Toad costs

Charlie9038

Charlie9038

Joined
Aug 31, 2014
Posts
489
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689
Location
Surrey
Funster No
33,119
MH
Coach built
Exp
4th year
Thinking of buying a car to covert to a toad, please no pictures of caravans or toads lol!

Looking like a Toyota Aygo semi Auto as SWMBO only does Autos.

Before I get too carried away I'm trying to figure out the overall cost, a nice newish Aygo £7K ish.
Car a Tow frame is £900 diy kit plus tow ball on MH £1200 ish? All up £10k ( a lot of hire cars?)

Tow cars to tow bars seem to be the way forward or LNB but I'm expecting they are more costly as electronic braking as opposed to mechanical, is this the way forward, can you tow abroad with this kit & not the car a tow system? Or is it not allowed on both systems.

Or is it easier to cycle/walk or hire a car without all the hassle?

thanks
 
I enquires about LNB A frame at Peterborough show a the said around
£2.500 which seemed a lot.
I would go trailer route at that sort of money.
 
Is it your plan that the Aygo will only be used as a toad?

If not, I’d remove it from your reckoning? Otherwise, yes, I’d agree £10k gets you a lot of hire cars.

Ian
 
Trailer is ok if you have room to park it at home. Unless it’s a necessity it’s really a convenience to have the car with you, as you say it’s a lot of hire cars. Ours is our only car so no extra cost of buying a ar just for the job.

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Don't forget about the restrictions on use of A-frames abroad in some countries ... if it's only for the UK no problem (at present) but likely to become even more restricted in mainland Europe.
 
Just bought a cheep towcar already fitted with caratow, as this is an additional vehicle we were struggling with no claims bonus to transfer. Do you research with insurance, the car will be classed as modified and most standard insurers won't touch it. Start with whoever you use for your MH insurance. A lot won't cover it fully comp while being towed. I've convince myself for the past 3 years it's cheeper to have taxis, but I've taken the plunge. I've already had a towbar fitted some years ago, so if I don't use it I'll flog it on next year. All the best Graham
 
No room for a trailer, the toad will be our only car, partly due to COVID I am considering a change in job, early retirement or at least a career break, which means I can part ex my work van for a Aygo or IQ....or similiar.

Just considering it at the moment, it seems quite expensive by the time you fit a tow bar, A frame etc at least £2000 which is a lot of hire cars or taxis, plus the extra hassle with insurance/ driving in Europe etc.

Thanks for all your inputs looks like we will be canning the idea for now and using our MH with our bikes and feet as a tourer rather than a caravan lol ( I'm surpirsed I've had no comments yet! )
 
Many as utmost I s cannot be how eddi tread carefully, if I were you I would buy it ready converted from Toww bars to tow cars. They also do the electrics and towbar in your van
 
DandG5515 said:
Just bought a cheep towcar already fitted with caratow, as this is an additional vehicle we were struggling with no claims bonus to transfer. Do you research with insurance, the car will be classed as modified and most standard insurers won't touch it. Start with whoever you use for your MH insurance. A lot won't cover it fully comp while being towed. I've convince myself for the past 3 years it's cheeper to have taxis, but I've taken the plunge. I've already had a towbar fitted some years ago, so if I don't use it I'll flog it on next year. All the best Graham
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LV mirrowed the no claims bonus from my other car and was not classed as modified as long as there was no projections left on front of car ( ie) towing eyes when driven normally. MH covered with Comfort but they quoted £350 with 9 years NCD. LV £219 but no fully comp when towed. But then it is a 2006 amica A frame is worth more than car.

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Mr Chrysalis said:
Many as utmost I s cannot be how eddi tread carefully, if I were you I would buy it ready converted from Toww bars to tow cars. They also do the electrics and towbar in your van
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I didn't realise you were fluent in gibberish Chris.:LOL:
 
Mr Chrysalis said:
Many as utmost I s cannot be how eddi tread carefully, if I were you I would buy it ready converted from Toww bars to tow cars. They also do the electrics and towbar in your van
Click to expand...
What on earth have you been drinking today? 😄
 
Kev and Carolyn said:
Get ready for it!..................Those of us that do and those of us that dont....Pop corn on the go!

