A frame in Spain

Steve and Denise

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18,300
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A Class Carthago
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Since 2008
Second one I have seen In Benidorm this week 🙂
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Only ever seen one when travelling in Spain and that was getting on the ferry in Bilbao…….
 
You may see them, I have, but make no doubt about it they are totally illegal in Spain. They have many more safety rules than such as us. A few I can think of easily, which I feel I am right about, are:

Only vehicle recovery firms can recover any vehicles, hence insurances must have breakdown recovery cover.
You cannot tow another vehicle at all
You must indicate when moving lanes, turning etc regardless of whether there is anyone else on the road
You must display warning signs, light, if broken down on a road, only get out of the vehicle wearing a reflective vest and that includes everyone.
You must not stop at the side of a road (not sure if all) to assist a broken down driver
On a 2 lane road you must fully occupy the outside lane when passing a cyclist

I’m sure there will be many more
 
There are always some in the motorhoming fraternity that have a blase attitude to the motoring laws of another country 🙄🙄
It’s up to those whose choose to do so for me but personally I would not want to rake the risk. I’ve spoken to some who have been stopped, fined and thankfully had a partner with them to drive the car thereafter. I wonder what would be said by the insurance if you had a serious RTA where they got involved?
 
There are always some in the motorhoming fraternity that have a blase attitude to the motoring laws of another country 🙄🙄
Ignorance is no defence of course. But unless he belongs to a motorhome forum he's not likley to know. He may be under the illusion that as it's OK here it should be OK there. More than likely he has a (worthless) note from the A-Frame maker stating the same. So might not be being blaśe just badly informed. He'll find out soon enough, hopefully he'll have a passenger who can drive the toad when he does. (y)
 
A guy we know has towed one through France and Spain for years and when I asked him if he was aware it was illegal he said yes he was and didn’t care. :doh:
 
I see them regularly Steve. 🤦‍♂️

At best it’s poor education, more likely a don’t give a crap attitude…😧
Could do the same as some in our country!
I no understand AH well that’s ok then 🤣

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A guy we know has towed one through France and Spain for years and when I asked him if he was aware it was illegal he said yes he was and didn’t care. :doh:


That's the same attitude we had from some German motorhomers when we told them open fires weren't allowed on the free parking spot we were both on. They didn't care, they said they would pay any fine, and leave as they probably wouldn't be back to that parking.

There are selfish, uncaring people, in al walks of life and for lots of different reasons.
 
Complete newbie here so forgive my naivety.

My understanding is that if an A frame is legal to use in your home country then there is no problem in Spain. But that the Spanish police may not be aware of this and they may need some convincing, even assuming one can speak good Spanish.

What is the definitive position please?
 
Complete newbie here so forgive my naivety.

My understanding is that if an A frame is legal to use in your home country then there is no problem in Spain. But that the Spanish police may not be aware of this and they may need some convincing, even assuming one can speak good Spanish.

What is the definitive position please?
An A frame isn't legal in the UK, it's not illegal either as there is no law against it.

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Complete newbie here so forgive my naivety.

My understanding is that if an A frame is legal to use in your home country then there is no problem in Spain. But that the Spanish police may not be aware of this and they may need some convincing, even assuming one can speak good Spanish.

What is the definitive position please?
Spanish traffic law dictates that any car not being driven must either be on proper car transporter trailer or recovery truck .
Pose the question to the Traffico department who run the english speaking social media web page N332 and you’ll get confirmation
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When I purchased my A frame, along with the invoice, I received a pack explaining why A frames can be used all over the world. With the greatest respect to the wonderful engineer who hand built and fitted my A frame parts, I won’t be using the A frame outside of the UK (well maybe in Eire as well😁).
 
Old wives tale every country has its own laws.
Yes, arm out of window, no baby seat, no flashing orange emergency light in Spain as examples.

But most cops I have encountered in Spain have been very lenient

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Just a few days ago an Auto-Trail with a Fiat 500 on an A-frame pulled into the Zaragoza campsite. We wondered how far he might get but he’d already done 250 miles from Santander.
 

I have one, just in-case. I test it every time I pick it up from the airport.

And I think it is a much better idea than a triangle a few meters behind you
I have one in the car which would stick on the roof as it’s magnetic, however doubt it would be much use in the Motorhome as would only be able to use it on the cab door, difficult to see from behind so still have triangles in the van.
 
I think it's a poorly thought out law. My A-Class does not have a cm2 of magnetic area. How is a HGV driver supposed to stick one of them on the top of his trailer. If you have you hazard lights on they can be seen and there are more of them. Not many other than cars can comply with the '360 degree' visibility.
Same as tge Angle Mort stickers. Thought up by fools that unfortunately make the laws.

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Is that a legal requirement yet?
both beacon & triangles are legal at the moment & from 1st july 2026 beacons only
How is a HGV driver supposed to stick one of them on the top of his trailer.
If you pay the money & get a proper one the instant the magnet attaches to the vehicle it activates automatically with gps direct to trafico.The lorry driver just sticks it on his drivers door.
And I think it is a much better idea than a triangle a few meters behind you
Few metres? There are meant to be two. First is either 50 or 100m behind & second at 200m behind. On a 2 away, single lane road one must also be placed in front about 50m.
 
An A frame isn't legal in the UK, it's not illegal either as there is no law against it.
English Law is 'common law' (as is much of northern Europe)
Judges broadly decide what is legal and what is not.
Their reasons are recorded so that other judges can use the same reasoning for other cases.
By default everything is legal, except for stuff that has been deemed illegal.

Spanish Law is 'Roman Law' (as is much of southern Europe)
The government broadly decides what is legal and what is not.
Judges do have some leeway, but may need to refer back to parliament/Supreme Court.
By default everything is illegal except stuff that has been deemed legal.
 
both beacon & triangles are legal at the moment & from 1st july 2026 beacons only

If you pay the money & get a proper one the instant the magnet attaches to the vehicle it activates automatically with gps direct to trafico.The lorry driver just sticks it on his drivers door.

Few metres? There are meant to be two. First is either 50 or 100m behind & second at 200m behind. On a 2 away, single lane road one must also be placed in front about 50m.
I have just looked to buy one and the state they are aproved V16 beacons but no mention of blue tooth and rang from £30 to £70
 

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