MMM biased against A Frames

I no longer read the MMM as over the last couple of years it is almost all adverts for very expensive commercial UK  caravan parks some of which are more than 70% static vans, and their testing is biased towards European manufactured motorhomes. Now...A-Frames, they are a very sensible way to take your car with you on holiday (in the UK !)  I towed my Toyota Yaris perfectly safely for 4 years, with a Car-a-Tow, overrun braked frame, same braking system as ALL caravans, and the same system as a car trailer, whats wrong with that ??

  You hit the nail on the head, I could have not used a trailer if I had wanted to, because my motorhomes  max tow weight would not allow it. And i suspect many are towing trailers loaded with cars which are over their tow limit.  

  I wouldnt chance towing with an A- frame in Europe though, they have strange rules which dont allow vehicles to tow other vehicles except on a trailer. 

I've pondered the A-frame idea for years now, the problem is that in the UK A-frames are not illegal, probably, and that is pretty much the state of play. Abroad they are not illegal, maybe, except in Spain where they are just illegal. The only positive legal status is a trailer, everywhere.

I'm not sayng I agree with this situation, but contrairy to the sellers statements, A-frames are not legal, they're just not illegal. In the UK there is a difference unfortunately. 

My wife and I went for an A frame and tow an Aygo. Had it all fitted by tow bars for tow cars at Grimsby this July and I am delighted with the result. (Yes other makes are available) Firstly their product is very well made and has a secondary braking device fitted to the car and it works well. Just finishing 10 days in  Scotland and the system has performed very well indeed. For me, and I have towed trailers in the past, the A frame solution is great. 

Speak to an A framer on site as I did, they all say it is a great solution.

Having read the article in MMM I am not sure where the bias is? They merely pointed out the difficullties of using an A Frame in some countries, and possible mechanical problems and advised using a trailer as it would cover all eventualities. Is that not fair advice?

David

Having read the article in MMM I am not sure where the bias is? They merely pointed out the difficullties of using an A Frame in some countries, and possible mechanical problems and advised using a trailer as it would cover all eventualities. Is that not fair advice?

David

I read it to be quite bias and lacking technical research. They make no mention of modification to the vehicle which some of the older mechanical systems entail which will definitely have an impact on the n cap rating of the car. The reference they make to the vehicle braking system being modified in my mind infers a change to the manufacturers spec rather than just attaching a cable to the brake pedal. Other articles MMM have done on a frames were even more biased. I cannot fathom out why they take this stance. It would be good if they did a feature  on a couple of the a frame manufacturers to give them a voice and let them give there opinion.

Did we meet and discuss the merits of the TB2TC system at Stonehaven CC Site. I tow the white Mercedes SLK

Do you have the TB2TC system then Stewart, if so how long have you had it and have you had any problems with it? I am considering moving to it from a mechanical override system.

peedee

Hi Peedee,

Yes, I have the Towbars 2 Towcars system. I have had two cars converted by them over the last 5 years and must have towed around 70,000 miles with the system. The only issue I have had was when I reversed over the electric cable completely shredding it. I was in Perth, Scotland and called TB2TC at 2pm and a new cable arrived at 9am the next day.

i was in Grimsby last month visiting family and called into see the new premises. They have expanded into a great new facility and have a small team. It impressed me a great deal to see the new apprentices they have taken on, credit to them for that and that alone makes me want to support them.

Anyway, getting back to the system, I would highly recommend for ease of use and actual operability. Give them a call they are extremely professional, helpful and very knowledgable in there field.

stewart

I too have the TB2TC system and previously had the car a tow system. The TB2TC system is much easier to use and the car looks neater when the A-frame is not attatched. Also it has been designed to allow the A-frame to stand up so that the car can be manoeuvred with it still attached.
The problem I have with organisations recommending the use of a trailer is that they never advise what to be aware of if you choose to go down that route. Whilst the GTW is important the biggest worry is the rear axle weight. The motorhome has to carry the noseweight and, as the tow ball is a long way from the rear axle, the weight imposed upon it is much greater. That weight also has to be deducted from the MH payload. From my observations of vin plates it appears that when the MH gets a chassis upgrade the GTW remains the same, so, the higher the GVW the less you can tow. Some tag axle MHs don't have the GTW to tow a car on a trailer and owners have to be careful in their choice of car if A-frame towing.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

peedee