Kev

Ps...we tow a fiat 500 abarth on the RVi2 brake buddy system
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I’m currently on the Trailer route BJ with Movers but it’s not always perfect.
Though I Tow mainly in the EU I see lots Towing without a Trailer and I am now considering this route but would want to get the best and safest system. Would you be kind enough to recommend the people that fit your system and advise any downsides.
Thanks.
 
sweetie said:
LV mirrowed the no claims bonus from my other car and was not classed as modified as long as there was no projections left on front of car ( ie) towing eyes when driven normally. MH covered with Comfort but they quoted £350 with 9 years NCD. LV £219 but no fully comp when towed. But then it is a 2006 amica A frame is worth more than car.
Click to expand...
Comfort wouldn't quote me Aviva system may have been down, Adrian flux mirrored my 9year NCB on my works van and came in at £290 TFT which is what I've done. Again it's a 15year old car but has bracket on front.
 
Littlewheels said:
I’m currently on the Trailer route BJ with Movers but it’s not always perfect.
Though I Tow mainly in the EU I see lots Towing without a Trailer and I am now considering this route but would want to get the best and safest system. Would you be kind enough to recommend the people that fit your system and advise any downsides.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
I would suggest you reconsider risking towing on an A-frame in mainland Europe ... some people have been fined for doing so and it may also affect your insurance if you're in an accident as you would in effect be doing something 'illegal', if you DO decide to do this check everything out first before committing.

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Littlewheels said:
I’m currently on the Trailer route BJ with Movers but it’s not always perfect.
Though I Tow mainly in the EU I see lots Towing without a Trailer and I am now considering this route but would want to get the best and safest system. Would you be kind enough to recommend the people that fit your system and advise any downsides.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
I actually purchased from America and fitted myself . The Rvi Brake system works really well and easy to fit and adapt to any car. Bear in mind that these are fitted to larger cars for being towed behind Rv's. The unit itself can be switched for small compact cars and to the largest of some 4x4's. It really is well worth the pennies spent. I saved a fortune bringing it in including taxes etc from the states. Here in this country they charge anything from £1800 up for any car.
In total including the purchase of the RVi Brake system I have paid £690!
As regards the fit of it....Plug and play regarding the box of tricks. The Towing A frame is a lightweight one of 9 kgs and was purchased from off internet for £200 . Again I say £690 in total.
My time to fit and by that I mean electrics and sub frame for our Abarth ...a mornings work only.

Dont be put off by attempting it your self. Most A frames and towing sub frames are readily available from internet . You dont need to spend a fortune honestly.

Kev

edit...Sorry down sides....As yet...none! Really like the way it performs and brings on the brakes to the towed car. There is a small remote screen that works inside the Motorhome and sees the car behind via a wireless link. It sees the car and tells the driver what is happening at any time.
Works very well indeed. Would not go back to a mechanical set up like Car a Tow and the over run system again.
 
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I have a Diesel smart to tow behind the hymer, but I have only used it once and it has not been a successful idea, It slows the the van on hills and is noticeable all the time as the car is there, the fuel consumption goes up a fair bit .When we arrive somewhere there is not many time we actually go somewhere else and need the car to go there. If you are a site person then it would be more use but why do you not just get a caravan and tow it with decent car. We wild camp and travel around In the van not leaving the van parked up .
I did all the hassle of the conversion and it was a waste of my time doing it, and electric bike or the little Honda in the garage Does as well for going to a shop or the like.
Smart will be for sale although I use it at home and it only needs fuel and insurance the tax is zero.

