Really useful video as we are thinking about towing. I imagine that any sort of reversing is out, so you have to take care not to pull up behind a lorry that then decides to stop where it is.
All car steering is adjusted to go in a straight line unless Pulled in a different direction. Otherwise cars would wander off in all sorts of directions. The steering lock is unlocked by putting a key in the ignition.
The wheels turn on their own, they are self centering. I just leave the key in the ignition so the steering lock is off. Think of it like a supermarket trolley. They go the way they are pushed or pulled.
Bob, your VW Up is probably insured fully comprehensive but what category of insurance is your car when it is being towed by your motorhome? I've been told by my insurance company that it becomes a trailer and only insured third party. Is this the case with you? Keep up the great content!
a really lovely setup, the car, caravan and towbar. And a really good informative video too :-) As for the braking, that is clever, I am guessing the car gets it's signal to brake from the 7pin socket, probably the brake light wire? If so, I guess this is not proportional braking to how hard you push the brake pedal on the caravan? Nevertheless a quality setup
Thank you, this is fully proportional braking. There is a clever little box inside the car that detects the brake lights are on and if it is decelerating. If both are true it switches on the vacuum power to brake the car, the amount of power braking is according to the amount of deceleration detected.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo wow that's a real top notch set up. I guess there is a mercury switch or similar inside the box.. So useful going away with a big caravan as well as taking a car with you.. I have caravan envy now lol
That was fascinating Bob, I always wondered how it all went together. So does it always pull in a straight line or do you have to do something to the tracking on the car? Also, how do you get on reversing or is it easier to just unhitch and drive the car??
It always follows the van and there are no alterations to the steering geometry. The car's front wheels just follow the van's direction. As far as reversing, whilst possible, it's easier to unhitch as the cars front wheels do get confused in that direction!
Bob Earnshaw Hi. Thanks. What I meant is how did you wire the 9 pin socket to on the towed car. I'm looking to tow an old car across Europe and might have to use a light board on the back. ...
Sorry, I had a team of professional people do it for me, so no idea how it's wired. Wouldn't dream of tackling that on a new car. M&J Autos in Hunslet installed everything for me.
Also bear in mind that it is illegal to tow anything above 750kg without a properly braked system. So definitely no to putting a light board on the back of a car. You're probably better off with a trailer.
Great video, I watch for interest but know very little. I once saw a TV programme with PC Plod ticketing cars for towing caravans without a device to widen the vision of the external rear view mirrors, Is that required to tow a car like you are doing? OR does the rear camera get round it? May not be required? Kevin.
No, because motorhomes are wider than the car, wing mirror extenders are not needed as there is no reduction in the view in the wing mirror view. Wing mirror extenders are required for towing caravans because caravans are wider than the car, and there is a blind spot created without them. www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/insurance-advice/caravan/caravan-mirrors-and-the-law/
David Taylor we do park it in car parks from time to time! It takes about one and a half lengths of car space being just under 8 metres. Supermarkets are usually good as you can take the shopping from the trolley straight to the fridge! You can always stop in lay byes and service stations too. If you look at our Benelux and Easter 2017 trips we didn't have the car with us then and no major parking issues.
I have a c1 licence, so I can tow it behind my up to 4250kg Motorhome. The car weighs 1005kg, the gross train weight is 6000kg, so I'm within that. If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
![Top 10 FAQs Towing A Car With An A Frame Behind A Motorhome [CC]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6PKbDU8Edd4/mqdefault.jpg)
If you are interested please contact Contact Tow-A-Frame. www.smart-tow.com
My contact there is Mike Northeast on 07742667681 tell him I sent you! :-)
Really useful video as we are thinking about towing. I imagine that any sort of reversing is out, so you have to take care not to pull up behind a lorry that then decides to stop where it is.
jdudb Thanks for the question. I have reversed out of the exact situation you describe, so it is possible.
Thank you for the video. Can I ask how do the front wheels of the car turn?
All car steering is adjusted to go in a straight line unless
Pulled in a different direction. Otherwise cars would wander off in all sorts of directions. The steering lock is unlocked by putting a key in the ignition.
Hey Bob very interesting video & useful thanks.
hey Bob. How does the towed vehicle steer, is there someone steering it? Like when you showed the free moving steering-wheel working?
The wheels turn on their own, they are self centering. I just leave the key in the ignition so the steering lock is off. Think of it like a supermarket trolley. They go the way they are pushed or pulled.
Watched all your smart tow videos a few times now. I should know the script before long 😂👍🏻 Trev
Really enjoyed this. Always wondered how it all worked, this video explained it perfectly.
Regards
Michael
Thank yiu.
Better tutorial than on the website for smart tow ..hope they're paying you for this ...
I wish...
