A frames to tow classic

[JPB]

families

a smart...

Small family that must be! They (Smarts) can be supplied with an A frame, specially designed for the car and capable of operating the brakes as the master cylinder in the For Two is mounted in Minor fashion, under the floor so no need to run about with the windows open. Also, there's no steering lock or PAS which is probably even more of a help and the brake servo is optional so no greater effort is needed to apply the brakes when the engine's not running than when it is, unless you're one of the unfortunate souls who spent the extra 42p on the servo and found that it does the square root of Llareggub . It's almost as though Chrysler-Daimler knew that the driver's seat would only last for a couple of years if the driver actually drove the thing so they made it unnecessary to be in the car to get it from point A to point A.. Hang on a wee sec.. to point A.. Nearly.. to point B, there, the damned clutch servo worked that time!

Internal spec lifts are also illegal these days, so unless you have one of the special ones made for towing a three wheeler, the wheels of the spec lift are rather annoyingly wider apart than the car you're towing, but at least this means that the eyes are low enough to avoid grinding the car's boot floor open as you tow.

[sheehan879]

There is a page on the DVLA website about dollies and A frames. It says the department for transport considers the A frame and car to be a single trailer and as such comes under the trailer regulations. Although over 750Kg does need to be braked.

From my calculations I am ok with my midget but will be pushing it with anything else.

[JPB]

Right, but the A frame has to steer the car and a dolly lifts one pair of wheels - on a car that also must be road legal to be towed this way - clear of the road yet of the two, only an A frame can use the car's brakes. It's a proper minefield. To the O/P: Sure & you'll find the right solution for you before you have to move the car.

[suffolkpete]

Also, if the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3500kg you will need a B+E licence entitlement to drive it.

[JPB]

Also, if the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3500kg you will need a B+E licence entitlement to drive it.

Unless you have acquired (a.k.a. "Grandfather") rights by having had a full licence since before they started making things so complicated. Then, anything up to and including 7.5 tons could be driven by someone with car entitlement, heavier if it's a bus not in revenue-earning service.
Pop the car in the back of an old Bedford coach. ALR 453 B should be available. Just avoid mountain passes and don't steal gold!

[suffolkpete]

Also, if the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3500kg you will need a B+E licence entitlement to drive it.

Unless you have acquired (a.k.a. "Grandfather") rights by having had a full licence since before they started making things so complicated. Then, anything up to and including 7.5 tons could be driven by someone with car entitlement, heavier if it's a bus not in revenue-earning service.

Sort of true, but if you have the "grandfather" rights your licence will still have to show B+E and the extra entitlements will go when you renew your licence at age 70 unless you apply to keep them.

[sierra3dr]

Well,I've towed a Sierra with a Sierra using an A-frame for 4 miles,it was a eye opening experience At each junction,the weight of the towed Sierra was pushing the Sierra I was driving I decided at a later stage to tow my Cortina using a custom made A-frame to the lower suspension arms,but using a Alko braked hitch,and a cable ran from the hitch to the Cortinas brake pedal. Unfortunately,it did not work,because the A-frame pivoted out of position. It would have worked,if and when the A-frame is fixed rigid. Perhaps bumper off and fix onto where the bumper is attached. The method of steering applied to the towed vehicle is know as drag steered,steering lock is off

[Young Farmer]

Suffolk Pete is right. You will lose your rights after you turn 70. Unless you take the rather meaningless medical test to retain them. Because I had no need to retain my HGV licence to drive large lorries I didn't bother taking a medical. I have lost the right to drive anything over 3500kg and a minibus with more than 8 seats. Doesn't matter though as if I need to move anything heavy I'll borrow a neighbours JCB fasttrac as they have left me with my tractor licence. If my friend, who is an agricultural contractor asks me to help him out I can legally drive a JCB tractor towing a trailer carrying 15 ton of silage at 50mph for 14 hours a day, 7 days a week for as long as the sun keeps shining. But in the eyes of DVLA I am too old and infirm to drive a small truck or minibus. Doesn't seem to make any sense

[3xpendable]

Also, if the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer exceeds 3500kg you will need a B+E licence entitlement to drive it.

I passed my test after 1997, and I always thought that I wasn't allowed to tow any trailer over 750kg full stop. However after reading this I looked up on the DVLA website and it said this:

If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you can:
drive a vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes or 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg

My brother has a boat which weighs about 750kg in total (boat and trailer) and the 4x4 he uses to tow it is about 1200kg, so say at worst the 4x4 and trailer weight 2500kg, does that mean I am able to drive his 4x4 towing the boat without taking the B + E test?

[JPB]

.....does that mean I am able to drive his 4x4 towing the boat without taking the B + E test?

It does rather look that way. 1200Kg seems really light for a typical, modern 4x4, is it some form of classic one, or a Fiat Panda with a dead body in the boot?