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GWAYGWAY said:
I have a Diesel smart to tow behind the hymer, but I hav onlt used it once and it has not been a successful idea, It slows the the van Onhills and is noticeable all the time as the car is there, the fuel consumption goes up a fair bit .When we arrive somewhere there is not many time we actually go somewhere else and need the car to go there. If you are a site person then it would be more use but why do you not just get a caravan and tow it with decent car. We wild camp and travel around In the van not leaving the van parked up .
I did all the hassle of the conversion and it was a waste of my time doing it, and electric bike or the little Honda in the garage Does as well for going to a shop or the like.
Smart will be for sale although I use it at home and it only needs fuel and insurance the tax is zero.
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Interesting view from someone who's been there. I suspect like a lot of stuff spent on MH if it was pay per use most people would say you must be joking!
 
My toad was purchased from a member of forum Amica for £1000 with electric braked A frame, only doing about 1500 miles a year in car but it means we can go to more sites away from public transport plus . Had the car 3 years now and passes mot first time.
Might slow us down a bit on Hills but not really noticeable I am not in that much of a hurry any way. Do not see any difference to fuel consumption and have to keep checking rear view camera to make sure it is still there because can not feel it behind.
 
Minxy Girl said:
I would suggest you reconsider risking towing on an A-frame in mainland Europe ... some people have been fined for doing so and it may also affect your insurance if you're in an accident as you would in effect be doing something 'illegal', if you DO decide to do this check everything out first before committing.
Click to expand...
Still looking into this.
Lnb advised that they have a system that allows the car to be classed as a trailer so therefor legal in Europe, might explain why there system is the most costly.
suppose you get what you pay for at £2700 for the frame plus £950 for the tow ball on the mh, total £3650?Tow bars to tow cars cam in at £2800 all in but they said they are not legal in Spain
Get the feeling that hire cars are the way forward without the outlay and hassle with insurance etc, or stick with our feet and legs which have served us well 😎 in the past.
 
Charlie9038 said:
Lnb advised that they have a system that allows the car to be classed as a trailer so therefor legal in Europe,
Click to expand...
Sorry, but that's not true. Either they don't know what they are talking about or they are having you over... A-frames are NOT legal in Europe.

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Been there, done that, towed a Fiat panda around the UK with A frame great car, nice and easy to tow , useful for trips of site as wife was a wheelchair user.
Never used on abroad as was always scared that a policeman in France or Spain would make me unhitch it, wife does not drive so no use.
For extended trips to Spain worked out much cheaper to hire a small car with its obvious advantages, LHD, Spanish number plate, speedo in Klms !
Did buy a Brian James trailer and towed it to various countries but you pay extra on the ferries and in fuel costs, some campsite in Spain wanted to charge a extra car price for it !
Like all things there are pro's and con for doing it but only you can decide ! luck to you whatever your choice !
 
Charlie9038 said:
Still looking into this.
Lnb advised that they have a system that allows the car to be classed as a trailer so therefor legal in Europe, might explain why there system is the most costly.
suppose you get what you pay for at £2700 for the frame plus £950 for the tow ball on the mh, total £3650?Tow bars to tow cars cam in at £2800 all in but they said they are not legal in Spain
Get the feeling that hire cars are the way forward without the outlay and hassle with insurance etc, or stick with our feet and legs which have served us well 😎 in the past.
Click to expand...
What an absolute rip off
 
Charlie9038 said:
Still looking into this.
Lnb advised that they have a system that allows the car to be classed as a trailer so therefor legal in Europe, might explain why there system is the most costly.
Click to expand...
Don't fall for the Lnb's sales pitch, they've been saying this for years, it is wrong and very misleading. The issue isn't the A-frame itself or whether it makes the towed car into a trailer (which is a whole different discussion!), but the fact that some countries have a restriction which specifically 'bans' one vehicle towing another vehicle unless it's being done by a recognised recovery service/garage vehicle etc, this means using any method - tow rope, pole, A-frame, etc - by anyone else is simply not legally allowed ... if it looks like a car, can be driven as a car, then it's a car and no amount of arguing that it is a 'trailer' will help you in these countries.
 
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