A Frame Disaster

[Landy Andy]

Don’t like them then ? and how many accidents have been caused as a result of flat towing with a frames , perhaps in comparison to accidents with caravans in tow .
More unnecessary scaremongering based on a personal opinion . Perhaps you could provide a link to statistics of accidents linked to a frame towing.

Calm down.

You are a fan then.

I never said they did cause accidents did I?
Where am I scaremongering?

Just because some old couple want to tow a car behind a Moho, and it can be doesn't make it safe.
Some company makes alterations to a car, that is then untested, people then drag it around completely unaware of what it’s doing and unable to complete a reverse if required. Great idea.

 

[Larrynwin]

Sorry but that sounds lethal to me, as a metal projectile doing a possible 60mph, the tow hitch/a-frame becomes detached from the towing vehicle with no brakes, unless it’s a cable of 10/11/12/13mm diameter and a good anchorage on the car, that car is going to go anywhere it pleases!

Not possible , on my a frame if it were to detach, bearing in mind there is a secondary Bowden cable link over the tow hitch which also prevents separation , the breakaway link pulls a pin from an electrical switch mounted on the car which immediately activates the RVi brake system in the car powered by the car battery which is then only switched off manually to release brakes once stationary.
If it is so lethal then instead of scaremongering you should back up your opinion with proof eg accidents resulting from a frame design.

 

[Larrynwin]

Breakaway cables should not be looped “over” tow balls as they can slip off!!

It is not the breakaway cable looped over, it is a secondary Bowden cable loop as an extra safety precaution. The breakaway cable is separate and links between the rear of the motorhome and the power switch on the front of the car.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Aren't A-frame threads great I've got no interest in A Frames whatsoever but the threads on them are unmissable.

Thanks Jim

 

[Platelet]

Not possible , on my a frame if it were to detach, bearing in mind there is a secondary Bowden cable link over the tow hitch which also prevents separation , the breakaway link pulls a pin from an electrical switch mounted on the car which immediately activates the RVi brake system in the car powered by the car battery which is then only switched off manually to release brakes once stationary.
If it is so lethal then instead of scaremongering you should back up your opinion with proof eg accidents resulting from a frame design.

I fully accept what you’re saying but that’s not how it came across in your post. As to scaremongering I didn’t think I was, I was just commenting on your post which didn’t explain it wasn’t a run of the mill breakaway cable? Having spent 37yrs in the ambulance service I have personally attended 4 incidents where a towed vehicle has become detached. Before you ask I don’t know if they were braked or not. That’s one too many in my view.

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[Larrynwin]

Calm down.

You are a fan then.

I never said they did cause accidents did I?
Where am I scaremongering?

Just because some old couple want to tow a car behind a Moho, and it can be doesn't make it safe.
Some company makes alterations to a car, that is then untested, people then drag it around completely unaware of what it’s doing and unable to complete a reverse if required. Great idea.

And just because across the US and in the U.K. old and young folk decide to tow a car watching the car on a camera and with a remote monitoring device in the cab doesn’t make it unsafe .

 

[Larrynwin]

I fully accept what you’re saying but that’s not how it came across in your post. As to scaremongering I didn’t think I was, I was just commenting on your post which didn’t explain it wasn’t a run of the mill breakaway cable? Having spent 37yrs in the ambulance service I have personally attended 4 incidents where a towed vehicle has become detached. Before you ask I don’t know if they were braked or not. That’s one too many in my view.

And compared to caravan towing accidents ?

 

[monzer]

Aren't A-frame threads great I've got no interest in A Frames whatsoever but the threads on them are unmissable.

Thanks Jim

He's been @'d in to this thread about 15 times today asking him to close it and I dare say he's had a few PM's too and it's still going strong so I can only presume he's also enjoying it.

 

[Larrynwin]

He's been @'d in to this thread about 15 times today asking him to close it and I dare say he's had a few PM's too and it's still going strong so I can only presume he's also enjoying it.

It always happens and I always take the bait

 

[Ivory55]

Aren't A-frame threads great I've got no interest in A Frames whatsoever but the threads on them are unmissable.

Thanks Jim

And if it dies off put in a generator in the towed car just to keep it going. Haha

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[tonyidle]

Yes but a four wheel trailer is opposite to this, is a car the same?

A towed car on an A frame is impossible to reverse other than over a short distance in a straight line. The car wheels go to full lock and stay there until towed forward.

 

[tonyidle]

they will spin to full lock if you reverse.

Correct.

 

[Hoovie]

I watch a US Youtube channel where a Smartcar is towed on an A-Frame behind an RV.
The owner puts a bungee strap on the steering wheel and (I think) onto the brake or accelorator pedel. That appears to let him both tow fine and also reverse well. I guess the bungee tends to make the steering self-centre whilst also allowing the required movement when towing?

not tried it, just seen it. But it seems to work for him.

