Are 'A Frames' without brakes legal?

[Mendip.Wursel]

Dear All
Does anybody know if this is legal to tow with an un-braked 'A Frame' as the Government website states "A trailer with a GVW of 750kg or lower, is not required to have brakes, but if brakes are fitted they must be in full working order"
Does this mean that if the 'A Frame' itself has braking systems then they must work, or should the brakes to Lomax itself be attached and working.
I'm not sure there is an answer to this question as a bit obscure, but just thought I would ask......
Happy days.
Kevin

[howardjs]

Yep that's the way I read it too... If a car is towed with an A frame it is considered to be a trailer and if fitted with brakes they must work, irrespective of the all up weight of the car being towed.

Amitages for example make an A frame with braking. It uses a braking towing hitch connected to a crank lever which in turn pulls a cable which passes through the front of the car being towed and through the bulkhead where it is connected to the brake foot pedal...

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[pulhamdown]

It is notoriously difficult to come up with a complete answer on A frames. My own take, and it is only my opinion, is that the "trailer", being the A frame and the towed car, does not have " a braking system " as described in the Dept of Transport advice. Trailers of less than 750 kgs do not require brakes. My Pembleton does have a braking system, but when attached to the A frame, and it becomes a trailer, the trailer does not have a braking system, as the coupling hitch does not operate brakes on the car. It makes no sense that a trailer of less than 750 kgs does not require brakes, yet a lightweight three wheeler and A frame weighing less than 400kgs does. I believe that any towed vehicle on an A frame should be Taxed, MOT'd, and Insured. My view is that driven sensibly, you are unlikely to be stopped. But be aware that if you are stopped, you will need to put forward your case in a calm and convincing way. Good luck.

[Jack602]

I use a lightweight un-braked trailer just large enough for my special, easy to tow, no legal uncertainty and useful for other tasks.

[Weg3]

I didn't want to dedicate storage space to a trailer so I stuck with the A Frame.
The full blown bought job is very expensive and seems to be dedicated to known models of light cars, not specials or kits.
So I bought a braked hitch and adapted it to my original (illegal) A frame.
A bowden cable from the hitch passes through the front of the foot well and attaches to the brake pedal with a quick release set up.
The orange strap around the engine is to prevent the assembly dropping to the ground in the event of disconnection.
The brake-away cable pulls the brake on (if activated, and stays on till released).
Lights are plugged into the Triking loom, just need the tow car number plate on the rear.
The whole lot is easily stowed in the boot of the tow car.

[howardjs]

Nice setup Tony, where did the brake hitch come from & how much? I am going to put similar together instead of a trailer. The cheapest brake hitch I can find is £188... any info much appreciated.
Howard

[pulhamdown]

Don't forget you need a couple of triangles as well as the number plate of the towing vehicle, as your car has now become a trailer.

[Weg3]

The coupling is Alke Pole Coupling 700-1000kg which I sourced from FS Trailers in Huntingdon 01480 453333 (there are other dealers) for £210 + vat.

The spring on the auto brake is so strong I had to make a limit stop (black angle piece with adjuster) to prevent damage to bowden cable.
Light board hooks under the rear body and fixes with a bungee. Number plate light still shines on plate, triangles lower than rearlights.

[howardjs]

Thanks for the info Tony, now I need to get the CAD going to design an adaptable and possibly foldable A frame and brake pedal attachment.

I think the people at VOSA (or whatever they're calling themselves at the moment) are just sitting in circles trying to come up with "How to give headaches to motorists" Ideas...

Look forward to seeing you with the Triking at the next 10,000 whenever that may be.

Howard