Towing on the continent

[2GB Racing]

Re insurance generally, whilst the trailer is attached to the insured towing vehicle it is only insured 3rd party fire + theft, and the load on the trailer is not insured, So best to check your policy when going this route. i believe that trailers which reside within Europe require an annual test of roadworthiness.

 

[IanRJ]

So without sounding daft does the trailer need to be bigger than the car, or can you have overhang?

If it sticks out over the back a bit you’ll be alright you could stick a warning square on the back like the bike racks have?

Last year in France I saw a French trailer with a matching manufacturers car on it (the car was made by the trailer company) where the rear of the car was supported on struts from the trailer to the car rear chassis. Wheels were hanging free at the back! A very clever and tiny trailer setup!

 

[Richard n Ann]

Last year in France I saw a French trailer with a matching manufacturers car on it (the car was made by the trailer company) where the rear of the car was supported on struts from the trailer to the car rear chassis. Wheels were hanging free at the back! A very clever and tiny trailer setup!

Was it Secma?

 

[IanRJ]

Was it Secma?

Sorry don't recall now!

 

[minesapint]

Here is my set up, 100% legal in the UK and in Europe. Woodford 1600kg (1200kg payload) twin axle. We did not go for a vehicle specific trailer as this one gives us more options with other vehicle manufacturers if we decide to change cars in the future. HTH.

View attachment 420401

Its nuts that a trailer with brakes is legal and a car with all 4 wheels braking is not deemed legal by our so called friends in the eu. A trailer with a car on has a far higher centre of gravity so is more unstable than a car on a modern A frame such as the ones supplies by TowAframe, with it's electronic braking system. I have towed with both and far prefer the A frame route for easy of hitching up and towing. Without the cost of storing the trailer on the site and at home.

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[Lorryman100]

Now that will start a whole new debate. How heavy is the trailerSo what weight of car can I put on it what is the maximum weight I can tow

Lol, been there and done that. Moho plated at 3850kg, GVM 5500kg, Trailer GVM 1600kg with a payload of 1200kg and the car has a kerb weight of 1010kg which includes the driver so can take off about 70kg leaving 940kg. All up train weight now 5450kg.
To reduce the weight in the van I took out the second battery as it was 32kg as it isn't really required with 2 solar panels. I also cleared out the usual crap which seems to accumulate in the van over time to save a bit of weight to compensate for the additional 80kgs for the chassis extensions and tow bar. I used my mobile Reich weight scales and my payload now with the trailer attached, car with a trailer nose weight of 65kg gives me 200kg spread between the front and rear axle, a loss of 70kg prior to the tow bar being fitted. Although I have gained another 200kg in capacity by utilising the car for storage on the trailer.

 

[TonyEmm]

So without sounding daft does the trailer need to be bigger than the car, or can you have overhang?
We need the smallest trailer for fiat abarth. Seen one on ebay but the bed is too small for the overall size but wheelbase is big enough.
Hope that makes sense!

There are regulations about permissible overhangs. You can certainly have a 1mt overhang provided the trailers lights are still not obstructed, and without any extra markers. Beyond 1mt there are specific requirements regarding markers etc. TBH, I’d need to check the detail before I quote chapter and verse.... it’s a while since I was at the sharp end!

 

[Lorryman100]

I looked at both forms prior to going down the trailer route but one point won over for me. We regularly change our cars. TAF in Chesterfield who I decided on for a A frame gave me a quote of £2700 for the conversion with electronic brake. That would be for 2 to 3 years until we changed the car then it would be a further £??? to convert the next car. The trailer is large enough to accommodate many different types of common toad vehicles so is a one of cost to me. Plus I got the trailer, wheel clamp, hitch lock and straps for considerably less than the £2700 required for the A frame and it should last a while as any spares required are all ALKO parts.

 

[Old and wise 1]

My trailer was basically tailored to be the correct size for my Smart car. It had to balance properly so the correct position of the trailer wheels is important.
You won't need to worry about an overhang as Woodford Trailers will produce the correct size for your car. I'm no expert, give them a call.

 

[Charlie9038]

Its nuts that a trailer with brakes is legal and a car with all 4 wheels braking is not deemed legal by our so called friends in the eu. A trailer with a car on has a far higher centre of gravity so is more unstable than a car on a modern A frame such as the ones supplies by TowAframe, with it's electronic braking system. I have towed with both and far prefer the A frame route for easy of hitching up and towing. Without the cost of storing the trailer on the site and at home.View attachment 420608

nice to hear someones view that has had a trailer and a frame, I have not a lot of space on my drive so going back to a frame as it seems a lot easier from what you have said, not only when home but also on sites.
Do you get stone chips on the car when towing or does your overhang stop that.
thanks

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[Badknee]

Being new to this
Does a trailer need insurance or do I just need to let MH insurance know?
Does a trailer need an MOT?
Will I have to pay extra on sites for trailer & car, if so how much roughly per night?

Thanks

We’ve insured ours with Datatag and also fitted their system.

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[Badknee]

So without sounding daft does the trailer need to be bigger than the car, or can you have overhang?
We need the smallest trailer for fiat abarth. Seen one on ebay but the bed is too small for the overall size but wheelbase is big enough.
Hope that makes sense!

I had ours made to fit the car without any overhang as I didn’t want to have to start faffing around with marker boards.

 

[TonyEmm]

Referring Back to my post #67, here is a screenshot of the current regulations. For these purposes, ‘vehicle’ includes a trailer.

 

[Old-Git]

Has anyone hired a car trailer for a few weeks, rather than buy? We a-frame in the uk, and have done in France... won't be going abroad with it again tho.