 

[Pausim]

To not have a breakaway cable is actually illegal, as it’s classed as a trailer plus if over 750kgs it requires brakes!

The law allows an alternative up to 1500kg. This an extract from a DfT publication.
“Other provisions from Regulation 15 and Regulation 86A of C&U require the fitting and use of a secondary coupling system in which the trailer is stopped automatically if the main coupling separates whilst the combination is in motion. Alternatively, in the case of trailers up to a maximum mass of 1500kg, the drawbar must be prevented from touching the ground and the trailer able to retain some residual steering.”

 

[tonyidle]

I watch a US Youtube channel where a Smartcar is towed on an A-Frame behind an RV.
The owner puts a bungee strap on the steering wheel and (I think) onto the brake or accelorator pedel. That appears to let him both tow fine and also reverse well. I guess the bungee tends to make the steering self-centre whilst also allowing the required movement when towing?

not tried it, just seen it. But it seems to work for him.

When turning a tight corner (travelling forward) the bungee will wrap around the underside of the wheel. It may or may not unwind as the car straightens up.

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[chaser]

When turning a tight corner (travelling forward) the bungee will wrap around the underside of the wheel. It may or may not unwind as the car straightens up.

If it wasn't so serious it would be laughable, a lot of posts ago it was posted the braking relied on bungee cords now we hear you need them for the steering as well.
Another one to the collection of, you couldn't make it ups.

 

[Landy Andy]

And just because across the US and in the U.K. old and young folk decide to tow a car watching the car on a camera and with a remote monitoring device in the cab doesn’t make it unsafe .

Ok. It’s safe then. Well at least whilst the driver is watching a screen as he drives, and obviously also watching his speedo, and his mirrors, and his road position, and signs, and lights, and other cars. Still can’t reverse if required, but

 

[Bluemooner]

Has anybody been Gased while towing an A frame asking for a friend

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Has anybody been Gased while towing an A frame asking for a friend

Yes, so a friend tells me, but only if the gassing is either from some very smelly grey waste or from the toilet cassette that was overfilled

 

[Realist]

God give me strength.

A Frames some like them some dislike them, they are a means to move a car safely from point A to B.

I just think today’s society is changing for the worse and I’m of the opinion well just let them moan and groan and get on with it.

Remember I said no finger pointing, well one day someone will bite that finger off then complain.

Just get on with life, this thread is info only no need to keep comparing what’s legal and what’s not that’s up to the law not just Joe bloggs behind curtains.

Have fun all

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[poppycamper]

they are a means to move a car safely from point A to B.

So why are they illegal in most of europe????

 

[Realist]

So why are they illegal in most of europe????

No idea ask the law in that country I don’t live their I live in the U.K. where in law currently they are legal.

Next?

 

[Hoovie]

When turning a tight corner (travelling forward) the bungee will wrap around the underside of the wheel. It may or may not unwind as the car straightens up.

really? I really doubt that unless it was an incredibly tight corner which is unlikely to happen on a big motorhome.

Do I know? no. Will I ever find out? no. Do you actually know? I am guessing not.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

So why are they illegal in most of europe????

OK, you hate them. We get that. Are they illegal here in the UK? Have there been any successful prosecutions in UK?

 

[poppycamper]

No idea ask the law in that country I don’t live their I live in the U.K. where in law currently they are legal.

Next?

NEXT....???? But surely if those countries make them illegal it is for a very good reason.
Yes I appreciate you live in UK and I am not asking you to speculate why they are illegal there... BUT do you not wonder why they have made them illegal and we have not.!!!

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[DuxDeluxe]

NEXT....???? But surely if those countries make them illegal it is for a very good reason.
Yes I appreciate you live in UK and I am not asking you to speculate why they are illegal there... BUT do you not wonder why they have made them illegal and we have not.!!!

No. They are not illegal here. 99% of don‘t care about what Europe does

 

[Richard n Ann]

OK, you hate them. We get that. Are they illegal here in the UK? Have there been any successful prosecutions in UK?

Someone said on the last A-frame argument, they aren't actually illegal in the UK but not legal either so grey area maybe

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Someone said on the last A-frame argument, they aren't actually illegal in the UK but not legal either so grey area maybe

Any successful prosecutions? No.

A wonderful thing about the law in England and Wales…..

 

[Larrynwin]

So why are they illegal in most of europe????

Irrelevant.

 

[Realist]

NEXT....???? But surely if those countries make them illegal it is for a very good reason.
Yes I appreciate you live in UK and I am not asking you to speculate why they are illegal there... BUT do you not wonder why they have made them illegal and we have not.!!!

Nope.
Next!

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