Making an A frame.

[meldrew]

Hi, I wish to make an A frame to tow my lomax 224, and wondered if anyone out there has a drawing or specification
for a simple fixed light weight frame that can be attached to a fixed bar on the chassis.

2CV city frames are good but too heavy and cumbersome for my likes, not concerned about braking system connection,
just a dedicated simple frame.

[Mendip.Wursel]

This is a photos of my tow frame set-up:
Kevin

DSCF2269.JPG (60.07 KiB) Viewed 12381 times

[Mendip.Wursel]

A closer shot: note the wing nuts on the coupling to take it apart for compact storage and the quick release pins to attach to the Lomax chassis
The electrical coupling attaches to a socket under the bonnet which is connected to the rear lights on the Lomax, so no need for a trailer board.
I have towed my Lomax 100's of miles with this A frame.....

DSCF2269.JPG (200.25 KiB) Viewed 12381 times

[meldrew]

Thanks very much, just what I want, I am so pleased for the pics you have posted.
I can now proceed knowing this format works.

Regards Keith

[howardjs]

Just a quick note: According to the law, towing with an A frame means that the towed vehicle becomes a trailer and must comply with the lighting rules for a trailer. If you couple the towing car's lighting to the towed car (rear lights, side lights, brake lights, indicators) that is fine but the car being towed must also have a number plate that matches the towing vehicle and must also have reflective triangles.
As far as braking is concerned, if the total weight of the towed car plus the A frame is less than 750kg no brakes are needed (again, same rules as a trailer)

Sorry to be boring

By the way if you are going to butt weld box tube together end to end make sure you can!!! For me I would weld a box gusset or web across the joint.

Howard

[Mendip.Wursel]

Thanks very much, just what I want, I am so pleased for the pics you have posted.
I can now proceed knowing this format works.
Regards Keith

Keith
Glad you like my photos.... just another thought in that when I undo the wing nuts on the coupling I end up with two separate bars and the coupling head. In other words the two bar are not welded together at the coupling end. This is so that I can store the bars tied together for compactness. Hope this makes sense...
Howard makes a good point about the welding in that structural joints such as these need to be welded to a professional standard
Thanks
Kevin

[howardjs]

Following my point re trailer braking, I was contacted by a member rightly pointing out that brakes on the towed car may need to be coupled to the towing vehicle irrespective of the combined weight. This seems to be the requirement on reading the DfT Info sheet attached.

I will try to investigate further...

Howard