PJay Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hi to all the people who live in Spain. Wonder if any one knows the Law in Spain on towing wjth "A" frame? It appears that it is illegal to tow with "A" frame, but some people seem to get away with it and others get a fine I hope maybe one of you Ex-Pats may be able to enlighten me on the RULES please???? PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooty10 Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 I think you will find it is illegal to tow any vehicle in Spain. Quite a few have been fined for using an a frame but I will be the first of many to reply to this. We have lived in Spain for over 20 years although, not there now as we no longer work. Take care and if you use an a frame make sure you have plenty of Euros in case you get the police taking interest. Sooty10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookback Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Hi, Can you substantiate your claim that "many people have been fined". I have towed with an A Frame in Spain for 3 years now, have been passed by spanish police, and not once stopped and qustioned. In fact my brother in law, who is also an A Framer stays for 5 months wildcamping in Spain and has not been stopped (except for wildcamping!) It is a question of "take your chances" The website "Motorhomefacts" is currently running a poll asking if you have ever been stopped and fined in Spain for having a A Frame. Suggest you have a look. The only advice I would give is that your partner must be able to drive so that, in the unlikely event you are stopped and told to unhitch, your partner can drive the car. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 These people claim theirs is legal!!!! http://www.tow-bars2tow-cars.co.uk/about_us.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Syd Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 The "A" framers that I have seen all have a cable that runs from tha car to the "A" frame that applies the brakes of the car some how. The cable is permanently fixed to the car brakes pedal and is connected to the trailer with a simple safety hook type clipclip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 From my understanding, if you are Spanish, it is illegal to tow with an A frame. I would imagine that if you are resident and have spanish insurances for both vehicles, it would be the same. In theory, if you are visitng Spain as a resident from another EU country and towing with an A frame, you are not breaking spanish law. HOWEVER it does seem that Spanish Plod totaly ignore this minor point of law. So if caught and fined, you either have to phone the British Embassy with Mr Plod waving his handgun at your tyres and hopefully get a member of staff to point out the error of Mr Plod's reasoning to him over the phone, or pursue the matter through the your EU parlimentry member. to get your fine reimbursed. Good luck. Rgds (Its no wonder Spain was / is used as the backdrop for a number of spagetti westerns) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted September 28, 2010 Share Posted September 28, 2010 Despite EU Law stipulations, some member countries do retain some of their own laws which are contidictory to EU Law. On the surface it's only the UK that complies with any fines imposed by the EU for breach of EU Law. The NCC website (towing with a motorhome) states that different laws DO APPLY in different member states, so IMO pleading with your MEP will not get any fines imposed by Spanish plod reimbursed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 28, 2010 Author Share Posted September 28, 2010 Thanks all for your replies. So it is still a grey area then! PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted September 29, 2010 Share Posted September 29, 2010 Have you worked out how many taxi/train/bus miles you can do for the cost of a low mileage car and A frame, not to mention the temptation to drive when cycling/walking is an alternative. Our Tracker EKS is plenty big enough for two people so we can also park in a lot of places. Do you really need to tow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 29, 2010 Author Share Posted September 29, 2010 Porky - 2010-09-29 9:13 AM Have you worked out how many taxi/train/bus miles you can do for the cost of a low mileage car and A frame, not to mention the temptation to drive when cycling/walking is an alternative. Our Tracker EKS is plenty big enough for two people so we can also park in a lot of places. Do you really need to tow? Porky/Roy Don't need to tow at moment, but cycling is not possible, and walking very far is becoming more difficult for me. We do try to find sites within easy distance of places to visit, or where there is a bus stop close by. I was looking to change my current car , and thinking of the future , where a small car could be towed. Maybe in time the "Rules" re towing maybe sorted/or at least clarified, if not it will probably be changing to a caravan, in the future. Pauline Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daismarg Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 May be the solution is a trailer with a car on which we have got instead of an 'A Frame'?