Which A-Frame?

ClareEC

ClareEC

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I am relatively new to motor-homing and want to tow a Kia Picanto behind my vehicle to enable me to do all the sightseeing etc that I want to do. I am looking into a-frames and have discovered there are 2 main types of frame - those that have elecrtonic braking and those with inertia braking systems. Each type of supplier is telling my their system is better, safer & 'more legal' than the other, so I am really confused. I will predominantly be travelling alone so need something that is reasonably manageable by myself. Any tips or advice from experienced motor-homers who have towed cars would be much appreciated. Thanks
 
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If you are planning on going abroad they are not legal which ever one you use, you will hear lots of stories I used one for years and never been stopped but from someone who has been fined and made to disconnect they are not.
 
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We went with TOW-BARS 2 TOW-CARS

The A frame is well made and they seem to have a good reputation. You just hitch it up and plug it in. It is a breaked system which works very well. I hardly notice it is there after a while.

They are up near Grimsby and we stayed at a local campsite for the night. They also loaned us a car for the day while they converted our little Fiat 500.

overall we are very pleased with it!
 
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The most important thing is the car bracket dont be fooled by some of the DIY brackets for sale on the internet
When buying just the bracket to bolt to the car you will find they are very expensive generally over £400
 
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I have a nearly new a frame for sale that would save you a good bit of money .

£1099 to buy it new I'm asking £400 ono

Will fit any car you choose . You just need to buy the bracket that bolts on the car.
 
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PeterCarole29 said:
The most important thing is the car bracket dont be fooled by some of the DIY brackets for sale on the internet
When buying just the bracket to bolt to the car you will find they are very expensive generally over £400
Click to expand...
£400 is better than £1100
 
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Nitpicking but A frames are neither legal or illegal in the UK.
There has never been a court precedence to decide but they are tolerated providing lighting, reflectors and braking complies with UK vehicle laws.
They are illegal in Europe.
 
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Jees everytime someone mentions A frames it's the same old story


P.s I saw both French and German registered motorhomes towing cars on A frames in Germany back in July.


In the UK there's hundreds if not thousands and have been for decades now .


I'm sure the op doesn't want a thread full of comments arguing the toss of whether they're illegal or not.

He wants one , he can have one , and he ain't breaking no laws doing it.

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Hi, ClareEC I have had both types- Brake cable and electric operated- On the brake cable type you have to make sure the cable is lubricated regularly as it can seize up and cause problems with towing a car with the brakes stuck on. (don't ask!)
With the electronic braked ones you don't have this problem- only difference is the price- can be a few hundred £s extra. Also you need to be aware of the weight of the unit- eg Total one was about 30kg- mine was a few years ago not sure if they are any lighter now, best to ask.
LNB units are about 15kg but there again more expensive but they use stainless steel for some of the components. Both types need getting used to for fitting, but eventually you should be able to do it in a few minutes.
Hope this helps your original question.
Cheers, Dave
 
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There are specialist supliers/installers located across the country. What region are you in ClareEC?

You may already be aware that cars towed on A-frames in Britain are regarded as braked trailers and have to meet all the legal requirements for trailers.

Self-installation is OK if you are technically skilled and understand all the requirements. If not, you should have a professional installation for safety's sake if nothing else.

My personal recommendation would be the system from Tow A Frame, who have installation centres across the UK.
 
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Northernraider said:
£400 is better than £1100
Click to expand...
I assume £1100 is fitted
So £400 plus for car frame bracket
£400 for used A frame
£800 without any warranty or fitting
Or did you think my reference to car frame was the complete kit which it wasnt
 
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PeterCarole29 said:
I assume £1100 is fitted
So £400 plus for car frame bracket
£400 for used A frame
£800 without any warranty or fitting
Or did you think my reference to car frame was the complete kit which it wasnt
Click to expand...
£1099 is just to buy the kit the same as I have. That isn't including fitting.



Fitting would add a good £500 to that I'd imagine.

That's the kit I have for sale minus the bracket that holds the brake cable etc on the car .
 
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Northernraider said:
£1099 is just to buy the kit the same as I have. That isn't including fitting.



Fitting would add a good £500 to that I'd imagine.

That's the kit I have for sale minus the bracket that holds the brake cable etc on the car .
Click to expand...
Even if the op was to buy a bracket and have it fitted I guarantee the a frame section is far more than £400 to buy .

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PeterCarole29 said:
I assume £1100 is fitted
So £400 plus for car frame bracket
£400 for used A frame
£800 without any warranty or fitting
Or did you think my reference to car frame was the complete kit which it wasnt
Click to expand...
Maybe I’m out of touch with prices but I thought you can get one supplied and fitted for around £1100 non electric
Maybe not the stainless steel version of yours
 
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PeterCarole29 said:
Maybe I’m out of touch with prices but I thought you can get one supplied and fitted for around £1100 non electric
Maybe not the stainless steel version of yours
Click to expand...
Certainly can't see any that cheap fitted online. Cheapest I've seen is around £1600 but many over £2k
 
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An example of prices
IMG_0137.jpeg
 
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I have towed with overrun and automatic braking and would definitely go for an automatic system.
Mine was on a Towtal a frame with an RVi Brake unit which worked well over several years.

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Northernraider said:
Jees everytime someone mentions A frames it's the same old story


P.s I saw both French and German registered motorhomes towing cars on A frames in Germany back in July.


In the UK there's hundreds if not thousands and have been for decades now .


I'm sure the op doesn't want a thread full of comments arguing the toss of whether they're illegal or not.

He wants one , he can have one , and he ain't breaking no laws doing it.
Click to expand...
How do you know the OP knows the legalities of the use of A frames........ forewarned has to be better than getting an unexpected pull in the EU
 
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Has anyone using an A-frame in mainland Europe checked with their insurers that in the event of an accident they would be covered ?
Pretty ballsy move to use one in countries where it would appear to be illegal, if you haven't got that assurance IMO.
 
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pappajohn said:
You don't have to read it
Click to expand...
Neither do you as no one including the op asked for the information you feel compelled to comment.

Basically if you can't answer the question the op asked or provide him with the information he asked you could simply just not comment

But as I said some people on this forum are so desperate they just can't resist .
 
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We have a Towmaster 2 system fitted by LNB Towbars in Bristol.

Works a treat, takes 5 mins to connect/ disconnect, easy to pack away and pop in the boot.

We tow our Skoda CityGo called Bassett (our moho is called Bertie 😀)
 
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Back to OP
i use a towaframe.com tow glide system that i use with my UP! The wife chose it when we went to a show and I asked her to pick up the frame and put it in an imaginary boot. The electronic ones are a manageable wieght. This design uses 2 sensors to decide when to apply the car brakes/ brake lights. So no problems with car battery running out of charge that has been reported with some instalations. This issue could easily be an indiviual instalation issue and not a design issue.
 
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