General Car Related Discussion. To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.

Whats the Tow bars called.....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 09:44 AM
  #1  
b_kennedy's Avatar
b_kennedy
Thread Starter
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 0
From: Windsor
Default Whats the Tow bars called.....

Hi guys. What's the name of the tow bars that I see a lot of at Santa Pod? It allows a car to be towed and the rear vehicle steers itself without the need of any drivers.

Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 09:47 AM
  #2  
delbee1's Avatar
delbee1
PassionFord Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 409
Likes: 6
From: Twickenham
Default

Originally Posted by b_kennedy
Hi guys. What's the name of the tow bars that I see a lot of at Santa Pod? It allows a car to be towed and the rear vehicle steers itself without the need of any drivers.

Thanks

Tow dolly you mean?? Front wheels off the ground??
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 10:05 AM
  #3  
STeve's Avatar
STeve
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49,079
Likes: 876
From: SITTING DOWN
Default

I have used my mates and he simply called it a A Frame Towing bar
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 10:22 AM
  #4  
delbee1's Avatar
delbee1
PassionFord Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 409
Likes: 6
From: Twickenham
Default

An A Frame tows the car so that the car has all 4 wheels on the ground where as the dolly tows the car with front wheels off the ground.

I think the A Frame is the cheaper option
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 10:23 AM
  #5  
paulsheerin's Avatar
paulsheerin
Regular Contributor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, Ireland
Default

The most common is the A-Frame, but be careful as AFAIK they are now illegal to use to tow in the UK as they are not braked.

We had an A-Frame like this and it worked fantastic, only downside was having to slide under the car to attach.

http://www.cjautosheywood.co.uk/orig/aframe.jpg

However a far better solution is a unit like this, the AA/RAC use them, they are braked, perfectly legal and you almost forget the car is behind you.

http://www.ashaux.com/Pictures/Trailer/Photo05.jpg

You can get a simpler turntable style dolly but the one above allows for fantastic maneuverability
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 10:31 AM
  #6  
b_kennedy's Avatar
b_kennedy
Thread Starter
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 0
From: Windsor
Default

Thanks guys. Yeah I meant the A frame version with all 4 wheels on the ground.

Didn't realise they weren't braked or in fact illegal :-(

I'll check out those links.

Much appreciated as always
Reply
Old Aug 18, 2013 | 11:51 AM
  #7  
CosworthGuy's Avatar
CosworthGuy
3dr Cosworth owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 2
From: Lincolnshire
Default

You can get legal a frames i believe. The have a slider in the frame just like a normal trailer and on overrun the pull on the cable which is attached to a device that fits onto the brake pedal of the car being towed and uses to rear cars brakes thus making the vehicle being towed braked therefore satisfying the anything over 750 kg has to be braked rule. Im sure the towed vehicle is classed as a trailer as long as its numberplate is covered and the car that is towing it has its one displayed
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 08:31 AM
  #8  
paulsheerin's Avatar
paulsheerin
Regular Contributor
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, Ireland
Default

I hadnt seen the braked a frames before but sounds like a good idea.
Yes they are classed as a trailer when towing particularly handy for bringing a car on a ferry. Only charged as a trailer and not an additional vehicle
Reply
Old Aug 19, 2013 | 08:48 AM
  #9  
STeve's Avatar
STeve
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 49,079
Likes: 876
From: SITTING DOWN
Default

Originally Posted by paulsheerin
I hadnt seen the braked a frames before but sounds like a good idea.
Yes they are classed as a trailer when towing particularly handy for bringing a car on a ferry. Only charged as a trailer and not an additional vehicle
http://www.caratow.com/
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rob Wells
Ford Mondeo Including ST
6
Apr 18, 2023 12:19 AM
abz474
Cars for Sale
9
Nov 1, 2015 06:53 PM
IainRS1700T
Cars for Sale
9
Sep 25, 2015 06:44 AM
Cos500
General Car Related Discussion.
3
Sep 16, 2015 09:50 PM
Tony W
Technical help Q & A
0
Sep 9, 2015 12:08 PM




All times are GMT. The time now is 05:16 PM.