Getting a Tow Car - Fiat 500 with TowAFrame
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- Опубліковано 15 лип 2021
- Chas and I go and collect his new tow car a Fiat 500 fitted with the TowAFrame #motorhomes #aframe #towaframe
www.towaframe.com/
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Having watched several videos on A-Frames / tow cars over the years, I think this is probably the best, says everything you need to know. The ability to tow another vehicle is so useful for the solo person even if you don't go on tour with it. eg. Collecting/leaving motorhome from storage, collecting/leaving van for servicing etc.
I never thought of it like that, Simon. Thanks.
I have to use my push bike to get to and from the garage when it is in for MOT or service. Currently waiting to here back from the Garage so that I can jump on my bike to go and get it. Being able to do that with a tow car would make it much quicker.
Have you considered an ebike, Digger Buckett?
Great to see the Ads and Chas combo back in action again.
Haha thanks Mike 👍👍
👍
Great to see Chas has gone for the best system, saves so much time. Great to see Mike again, who gave a good demo.
Yes, Mike is a nice guy and knows his stuff. This is the system you have isn't it Bob?
Just visited Bobbie and Mike Northeast at Towaframe yesterday to have our Automatic Toyota Aygo kitted out. Thanks to Chas, you and Bob for persuading us to swap the car trailer out for the Towaframe. Dropped it off at 8.30 and by 2.30 we were having a full explanation of how to fit and disconnect the system, how it operates, safety and hints and tips. Cheers chaps.
That's great news, Kim. I'm glad you found the video useful 👍👍👍
Brilliant video. Never knew they were so complex. Brilliant work
Thanks Pete. All the complexity in a simple package which makes towing very easy
Impressive bit of kit, thanks for doing the video on it
No problem, Don. Glad you enjoyed the video.
It's a good bit of kit. I actually fitted my own Armitages A frame onto our Peugeot 107, saved a fortune. Easy enough job for a confident home mechanic. The downside of the Armitages unit is that it is heavy. Always stop after a mile or so and touch the wheels to check the brakes are not binding at all. I find it almost impossible to reverse !! Great video 👍
Thanks for the tip, Don. Glad you enjoyed the video
Nice one ads, & chaz.it’s great to see chaz out & about i think 🤔 he is very funny 😄 & i think 🧐 he could make some great video’s of his own.😎
I have suggested to him that he should make videos, Living not Surviving but he is happy just starring in ours 👍👍🤔
Great video and demonstration.
Thanks Alastair. Glad you enjoyed the video
Nice bit of kit and very thoroughly explained, be interesting to see what it's like on rough potholed roads.
Hi Alex already done that at a site in Manchester that was also flooded it just pulled through as if it was being driven.
Chas 👍
@@charlessmillie8774 That's good then, I wondered if it would be a bit twitchy.
Thanks for commenting, @ttxela
Great vlog . Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed the video, Grumpy Bear. Thanks 👍🚙🚗
Brilliant car the 500 as a tow car, still have my 695 Arbath I towed behind my Burstner…… lovely purchase Chaz
Thanks mate I agree they are great little cars.
I bet your Arbath is right go-cart isn't it, Richard?
Superb ❤
Thanks 🤗, @alanmanton8183
Great Video. We need a Chas in Wiltshire. Mr fixit and more importantly an engineer who gets it right.
Oh don't Steve, it'll all go to his head 🤣🤣
@@HermanHitstheRoad 😂😂😂😂
Intrigue sophisticated and practical tow system
Exactly YL Chen. 👍👍🚙
Great video! 👍we tow a fiat Abarth on an A frame behind our motorhome and love it!
The fiat seems a very popular tow car, Debs. Do you take it every where and do you use it when not using the RV?
Thanks for sharing. Interesting video and looks like a very well designed A Bar system. We'll though lt through and easy to use. Who thought you could patent a metal wedge 😁 all the best James
I thought that too, James. Glad you enjoyed the video
Great video ads lovely tow car and good demo , good to see chaz 👍😃
Thanks Mike. Chas who? 🤣 Do you tow?
