A frame tow cars

[Wully]

A frame tow cars

Been looking at all the photos on the show you’re van thread and was surprised to see so many vans with tow cars on a frames. This is something I’ve been toying with for a while now or until I can afford one o those concords wae the car in back like the one on thread (keep dreaming) But I’ve mentioned it before on wc and wished I dident kept looking over my shoulder waiting for the assassin to take me out. Anyway it would be good to get some advice Which system is best and where to get fitted I’ve looked on e bay and seen a few nice wee cars would like a four door air con. Wouldn’t use it all the time but it would be handy to have one for longer trips and use as a spare car around house.

 

[Cookies]

Mrs C thought we'd be wasting our cash having a frame fitted but now she loves being able to take car along and it's no great difference to mpg

 

[kenspain]

If you want to travel in Spain take care get a trailer towing with an a frame is not yet legal

 

[Wully]

Thanks ken I’ve already looked into that if I was going to Spain it would only be for a A couple of weeeks so would probably hire a car when needed. But if I’m here and say traveling down south I wouldn’t want a trailer a car and a mh don’t think I would be popular on some sites with all that gear and a trailers somthing else to store

 

[Tezza33]

I have been using an A frame since 1992 (ish) and it is great if you are staying anywhere for a length of time, it also doubles as a trailer when you are travelling so comes in more useful than just a car to visit places a motorhome will not go, you don't notice it behind you and the difference in MPG is negligible, I wouldn't take mine to Europe any more although I have done a lot in the past, times change

 

[Tweedy]

Hello!! I have just read your thread regarding tow frames, I tow a Toyako Aygo and have done with my last three Motorhomes.
I did a lot of research simply because I was an engineer before I retired and the only one I would use is the one
From Two Bars For Two Cars , it is substantial but not too heavy , it’s simply to fit and remove and also easy to store, the company themselves are a family run company and have a wealth of knowledge and are really nice to deal with. I chose their A frame over the rest of the competition purely on an engineering point and not cost. I would advise a car front cover to protect the tow car.They are based in Lincolnshire and also sell cars already converted, plus there is also a really nice CL site nearby. I dealt with Graham but you may find one of his sons answeres the phone. I originally met them at one of Warners out and about live shows and spent a lot of time doing my research before I decided to buy their Frame.
Sorry if it’s been a long winded reply but I have tried to give an unbiased opinion from an engineering point do I hope that answered your question. One thing I forgot to mention was the fact that the cars braking system is very cleverly utilized and gives safe towing, I say that because after having to make two Emergancy stops when someone came out of a side road without looking and Motorhome and car remained stable on both occasions.
Cheers and happy towing from Tweedy. (Tony Harris)

 

[Tweedy]

Just read my own reply and notice a typo it should read I tow a Toyota Aygo,

 

[Wooie1958]

Did it for 3 1/2 years and it was ok.
.
Packed it in primarily because it ties you to campsites, didn`t fancy leaving the motorhome in the middle of nowhere / layby / car park whilst we went off in the car

 

[Phillybarbour]

I have a Car-a-tow kit which which is an excellent quality piece of kit. I fitted it myself, time consuming but straight forward on a Fiesta Mk6. However I stopped using it a couple of years ago and don’t think I’ll use it again. It’s simple to fit/remove and tow. But you can’t reverse them with a 9m tag axle and it makes going down anything other than a main road an issue, also you need huge spaces to stop and WC.

We changed to a Honda 300 scooter and it better suits our needs.

 

[Phillybarbour]

Re mpg comments. I agree it makes no difference at all, but that’s because you have to travel slower due to you can’t use outside lane, and practically you can’t overtake anything on other roads.

 

[Wully]

Re mpg comments. I agree it makes no difference at all, but that’s because you have to travel slower due to you can’t use outside lane, and practically you can’t overtake anything on other roads.

Thanks Phil I seen you’re we red bike at Falkirk id love one o them but don’t think three of us will get on one. Think I’ll get a wee car give it a try but I’ll only use it when I need to or on longer trips say more than 5 days if just doing my usual weekends to wc then I’d leave car try and balance it out.

 

[Wully]

Just read my own reply and notice a typo it should read I tow a Toyota Aygo,

Thanks tweedy some good points there think I’ll give it a go

 

[Deleted member 1056]

Like others, I have spent many hours of research, including reading Construction and Use [C&U] regulations that are pertinent.
Having worked as a diagnostic and analytical mechanical engineer for 50 years before retiring, one becomes almost pedantic, but certainly deeply determined to research to the roots by studying the very statute applicable, hence not taking any website's advice as gospel, many having commercial interests at heart.
One piece of interest in C&U is the delineation at 750kg of trailer weight, as the towed car is defined by C&U as a trailer.
C&U states that a trailer below 750kg [laden] does not need brakes, but if fitted the brakes must be in working order.
Now the English language comes into play. When I was taught English, the interpretation of the brakes being in working order is clear [they must be capable of working], however in its context, it does not mean that they must be operable, so a sub-750kg car [they are about] does not have to have its brakes connected to the tow vehicle, the A-frame is deemed to be part of the trailer for weight calculations.
I have towed for many thousands of miles, moving vehicles on a universal recovery a-frame with absolutely no issues, all being unbraked. As many were the same weight [never heavier] as the tow vehicle, I am comfortable with such practice.
What cars do I tow? These days they are restored 1970s Honda Civics which ex-factory weigh no more than 620kgs, mind they may seem a little basic when compared to the current corpulent products overburdened with unnecessary safety equipment and emissions. Mine return 50+mpg and are quite capable of finding modern cars holding up progress.
I await the Euro intervention as to why this is illegal, just like enjoyment of life is to be stamped out by red tape.
I am genuinely interested in others' views, so whether you agree with me or not, please comment.
Many thanks for your time
Pete

 

[emjaiuk]

We've used a Car-a-Tow setup since the early days, I think we had the 5th one he made. When we had the RV we towed on the continent for 20 years, but only used sites, with the occasional wild night stop. Since we've down sized to European we almost always only use aires and no longer tow abroad, although I wouldn't be without it in the UK. When we next change bout toad, I think I'll have to get one of the new light weight ones though, the Car-a-Tow is getting heavier year by year. Although they're expensive, I like the idea of the electronic breaking one, which runs the servo when breaking. It seems to do a better job of following the letter of the law than the others.

Malcolm