towing a car, electrical question

[96terrano]

i was following a motor home that was towing a small car and im confused, it looked like the car must of been in nutral as all wheels were on the road. The car steered when the motorhome went around corners like there was someone in it, but there wasn't, also the brake lights worked and indicators flashed on the car when the motorhome's flashed

how is this done? it the car being towed be the steering rack or somthing?? and it the motorhome plugged into the cars ECU

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by 96terrano

i was following a motor home that was towing a small car and im confused, it looked like the car must of been in nutral as all wheels were on the road. The car steered when the motorhome went around corners like there was someone in it, but there wasn't, also the brake lights worked and indicators flashed on the car when the motorhome's flashed

how is this done? it the car being towed be the steering rack or somthing?? and it the motorhome plugged into the cars ECU

easy, just towed on an a frame and the force of the corners turns the wheels, you would have to leave a key in though! and the lights wired up like wiring a tow bar but with a plug and not a socket.

I don't believe there is any totally legal way of doing this in the UK though

[makeitfit]

There's probably a tow socket on the front of the car that piggy backs to rear lights like a trailer.
The car will follow automatically as the steering castor does itself, think of it like a shopping trolley wheel. The car's probably attached via a towing dolly

[(RIP) PLANK]

have a look at this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CITROEN-C2...item2c64293dc4

[96terrano]

Cheers guys, it's all so simple now

[Groundhog]

The only restriction is the train length can't go over 12 metres

[96terrano]

the car was a honda jazz and the motorhome was a fiat

[firebobby]

No, it's none of the above..dollies, hitches and plug in things..PAH
It's Magic I tell you..MAGIC

[dollywobbler]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The only restriction is the train length can't go over 12 metres

Technically, A frames are only for recovery use, so it remains a slightly grey area. The car in theory becomes a trailer, but it's only legal to tow up to 750kg unbraked. I think some of these rigs do include some sort of braking.

[(RIP) PLANK]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

The only restriction is the train length can't go over 12 metres

there are various other issues with towing a car in this way. A car that is towed (other than recovery) legally becomes a trailer and so must have brakes operating on all 4 wheels if it has a gross weight of over 750k this is hard to achieve. Then there is the road lights as the sizes and positioning of light for trailers is different for that on cars and the need for different reflectors etc. This also varies from country to country. The only completely legal method is a trailer.

but that doesn't seem to stop them

[eurag]

When towing a car with a "A" frame there is an overrun brake mechanism, same as a caravan, except it connects to the car brake pedal. The towing vehicle registration number should be fitted as should trailer reflectors.

[96terrano]

Originally Posted by eurag

When towing a car with a "A" frame there is an overrun brake mechanism, same as a caravan, except it connects to the car brake pedal. The towing vehicle registration number should be fitted as should trailer reflectors.

that citroen c2 PLANK linked has electronic brakes

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

car needs to be unlocked so theres access to handbrake.

think by time modded car into trailer be better to have car
on a trailer.

known folks that have had police say couldnt tow and one
of couple has had to drive car.

not sure about 12 metres, that was limit for a rigid ehicle
though some bus n coaches are upto 15m. max length
for a rigid vehicle and trailer is 18.75 m or approx 60 feet.