What's the disadvantages of towing a car?

Kups

Kups

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Adria Coral 670 SLT
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We've had great fun electric biking but being realistic about our physical capability we're considering selling them and converting my wife's Toyota to a tow car, already have the tow bar installed. I can hire a bike if I need one.
We know the advantages of a tow car. So what are the disadvantages? Is it OK to stay on an aire with a tow car for instance? All comments gratefully accepted.
 
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You can be disadvantaged if you use the wrong company to convert your car.

Speaking from experience, our “first” conversion was done by Towtal in Stoke. Seeing flames coming out of your tow car wheels was pretty frightening.
Can highly recommend TAF at chesterfield who did it properly.
 
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Kups said:
We've had great fun electric biking but being realistic about our physical capability we're considering selling them and converting my wife's Toyota to a tow car, already have the tow bar installed. I can hire a bike if I need one.
We know the advantages of a tow car. So what are the disadvantages? Is it OK to stay on an aire with a tow car for instance? All comments gratefully accepted.
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CCP certainly allow towed cars on certain number of their aires but I would have thought it would be frowned upon if you were to park your car in a space and deny a motorhome an overnight pitch

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Strictly speaking trailers and cars are not allowed on aires, as well as toads being illegal in all of the EU unless on a trailer.
However in practice I have often seen toads in France and Spain, and even on aires. It depends how lucky you feel.
I did take a toad to France once but found it more of an encumbrance than a benefit. We never seem to have a problem parking anywhere even in our previous 8m motorhome and are currently only 6.8m.
 
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Tbh we have a tow car which we only use in the uk and notice very little if any extra in fuel consumption.
Cannot use the outside lane on motorways.
Don’t need it in the rest of Europe, most places there have places to park motorhomes, but would have extra ferry costs and possibly extra tolls (although I honestly don’t know about the tolls)
 
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We have used a Towtal a frame with RVi Brake unit for around ten years with no problem. We only tow in U.K.

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Cookieboy68 said:
Am I right in saying, that reversing a car on an A frame is not possible 🤔
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With a non overrun auto braking system limited reversing is possible which is useful when necessary to shuffle in a tight spot.
Just today I reversed my toad about 10 yards on site to save unhooking at a mh service point.
 
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Great comments and food for thought - thanks.
Towtal was a possible installer as they fitted my towbar and Amplo levelling system, both done very well.
The EU law situation is very confused or is it just the French and Spanish plod who have their own interpretation depending on what side of bed they got out of that morning 🤣🤣
Seriously though, I've just read through the CCC advice guide which makes clear statements about EU situation, basically towing with an A frame is a no no. https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/advice/equipment/towing-with-a-motorhome/

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I've only done it a few times . But I found I could have parked the motorhome where I wanted to if I hadn't been towing the car. The car actually restricted where I could go with the van.

If you use mainly campsites for a week or so at a time then I can see the benefit although I'd probably then use a car and caravan. But for touring I'm in the more hassle than worth camp . A scooter or motorbike is a much better option.
 
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Kups said:
Great comments and food for thought - thanks.
Towtal was a possible installer as they fitted my towbar and Amplo levelling system, both done very well.
The EU law situation is very confused or is it just the French and Spanish plod who have their own interpretation depending on what side of bed they got out of that morning 🤣🤣
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You're simply not allowed to tow anything with wheels on the ground in those countries. With exception of a trailer obviously. But vehicles have to have an axle elevated
 
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Mike123 said:
Tried that - think of a shopping trolley wheels being pulled backwards, that’s what’s it like 🤪

The wheels will not align to the opposite direction like a trailer.
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Watch the reversing camera , gently gently and it will go with an occasional forward movement to straighten the wheels.
 
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VXman said:
You will still wear tyres, wheel bearings (and brakes?) on the tow car. Do the miles go up too? I would think that putting it on a trailer would look after the car better.
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I think modern cars mileage is controlled by the ecu and not like the old speedo cable in the wheel hub type so the mileage shouldn't go up while on tow. The wear and tear will happen though and probably a bit more than just being driven

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Modern cars have electronic instruments with no cable turning speedo so mileage doesn’t change . There will be some wear and tear on tyres and steering and suspension but not noticeable imo.
I have towed using trailer but the car is much more stable towing with all four wheels on the road and a lower centre of gravity than when on a trailer.
 
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My view with a Fiat 500 and the LNB system installed.

1. Not gone overseas yet, so no idea
2. MPG, about 1-2 MPG worse.
3. Speed whilst towing, 10 MPH Slower (if you stick to the limit)
4. Paranoid that there’s some nutter in a Fiat 500 right up yer arse!
5. You cannot reverse with a toad no matter how good you are.

Plan a bit ahead and it’s ace,

Jim
 
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As long as you do not have over run braking system then you can reverse a toad . Principle is the same as an HGV with a ‘turntable’ trailer, as opposed to a close coupled trailer which has the two centre axles. Find yourself a German HGV rig and ask for a few lessons!
 
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Biggest disadvantage for me would be I can't take the bike 😢 also increased fuel consumption, less manoeuvrability, slower... Would be a disaster really 😆

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martin2603 said:
As long as you do not have over run braking system then you can reverse a toad . Principle is the same as an HGV with a ‘turntable’ trailer, as opposed to a close coupled trailer which has the two centre axles. Find yourself a German HGV rig and ask for a few lessons!
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Not actually correct on a Toad though. The self centering action on the front wheels of a car only works when going forwards, when you reverse it flips the wheels out to full lock (left or right as appropriat).

Jim
 
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Admit to considering it. Recognise some of the disadvantages but if I wanted to take Kerry, no other alternative really works for me.
 
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Langtoftlad said:
Admit to considering it. Recognise some of the disadvantages but if I wanted to take Kerry, no other alternative really works for me.
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Weighing up all the comments, we're not going down the toad route. Maybe a combination of hire cars in EU plus taxis and less cycling will be our next holiday formula.
 
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Langtoftlad said:
Admit to considering it. Recognise some of the disadvantages but if I wanted to take Kerry, no other alternative really works for me.
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I think being a solo traveller, Kerry wouldn’t be much help 🙂,hitching up would be a problem.
I’m sure people do it but can’t be easy in some situation.
 
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