CAR-A-TOW Folding Towing Frame
Ref: CAR-A-TOW
Details: We are the northern fitting agents for CAR-A-TOW folding towing frames manufactured by PRO TOW of Dorset. CAR-A-TOW towing frames have been developed specifically for the motorcaravanner, they are clean, quick and easy to use. The frame attaches to a strong pull-bar fitted to the front of the car and is secured with locking pins.
Simply connect the A Frame to the pull bar, connect the braking system, plug in the electrics, attach camper number plate and red triangles and you are ready to go.
The CAR-A-TOW Towing Frame system is much lighter and shorter than a trailer. Therefore it doesn't have the parking and maneuvering problems of a trailer either on site or at home. The towing frame won't put excessive weight on the back of your motorhome.
As a guide you will find a list of fitted prices for popular models below. |
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- Ford Ka £979.00
- Smart Car (2 passengers) up to 2007 £979.00
- Fiat Sceicento £997.00
- Fiat Panda £997.00 (requires trailer board included)
- Fiat Punto £997.00 (requires trailer board included)
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| For a full price list please visit the CAR-A-TOW website |
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Prices are subject to survey at time of installation. Installation is at our workshop in Warrington. Installation by appointment only please give approximately 2 weeks notice. |
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Detailed information on the Car-a-tow system.
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| Braking System |
| The braking system operates from an AL-KO 'overrun' type coupling on the towing frame. |
As the motorhome slows, a gas-damped piston, at the front of the coupling, operates a lever under the frame.
This lever pulls on a link cable which is attached (with a removable pin) to a permanently fitted brake cable on the car.
The brake cable is routed through the front area of the car, bolted through the bulkhead and attached to the brake pedal.
The harder the motorhome brakes, the harder the cable will apply the towed car's brakes. |
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| Vehicle Steering |
How the steering allows the car to follow is really quite simple, it is the caster angle. In simple terms, the vertical spindle of the front wheels is set behind the horizontal spindle. Picture the front swiveling wheels of a child's buggy. As the frame of the buggy is steered by the handles the front wheels swivel on their vertical spindles and follow the frame.
The principle is the same on a car being towed, the body of the car follows the tow ball and the front wheels swivel on their vertical spindles and follow the body. it is necessary for the steering lock on the towed car to be set in the accessory position, this will allow the steering to turn. Don't worry it does work! There are no attachments to the car's steering system.
Power steering is not a problem; it can be an advantage as it creates a steering damping effect. |
| Tow Ball & Electrics |
The towing vehicle requires a 50mm tow ball, set at around 16" to 18" from the ground.
A standard 7-pin (12N) lighting socket is also required; the 7-pin socket should be mounted within 6" of the tow ball. When the towing frame is attached to the car and the motorhome, and plugged in, the required lighting on the car is powered by the motorhome. |
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| Number Plate |
Fitted systems from Carinclude a number plate showing the registration number of the towing vehicle.
This plate is fitted with specially designed spring clips to grip onto the rear plate of the car.
Car-a-tow Kits include a pair of clips but not a number plate.
NB: Number plates are not available from the specialist agents, they can only supply the number plate clips. |
| Clean, quick, and easy to use. |
- Drive the car up to the rear of the motorhome
- Lay the towing frame in front of the car and open the folding arms
- Remove the protective caps from the ends of the pull-bar
- Close the arms of the frame over the end of the pull-bar and fit the locking pins
- Connect brake cable with locking pin and plug in lighting cable
- Drive or pull car forward to connect the frame to the motorhome tow-ball
- Plug the lighting cable into the socket on the motorhome and secure the safety break-away cable
- Go to the rear of the car and spring clip the motorhome number plate over the car number plate
- Sit in the driving seat and carry out the simple checks, key adjustments and attach pedal spring assister fully detailed in the
'Frame Attachment Procedure' supplied with the system
Now the final safety check.. and you're ready to go
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| Braked or Unbraked |
There is still a great deal of misunderstanding about braked or unbraked. We can assure you the following is correct.
If a trailer is fitted with brakes, they must work - it's that simple, of course a car has brakes and if that car is being operated as a trailer they must work, regardless of its kerb weight or MAM(laden weight), forget the 750kg, it is not relevant to a car being towed as a trailer. You can only tow a car with a Braked Towing Frame System, regardless of it's weight. |
| Automatic transmission |
| Cars with automatic transmission are generally not suitable for flat towing, however some cars with electronically controlled "automatic" gearboxes may be suitable. Also, some 4x4 automatics, with transfer box and free wheel hubs are suitable for towing. |
| Please Note: |
| It is the owner's responsibility to establish the suitability of the transmission for flat towing. |
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Car-A-Tow systems
can be supplied and fitted at one of the following specialist fitting agents. |
NB: Number plates are not available from the specialist fitting agents, they can only supply the number plate clips. |
125 Hoyle Street
Warrington
Cheshire
WA5 0LP
(01925) 234888 |
MTH Autoservices
Castle Laurie
Bankside
Falkirk
Scotland
FK2 7XF
(01324) 633676 |
Hollis & Brown Autotec Ltd.
5a Hards Lane
Frognall
Deeping St. James
PE6 8RL
(01778) 348831 |
Jattel
6 Rue de la charme
03300
Creuzier Le Vieux
France
Fr. 06 63 74 51 39 |
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CAR-A-TOW website
Frequently Asked Questions |
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Many thanks to
Nick Forshaw the
Sales & Marketing manager of Leisurepower for giving me this information which will hopefully benefit all the motorhome owners who wish to tow their car behind their motorhome.
Leisurepower Limited
125 Hoyle Street
Warrington
Cheshire, WA5 0LP
Phone: 01925 234888 - Fax: 01925 576050
Web-site: www.leisurepower.co.uk |
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