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Hello there AA NZ,
Can you please provide advice and direction on the subject of towing a car behind a motorhome?
(1) Can you still "A" frame a car behind a motor home.
(2) Can you use a "dolly" system to tow a car behind a motorhome
(3) What weight restrictions are applied to the weight of the towed vehicle.
(4) Can you direct me to the appropriate legislation?
Regards
Gloria
Yes you can tow with an A-frame or a dolly system as long as it is safe and the towing rules/legislation are adhered to. It is treated like a trailer - all the legislation around towing a trailer applies. See light trailer link .
Ensure you keep to the rules/legislation for towing according to the class of vehicle (motorhome) you will be using to tow.
If you are planning on making modifications/welding to the towed vehicle you will need to consult with a LVV Certifierbeforehand as it might need to be certified. The towing and towed vehicle needs to be registered for use on the road.
Some safety guidelines for towing:
• When driving a light vehicle (for example, a car or light truck), you must not tow more than one trailer or vehicle at a time.
• You must be able to see behind the towed trailer or vehicle. If you can't see behind with your rear-view mirrors, you may need to fit a special mirror.
• There must be no more than four metres between your vehicle and the trailer or vehicle it is towing.
• The towing connection and safety chain that holds the trailer/vehicle must be safe and strong.
• The maximum speed for a light vehicle towing a trailer on the open road is 90 km/h.
• The maximum speed for towing a motorcycle is 30 km/h.
• You must not tow a motorcycle unless it is mechanically disabled.
• At night, the back of the trailer/towed vehicle must show a red light.
• If you're towing a disabled vehicle at night, its headlights must light up the towing connection.
• Remember, you will be slower and less stable than other traffic when towing. Check behind often to see if other vehicles are held up behind you.
• If the road is winding or narrow and vehicles can't pass you, stop at a safe place and let them pass.
• Leave more space than usual between your vehicle and the one in front, so that others can pass you.
• Remember that the added weight behind you means you will need more space to stop. Increase your following distance from two seconds to four seconds.
Can you clarify, when a vehicle is being towed on a Dolly, that the towed vehicle requires a WOF. Above you stated that they need to be registered.
Thanks
We are busy with the relevant authorities to get a clear answer as there are many grey areas on this subject. I will respond when I have a definitive answer for you.
I have received feedback from the relevant authorities regarding this question as there were many grey areas. See below for more details.
The towed trailer or tow dolly needs to have a current WOF and be registered and the towed vehicle doesn't necessary need to be registered but it needs to be in a safe condition to be towed.
The tow dolly is deemed to be a normal trailer and must be registered as such and have a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) and meet normal WoF requirements for trailers, regardless of whether or not it actually carries/tows a vehicle.
A-frame towing is allowed. Towing a vehicle on an exemption from licensing with an A-frame (tow dolly) will not be a problem as the vehicle is not being driven under its own power. However, the vehicle must be in a safe condition to be towed (i.e. towing the vehicle must not cause danger to property or person). I have provided some information about A-frames below:
I am temporarily towing a vehicle with an A-frame (tow dolly) towing device - does the vehicle being towed have to be registered, licensed and have a WoF?
A vehicle temporarily under tow is not required to be registered, licensed or warranted - but must be in a safe condition to be towed with an A-frame. The NZ Transport Agency recommends that a safety check is carried out on the towed vehicle to ensure it is fit to be towed, that the towing equipment is in good order and that safety chain/s are correctly applied.
Should the vehicle being temporarily towed by an A-frame be registered as a trailer?
According to the Transport (Vehicle and Driver Registration and Licensing) Act 1986, a vehicle that has its own motive power source cannot be a trailer.
You can tow with an A-frame or tow dolly as long as it is safe to do so and the above conditions are met. The towed vehicle must also have rear lights at night and you must have a safety chain on the coupling.
Please advise all relevant facts to towing a car behind a motorhome.