Motorhome A-Frame | Tow a Small Car | iPad Google Maps Navigation - Ep131

Motorhome A-Frame | Tow a Small Car | iPad Google Maps Navigation - Ep131
In this video we explain how we prepare and set up the iPad and A-Frame when towing our car with the motorhome.
MUSIC - www.bensound.com
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Thanks for watching our videos. We include all things to do with motorhomes, caravans and the great outdoors. We mainly tour the UK and camp around 80 nights per year in our 2017 Swift Bolero Motorhome.
Check out our KZbin channel and please subscribe (it’s free) / poshcatscamping
We aim to release 4 videos a month and if we are touring this could be 4 videos per week. This will depend on availability of wifi, data and signal.
Motorhome - Fiat Ducato Swift Bolero 724FB (2017)
Car - Skoda Citigo (2016)
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: / poshcats
Twitter: / poshcatscamping
KZbin Channel: / poshcatscamping
Equipment used for filming:
Camera - Canon PowerShot G7X MkII
SmartPhone - iPhone 6s
Mini Tripod - GoPro Black 3-Way Arm
Tripod - Neewer Portable 70 inches / 177 centimetres Aluminium Alloy Camera Tripod
Dashcam - NextBase 212 Lite

[@TheCaravanNut]

Fantastic vlog Trev & Sue. Great comprehensive explanation and demonstration of how the towing A frame works. Great bit of kit. It was a nice sunny morning for you! Thanks for showing us, Take care my friend, Martin 🙂

[@PoshcatsCamping]

The Caravan Nut thank you. We have made very good use of the A-Frame and car this season although at the onset it seemed like a big investment. Thanks for watching and your valued comments 😁👍🏻 Trev

[@gdreading9088]

Thank you Sue & Trev, very helpful.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thank you for watching 🙂

[@birdnest5814]

I had to travel back in time to catch this one. 👍😊💕

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Oh yes my dear old Bertie Bolero and his friend Ethel 🤣🚐🚗 We have plans to reunite Ethel with Smirf on a trip in December 👍🏻😃 Trev

[@keithandmichele]

Really interesting video Guys, very informative. Great team work 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Many thanks for sharing 😀 Keith & Michele

[@PoshcatsCamping]

We need a bit of practice until we are up to your standard 😂 Thanks for your lovely comments 👍🏻 Trev n Sue

[@sylviapage8572]

You made that look too easy. 😁 Thanks for sharing.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Aww sorry. It’s not that easy but we always have a routine. We work as a team 😃 Have a good Easter 🐣 Trev

[@IdiotOfTheDay]

You are doing a great job Trev. Hope you & Sue have a wonderful weekend my friend!

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Jeff, a tricky video for me that one. Best wishes, Trev

[@ShouldIstayorshouldItownow]

Really interesting vlog Trev. I see Motorhomes towing cars all the time but didn’t even realise so much had to be done to the car beforehand. Burrs is one of our favourite sites. The walks are fantastic around the park. Brown cow and bury market are a must, don’t forget the famous black pudding.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

We did all but the black pudding. Spoke to the stall holder but decided not to try it in the end. Chicken 🐓😂😂 Thanks for lovely comments 👍🏻 Trev

[@susan5301]

Looks like you have everything spot on and a great routine! I must say Trev and Sue your automobiles are absolutely spotless! So neat and clean! I would never be able to figure all of that out! lol! Thanks for sharing and safe travels my friends!

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Susan it is all a bit complicated and we do have to be organised. Thanks for watching this one, it’s all very technical isn’t it 😂👍🏻 Trev

[@robertp4767]

Just in the process of buying a tow car and organising the A frame fitment, Its videos like this that really help in making my choice .. Thankyou.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Check the Towaframe.com web site. There is a list of compatible cars. Our Mini Clubman cannot be used due to aluminium crash zone and way it is made. We did lots of research before we spent any money. Thanks for watching. 😄👍🏻 Trev

[@lisagempup1398]

Nice to see how it all works👍🌿😊🚌🚗👏🌳🌿

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Lisa thank you, I hope it wasn’t too boring 😂😂 Thanks for watching 👍🏻 Trev

