kgs still need to be braked as if brakes are fitted they need to be in working order.

[scruff]

Some quality quotes in that vid, "you want a LDV... Transits are shit... you look like a traveller"