A frame on a roadster

[phil and tina]

Has anyone fitted an A frame to a roadster
if so what make and what sort of attachment point

[ggrum]

I had an 'A' frame that came with my old Roadster although I never used it and it has since been disposed of. As I recall, two vertical M12 clearance holes were drilled into the front tubular bumper about 2" from the ends for attaching the frame. When not in use, which was all the time for me, an approx 6" long stainless exhaust trim was fitted over the end of the bumper to cover the above mentioned holes. It would probably be worth checking the current legislation ref towing with an 'A' frame but I'm sure there are others in the club who can comment on that.

[MOC Chair]

Towing with an A frame is not strictly legal unless it is fitted with an overrun coupling which operates the brakes on the towed vehicle.

[Tony Stott]

I realise it's not legal, but I have used one,with the battery disconnected, rotor arm removed, and key in ignition to unlock the steering lock.

[HairyDave]

Why tow it when you can drive it?

[martinclan56]

Behind a camper van perhaps?
I looked into this method of towing and what put me off, other than the dodgy legal position, was the lack of self centering on the steering of a Marina based car. Essential I understand for towing with an A frame.

[phil and tina]

Thanks for your replies. It is to tow behind our Moho, I will look into the steering self centering and the need for overrun brakes. It is only outside the UK that there are more problems with A frames .

[martinclan56]

Please post any more info you find as I am in a similar position. Currently I am favouring a full trailer but the problem is storing the thing when not in use....

[Gareth]

It seems it is legal but only for recovery purposes so if you do get one, disable the car in some way in case you're challenged. I looked into them a few year back ad it was a bit of a minefield and decided against it. Besides, so much more fun driving than towing it!
Oh, I meant to add, I was advised NEVER EVER reverse, I not sure why, but beware!

[andyf]

I must say a full trailer would be my preference. If anything goes wrong with the car it's much easier to get it home on a trailer versus on it's own wheels. I once destroyed a gearbox because I didn't take the fact that the car's wheels would still be turning when towing with an A-frame!

[phil and tina]

In the UK many people tow cars with an A frame behind a motor home. If the vehicle is over 700kg it needs a linked braking system. Very difficult to reverse because of the castor effect on the towed cars steering and any inertia brake system.

[J_Hammond]

Behind a camper van perhaps?
I looked into this method of towing and what put me off, other than the dodgy legal position, was the lack of self centering on the steering of a Marina based car. Essential I understand for towing with an A frame.

If yours isn't self centering you have a real problem!

[danny_nelson]

John H I do not know if you have a Marina based roadster or what your experience of the Marina based Marlin may be, but it is common knowledge that if these are built as the build manual then they have very little self centering. It can be engineered to a better degree if you have the skills . However the vast majority of Marlin based roadsters have very little self centering , and most of the owners do not have a problem with (steering them back ) so to speak.

[FranklinLeicester]

I realise we are drifting away from the A- frame topic but since you mention poor self centering I thought I would just add my thoughts on this subject.
When I first had my Roadster it had the “standard” 13” Marlin alli wheels and low profile tyres. These were very light in weight. Since I fitted 14” steel wheels with chromed hubcaps and heavy full 80% aspect ratio tyres for the more vintage look the self centering improved greatly. I suspect that the increased weight causes more centrifugal force to straighten the wheels up without physical effort.

[HairyDave]

From towing a land rover behind a Moggie van (yes!) a long time ago, the problem is that in reverse the wheels go on full lock. Martinclan, with a light trailer which is all you should need for a Marlin, Using the winch stand it up against a wall and secure it.