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Always wondered how that system worked, thanks for the insight Phil

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Phil, not the kind of video I normally do but hopefully it’s interesting 😁👍🏻 Trev

[@kevinbradley2941]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks for your comments and hope it helps you 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@lesabrannigan]

Bertie lives in Wales with us now now 😁

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Sending hugs 🤗 we love Bertie and miss him. 😃👍🏻🚐 Trev n Sue

[@DesmondsDonders]

Interesting video Trev and Sue. Always wondered how that lot went together :-)

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Easier than a caravan but a bit of a fiddle 😁👍🏻 Trev

[@TheFrenchiesMotorhomechannel]

Great video trev didn’t even know we could get an iPad holder much better than looking at a phone like we do most times 👍 congrats on the 1000 subs 😀😀👍👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻😁 Trev

[@nickhandy9449]

Thanks for sharing - very informative

[@PoshcatsCamping]

We are still using the same motorhome and car without any issue 😃 Trev

[@bradburyrobinson]

That seems like a very thorough checklist before setting off but it seems that you left Sue behind at the end there.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Haha yes, she caught me up at the barrier 🤣👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@lolavan7750]

Very informative, still undecided as to whether to take the plunge. Pros and cons both ways l suppose.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

For us, the car is just there for times when you want to park up on a site and chill, then go off for the day and explore the nooks and crannies of the area. If you like road trips when you can park anywhere (as long as it’s legal) and keep moving with total freedom, then the motorhome comes into its own. Nothing gives more simplicity that a campervan or motorhome for touring but you will be lugging your whole home around with you all of the time. Some people find that too restrictive. You pays your money and you take your choice. Thanks so much for watching 😃🚐👍🏻 Trev

[@Motorhoming_Fun]

Nice informative vlog Trev thank you. My 2012 fiat ducato hasn’t got that pop up holder shame it would be very handy 👍

[@PoshcatsCamping]

I think there is a windscreen attachment available as an alternative but this pop up is very sturdy and useful. Thanks for watching 😊 Trev

[@HitchUpAndTow]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Not much different to towing a caravan but no concerns with stability or power issues. 🙂 Thanks for watching 👍🏻 Trev

[@no-damn-alias]

Cool that this is legal in the UK. In Germany this is unfortunately illegal

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Yes we are glad we can tow this way in the UK. It’s interesting that the towing equipment has the official seal of approval by the European directive but Germany, France and Spain all consider it illegal. We will not have a need for it in Europe now that we have downsized our van 🚐 😃 Trev

[@no-damn-alias]

@@PoshcatsCamping it's just so strange. Even a tow dolly except for emergency situations is considered illegal. Such a shame. Dolly would be perfect for FWD cars. You can brake the dolly and the rear is quiet light anyways and it's especially easy to store . Another interesting thing for a campervan is a very light 125 that you can put on the bike rack. Honda Super Cub or Honda Innova 125 or Honda Wave 110. Curb weight they're all under 100kg which is usually the weight limit for the bike rack

[@sonjaianhattiescaravanadve4847]

Very interesting video. I just hope that if Sue was looking after the camera when you pulled away you didn’t make her walk to far to get in the van 😁😁😁.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

I was very careful not to go too far Ian 😂 thanks for your comments 👍🏻 Trev

[@Venomator.]

Excellent Vlog Trev & Sue, not being a Motorhomer I have often wondered about the little car towing thing, thank you for the A Frame version. Question though - does towing with the A Frame pile the miles on the car's odometer as well? I just wondered why the preference over, say, a small trailer which would limit miles to the car? Thanks again and pleased you found your grommet. Cheers, Rog... 👍🏻 😉

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Great questions - Yes although the engine is not driving the car, the running gear, suspension, brakes, wheels etc is all operational and the odometer is clocking up miles. In Europe even though there is European law to say this is legal, the French and Spanish will make you take the A-Frame off. The reason I don’t like trailers is that you have to store them somewhere when you are camping and the normal pitch typically only allows for car, caravan and awning. It also adds to the weight being towed. Sites can also charge extra for the trailer if they so desire. 😊 Trev

[@Venomator.]

