towing (1 Viewer)

sean n maggie

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Well finally took MH plus toad on trailer to be weighed today,,,,,gtw 4620 on MH plate,,, MH plus trailer plus toad all loaded 4700.........:( looks like trailer going and A frame coming..........Been to Armitages today and they showed us an official letter showing no changes in October 2014 regarding A frames........
 

bobandjanie

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That seems low for a train weight our Kontiki was 3500kg and the train weight was 5500kg.
Our last motorhome was 3800kg and could tow 1700kg.

The panel van we have now is:
3500kg
5500kg
1750kg front axle
1900kg rear axle
Are you sure you are reading the right plate, if your motorhome is conversion on a ALCO chassi you need the builders plate so make sure you are looking at that plate.
(y) Bob.
 
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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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That seems low for a train weight our Kontiki was 3500kg and the train weight was 5500kg.
Our last motorhome was 3800kg and could tow 1700kg.

The panel van we have now is:
3500kg
5500kg
1750kg front axle
1900kg rear axle
Are you sure you are reading the right plate, if your motorhome is conversion on a ALCO chassi you need the builders plate so make sure you are looking at that plate.
(y) Bob.

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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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thanks everyone,,,,A frame being fitted to toad next wednesday,,,and trailer on the market.....i should be well under GTW then,,,,,:(

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bobandjanie

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Blimey that's not good, before you go any further down the a frame route, look into it because I think they go by the plate on the car and not what the car would weigh on a weigh bridge. o_O Bob.
 

peter marshall

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Well finally took MH plus toad on trailer to be weighed today,,,,,gtw 4620 on MH plate,,, MH plus trailer plus toad all loaded 4700.........:( looks like trailer going and A frame coming..........Been to Armitages today and they showed us an official letter showing no changes in October 2014 regarding A frames........


Just a point if you ae going abroardie Spain and others A frames will sometimes get pulled over and find. Pete :(

Ps what does it say on the plate under the bonnet ? that weight seems very low.

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vwalan

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doesnt matter what it says under the bonnet . the m,home constructors have possible lowered the train weight because of chassis changes . but their plate is the important one . at the moment .
 

bobandjanie

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Hi, you should be OK then, we had a new Smart on a Smart trailer the plate was 1300kg, so I'm thinking the car was about 900kg.
Is it electronic braking I have lost track on the new laws, but seems thats the way to go.:D

A few years ago we had an a frame, and one day the cable jammed causing the brakes to bind, the only reason I stopped was noticing I had lost a wheel trim on the car, It had boiled the fluid and the brakes were nearly on fire.(n)

And then there was this; Broken Link Removed

But hundreds of people use a frames and never a problem, don't take me as negative we loved ours but being in Spain over winter, it was no good for us, just pointing it out. (y) Bob.

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Feb 22, 2008
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We always stop about ten minutes after setting off with a frame/toad to check all ok including wheels for heat.
 
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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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manual says not to tow for more than 50km but is this just a general wording in the manual or is it for safety reasons ?...does anyone know ?
 

DuxDeluxe

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manual says not to tow for more than 50km but is this just a general wording in the manual or is it for safety reasons ?...does anyone know ?
That might be due to the strength of the rear chassis extensions???

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old-mo

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manual says not to tow for more than 50km but is this just a general wording in the manual or is it for safety reasons ?...does anyone know ?

To be quite honest, if I read that I would look for some thing else..:(

I do the same as Larry, stop after a few miles and check... and have done over 200 miles with out checking or any problems...(y)

The electronic braking is the only safe sure way... just my unbiased opinion.. :)

"Sorry"... I thought it was the "A" frame manual that said no more than 50 kilometers..
 
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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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To be quite honest, if I read that I would look for some thing else..:(

I do the same as Larry, stop after a few miles and check... and have done over 200 miles with out checking or any problems...(y)

The electronic braking is the only safe sure way... just my unbiased opinion.. :)
is this what you have old-mo ? or what you think is safest ?
 

old-mo

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is this what you have old-mo ? or what you think is safest ?

I have the Tow-bar-2-tow car set up.. It was recomended by a few on the RVOC site, and I have done approx 3,000 miles and it is a fantastic system.

It`s been behind a Yank Tank and the one we have now... Even Toyota were impressed when we had the car`s first service a couple of months ago..

Only problem is.... they are not cheap... :(

P.S.. This is their website = Link Removed

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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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I have the Tow-bar-2-tow car set up.. It was recomended by a few on the RVOC site, and I have done approx 3,000 miles and it is a fantastic system.

It`s been behind a Yank Tank and the one we have now... Even Toyota were impressed when we had the car`s first service a couple of months ago..

Only problem is.... they are not cheap... :(

P.S.. This is their website = Link Removed
just looked at them,,,,they sound and look great,,,
 

old-mo

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Not sure of the exact price, as we bought the Toyota from them all ready rigged up..

