Towing with A frame,weights,specs,recommendations Forums

wakk44

After much deliberation I have finally decided to tow a small car with an A frame and have been working out the weights etc. and would like some feedback from anyone who has done the same.

I don't want to discuss the legalities of A frames,the topic has been hotly debated elsewhere,suffice to say I have decided to do it so please don't go there again Rolling Eyes

The m/home has the Fiat 2.8 jtd engine,according to the engine plate it is 2950kg unladen with a max.laden weight of 3400kg.The max.gross train weight is 5400kg so in theory I have 2000kg towing capacity.

I have a Mitsubishi Colt which has a kerbweight of 1060kg,add the A frame,fuel,etc.and I will be towing approx 1100kg.Although this is well within the towing limit of 2000kg my concerns are will the m/home engine be powerful enough and also would the extra stress on the transmission,suspension,and engine be acceptable.

At the moment I am not sure whether to get a smaller car with a kerbweight of 750-850kg or use the Colt(lovely car btw)and upgrade the Fiat 2.8 jtd engine with a smartbox or similar,which according to the manufacturer will increase the engine power from 127bhp to 147 bhp.I have also considered the air ride suspension upgrade-would this help with stability?

Would like to hear your views,particularly anyone who has done this with the same engine and similar towing figures-could you get up hills ok and did you get stuck with the caravans and HGV's on the motorways.

As I mentioned previously please don't go off topic and turn this into an argument about the legalities of A frames,it has been discussed many times before and the answer has always been the same-that there is no definitive answer Smile

Steve

Rapide561

Hi

My previous motorhome weighed 4000 kg fully laden - and it was exactly that - fully laden. I towed a Corsa weighing 1000kg - no issue at all. However, certain motorway hills were an issue - with some in Belgium taking me to third gear.

No real issues in the UK though.

Russell

2kias

If you want a car and 'A' frame have a look at the small ads on this forum.

peedee

Steve,

Although I do not tow with a Fiat perhaps my comments might help?

I have an Autotrail Mohican on a Mercedes 316CDI base 2.7cc 156HP and I tow a Fiesta 1.2 cc Zetec 2 door hatchback which has a kerbside weight of about 1000Kgms. I have fitted airides but not because I tow. The Mercedes chassis is very soft and in my case it improved a sagging behind and solo stability. My understanding is the Fiat chassis is more rigid so you may not require the airides. In anycase towing a car is unlikely to make you more unstable because the tow has all four wheels on the ground and is not at all like towing a caravan. There is also little downward pressure on the towball. I have never measured it but I cannot see it being much because the weight of the A-Frame is shared between towed car and motorhome.

Whilst my engine is more powerful than the Fiat if you had it uprated it would not be too dis-similar and my tow is effortless with very little change in fuel consumption. I would be inclined to suck it and see and if you are not happy only then up rate the engine power.

Regarding which car to tow. If it is your only car, then I would be inclined to go for the biggest and most versatile one rather than the smallest bearing in mind the heaver the car the more noticeable the tow will be both in terms of fuel economy and motorhome performance.

Hope that helps but I am sure a Fiat owner will be along with comments as well.

peedee

androidGB

I've towed a Daewoo with a Mercedes 316 (156BHP) and also with my present van again 156BHP but with a Van Aaken Smartbox giving 184BHP.

But bear in mind my present van is almost 6 Tonnes so it can do with all the help it can get!

Personally I would probably boost the power and keep your present car, I reckon I use about 10% more fuel when towing, more on A roads and less on motorways.

Andrew

dbh1961

I had a Hobby 700, with the same 2.8JTD engine

That was 4500Kg max laden (the actual was usually pretty close to that as well)

We towed a trailer, with a car on it, making 5500-6000Kg all up.

Engine was fine, and cruised at 70 (and a bit!) no problem. We did have the lower 5th gear though, and I think that made a big difference.

Our current Autotrail is only 3850Kg, but it has the standard 5th gear. We don't tow now, but we probably need 4th gear more now than we ever did with the Hobby + trailer.

If you've got the standard 5th, then you may well find it a struggle (but try it and see before paying for upgrades - it all depends what you expect).

Can't help on the suspension part of your question, I've no relevant experience.

takeaflight

Hi wak44 you said

skid

i want to tow with an A frame ,l have a 2.8 Hymer650 and want to tow a Micra 1lt will l need to wire it to make the lights work on the micra or just hang a lighting board on the back?if l wire it whats the secret to connect it neatly

will the Hymer need to have a break helper system fitted ?

Please can someone recommend an A frame suitable and if needed a breaking system please

takeaflight

Hi skid

while I use a trailer the a Frames I have seen use a light board and a cable connected to the foot pedal on the tow car.

The A Frame supplier should sort you out.

Roy