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Feb 14, 2005 16:58:52 GMT
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I'm thinking of getting an A frame for towing cars instead of hiring trailers. What do you guys think about them?
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 14, 2005 17:08:06 GMT
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never used an a-frame but this dolly thing of mine when in GWO is a bloody marvel. it weighs nowt and you can blat along at 70 with something on the back no hassle. its dead easy to manouevre and i can recover a car on my own without any help from anyone! Ebay never looked so inviting. also you can pull out of 90° junctions, driveways etc with it no hassle, which i believe is not possible with those A-frames.
only thing is, it is not braked so I have to pay attention not to overload it, cos its so easy to tow! i dragged a senator (backwards) from peterborough to Manchester on it once behind my Rover 820 turbo! and if you don't get the towed car on it dead central, it can wear out a pair of tyres in 1000 miles.
best 150 squid I ever spent.
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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Feb 14, 2005 17:40:00 GMT
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I do like the idea of using an A frame for towing. Has anyone on here used one?
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 14, 2005 18:01:54 GMT
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Yeah, I've got an Aframe for towing Beetles. Although apparently it's now illegal to tow a car with all of it's wheels on the ground.
It's ok to tow, pretty much like a trailer but I'd much rather use a dolly or a proper recovery truck.
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Feb 14, 2005 18:15:04 GMT
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nick you got pm mail and all sorts.........
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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Feb 14, 2005 18:22:42 GMT
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Yeah, I've got an Aframe for towing Beetles. Although apparently it's now illegal to tow a car with all of it's wheels on the ground. It's ok to tow, pretty much like a trailer but I'd much rather use a dolly or a proper recovery truck. that puts the rac aa and numerous recovery companies outta business then........ |
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2001 HONDA CT110 (NOT RCV)
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Feb 14, 2005 18:24:35 GMT
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FWIW - I'm told that trailers over a certain size in Holland are registered and have to have safety checks...
A-frames are OK but unless the car is dead tight to them, they can rip the front end to pieces. I used one to move an Imp once - never again from the damage to the lower front panel.
Dollies are cool BUT on an Imp you have a bit of a problem. If a rotoflex driveshaft coupling goes at speed whilst on tow, the first thing you know about it is the driveshaft whips around, rips the handbrake cable out, smashes the rad/exhaust up and can flip the car. I've seen the mess caused by that... not nice.
Frankly, yes you can save a few quid by hiring a trailer etc or dollies etc but there is nothing like the convenience of giving someone some cash to make it THEIR problem for the car's safe delivery back to your home - with no danger to you, your mates, or your driving licence.
Final point - and I've just checked this with my traffic cop mate - if you are towing a car with ANY wheels on the tarmac it *MUST* be taxed, insured and MOT'd. If a traffic cop is having a bad day, he can and will nick you - and the fines are bad, especially if its on a motorway. Trailer is the only way on this one....
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1964 Hillman Imp
1976 Hillman Imp
1967 Hillman Imp
(And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Feb 14, 2005 18:26:05 GMT
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Maybe there's some technicality to it. Maybe the motor with all it's wheels on the ground has to be road legal and taxed, which would explain why the AA can do it but someone picking up an old car that's not road legal wouldn't be allowed? I wasn't aware it as illegal.
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"He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!"
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Feb 14, 2005 19:27:05 GMT
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revo is right! the car on the end of the A frame has to be moted and taxed, if it isnt it has to be either dollied trailered or transported. Oh and don't put the hazards on either whilst driving thats illegal as well.
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I'm dressed in black again until someone invents a darker colour.
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Feb 14, 2005 19:40:12 GMT
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Are you in the AA Nick? You could push the Skud down the road a bit, then give 'em a ring and say you broken down!  ;D  I don't think they'd be very pleased with you once they got there though! |
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Feb 14, 2005 20:27:42 GMT
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I got green flag, but I think that only covers the beemer.
Spoke with the guy earlier and he's in no great rush to collect so I've got a little time - I'm sure I can find a suitable trailer. My mum & dad know a couple of people who do the Historic Touring cars so time to do some sucking up..... ;D
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impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Feb 14, 2005 21:17:52 GMT
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I tried that once with the AA - they checked the tax disc and said "sorry, pal"... d'oh!!!
And that counted as a recovery against the number you are allowed per year. D'oh!!
No my copper mate was quite adamant that any car being towed, with any wheels on the tarmac has to be 100% legal or the fuzz will nick you.... it ain't worth the agg for the sake of a one-spot, frankly....
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1964 Hillman Imp
1976 Hillman Imp
1967 Hillman Imp
(And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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Feb 14, 2005 22:20:11 GMT
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Trailer hire is only about 30 quid a day. Go to a decent company and you shouldent have any problems.
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 14, 2005 22:22:55 GMT
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Can you recommend any then Jimbo?  Oh, and looky what I just found on fleabay...  mmmm. centrelines... did anyone else have their eye on these, or can I have "dibs" on them?! |
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Feb 14, 2005 22:27:21 GMT
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Theres a company near me called Woodford trailers. They are in Woodford Halse near between Daventry and Banbury. Check out there website cant remember what it is so you will have to search on google. They make the trailers themselfs so i reckon they are safer.
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 14, 2005 22:28:48 GMT
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BS Nymph
Singer Chamois Coupe
Series 3 Landy
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Feb 14, 2005 22:59:53 GMT
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I was tempted with the Centrelines but i got the Prolines cheap and prefer the look of them.
Where abouts are you Nick...i have a towing dolly that may be available to hire if you're near me...Doncaster/Scunny area
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Current Fleet
2006 Skoda Roomster 1.4 16v (Daily)
1990 Autozam Revue 1.5 Auto Canvas Top (Project)
1993 VW Transporter LWB 2.4D (Camper Project)
1994 Skoda Favorit Foreman II Pick Up (Project)
1979 Skoda Estelle 120LS. (Project)
1982 Kip Kompakt 300 Caravan (Project)
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Feb 16, 2005 12:07:50 GMT
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Aaargh. Why am I so bloody soft? So I won the auction for the centrelines. At £47 I thought I'd blagged yet another supreme bargain. But then the guy contacted me saying that he couldn't let them go that cheap and that the listing was supposed to have a £200 reserve on it. And, being a generally nice guy I let him get away with it. What a silly hector I am!  |
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Feb 16, 2005 12:31:28 GMT
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NEG HIS ASS!!!
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1972 Fiat 130 1985 Talbot Alpine 1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 + 1986 Mazda 929 Koop + Wagon 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 BEST CAR EVER!!!!!!!! 1979 Datsun B310 Sunny 4-dr 1984 Audi 200 Quattro Turbo 1983 Honda Accord 1.6 DX GONE1989 Alfa 75 2.0 TS Mr T says: TREAT YO MOTHER RIGHT! |
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Feb 16, 2005 12:41:15 GMT
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Haha, that'd learn him!!! ;D
I suppose if it was genuinely wrong he should have pulled the ad rather than let it run.
I suspect that he was expecting a massive response, as these centrelines would look lovely jubbly on a beetle etc.
But since they were tucked away under "skoda parts" you wouldn't find them unless you bunged "centrelines" into a search.
On a different note - ImpJimbo - I emailed your trailer guys yesterday - the guy phoned me this morning to discuss requirements - it £35 a day for what is a pretty much new trailer. Not bad! Good customer service too!
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;D 