@@HermanHitstheRoad no ads too scared 😱
I know what you mean, Mike
I think Ads and Chas needs its own channel👍👍👍
I've already suggested that, Johnny. 👍🤣🤣
Hi Ads, we have the same exact set up, we bought my Fiat 500 60th Anniversary edition it’s sooooo lush and had the this system fitted. We have self build VW Crafter called Tottie and Chaz is right you don’t know it’s there, it tows so smoothly we have been very impressed and I’m sure Chaz will be too!!! Carry on Towing !!!! X
Thanks for commenting, Andy and Jenny. What's different with the 60th anniversary edition?
Just purchased a motorhome and this will be the next purchase - a small car to tow behind it and so thanks for this great video - informative and clearly put together - well done chaps...!
Thanks Solent Flyer Paragliding. Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful
Hi Ads what a great video soo informative thank you, I'd love one asap for my 2016 smart but hubby is thinking of a trailer to save money and ware on the car but I just think there so ugly and you have to store them when at home and on site, I'd choose A frame every time.
Thanks again brilliant take care all x
They are a great idea, Chrissey. Easy to manoeuvre
Great video Ads, I’m not sold on tow cars with motorhomes but we each have a choice to make in that regard. I have to say that I had no idea of the number of modifications required to the tow car for this system.
I didnt realise about the mods either, John and Nici. Insightful
Gents, this is very interestig. Hoping to see additional episodes on the topic. How does your motorhome handle the tow load? Good and bad on handling the rig while on the road, parking and camping. All that sort of stuff. 🚐🇫🇮
He tells me that he doesn't even know it's there when in the motorhome, Ari
Yes your right they now class it as a trailer, so I take it they meet the reversing requirements, if so be great if you could use them in Europe
We may do a video on reversing, Charile
Meanwhile all us caravanners scratch our heads and think……….why?
I thought this too, Tony but I see it now. You have the convenience of the motorhome wrt easy to move on and pitch up, wild camping and few other things but you also have a choice of whether you want to take the tow car for places which can be inaccessible by a motorhome.
I get it but I don't think we'd have one.
mike fitted the a frame to my smart car....great piece of kit....pricey but you get what you pay for
Mike's a good man, Stuart
An excellent solution for those who need to tow a car behind a motorhome. I would put the little one in the garage of my Phoenix/Carthago/... (dreams!). The Ciquecento brought back memories of my first-ever car, a FIAT 500, colour red, in 1974! Eighteen(!) solid DIN-HP, max. speed 100 km/h (downhill!), starting lever between reclinable seats, foldable roof, wonderful dating platform ....
The old classics are the best, Camper AB. How long did you have it for?
@@HermanHitstheRoad I had my little 500 for 4 years before a French 2CV (delivery van edition) with 23 HP became my first modified motorhome.
Wow! That's really cool, Camper AB. So was it your daily drive and your motorhome?
@@HermanHitstheRoad Sure, and that car took us about 3000km through the Soviet Union.
Amazing 👍👍🚙
The Towmaster 2 A frame system is very similar but without the widgit.
Thanks Albert 👍
We have towed a car with our last 3 motorhomes they are great once on site you can go explore no narrow lanes or parking the motorhome up . But taking a towcar abroad is a very grey area where A frames are concerned convincing the French/Spanish police that its a trailer and not a car is not easy .
So I hear, James. It's nuts over there.
I knew it would be, but Congratulations on one very well turned out Disco! As for the Fiat, how do the front wheels know when to steer? Is there not a chance that they might suddenly lock over for no particular reason? Apart from that, it looks a magnificent system. Will any small car do? Good to see you again! Keep up the good work!
Hi Derek the car tows flat like a trailer so the weight is always being pulled down and forwards.
Maybe if you reversed the wheels would go side to side as they then become none fixed trailing wheels nice to hear from you mate.
Chas 👍
@@charlessmillie8774 Ta mate, sounds like magic to me . . . !
Don’t know where u got ur info from but I contacted Fiat thru their website and they said absolutely do NOT flat tow a 500. U could damage the car. So I don’t.
I have questions, under normal driving conditions are the brakes on the tow car utilized making it a braked trailer or are they only used as an emergency if the lanyard is pulled. Also since the steering is not locked to the front wheels turn themselves when you go around corners or are you dragging the front wheels around?
