Best A frame, with braking system?? (1 Viewer)

[Elvis]

My parents are thinking of having an A-Frame fitted by Tow-bar2tow-cars Ltd, based in Keelby, Lincolnshire.

It has an electronic braking system, that brakes with the MH, it will tow my mums Toyota Aygo and is said to be Euro legal.

Has anyone had one of these fitted? Had dealings with this Co. ? Towed a Toyota Aygo? Any probs? happy with it/them?

It will cost over £2000! I am wondering if there is a Co that fits the same thing but for less cash.

They were also told (by some one else) that it may hit the back of their new van so they would need to have some kind of crash bar fitted at the back first ????

 

[St.Cyr]

Hi. No need to worry about the Toad hitting the rear of the van. The A-frame's rigid so the car is always the same distance away. The braking system is to supplement the van brakes, not to keep it away from it. :thumb:

 

[old-mo]

I think for that sort of money I would sooner get a small trailer, pop the car on that, you are not restricted to one car (within the towing capability`s of your motorhome).

Unlike "A" frames trailers can be reversed,,

Controversial subject, but a lot of people have been pulled in Spain (Supposed) "A" frames are illegal,, I know of one couple that had to diconnect,,, till out of sight of the Guardia Civil. :Angry:

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[itexuk]

Try Towtal for a quote.
Link Removed

 

[kkclassic]

Hi

Towtal in Stoke fit an un-braked A-Frame and a BrakeBuddy braking system for £1199 the frame is of rigid construction and the fitting service is excellent. The BrakeBuddy system works on a vacuum arm. There is no chance of the car hitting the back of the van. The system also has a breakaway unit that in case of disconnection from the van it brings the toad to a controlled halt.

Kevin and Tricia

 

[Road Runner]

I have a Chris Cox frame and to be honest over the last 3 years gone off of it with have towtal one if doing it again.

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[johnsandywhite]

I have an 'A' frame (not sure if it is Towtal) with a Brake Buddy that was fitted to our KIA Picanto. That's reason we bought it.

BTW. Works a treat.

 

[scotjimland]

Hi John

if your Brake Buddy has the break-away cable switch be careful it is inserted FULLY .. think I posted this before, but anyway, a guy arrived on or site with smoking brakes on his Ford Focus.. the pin for the break-away switch had for whatever reason come out .. consequently he had been pulling with the toad's brakes on ..
Fortunately he hadn't come far but it had melted the two wheel covers on the Focus .. and the discs were glowing

jim

 

[Geo]

If you do have a brake buddy and get the transmitter that goes with it after 10 seconds of brake application, ie a breakaway has come out or the pedel is stuck down for what ever reason, an alarm goes off in the towing vehicle to let you know whats happend:thumb:
and dont leave it plugged in on the Ferry as it goes on and off with the ship rolling and can over heat as mine did and burn the wireing
Geo

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[johnsandywhite]

dont leave it plugged in on the Ferry as it goes on and off with the ship rolling and can over heat as mine did and burn the wireing
Geo

Are you talking about the one on the Brake Buddy or the one in the Motorhome?

 

[Geo]

Are you talking about the one on the Brake Buddy or the one in the Motorhome?

Hi John
If you do as I did and left the Brake Buddy plugged in and ready to roll then it will operate constantly as the inertia switch is triggered by the boat rocking and was operating for 75 mins non stop, got very hot and melted the cigarette lighter socket wiring
as the fuse didn't blow I assume no short was made, but I think another few minuets and who knows, could've sunk the ship The toad stunk of burnt cables for weeks afteroh: Motto Fully unplug from the 12v supply:thumb:

 

[johnsandywhite]

Many thanks Geo. I hate to think what would happen on a 5 or 6 hours jouurney or even longer?

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[Oscarmax]

I use a Car-A-Tow A frame to tow my Toyota Aygo, I can it can be fitted in minutes (I am disabled and walk using two crutches, its is that easy).

:thumb:My Toyota dealer thinks it is an excellent bit of kit, and does not affect my warranty.

 

[Bugsy]

We also have a Car A Tow braked A frame and use a Fiat Seicento as the tow car. Although they are in Poole they do have a fitting agent near Peterborough. About £1000.00 fully fitted.:thumb:

Toni

 

[Elvis]

cool

I use a Car-A-Tow A frame to tow my Toyota Aygo, I can it can be fitted in minutes (I am disabled and walk using two crutches, its is that easy).

:thumb:My Toyota dealer thinks it is an excellent bit of kit, and does not affect my warranty.

Sounds great so far. Is it Euro legal cos they have been told that if they have linked breaking system, it will be. Also, what about the bit about it possibly bashing into back of van?

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[Elvis]

more ?'s

We also have a Car A Tow braked A frame and use a Fiat Seicento as the tow car. Although they are in Poole they do have a fitting agent near Peterborough. About £1000.00 fully fitted.:thumb:

Toni

Thanks, how have you got on with it? What about abroad? Any probs with it bashing into the back of the van??

 

[Oscarmax]

Elvis,

Car-A-Tow internet site run through the legal side, I fitted mine myself (2 hours), cost £760 in total. If you need any advice on fitting email me.

