New "A Frame" System I saw at Stratford. Forums

Dizziblonde

I was an intrigued bystander at the "Tow Bars 2 Tow Cars" pitch last Friday at the Stratford show. I even wandered over to earwig on Sunday, sadly not plucking up the courage to enter into the debate.

It would appear one gentleman who was currently towing via an A frame, was very interested in the product.

Apparently the advantages with this particular type of system was the capability of balanced braking without the use of cables, brake buddy etc. Namely some type of servo operated system coupled to the cars braking controls. The motion sensor "chip" used in the "nintendo wi" games consol is incorporated within the "brains" of the system. Cars available to tow are the Citreon C1, Peaugeot 107, and the Toyota Aygo.

The above cars can be purchased brand new with the system fitted. Price starting at £7500 for basic car models, rising in accordance with increased car specs required.

What appealed to me was that the towed car can be reversed.

All wheels will brake in unison. (Certificate supplied by VOSA when you take the motorhome and towcar for a brake test)

Complies with all towing legislation.

Apparently this system can only be fitted to the above named cars.

Did other members see this system, if so what do you think?.
I am not familiar with the legal requirements for towing on the continent, but my first impressions are positive. The positivity is based solely on the company salesmans explanations to his interested audience which seemed ok to me also. What are your opinions?

Did you earwig like me or did you interogate the chappy. What are your thoughts.

I Have held off from buying a type of "A Frame" to couple up to our Smart car as the need to do this is not a necessity yet. Changes in continental legalities for towcars in my opinion are in a state of flux at the moment and for the near future.

I cannot put the Smart on a trailer as I do not have the permitted gross vehicle train weight available. I have to use an "A Frame"
I do not want to change the van as this is the one we wanted.

Awaiting your replies.!!!!

happyoldman

Hi may be able to help a bit here.

I saw the same system like you but at Lincoln last year. I to was impressed but unshore on the legalities. After talking to a local police officer about this a frame they convinced me that it complied with the law as it was braked and could be reversed.

I pushed the boat out last year and bought myself a C1 from Towbars2Towcars.

No problems to report and changing my car was a very good move cutting my fuel bills in half (well over 60 MPG). i use the car as a run around at home every day and then take it away with us. I found the system very easy to fit. I also like the way it looks when removed as it does not have them big bars left on the front of the car. Graham was very helpful. They sourced my car did the conversion within 3 weeks could not fault the service or the car.

We did France and Spain over christmas and had no problems with the fuzz only the occasional glance as we drove passed

Hope this helps

Paul

Dizziblonde · Last edited by Dizziblonde on Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hi Paul (happyoldman)

Thanks for the reply, very interesting. Can you clarify a few things.

What do you mean by "they sourced the car" I thought they were an independant motorcar dealership. I assumed they had a showroom and all the rest.

I also thought he would have ready stock of all the compatable cars. Will have to phone the gentleman to find out.

How do you find reversing it Paul as the A Frame is more closer to the mother vehicle than other comparable A Frames i've seen.

Have you got some sort of light on the dash that illuminates when the towed car is braking and goes out to tell you that it is not. Just incase all wheels are still braking when they are not supposed to be.

Did you have a DVD presentation pack explaining all the legalities.

Thanks.

Dai

DJP

Has anyone got any pics of this fitted?

Zuma

Is this the company?

http://tow-bars2tow-cars.com/

olley · Campsite DB Admin

Hi I had a chat to him at the peterborough show, as I understand it he doesn't keep any vehicles, he just sources them to order for you, in what ever colour, age, spec etc.

He only does the conversion on the Toshiba Aygo and its, pug and Citroen stablemates, and I believe he said he wouldn't just do a convert, he will only convert what he sells.

His reason is that then if anything goes wrong with the conversion or the car, its down to him

Seemed to know what he was talking about, I believe its a small family firm, him and his dad.

Olley

Dizziblonde

Zuma....thanks for the link, thats the company.

Olley.....thanks for the reply. Phoned a mate who incidently had a chat with him in Stratford unbeknown to me. He commented that I could source one of the three stipulated models of cars myself and the chappy would convert the car, provided I held the logbook for six months. He did not remember why it was six months.

Although we have not spoken I seem to think you already tow using an A Frame. Probably seen you at an earlier rally.
What is your opinion on this product with reference to the legislation for continental touring.

Dai

DJP

Thanks for link with pics.

GerryD

Had a look at the website, no information at all. Spoke to them and the inference was that they want to sell the car and system. That seems to take away the negotiating power of local dealers. I have requested brochures but am sceptical at present.
Gerry

GerryD

I have now received the brochure. 10 out of 10 for prompt posting. However, the brochure tells me absolutely nothing. One side has photos of the three cars and the other has the same photos as on the website with exactly the same text as on the website. No information, no specifications, no explanation as to how they consider this unit to be legal and no prices.
I accept that this is a start-up company, but this is not the way to present your product.
Not impressed.
Gerry