Hi @LarkspeedNL. The brakes work while you are driving. It's too complicated to explain here but here is a PDF from their website which will answer all your questions.
www.towaframe.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TowAFrame_brochure_A5_02-2023-4-1.pdf
Yes, the front wheels steer themselves but that is simply physics. This makes reversing difficult which is why it is not recommended
Hi Ads,
Interesting video...one question I have (not sure if I missed it, or wasn't included/covered), is if/when the tow car breaks free and the brakes are applied, do the hazard lights get turned on automatically as well?
Great that the car would come to a screeching halt, but would be useful to give those behind some indication of what might be going on, other than just having the brake lights on...?
I'm not sure, Rich. However, the car wouldn't come to a screeching halt. The brakes are applied firmly but gently like an emergency stop
I want to School on Hayling Island. The only thing left of my old school is the concert wall. I have been trying to convince the wife to get her Car converted to a tow car as a Ford Fiesta is the largest car that can be towed with an A frame. Will you do a follow up video with Chaz covering towing with his Motorhome and how it effects the fuel economy. AS if we need to take a car away with us the wife tends to drive, which I think is costing us more in the long run.
Great idea, Digger Buckett. I'll ask him.
Last scene of this great video answered my question. Does Chas fit in a Fiat 500.
😆
Bye the way I'm still in it they can't get me out 🙃
Thanks Jeremy. FYI the car came with a tin opener to get him out 🤣
@@HermanHitstheRoad ah that’s what made the hole in roof !
How does tow weight and max load weight work?
It depends on the vehicle doing the towing and whether you have a C1 on your driving licence. C1 means you can drive a vehicle including towed item to a max of 7.5 tonnes. The vehicle also has a max weight.
Hi, I got recently a fiat 500, where can I install the fittings for the car? How much cost the fittings and the frame?
Towing the car will increase the miles? (Sorry , very ignorant about mechanical systems).
Towing an automatic fiat 500 can affect the car, if I drive in neutral??….
😅😅😅
Hi @lorenzof.6575. I don't know the answers to you questions but you should check out the Tow-A-Frame website or give them a call. www.towaframe.com/
Please confirm you can reverse without unhitching with this system. Thanks.
We may do another video on this, Jenny
@@HermanHitstheRoad That would be great. Thanks.
Is it possible to fit these to the rear of the car being towed???
Meaning you want to tow a car backwards, Chad? Personally, I don't think that would be a good idea.
It’s a great system, mine is a lot heavier and you have to be absolutely exact to the mm when attaching it to the MH. This can be a problem because it sits up in the air when driving forward and I go solo. I’ve got used to it but I would love that system. Having a car gives me a lot more options, just watch when cornering you have to remember your a lot longer.👍👍
Thanks for the tips, Heidi. Is yours heavier because of the car you are towing? What car do you have?
@@HermanHitstheRoad No it’s made of galvanised steel (I think!) so inherently heavier. This my second Aframe , the last one even heavier and had a jockey wheel. The system you showed is lot more expensive but I think worth it if affordable.
Sorry forgot to say, I tow a Peugeot 108.
Really nice vid Ads. SO much better than our one, which weighs a ton. Bout time yourself and Zoe got one?
Hi Allun, I can't see us getting one TBH. What do you have?
@@HermanHitstheRoad we have an Armitages A-Frame. Our MOHO had to have the chassis extended and the A-frame is REALLY heavy. They most definitely are a game-changer...
👍👍
Great video as always not keen on towcars, always thought if I needed one might as well get a caravan! 😂
I thought that too, Kevin but with a motorhome and tow car you have a choice whether to take the car or not.
Ads you don’t need overalls to hold a camera 😂😂😂😂
Sorry, do I know you? 🤣😉👍😆😄😅
Unbelievable 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 that just made us laugh brilliant 👍
Hi. From where I can buy this model of towing? Thanks
It's called TowAFrame, Phyl. The guy in the video is the owner. They'll be at the motorhome show at the NEC in February
Was this a private sale or a dealer who sells the car with the A frame fitted? We are on a desperate search for a tow car with A frame in the Kent area. Hants isn't too far to go.
