Motorhome Facts Forum banner

Rear Markings on tow car

8K views 14 replies 12 participants last post by  raynipper 
#1 ·
Hi
Does anyone have the details of the required markings for the rear of a toad car. The unit will be over inc tow car 13M, The unit is 2007.
It has the normal wireing as per tow a car, but should it have triangles etc?
Regards
Tel
 
#2 ·
tel999 said:
Hi
Does anyone have the details of the required markings for the rear of a toad car. The unit will be over inc tow car 13M, The unit is 2007.
It has the normal wireing as per tow a car, but should it have triangles etc?
Regards
Tel
Tel,
I will ask my legislation engineer to give you some advise on Monday. I would certainly say any towed vehicle needs red triangles though,
thanks
Andy - Swift Technical
 
#4 ·
I don't think you need an "On Tow" sign anymore but you do need red triangles, working indicators,brake lights and a number plate the same as the towing vehicle. However, I have often wondered, if both vehicles are registered to the same person, is the matching number plate strictly necessary?

peedee
 
#5 ·
Number plate

peedee said:
I don't think you need an "On Tow" sign anymore but you do need red triangles, working indicators,brake lights and a number plate the same as the towing vehicle. However, I have often wondered, if both vehicles are registered to the same person, is the matching number plate strictly necessary?

peedee
Hi

As far as I know - and I do not want to open an A frame debate, but when the car is being towed on an A frame, the car effectively becomes a trailer and as such should display the registration plate of the towing vehicle.

Russell
 
#6 ·
Towtal in Stoke who fitted my first A frame to a Smart said NO as the Smart vehicle lights and refelectors were sufficient.

Chris Cox, who fitted my second A frame to the Matiz said YES.
To be on the safe side (can I say that and talk about A frames in the same post? :lol: ) I do use magnetic triangles on the back.
I am also considering putting vehicle on tow signs on the SIDE of the car. On a number of occassions other road users have come close to hitting the car on the side and, No, not down to me trying to make a run for it at a roundabout.
 
#12 ·
Towtal in Stoke who fitted my first A frame to a Smart said NO as the Smart vehicle lights and refelectors were sufficient.
That is misinformation from Towtal.

A car on an 'A' frame is a trailer. As such, it must display 2 red reflective triangles (Of a prescribed size) to the rear , the registration number of the towing vehicle and the lights must conform to the Road Vehicles (Lighting Regulations) 1989. This means a lighting board is not sufficient. A 'trailer' of a Toads dimensions would require operational front marker lamps.
 
#7 ·
The above post set me thinking (VERY DANGEROUS I know!!)
Should motorhomes display an orange beacon when towing (any trailer) to warn others about their unusual configuration? It is difficult to see any tow when you are headon to a van.
Then again if it is decided that 'A' frames are illegal then no amount of triangles or lights will make it legal.
If however users conform to the existing rules I feel there is less chance of 'the powers that be' declaring them illegal. Therefore brakes, lights, numberplates and triangles as for any other trailer.
I get worried about some of the info which is credited to Towtal.
 
#11 ·
DJP said:
Police specials forum - If they don't know :roll:
Bear in mind that Police Specials are part-time volunteers and therefore generally may not be so informed regarding legislation than their full-time Regular colleagues. I have the greatest respect for most Specials whom I have worked with, but they would never be my first port of call if I wanted to check a law question....

DJP said:
THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION TO OPEN ANOTHER A FRAME DEBATE
Awwww - pleeeeeze......... go on......... you know you want to......

:)

Dougie.
 
#13 ·
I see you’re new here Tony welcome, this thread is 12 years old and the subject has been discussed/argued numerous times since 2008.

Terry
 
#14 ·
Thanks for the welcome, Terry!

Yes I’m new here, but not new to the towing game, I was a trailer manufacturer for over 25 years and a Director of the NTTA for 6 or 7, as well as delivering their industry training for a while.

I was aware it was an old thread but it happened to be the first one I latched on to! As the thread wasn’t locked, I assumed it was ok to post a reply. In any event, it’s now a reminder to folk who may not have picked up on it before.... and my answer is still relevant! 😊

Regards

Tony M
 
#15 ·
Agreed about your observations Tony. Wen towing my cars on an 'A' frame I always had the two reflective triangles positioned on the parcel shelf of the 'toad'.

Ray.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tony Maris
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top