Bob, your VW Up is probably insured fully comprehensive but what category of insurance is your car when it is being towed by your motorhome? I've been told by my insurance company that it becomes a trailer and only insured third party. Is this the case with you?
Keep up the great content!
Yes, that's correct, third party only when being towed.
Thank you very much for the video. Straightforward useful information. May I ask where you got the work done on the car?
Contact Tow-A-Frame. www.smart-tow.com
My contact there is Mike Northeast on 07742667681 tell him I sent you! :-)
a really lovely setup, the car, caravan and towbar. And a really good informative video too :-) As for the braking, that is clever, I am guessing the car gets it's signal to brake from the 7pin socket, probably the brake light wire? If so, I guess this is not proportional braking to how hard you push the brake pedal on the caravan? Nevertheless a quality setup
Thank you, this is fully proportional braking. There is a clever little box inside the car that detects the brake lights are on and if it is decelerating. If both are true it switches on the vacuum power to brake the car, the amount of power braking is according to the amount of deceleration detected.
@@BobEarnshawMoHo wow that's a real top notch set up. I guess there is a mercury switch or similar inside the box.. So useful going away with a big caravan as well as taking a car with you.. I have caravan envy now lol
Great video bob very useful thank you. John riordan
How does your car have two recovery points in the bumper
No, it has a modified front crash bar with connections for the A Frame. Have a look at ruclips.net/video/2l_QQph_K24/видео.html
Good vid, thanks
Brilliantly informative thank you very much
That was fascinating Bob, I always wondered how it all went together. So does it always pull in a straight line or do you have to do something to the tracking on the car? Also, how do you get on reversing or is it easier to just unhitch and drive the car??
It always follows the van and there are no alterations to the steering geometry. The car's front wheels just follow the van's direction. As far as reversing, whilst possible, it's easier to unhitch as the cars front wheels do get confused in that direction!
It's the car's natural castor angle allows the car's steering to follow the towing motorhome. Couldn't remember if it was caster or camber....
Great video,
Where did you say that you connected the 9 pin plug in the Up to?
Ben Thanks, the lead is hard wired into the car and the other end plugs into the trailer socket on the motorhome.
Bob Earnshaw
Hi. Thanks.
What I meant is how did you wire the 9 pin socket to on the towed car.
I'm looking to tow an old car across Europe and might have to use a light board on the back. ...
Sorry, I had a team of professional people do it for me, so no idea how it's wired. Wouldn't dream of tackling that on a new car. M&J Autos in Hunslet installed everything for me.
Also bear in mind that it is illegal to tow anything above 750kg without a properly braked system. So definitely no to putting a light board on the back of a car. You're probably better off with a trailer.
Yes thanks for that, the car I need to bring back is around the 750Kg mark + - 30kg
Great video, I watch for interest but know very little. I once saw a TV programme with PC Plod ticketing cars for towing caravans without a device to widen the vision of the external rear view mirrors, Is that required to tow a car like you are doing? OR does the rear camera get round it? May not be required? Kevin.
No, because motorhomes are wider than the car, wing mirror extenders are not needed as there is no reduction in the view in the wing mirror view. Wing mirror extenders are required for towing caravans because caravans are wider than the car, and there is a blind spot created without them.
www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/insurance-advice/caravan/caravan-mirrors-and-the-law/
ok .... i knew you would know1 thanks for the reply Kevin
Hi Bob, is the rear camera one that was fitted to the van when you got it or is it a retro fitted one?
Lee Marson it came with the van. Very useful twin view.
Good video. I am wanting a motorhome but my wife is concerned this would be difficult to park in car parks etc etc, I forgot you can tow a small car.
David Taylor we do park it in car parks from time to time! It takes about one and a half lengths of car space being just under 8 metres. Supermarkets are usually good as you can take the shopping from the trolley straight to the fridge! You can always stop in lay byes and service stations too. If you look at our Benelux and Easter 2017 trips we didn't have the car with us then and no major parking issues.
Bob Earnshaw Thank you for your reply, will check the videos out.
can u drive it with extendet B (4250kg) ?
I have a c1 licence, so I can tow it behind my up to 4250kg Motorhome. The car weighs 1005kg, the gross train weight is 6000kg, so I'm within that. If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can: drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
Bob Earnshaw thank you
Vorrei sapere il prezzo di acquisto da camper per trainare un auto
La conversione all'auto è costata £ 2500 e il gancio di traino per il camper è stato di £ 600
Great video but too scarey darey for me lol -I'll never say never though -Lin
Home from Home with Lin & Rich easy peasy Lin. You need the Motorhome first though!
I know that but a girl can dream lol
The A-Frame is not allowed in Germany! Check the rules if you want to travel to Germany, France, Netherlands etc.
Regards,
BB
We don't take the A Frame to Europe, just don't need it there.
So simple a idiot could fix one, and i will be doing soon.