I bit of both. The guy owns the company which makes and sells TowAFrame but he happened to have a car for sale which had the kit already fitted. The owner didn't want it any more
@@HermanHitstheRoad Ok, thank you, might be worth emailing him to show our interest incase he gets anymore in. Thanks for the prompt reply, all the best, Gary and Julie.
A-frames are not allowed in mainland Europe!
We know, Joe. Thanks for your comment 👍
The only thing that wasn’t mentioned was the rear number plate on the car should be the same as the towing vehicle
We had to make a temporary one, Len
I would love one of these but they are illegal here in Germany ☹️
The car or the tow bar, Paul. And why is that?
@@HermanHitstheRoad the towing system is illegal because in Germany you are not allowed to tow a vehicle with an engine in except if the car has broken down. I’ve tried talking to the place where you get your mot and where you register your vehicle but to no avail. There is one way around that, and that would be to register my motorhome in the uk but then if I’m living in Germany the vehicle has to be registered here after 6 months because your not allowed to drive around on foreign plates if you live here.
Interesting Paul. Mad but interesting. Thanks 👍
What if the car was on a trailer is that legal?
@@HermanHitstheRoad on a Trailer is ok but then you have to find a place to park the trailer and you have to pay insurance, tax and mot for the trailer as well and i like the idea of the tow car it’s quick to unhook and your ready to go
I see. Wow. Thanks Paul
What is the name of this specific product or company? Thanks in advance.
Thanks for commenting, Enver. It's called a Tow-A-Frame
@@HermanHitstheRoad Great, thank you for your fast reponse and help.
With kind regards,
-Enver Demirovic
Several issues, using an A Frame in Europe is definitely out. I believe I am correct in saying using one in the uk only allows for emergency recovery, with a limited range and speed, that said I don’t believe anyone as been prosecuted, however might won’t to check with your insurance company. Also you also may won’t to check on the fact you have changed the impact integrity of the tow vehicle whether that as any bearing with your insurance. Reversing may give problems. I have always used a trailer, USA have dolly’s similar to the AA which I think are brilliant, however illegal to use apart from breakdowns.
Don’t mean to put your purchase down, however anyone watching needs to check the facts before purchasing, oh I know the companies will no doubt supply you with translations for Europe etc but my understanding is they make you detach the car and proceed separately, ok if there’s two drivers.
Sorry about spelling mistakes can’t seem to edit
Thanks for your comment, Charlie.They are legal in the UK but each country in Europe has different rules. You can't use them in Germany unless it's for recovery.
When I used to tow with a hymer actually, always used a trailer, however there was something called a brake buddy, not sure if still around and you could swop from car to car quite easily.
I switched from a trailer to this system. Mike supplied the A frame and did the adaptation to my Hyundai i10 which took a whole day. The fitter travelled to South Wales and fitted it outside my house under a gazebo. Not suitable for reversing but neither is a trailer on our 8.5m motorhome. However the A frame can be disconnected in 30 secs and tow car driven away. We have been using tis system now for 3 years and I can highly recommend the use, fitting and quality.
The issue in Europe is only in Spain which was the reason I bought a trailer in the first instance. Everywhere else in Europe this system is legal for normal tow usage. I came to the conclusion that I could disconnect in Spain if necessary. Saves the hassle of finding somewhere to store/park the trailer when on site.
Thanks Don 👍👍
Will the towed car record the mileage covered, dont think so, false mileage on the towed car.
Why is it false mileage, Thomas the engine isn't running and why does it matter?
@@HermanHitstheRoad the transmission ,diff wheel bearings etc are all rotating, should have to disclose if a vehicle is towed up and down the country with a motorhome.
Hi Thomas Catford it's very important to keep a log of the miles that the tow car travel on the back of the motorhome for exactly the reason you mention I keep a record with the service book also when the vehicle is converted it's usually another motorhome owner who buys it for obvious reasons but keeping a record also helps with true travel miles recorded on the road thanks for your comments 👍
Chas.
@@charlessmillie8774 im an an old timer motor engineer , the more i think about this , will not do the transmission any good. First motion shaft not turning, layshaft stationary, gears on mainshaft stationary output shaft rotating inside gears. Gearbox cannot be getting lubricated properly.
@@thomascatford2627 hi Tom yes that was my concern also but will further investigation I found out that the gearbox and diff are combined and are splash fed from the drive shafts turning 😀.