No problems banging into back of van, intially the brake cable will stretch, just leave a small amount of play in the cable, which will occasional need adjusting.

 

[scotjimland]

Thanks, how have you got on with it? What about abroad? Any probs with it bashing into the back of the van??

I also have a Car-A-Tow frame.. highly recommend it, easy to hitch / unhitch .. and folds for easy storing..

Braked A Frame hitches are essentially the same as caravan hitches, you have a handbrake, brake cable and a hydraulic shock absorber so it doesn't 'bang' into the van.. the braking progressive..

I used to pull a twin axle trailer which was a heavy beast to manhandle, and took up a lot of space on the pitch.. no such hassle with an A frame and the car tows like a dream..

Downside, reversing , some claim it's possible over a short distance in a straight line, that may be so, but you can't steer it round a corner.. if you need to turn in a tight space unhitching is the only option.. in saying that, reversing and steering a relativity short trailer behind a long motorhome takes a lot of practice.. much harder than it looks.. the slightest waver and the trailer jack knives.


jim

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[schojac]

Hi,

reiterate what has been posted before - Mohican + Car-a-Tow + seicento. Tows very well. People say you don't know it's there; on the flat, true; however, you do on a hill. Don't take this the wrong way the 2.8JTD copes very well and I wouldn't be without the Toad now but a downshift is sometimes necessary where I wouldn't have to solo. Hence to one or two MPG pay off.

Fitted in minutes and the braking system works effectively. Reversing: been experimenting with Carole(my wife) steering the Toad and leading the way so to speak. Early days yet; more practising to do but it looks better than trying to reverse it like a trailer (IMO virtually impossible round a bend)

Touring abroad: never heard of any one being stopped in France but there have been occurances in Italy and Spain, as posted on this forum.

Jack

 

[Elvis]

I use a Car-A-Tow A frame to tow my Toyota Aygo, I can it can be fitted in minutes (I am disabled and walk using two crutches, its is that easy).

:thumb:My Toyota dealer thinks it is an excellent bit of kit, and does not affect my warranty.

Can I ask who fitted it and where? And dare I ask how much?

 

[Elvis]

I also have a Car-A-Tow frame.. highly recommend it, easy to hitch / unhitch .. and folds for easy storing..

Braked A Frame hitches are essentially the same as caravan hitches, you have a handbrake, brake cable and a hydraulic shock absorber so it doesn't 'bang' into the van.. the braking progressive..

I used to pull a twin axle trailer which was a heavy beast to manhandle, and took up a lot of space on the pitch.. no such hassle with an A frame and the car tows like a dream..

Downside, reversing , some claim it's possible over a short distance in a straight line, that may be so, but you can't steer it round a corner.. if you need to turn in a tight space unhitching is the only option.. in saying that, reversing and steering a relativity short trailer behind a long motorhome takes a lot of practice.. much harder than it looks.. the slightest waver and the trailer jack knives.


jim

Thanks for all the cool info Where did you get it fitted?

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[scotjimland]

Thanks for all the cool info Where did you get it fitted?

Hi

It was already fitted to my Fiat when I bought it ..

Check the Car A Tow site Car-a-tow towing frames specialists | For the modern motorcaravan owner

Fitting agents Link Removed

I believe the prices for fitting including the electrics range from about £850 - £1000 depending on car .. but a phone call would confirm

 

[Elvis]

We also have a Car A Tow braked A frame and use a Fiat Seicento as the tow car. Although they are in Poole they do have a fitting agent near Peterborough. About £1000.00 fully fitted.:thumb:

Toni

Thanks for info, do you know the name of the firm who supplied it?

 

[Elvis]

Hi

It was already fitted to my Fiat when I bought it ..

Check the Car A Tow site Car-a-tow towing frames specialists | For the modern motorcaravan owner

Fitting agents Link Removed

I believe the prices for fitting including the electrics range from about £850 - £1000 depending on car .. but a phone call would confirm

Thanks, I will pass the info on to my dad, he will be very pleased

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[Neckender]

There's a towing A frame on e-bay Item number: 150366939241

John.

 

[scotjimland]

Hi John

had a look, went for £160 ..


Just a warning to anyone looking on ebay ..

It was a 'fit any car' system using chains , not recommended for leisure use, but
ideal for recovery.

Advertised as a Towshure when if fact it was Intertrade Engineering..

jim

 

[scotjimland]

For Sale

Seen this one for sale on Facts .. need to be a member to contact seller dannyktm

For Sale

Tow A CarTowing Frame Only, Good condition excactly the same braked frame that you can still buy today, good condition I think its about 4 years old, I bought it on ebay for £295 and would be happy to get that back, when I was looking the frame only is £470 (this is the frame only) some one can save a few quid here!

PM me any questions.

Thanks Danny

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[schojac]

I was lucky to pick up mine second hand complete. I believe it cost about £1100 excluding tow bar and was done by a local garage who bought the kit in from Car-a-tow and fitted it for him.

Car-a-tow have started to list fitting agents, link below.

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Hope this helps

Jack