But as most know...Me being a bit thick... I can even hook up without any problems in under a minute... So can the wife... :D

There is even a button on the computer by the brake pedal that you press and it test`s every thing... and a bonus you only use the M.Home batteries for lights and indicators... thus no chance of flattening the car battery..(y)
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Only possible drawback to the Tow-bar-2-tow car system is that the hitch attaches to the front towing eye and another one fitted on the other side. These are not intended for extended towing, only to tie down in transit or towing short distances in an emergency so may not be up to the job. The electronic system seems excellent, but as it effectively controls proportional braking through inertia (though short of the toads brakes actually being connected to the cars braking system I can't see any other way) it may still fall foul of the changed law depending on how it's worded..

Caratow can supply a system using something similar to towing eyes that can be removed when not in use, but they are attached to a solid steel bracket bolted to the chassis, so stronger, however their braking system is an overun cable type so not as sophisticated as the electronic one.

Pity its not possible to mix and match to get the best of all worlds.

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old-mo

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For peace of mind, I did have a nose, while it was up on the ramps..

And it looked a substancial job... I could not tell whether the original eye had been beefed up.. but looked OK..
 

Geoffers

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(Tow-bar-2-tow car system is that the hitch attaches to the front towing eye and another one fitted on the other side.)

I have that system which is a vast improvement on the Chris Cox inertia system I had previously.
In my case new towing eyes and frame are fitted. (new Fiat panda) think it's the only system where by magic the ABS system works without the ignition on. This I believe is part of the new regs. That is if your car/trailer has abs then it needs to work.
 

tambo

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manual says not to tow for more than 50km but is this just a general wording in the manual or is it for safety reasons ?...does anyone know ?
It's not an automatic by any chance is it?
It's not recommended to flat tow automatics or 4 wheel drive

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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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It's not an automatic by any chance is it?
It's not recommended to flat tow automatics or 4 wheel drive
its got the semi auto box in it,,,,when in neutral its ok to tow, i have been in touch with a smart and they have said its fine so long as its in the N position, and once in this position and the key turned to the left, it locks it in neutral until ignition turned back on....
 

tambo

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its got the semi auto box in it,,,,when in neutral its ok to tow, i have been in touch with a smart and they have said its fine so long as its in the N position, and once in this position and the key turned to the left, it locks it in neutral until ignition turned back on....
Well I'm guessing that's why it says only tow for 50km in the manual and knowing garages etc I'd go with the manual and not the garage .....i know my passat cc is an automatic and needs flat bed recovered not towed ....and in my days as an auto tech towing auto's or 4 wheel drive any distance was a big no no so I'd thoroughly check on that just to be 100% sure
 

bobandjanie

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I seem to remember that to get the key out of the ignition on a smart it had to be in gear and locked it in because they have no steering lock, so what we did on our fiat, because you had to have the key in to get the steering lock off, was have a blank key cut that we left in while towing and it would not start the car. (y) Bob.

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Inthezone

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Hi we use a similar system on our smart car, called smart tow, it was fitted by a company in Guildford who specialise in Smart cars, it was about £1800, it works well and have had no problems with it, I fitted a twin rear view camera in order that I could occasionally check that it was still there whilst towing as you don’t feel anything whilst towing.
Would recommend it to anyone, as for the legalities I simply am not bothered as its up to the judiciary who have to interpret and rule upon the laws.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a542/rbrady389/imagejpg1_zpsc00192f5.jpg

hope this helps
 
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sean n maggie

sean n maggie

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Hi we use a similar system on our smart car, called smart tow, it was fitted by a company in Guildford who specialise in Smart cars, it was about £1800, it works well and have had no problems with it, I fitted a twin rear view camera in order that I could occasionally check that it was still there whilst towing as you don’t feel anything whilst towing.
Would recommend it to anyone, as for the legalities I simply am not bothered as its up to the judiciary who have to interpret and rule upon the laws.

http://i1283.photobucket.com/albums/a542/rbrady389/imagejpg1_zpsc00192f5.jpg

hope this helps
with the not having a steering lock on them do you have any problems with the front wheels when towing as i have read some people put crossed bunggie straps from the seat anchors to the steering wheel to just help the wheels align after turning etc...
 

tambo

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I seem to remember that to get the key out of the ignition on a smart it had to be in gear and locked it in because they have no steering lock, so what we did on our fiat, because you had to have the key in to get the steering lock off, was have a blank key cut that we left in while towing and it would not start the car. (y) Bob.
with

with the not having a steering lock on them do you have any problems with the front wheels when towing as i have read some people put crossed bunggie straps from the seat anchors to the steering wheel to just help the wheels align after turning etc...
Not having a steering lock shouldn't have any effect on the wheels aligning .....i don't see the purpose of budgie cords either on a proper set up with steering unlocked the wheels will automatically return to straight after turning or the frame isn't doing its job properly

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