But as you say it's definitely a bad idea to tow a rear wheel drive car over a long distance 👍.
Chas.
Have you had any issue with Police in UK or abroad?
An frames/Dolly is meant only for use towing brokendown vehicle/Emergency/Recovery?
If used as a "trailer", as I guess your using it, it should have a full set of lights, lightboard or vehicle lights synchronised with motorhome.
It is illegal to tow a vehicle in France and a number of other EU countries.
Hi Jeremy, it is not illegal to tow a car using an a frame in the UK.
How much????t
It you want to know the fitting options and price then take a look at their website, @paddy4799
www.towaframe.com/
where the rear plate displaying how not to tow a car as stated a 80 mile drive and no rear plate
Hi mr x it did have a rear plate it unfortunately had to be the other side to the car Rear plate the letters and numbers are black on white.
That has been rectified now.
Thanks for your comments 👍
@@charlessmillie8774 no rear plate fitted of any kind fitted when you drove off
@@mrx1509 hi if
If you zoom you can see it it's black on white very hard to see.
I'm too old not to have a rear tow plate.
But you are right to mention it as it is very hard to see.
Once again thanks for your comments.
I could see the rear plate, however it was a hand written black on white plate. I don’t know what the traffic police are like in other areas of the country but in my part of the country from what I have seen on the “North West Motorway Police Group” Facebook page (which I think comprises of Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside) they will pull vehicles using homemade plates and issue a ticket as these plates can’t be read by ANPR.
An acceptable solution in instances where no additional plate is available is to remove the rear plate from the vehicle and put it on the “trailer”.
@@stuart121972 great advice if I am ever in a similar position it's something to consider.
Thanks
Chas👍
Probably not a good idea to take both hands off the steering wheel. 0:59
Thanks
what is the point you may as well just buy a caravan and save on all the cost of owning a motorhome all you have done is flipped it the other way round when you have to back up in a tight spot or road good luck i went for a 250cc motorbike on the back of my motorhome that sits up on the rack i got stuck behind someone towing a car and what a pain in the neck put about 2 hours on my trip just give us a break and get a caravan if you need to use the car
I thought this too, allen but I see it now. You have the convenience of the motorhome wrt easy to move on and pitch up, wild camping and few other things but you also have a choice of whether you want to take the tow car for places which can be inaccessible by a motorhome.
I get it but I don't think we'd have one
I don’t care what ANYONE tells u do NOT flat tow a Fiat 500. Got that right from Fiat. U could damage the car. Use a trailer.
This Fiat 500 can be flat towed. Check your facts.
vehq.com/can-you-flat-tow-fiat/#:~:text=500%20And%20500%20Abarth,-The%20Fiat%20500&text=Both%20models%20feature%20front%2Dwheel,in%20contact%20with%20the%20road.
Don’t understand buying tow car I have a caravan drop it
Of I go motor home buy a tow car in sure it Taxt it put fuel in
Best Buy caravan drop it of you go 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Everyone camps differently, Jeff. We prefer staying a few nights at a site and moving on. A moto with tow car gives you the option to use them like a caravan but then you don't have to take the tow car if you don't want to.
Just get a caravan, towing a car behind a motorhome is daft.
Well, Johnny I first thought that but it does make sense. It gives you the option to take it or not.
@@HermanHitstheRoad Just get an electric bike :) with a caravan, you can have a great car or a jeep. Once you get into towing the whole advantage of a motorhome is gone.
It takes ages pitching up with a caravan. We just pull up in our Motorhome, plug in and then get chairs out and pour the wine, job done.
@@superstar999100 Not if you are towing a car behind your motorhome, you will have to unhitch the car, OMG just forget it and Book a nice hotel :)
Unhitching a tow car takes 2 mins. I've just a TV program about staycationing in the UK and hotels can go for £400+ per night and so no, I'll stick to my motorhome thanks.
Motorhome with a tow car? You may as well buy a caravan. Pointless.
Thanks for commenting, Tony. I hope you enjoyed the video?
Fiat is the worst rated vehicle on the market. At least in the states
Fiat do have a reputation, @philliphinkle2812 but I wouldn't say they make the worst cars