4 or 5 Door cars that you tow or can be towed?

GMJ

GMJ

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4 or 5 Door cars that you tow or can be towed?

When we move later this year (soon hopefully) we will need to make trips back to Cheltenham to see the FiL. We plan on staying in our MH on a site near to Chelt and to be able to nip up to his house and then take him out for lunch etc, we are considering a toad.

We would need a 4 or 5 door car as neither he nor Mrs GMJ could get in the back of a 3 door.

The maximum train weight of the Comanche is 6000kg. We run at around 4750kg max. normally, so potentially we could go up to around 1250kg with A Frame and car.

Do any of you folks tow a 4/5 door car? If so could you advise what it is, so I can do some research?

Also even if you don't tow, have you seen any 4/5 door cars being towed? If so please do let me know.

Lastly can anyone provide some rough figures on getting an A frame set up? We don't have a towing hitch on at present.

ta

Graham
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Hi, I’m currently towing a Skoda Fabia Monte Carlo 5door hatchback with an A frame from armatige towbar/trailers based in ferrybridge Yorkshire just off the A1M, that weighs in around1500kgs but to get down to your weight you would be looking at something like the Kia picanto size car they do 5 doors, I’m looking at one now, you don’t want any of the fancy electronic brake systems which start at £2500+ just go for the bog standard cable system which I’ve had for 3 years now with no problems that cost me £1100 .most companies wouldn’t touch my Skoda saying it was to heavy but armatige custom made one for me but still only took the day , they fit towbars as well but the prices difference varies but a guess I would budget around £500 to £600
 
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We tow a 5 door vauxhall agilla. I'd say Armitage trailers for 'a' frame too. Good luck finding a car.
 
We tow a Fiat Panda, not a posh car but it has climate control and is easy to tow and drive, we only bought it because Maggy would not let the dogs in her Fiat 500 but I have a towbar fitted which makes it a workhorse with the small trailer, I would not hesitate to buy a later model of the same car
 
Tezza33;n34127 said:
We tow a Fiat Panda...
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Is that the 4x4 version? Do you use an A Frame?

Graham
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GMJ;n34139 said:
Is that the 4x4 version? Do you use an A Frame?

Graham
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Click to expand...

No it is a 2WD but it is the Eleganza model with all the extras, I do use an A frame and obviously you don't know it is there
 
We purchased a Hyundai i10 four door from tow bars 2 tow cars last Sept.It came with the A frame.Now in Europe most time so using scooter.They are about to give me a offer to buy back.Great car,8500 miles ,2016 model.Anyone interested let me know.
Return from Spain 25 May
 
One of the chaps on MHF (ex copper) raised some issues regarding the use of A Frames and he kindly framed and email for me to send to the DfT...as below



Dear Sir

On the subject of cars being towed behind a Motorhome (or similar) using what is genetically termed “An “A” frame” which is configured so that when the towing vehicles brakes are applied an “over-run” inertia system which, (as per caravans etc) operates the towed cars braking system mechanically. I have received much conflicting advice/opinion as to their (A frame use) legality, and conformation (or otherwise) with the regulation contained within the advice document you kindly provided me with a link to, which states:

Since 1 October 1988 inertia braking systems have been required to allow a trailer to be reversed by the towing vehicle without imposing a sustained braking drag. Devices used to fulfil this requirement must engage and disengage automatically. This applies to A-frames that employ inertia overrun technology.

Does this mean that as a car (the one being towed on the A frame) which clearly is not produced with a means of disengaging its brakes when connected via the A frame to the towing vehicle and being reversed, does not comply with the necessary regulation and cannot therefore be considered legal?

I would be most grateful for your departments detailed written clarification of this VERY important point as there is much discussion within the Motorhome community as to whether the use of an A frame, to tow a small car, is lawful actually lawful or not, due solely to the regulation regarding any trailer brakes not offering sustained drag when being reversed, which, should an attempt be made to reverse such a rig uphill, should the need arise, is clearly impossible. I am considering purchasing such an item but want to be sure I will not be committing any offence if I use it.

So I'll update as/when/if I get an answer

Graham [IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/emoticons.datahamster.com\/smile.gif"}[/IMG2]
 
Do they class an A frame and car as an articulated vehicle? I ask as I know some folks who fell foul towing trikes where the front wheel could turn as well as the tow ball.
 
nabsim;n34913 said:
Do they class an A frame and car as an articulated vehicle? I ask as I know some folks who fell foul towing trikes where the front wheel could turn as well as the tow ball.
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No it is classed as a trailer, we thought this would change with the recent legislation but thankfully it didn't

 
Thanks Tezza, its looking like we need to think about how we get about places as mh just dont seem to fit most places we go to. Tried letting air down but still twice the height of barriers :)

I dont want anything more than I can get in or on the mh unless forced but its how to transport both of us and the two dogs so will keep an eye on this thread
 
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