A Frame towing

[Carolyn and Kev]

If I’m included in that statement I have had an overrun braked a frame and especially if a slight gradient, where weight is only part of the equation, when reversing with our then Peugeot 107 the brakes would apply so it is not helpful to lead others to believe that it won’t happen because it can.

I believe the op was asking a bout the over run system? Get off your high horse and back off a little!
The over run system cannot be reversed because the hitch works against the cars brakes when it feels pressure. SO....Basically...as you push on the hitch..it puts the brakes on. If the car pushes onto the tow ball of the truck..it puts the brakes on! That is the principal of the A frame Over run system. It applies the brakes when applying load to the ball/hitch! Period!

Regards Kev

PS..Try to reverse with an over run system and you apply the brakes on the towed car. You can do it but you scuff the tyres badly!

 

[Larrynwin]

I believe the op was asking a bout the over run system? Get off your high horse and back off a little!
The over run system cannot be reversed because the hitch works against the cars brakes when it feels pressure. SO....Basically...as you push on the hitch..it puts the brakes on. If the car pushes onto the tow ball of the truck..it puts the brakes on! That is the principal of the A frame Over run system. It applies the brakes when applying load to the ball/hitch! Period!

Regards Kev

PS..Try to reverse with an over run system and you apply the brakes on the towed car. You can do it but you scuff the tyres badly!

Not on any high horse , your post #28 states just how good the overrun braked a frames are and I reiterate from experience that reversing with that system can in some circumstances apply the brakes which is less than perfect.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Perhaps the fault lay with your car/vehicle at the time? We will never know?

It is currently used all over the Uk and is a proven unit and set up. There are no doubts it does have its downfalls ..but the the problem arises with the reversing situation only .
When the system is set up with the motorhome and towed vehicle from scratch..it responds correctly and without issues.
If the car is borderline the weight limits of both Ball and towed hitch..then you will get the faults that arise from "Bumping" due to weight being greater than the damper within the hitch on the A frame.
Long and short of it this..If you want to spend in excess of 2k...Go for it! No one will query it.
If the set up you have , is done correctly from the start..Then there is little to concern yourself over .
If you want to reverse your truck and show off to the locals that you can do it using the A frame..
Go for the assisted brake system.
If that does not concern you...Dont waste your money and stick to a tried and tested system.

Kev

 

[Larrynwin]

Perhaps the fault lay with your car/vehicle at the time? We will never know?

It is currently used all over the Uk and is a proven unit and set up. There are no doubts it does have its downfalls ..but the the problem arises with the reversing situation only .
When the system is set up with the motorhome and towed vehicle from scratch..it responds correctly and without issues.
If the car is borderline the weight limits of both Ball and towed hitch..then you will get the faults that arise from "Bumping" due to weight being greater than the damper within the hitch on the A frame.
Long and short of it this..If you want to spend in excess of 2k...Go for it! No one will query it.
If the set up you have , is done correctly from the start..Then there is little to concern yourself over .
If you want to reverse your truck and show off to the locals that you can do it using the A frame..
Go for the assisted brake system.
If that does not concern you...Dont waste your money and stick to a tried and tested system.

Kev

There was nothing wrong with the installation or set up of my system and it was possible to reverse it with the known limitations but pushing an 800kg car backwards uphill would apply the brakes.
Following that on my next toad I have a Towtal a frame with RVi inertia brake unit which does allow reversing uphill , within steering limitations .

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

There was nothing wrong with the installation or set up of my system and it was possible to reverse it with the known limitations but pushing an 800kg car backwards uphill would apply the brakes.
Following that on my next toad I have a Towtal a frame with RVi inertia brake unit which does allow reversing uphill , within steering limitations .

SO when the OP wanted to know wether he should go for a cheaper set up or not..the answer would have surely been yes as long has you can see the restrictions when you need to reverse..Yes?
So what is the problem with Over run systems ? Only a Few would need to reverse unless there was an emergency need to do so.

kev

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[Pausim]

I think overrun is a better braking system, it provides exactly the right amount of braking to balance the toad’s braking with the towing vehicle. It does have some additional reversing limitations but frankly reversing a toad is never going to be straight forward (oops unintentional pun) and I am happy with the system.

 

[Larrynwin]

SO when the OP wanted to know wether he should go for a cheaper set up or not..the answer would have surely been yes as long has you can see the restrictions when you need to reverse..Yes?
So what is the problem with Over run systems ? Only a Few would need to reverse unless there was an emergency need to do so.

kev

I merely pointed out what could be an annoying and potentially embarrassing disadvantage of having to unhitch if a situation arose where reversing was prevented by the overrun braking and bearing in mind the overall cost of a motorhome the cost difference between an overrun braked a frame and an automatic system is probably marginal.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

As mentioned by a few others ..the assisted automatic system can be in excess of 2k where as the over run system is 850 plus tax. I'm guessing here but ..i personally would run the risk of having to get out and un hitch rather than spend another 1k to allow me to reverse being honest. That aside..it is up to the OP to sort it out. Your opinion shows you would go for the Automated system...Mine...Over run. I suggest we call it a day and agree to disagree..dont you think?

Kev

 

[joka250]

I think there is case for banning a frames because it causes too much animosity on this forum. Which is very sad.

 

[Larrynwin]

As mentioned by a few others ..the assisted automatic system can be in excess of 2k where as the over run system is 850 plus tax. I'm guessing here but ..i personally would run the risk of having to get out and un hitch rather than spend another 1k to allow me to reverse being honest. That aside..it is up to the OP to sort it out. Your opinion shows you would go for the Automated system...Mine...Over run. I suggest we call it a day and agree to disagree..dont you think?

Kev

Having used both for several years my preference is naturally the auto braking system which I will always recommend.

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[Carolyn and Kev]

I think there is case for banning a frames because it causes too much animosity on this forum. Which is very sad.

No animosity at all....Just two bulls fighting their corner....Lol

Kev

 

[Mikeco]

Nothing on the telly so I think you should carry on and sort out which system is best for Spain

 

[sweetie]

Why? Genuine question.

You can not reverse with overrun braking, as soon as you reverse the toads brakes are applied. This does not happen with electronic braking.

 

[Minxy]

... meanwhile back to reality ... it is RARE for anyone to have to reverse with an A-frame and even those who are skilled in the dark art couldn't do so for any distance so ... what I'm suggesting therefore is don't get hung up about the reversing bit as the vast majority of the time it will be going forward!

 

[sweetie]

It might be rare Mel, I often have to reverse when I get home because my bloody neighbour often parks his car tight up by my driveway. He’s got three cars and a driveway that will take six but often leaves one or two out on the road. Plus I have had to reverse half a dozen times in narrow lanes in last three years since owning a toad,

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[minesapint]

For specific reasons I’ve decided to go down the A-Frame towing route with a Smart Car and only for use in the UK.
Can anyone recommend an installer in the North West / North Wales area ?

Thanks all.

We have a Toad with a system by TowAFrame, it is lightweight and very easy to use. 03333 351020 for details.