Towing My Gti

[Keith-1983 0]

Hello folks

 

I have a question which to many will probably sound rediculous but here goes anyway....

 

I have a motorhome and I'm looking to tow my Gti and use it for getting around whilst the motorhome is set up on a site.

 

I have 2 options,

 

1. Use a towing dolly where the front wheels are lifted from the road (very long and also heavy)

2. Use a towing bar and strap device where you use the steering lock to keep the wheels straight (short & lightweight)

 

I'd prefer the second option as it folds away and i can keep it in the car boot and is lightweight.

 

Basically I dont want to put too many miles on my low mileage phase 1, but Im worried that by letting the front wheels spin on the road the odometer will count up....

 

Can anyone shed any light on this for me??

[jackherer 543]

If the front wheels turn the odometer will increase, the only way to stop that is to disconnect the speedometer cable.

[barneys66 123 1 Cars]

Firstly, and rather boringly, it won't be legal for you to tow a full-weight 205 on an A-Frame, as this will exceed the 750kg maximum for un-braked trailers.

 

The whole towing thing is a nightmare nowadays, so I'm not even going to comment on the Dolly, but there's some interesting reading here http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/topic/overview-towing-62484

[tartanbloke 35 1 Cars]

My suggestion would be to drive the GTi everywhere and throw a tent in the boot.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

I thought the dolly's where only to be used for recovery,

[Keith-1983 0]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

 

Lots of food for thought... What lump do you think I can fit in a Citroen c1 then??

 

(I'm joking, don't crucify me!!)

[toolie72 67 1 Cars]

You wouldn't be able to enjoy the 205 anyway-you'd be stuck behind slow movers in motor homes!

[Keith-1983 0]

haha... It pains me when I'm driving it knowing im slowing everyone down!!

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

Just a note, if you mean an A-frame, rather than a towing bar, definitely DO NOT leave the steering lock on!!! That completely defeats the point of how they work, and you'll be skidding the front wheels at every turn.

 

Legally, the trailer (which the car will be classed as when attached to an a frame) has to have brakes that work when the towing vehicle's brakes are pressed, including servo assistance. The kits to do this are expensive.

 

That's not to say you'll get pulled over, I towed a 205 on an A-frame from wales to Scotland, with another 205. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it!

 

Another note regarding A-frames; they aren't as quick to fold away as the manufacturers would have you believe, not unless you want to completely rebuild it each time. Most of them have detachable legs, which will allow you to get it in the back of a 205 with the back seats down, but to get it much smaller, you'd have to remove the centre brace, and the hitch piece

[toolie72 67 1 Cars]

Hmmm-can of worms opened I think

I got towed by another s*itty transit when my "new-thanks boss" transit broke down after 60 miles

I was getting towed over culloden moor on a towing bar-scary stuff when all you can see is the back of the towing van-we pulled in, I wasn't willing to go into town at 6pm. Removed bar, locked van to turn round and find rozzers waiting for us to leave car park, obviously someone phoned them and we were about to get pulled-so van got left and we smiled at cops as we drove off

[Keith-1983 0]

Just a note, if you mean an A-frame, rather than a towing bar, definitely DO NOT leave the steering lock on!!! That completely defeats the point of how they work, and you'll be skidding the front wheels at every turn.

 

Legally, the trailer (which the car will be classed as when attached to an a frame) has to have brakes that work when the towing vehicle's brakes are pressed, including servo assistance. The kits to do this are expensive.

 

That's not to say you'll get pulled over, I towed a 205 on an A-frame from wales to Scotland, with another 205. But I certainly wouldn't recommend it!

 

Another note regarding A-frames; they aren't as quick to fold away as the manufacturers would have you believe, not unless you want to completely rebuild it each time. Most of them have detachable legs, which will allow you to get it in the back of a 205 with the back seats down, but to get it much smaller, you'd have to remove the centre brace, and the hitch piece

 

Thanks for the great info here mate, since doing some proper research into the A-frames I now understand their use and the steering lock issue Potential F*ck up averted.

 

At this stage I'm probably going to go down the A-frame route and hopefully dodge the filth and probably plead ignorance once in court!

[welshpug 1,657]

id get a trailer.

[Simes 248 2 Cars]

id get a trailer.

Or a scooter.

[toolie72 67 1 Cars]

BIG motor home that you can put 205 INTO-drop back down,drive it in,take it out when you want-mind you some form of drip tray might be useful lol

[Malc 45]

Trailer is definitely the way to go, until some pikey ba**ard steals it!! Hence why I have a dolly now, easier to store inside. Unless your doing something really silly with it then plod don't seem to mind.

[Anthony 1,003]

Plod aren't really the issue as like you say they'll generally ignore you if it looks OK - it's VOSA (or whatever they're now called) that's the worry.