To Tow or to Trailer

Vennwood

Vennwood

Joined
Nov 15, 2007
Posts
241
Likes collected
260
Location
Nottinghamshire, UK
Funster No
849
MH
A Class
Exp
20+ but 30+ as a tugger
Over the years I have not been in favour of towing a car either by A-Frame or trailer. Couldn't see the point. If I was going to need a car then I ought to have a caravan.

That was my opinion for many years however as time marches on things change and the knees get more wobbly, bikes are no longer much of an option in this country at least. Our latest camper doesn't have a large garage to stick a motorbike in and it rains a lot in this country. So we are going to eat humble pie and are looking at taking a Smart car with us in this country at least. So the question is can anyone offer their views on what is better - A-Frame or trailer?
 
I think you will get all your answers if you read the recent and current "AFrame Disaster" post.
Personally I don't see need to drag car with me( only my view) but if I did it would be 100% trailer
 
Personally I'd always go for a trailer however have you considered just getting a taxi/bus instead when away as this will remove all the hassle completely and of course the expense of buying the 'rig' in the in the first place.

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Minxy Girl said:
Personally I'd always go for a trailer however have you considered just getting a taxi/bus instead when away as this will remove all the hassle completely and of course the expense of buying the 'rig' in the in the first place.
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Taxi's or buses work in some instances however many bus time tables are not that convenient. Taxies may be an option but again not always. We haven't had a problem in France or Germany as the Aires/sites are generally better located to towns or there are bike tracks or good old shank's pony. Its really for this country only and at this point looking at options for or against in general.
 
Are you sure an ebike wouldn't do it for you? A dutch style bike with something like a Bosch hub motor isn't cheap, but it's a lot cheaper than a car and a trailer. They massively reduce the load on your legs. It's like you are cycling downhill all the time.
 
is calling ahead and getting a small hire car for the day an option 🤷🏼‍♂️
 
Guigsy said:
Are you sure an ebike wouldn't do it for you? A dutch style bike with something like a Bosch hub motor isn't cheap, but it's a lot cheaper than a car and a trailer. They massively reduce the load on your legs. It's like you are cycling downhill all the time.
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Not really. We have had ebikes for a while (still got them) but the wife is getting so nervous when cycling on narrow roads going from a CAMC site into town and has fallen off a couple of times through nerves as she panicks when anything comes up behind or even in front then she justs stops to wait for them to pass

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I have had both, and there's plus and minuses with both, but if you have dodgy knees, then A frame is easily the best.
An empty single axle trailer will weigh in at about 300kg, on tarmac easy, on grass much harder, and if it's bumpy you will really struggle.
A twin axle is even worse.
I fitted a tow bar to the toad so I could use that as far as possible to move the trailer.
 
Think I’d still prefer a trailer, as it means you can have any car you want on it to tow around and not restricted to the one modified car. The trailer would be easier to sell on when it comes to parting with it as well..

Just my preference and good luck with whatever you decide 👍🏻
 
olley said:
I have had both, and there's plus and minuses with both, but if you have dodgy knees, then A frame is easily the best.
An empty single axle trailer will weigh in at about 300kg, on tarmac easy, on grass much harder, and if it's bumpy you will really struggle.
A twin axle is even worse.
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Maybe a daft question and I’m aware of the need for a batter, but can a motor over be fitted.
 
PP Bear said:
Maybe a daft question and I’m aware of the need for a batter, but can a motor over be fitted.
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It can be although that's an expensive option.

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olley said:
I have had both, and there's plus and minuses with both, but if you have dodgy knees, then A frame is easily the best.
An empty single axle trailer will weigh in at about 300kg, on tarmac easy, on grass much harder, and if it's bumpy you will really struggle.
A twin axle is even worse.
I fitted a tow bar to the toad so I could use that as far as possible to move the trailer.
Click to expand...
We have twin axle trailer and find it very easy to move around, in fact I do it on my own😊
 
PP Bear said:
Maybe a daft question and I’m aware of the need for a batter, but can a motor over be fitted.
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Translated, I think: I'm aware of the need for a battery, but can a motor mover be fitted? :unsure: ;) :LOL:
 