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 daismarg - 2010-10-04 11:48 PM May be the solution is a trailer with a car on which we have got instead of an 'A Frame'?! When faced with several choices I think there are three ways of finding the solution which is right for you. 1 Gut feeling 2 List each solution with their pros and cons 3 Try the one which you think is right and if that doesn't work try something else. My old gran used to say " not making a decision is making a decision"*-)*-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted October 5, 2010 Author Share Posted October 5, 2010 daismarg - 2010-10-04 11:48 PM May be the solution is a trailer with a car on which we have got instead of an 'A Frame'?! Unfurtuneatley we do not have space to store a trailer, we do not keep the Mh at home due to lack of parking space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Sorry to be bearer of bad news, guys. November PM has an article saying the EU Law is changing regarding "A" Frames & NCC suggests that they will all be illegal through-out EU countries. Worth checking out if you use or considering using an "A" Frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 flicka - 2010-10-05 10:55 PM November PM & NCC Who?*-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Porky - 2010-10-06 10:16 AM flicka - 2010-10-05 10:55 PM November PM & NCC Who?*-) I suspect PM will be Practical Motorhome, NCC, no idea, perhaps they're a writers initials? Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enodreven Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Hi, I know its not Spain but on our latest travels we saw 2 French plated motorhomes using "A" frames and 1 Dutch plated, so it appears they are starting to become more popular in other European Countries, perhaps the law change if it happens may be to make them legal throughout Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randonneur Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 NCC is I would think,the National Caravan Council,but I may be wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted October 6, 2010 Author Share Posted October 6, 2010 flicka - 2010-10-05 10:55 PM Sorry to be bearer of bad news, guys. November PM has an article saying the EU Law is changing regarding "A" Frames & NCC suggests that they will all be illegal through-out EU countries. Worth checking out if you use or considering using an "A" Frame. Flika, Do you mean Practical Motorhome?. If so which page is it on ? Can not find the article you refer to PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 6, 2010 Share Posted October 6, 2010 Hi Pjay Yes Practical Motorhome (I thought it best not to publisice their name on their competitors Forum & yes National Caravan Council. Page No. is 72 Dave Newell's Technical section. "A-frame rules set to change" It also quotes the relevant EU legislation being replaced by UNECE Regulation 13 section 5.2.2.2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNECE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo3090 Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 I looked into the towing lark and found that for the cost of fitting the towbar and electrics, buying trailer or an "A" frame, buying and running another vehicle, extra fares on ferries and campsites I could just hire a small car on a daily basis at my destination for the times when public transpost or even in some cases local taxis weren't available. In an emergency I have made friends with a nearby "tugger" and cadged a lift off him to the supermarket! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted October 7, 2010 Share Posted October 7, 2010 Andy C posted on "Nightstop scheme" thread "on my page at http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/ukaires.shtml " He also has some additional information regarding the changes to Regulations & A-Frames in general. http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/a-frames.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 Hi Personal experience:- We towed a Trailer to Spain in 2003 Twin axle B-J 16ft with Scenic (auto) and a complete nuisance on site. So in 05 we went back using an "A" frame (Punto, Manual). We have been several times since and so far have be "pulled" by the Guardia Civil (always the motorcycle plod) 3 times now. They say it is illegal in Spain, In spite of showing them the data (In Spanish) AND a copy of a fine which was rescinded (In Spanish). The understanding is that as "tourists" NOT residents we can temporarily import the "rig". (Note the NOT residents) under EU Regulations. However no one has told the Spanish plod!!. As a result of this two things have happened:- A) IF I EVER GO BACK TO SPAIN, I will probably go back to a trailer, SWMBO can`t take the hassle. B) we are looking to buy and store an R_V in the USA where they speak English (well abuse it mostly!!!) and Know HOW to use recreational vehicles properly. Unlike in Europe where the bureaucrats (euro-craps) only have one thought :- "how to get more money out of Motorists generally" And Motor homers in particular!!! pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooty10 Posted October 9, 2010 Share Posted October 9, 2010 One thing I can tell you, if you do get pulled by the Spanish police be on your guard. Never call them to your travel companion in English and think they will not understand you. Although they will speak to you in Spanish, believe me they will understand your English even if they say not and it could add to your problems. Sooty10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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