ChrisW
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 08:33 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
I think you are grasping at straws. If you can afford a C6 RS6 (£35K plus) you can afford a cheap tow car.
[Edited on 7/7/12 by jeffw]
Indeed. But that's where the dilema comes. Let me explain:
If I was going to have a tow car and it was capable of pulling a decent sized trailer (I'm talking 2000kg upwards) it would be a big car or
maybe a 4x4. Maybe an A6 diesel, or a 5-series, or something like that.
With that on the drive, why would I need an RS6 too? I'd be better off with a sports car, or a fast coupe, not an uber saloon. Let's say
an RS5, or a TT RS, just to keep it Audi for now.
But if I had one of those when would I drive the MR2? I've had for years and spent a load of money on it. Probably never, so I might as well
sell it, despite it being worth nothing.
So let's say I do that, what would I get my hands dirty on? A fast modern coupe will be completely useless for weekend tinkering, and
it'd be worth so much I'd be frightened to drive it 'properly'.
It's all a dilema, and one that I've been round and round on trying to work out what to do. The ideal answer is make the RS6 tow trailers
so that it could be my all-rounder, daily drive, sensible car. Or just forget Audi and buy an M5 instead, as BMW aren't so precious about tow
bars on their M models as Audi are on their RS's.
Chris
My gaff my rules
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Volvorsport
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 08:47 PM |
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campervans and motorhomes have their chassis re-plated for extra weight when using air suspension , i suppose you could try to re plate it ... but
dont hold your breath.....
www.dbsmotorsport.co.uk
getting dirty under a bus
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jeffw
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 08:50 PM |
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A6 C6 is limited to around 1900Kg.
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ChrisW
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 08:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by jeffw
A6 C6 is limited to around 1900Kg.
If you say so....! Not saying you're wrong, I know it's around 2000kg, but I'd have to go and look at the plate to be sure!
FWIW that's 'enough', but a little more would be nice.
Chris
My gaff my rules
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JimSpencer
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 09:55 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
quote:
Originally posted by JimSpencer
Unfortunatly if the vehicle isn't type approved for towing, you'll break the road traffic act if you even fit a towbar to it, let alone be
so bold as to use it..
I'm aware of this, and that is the point of the post!!  Chris
My humble apologies - though i've re-read your first post half a dozen times now and i still don't read that into it - must be me..
Short answer then is:-
No - you're stuffed.
Vehicle is already type approved - you would have to modify it drastically until it met the criteria required for an IVA - but quite how VOSA would
test a mass produced monoque with a 'chassis' modification, for example, beats me
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ChrisW
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| posted on 7/7/12 at 10:14 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by ChrisW
What about adding a tow weight to a vehicle that hasn't got one?
^^^ Doesn't that explain what I'm trying to do?? 
Anyway, the 're-plating' idea may have got me onto something. It seems I might be able to apply for a 'design weight
certificate'. To do so I must "include evidence of the new design weight i.e. documentation from the manufacturer or converter or a copy
of a revised manufacturer’s plate." It sounds like VOSA would have to inspect the vehicle, but if their inspector could be convinced that the
tow bar was type approved (it would be) and that the modifications allowed the car to support the weight (there would basically be none other than the
bar itself) they should be able to issue the certificate showing the stock A6 towing weights.
At that point it seems that the paperwork could be sent off to the DVLA who would issue a new V5 with the new weights on it from the design weight
certificate.
The only sticking point is that this is intended to be for HGVs rather than cars. However, the legislation doesn't specify that a car
can't have this done.
Might be worth a call to VOSA/DVLA on Monday, although I won't hold my breath that they will know what's going on either!
Chris
My gaff my rules
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morcus
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| posted on 8/7/12 at 05:51 AM |
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I'm sure I read on here some time ago that the ford st220 mondeo couldn't tow for the same reason but that trying to do so would put the
engine into limp mode with any real weight being pulled. did a search and it's on page two
HERE but the whole thread is probably relevent.
On a side note, how can the police check if your car trailer rig is legit, especially regarding weight?
In a White Room, With Black Curtains, By the Station.
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slingshot2000
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| posted on 8/7/12 at 09:28 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by morcus
On a side note, how can the police check if your car trailer rig is legit, especially regarding weight?
Very easily! They can escort you to the closest weighbridge !
Regards
Jon
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ChrisW
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| posted on 8/7/12 at 10:05 AM |
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There is a VIN plate that shows the maximum vehicle weight and maximum gross weight. If they're the same there is 0 allowable for a trailer,
aka you're not allowed to pull one.
Chris
My gaff my rules
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owelly
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| posted on 8/7/12 at 10:44 AM |
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My chum recently got a ticket for towing an empty trailer. The plod puter told them what the kerb weight was and the max authorised mass. The trailer
was plated to carry 2600kg. His vehicle was allowed to drag 1900kg so he got a ticket. The BiB don't need to weigh your rig to issue a tixket!
Lesson learnt.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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ChrisW
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| posted on 8/7/12 at 11:38 AM |
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Eh? The MAM of the trailer (ie max weight it can possibly carry) only matters for the license doesn't it?
As far as I know the gross weight permissable by the car is the actual weight of the trailer, not the max it could carry.
Did he have a post-97 license and no B+E perhaps?
Chris
My gaff my rules
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