Ivory55 said:
There are endless experts on the subject on here , many have never owned one. We used an A frame because we had nowhere to store a trailer at home.
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Yes everyone has their own requirements we are all different and if you research properly you find the right solution for you😊
 
olley said:
It can be although that's an expensive option.
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And even heavier option.
I was being kind earlier to trailers. As has been said they weigh the best part of 300kg, they are not small even one for a SMART and they have to be manhandled into position both at home (storing) and on site. The downforce (nose weight) on the towbar from a car on a trailer will eat into your payload as well. I can get my A Frame on and off inside 10mins and store the A Frame in the boot of the SMART. If you go down the A Frame route get an electronically braked version. I have towed the wife's SMART for Two Cabrio Diesel over 10000 miles without issue and when I get to site I have a fun vehicle that does 70mpg to set off and explore with. If I could not tow a small car behind my Motorhome I would sell the Motorhome. I would not wish to be marooned on campsites etc. and am too old to start peddling everywhere even on electrically assisted bikes that are a real target for thieves. So much rubbish talked about A Frames by people who have never used one. If you do get a SMART try and get the last of the 451 models as these have a true neutral. You will always find a parking space anywhere you go in the country as people will leave enough of a gap for a SMART to fit in.
 
No not another trailer v. Frame thread I'm out of popcorn!!!
 
Debating with myself the same issue for when our MH arrives. Keep coming up with why not both?
 
Debating with myself the same issue for when our MH arrives. Keep coming up with why not both?
 
Done both, with the same little car (Suzuki Ignis)

Had the A Frame chassis mounts and electrics fitted to the Suzuki. But cognizant of the situation aboard, we also bought a Woodford Lwt 072 trailer.

A Frame
Cost about two grand to fit, and when it worked, it worked well. However, the Suzuki was a semi-automatic gearbox with push button ignition. All I can say is that unless your have key ignition and a manual gearbox, don't go A frame, because you have to release the steering lock to avoid the tyres being scrubbed, and the safest way is by a key ignition. The last time we used it, the ignition came on and we blew a hole in the Suzuki engine block within three miles of leaving home. Three grand and never again.

The legal aspect seems pretty muddy, but is actually very clear. There are two issues that impact each other.

1. The 1968 United Nations Vienna Convention says that as long as a vehicle meets all technical requirements to be legal for road use in the country of registration, then wherever it is driven in a country that has ratified the country is, de facto, legal.

Case closed?
No.

2. The UK position is that use of A Frames is not legal. It is actually not illegal, with no formal decision on legality ever being made by the Govt/Legislature. Not illegal is not the same as legal, and this fine distinction means that under the Vienna Convention, the rig is not legal in the home country, and so the local laws apply. In many EU countries, towing with 4 wheels on the ground may only be conducted by authorised or licensed recovery vehicles. However, as you will find everywhere in Yerp, some cops will ignore it, some will pull you over and ask, and some will pull you, fine you and make you decouple. We A-framed in Ireland and the Gardai didn't seem to care, but never risked it on mainland Yerp.

(Note that Ireland, Cyprus, Iceland, Malta and have neither signed nor ratified the convention and Spain has signed but not ratified the Vienna Convention. Also, many countries, including Belgium, Germany and Sweden have clause exemptions.)

Trailer
The Woodford Lwt 072 is one of the shortest and lightest, 2 axle, car trailers around. It has a gross max weight of 1600kilos, with a weight of 400kg, and therefore has a cargo weight of 1200kilo. The Suzuki weighs about 900, so we used to pack the car with a couple of hundred of kilos of kit as well. Always preferred a twin axle for heavy trailers, because if you get a blowout, you will feel the difference and be able to pullover before the trailer starts gouging channels in the road surface, or flipping.

The Woodford worked well for us and we toured Yerp with no difficulties. We used a static G3 Residence awning and used the car as a runabout. My only grief was the ramps. They are heavy, unwieldy, noisy to use and slippery in the wet.

Looked at a tilt trailer, but couldn't find a twin axle small/light enough.

Other Options
Looked at towing spectacles and dollies, but these also seem incompatible with many European countries' laws.

Verdict on trailer v a frame?
For us, neither. Can't see the point of an A frame again, unless HM Govt shifts its arse and makes an affirmative decision on its legality. Don't regret the Woodford but we have now got a small aluminium Anssems hard top trailer and are getting a driveaway awning. Sold the car trailer and now use the moho as the runabout.

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