13-01-2018, 07:22 PM
(13-01-2018, 06:57 PM)Duncan Grimmond Wrote: If brakes are fitted they must work but also in conjunction with the tow vehicle is my understanding of that but I stand to be corrected...We towed a Smart behind a large-ish Rapido motorhome all over France, Spain, Portugal,Germany Czech etc over a 3 years of holidays (2010-2013 without falling foul of the law. the only comments we had were of approval of the quality of the A frame's engineering (made in Brum!) We towed at up to the legal limit everywhere we went, without problem.
The use of A-frames was much discussed on the Pembleton forum and the conclusion was that as the car and frame weigh less than 400kg, it would be a harsh copper who pressed a charge. The finished weight of a steel bodied saloon or tourer is usually a bit more than this if I'm correctly informed.
My aluminium bodied Austin special weighed 370kg it is an easy tow on a light trailer. I have an A-frame for the Pembleton but must admit I don't like using it. I have followed another owner towing a Pembleton trike happily at 50 mph but I wouldn't.
A-frames are definitely not welcome in France or Germany, I'm not sure about the rest of Europe.
That said there is a huge disparity of opinions, but our insurer was happy with it and no one made us disconnect, the only downside was having to undo to reverse (couldn't see what the Smart was doing!) The frame did couple the brakes with a cable to the foot brake pedal & that worked really well.
Maybe things have changed, but A frames are still available.