Towing Roadster using an A frame.

[Gareth]

Hi, I'm thinking of towing the Roadster behind my 4x4 and using an A frame. There are loads on E bay for reasonable prices, the swan neck ones whereby you wrap a chain around the lower wishbone and tension with a strap and ratchet.
Anybody tried these and if so, any comments?
The long term plan is possibly to buy a motor home and go travelling around France, using the Roadster when we get there.
Any advice welcome!
Cheers,
Gareth.

[Tony Stott]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

A frames are'illegal' in france, but the fuzz are prone to ignore Brits with 'a' frames, i live there, am a bit sceptical hence my wheelbase question, suggest you research an A frame with a braking facility on the towed car - that might be more acceptable(?) otherwise a trailer to transport the car!

[stevejgreen]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

The risk that the French police deciding to impound your Marlin whilst you organise alternative transport is a big one.
Personally I would avoid any towing mechanism that was secured to suspension components especially on a Marina based roadster, when we are already aware of the frailty of the tie bar bushes that would carry much of the towing load that it was not designed to carry.
Having said that, it's not uncommon in the UK, but there are fewer legal, parts and language difficulties.

[Tony Stott]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

Think there are more robust systems installed when braking on the towed is involved - may be wrong though!
I have a French modelling friend, a Sgt in the local(to me in Finistere) Gendarmerie, his advice if stopped, play the Manuel card, pretend not to speak French and consequently not understand!

[Gareth]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

It was only a thought, hey ho!
May just have to drive through France in the Marlin, wheeee!
Gareth.

[dave_clutterbuck]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

It was only a thought, hey ho!
May just have to drive through France in the Marlin, wheeee!
Gareth.

Hi Gareth
I am also mulling over A Frame or trailer, have a word or visit Towtal at Stoke On Trent. I popped in to have a look they seem to do a quality job and seem to know what they are doing. It looks like the eyelets will protrude from the front of the car but these can be removed. If you take your Roadster to them to look at doing the job pick me up on the way in Sandbach !. He quoted about £1000.00 for standard & £1400.00 for electronic.
Regards
Dave

[danny_nelson]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

If you want some information, then contact me. I have an un braked Aframe, a braked A frame ,and a braked towing dolly. I have been moving all Marlin models for the past 30 years. Danny.

[keith_h]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

If, for any reason, you have a medically restricted license, you are restricted to a maximum towing weight of 750kg's and a max driving weight of 3000kgs so, only the smallest of Marlins will be OK (my 2.0ei block takes my Roadster to 850kg's) and you will need to check a campervan weight carefully. By the time I had a full tank of diesel and a full tank of fresh water I could choose to take either a paper handkie or a pencil so I had to sell up!!

[AndrewKB]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

Gareth. I've been-round-the-loop on this one in the past and eventually decided that a proper trailer is the only real answer. The Brian James Minno takes a Roadster easily and can be parked in most garages with the car on top. They're often available second-hand on eBay and, like many specialist trailers (car and horse), second-hand ones hold their prices remarkably well.

[Gareth]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

Thanks for the info Andrew, I'll check them out.
Gareth.

[listerjp2]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

Gareth. I've been-round-the-loop on this one in the past and eventually decided that a proper trailer is the only real answer. The Brian James Minno takes a Roadster easily and can be parked in most garages with the car on top. They're often available second-hand on eBay and, like many specialist trailers (car and horse), second-hand ones hold their prices remarkably well.

Thats twice what the cars worth, LOL

[Gareth]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

You know that's not true, it's actually three times what it's worth.

[listerjp2]

Re: Towing Roadster using an A frame.

Even more laughter, nice one,