Poshcats Camping - Thanks for the responses Trev, and so swiftly at it too! So you cannot travel Europe with the A Frame then? Take your point on the trailer option - you can tell I’m not a ‘Homer can’t you? ... 🙄 😂 Thanks, Rog...

[@TheGazzadj]

Very informative video, thank you. I am just venturing into the world of motorhomes and it struck me that towing a small car might be a good idea so I can go off photographing and my my wife can relax in the MH on the campsite. I have a three door 1.4 Corsa I am wondering if that might be too heavy to tow?? I expect there is a towing limit?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It’s important to consider the motorhome towing capability before you settle for a towed car. We had a mini which were advised was not suitable for towing on an a-frame because of the nature of the crash zone and infrastructure under the front bumper. We opted for the Skoda / VW design as it has a steel subframe which was easily adaptable. I am not sure if it’s possible to tow the Corsa. It is probably over a tonne (1000 Kg) and I am not sure if a second towing eye could be safely fitted to the subframe. I would advise speaking to your motorhome dealer or manufacturer for advice about towing capabilities and to confirm a tow bar can be fitted to the motorhome as some motorhome chassis will not accept a towing bar. You can also get advice from various a-frame suppliers. We chose towaframeltd.co.uk/ I hope that helps. 🙂 Trev

[@TheGazzadj]

@@PoshcatsCamping Really helpful advice thank you.

[@hamidahmed8076]

Hello, and thank you for the video. Interesting set up indeed. I've got a question if I may ask, do the front wheels of the Skoda turn as well when the motorhome turn? How does it work?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

That’s a good question as it’s essential to leave a key in the ignition after switching off the car engine, but don’t pull out the key. This ensures the steering lock is not engaged on the car. We leave the hand break off and the hydraulic break switch on (connected to the motorhome). We then lock the car doors with the second key. This ensures the car is locked and allows the front wheels to turn and follow the motorhome as it goes around corners. 🙂 Hope that helps 👍🏻 Trev

[@jackjoyce1744]

I’ve got a question about your setup? Wouldn’t it just be easier/cheaper to get a caravan instead of towing a small car behind a motorhome, plus you can’t use this setup in Europe either? I understand if you don’t have a suitable tow car but what’s the main advantage of towing a car behind a motorhome as opposed to a caravan?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It’s the old argument of flexibility. We don’t always tow a car. We only tow a car if we want to go somewhere where we can’t park the big motorhome, such as a castle or a town centre. On average we tow the car 20 nights a year and we camp around 120 nights a year. We tour all year round and find that we can see more with a motorhome and park in different places, not just campsites. There’s also less setting up. It’s not for everyone, but after 33 years of caravanning (we started in 1984) we switched to a motorhome in 2017 and we think it suits our needs better now that I find setting up and hitching up the caravan physically more difficult. The A frame is legal in Europe but some police in France challenge this. We have been advised by the manufacturer of the product that it passes European regulations and standards and provides the required paperwork as proof. We haven’t towed the car to France as there are so many more places to park there on Aires etc. Although it can work out more expensive due to two insurance policies, two diesel tanks, two road fund licences, etc. we still enjoy the hobby and get great pleasure from parking in the most unusual places, taking the comforts of our motorhome with us, to picnic, make a meal, have a nap and use the loo without the need to look for any resources outside our van. We love caravans but for now they just don’t work for us. We do miss our Range Rover but can’t justify the cost of seeing it sit on our driveway. Safe travels 😀 Trev

[@jackjoyce1744]

@@PoshcatsCamping yeah valid points made. I’ve got a Volvo XC40 which in theory can tow up to 1,500kg braked but it’s electric so the range would be rather poor. I’ve been debating about loading it onto a trailer and towing it behind a motorhome but then the costs look cheaper to sell it and buy a suitable tow car and caravan for the same price. I live in Sweden and go touring down to Spain/Croatia in the summer and over to Finland and Russia in the winter. I’m looking at a phev due to the tax advantages here.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

@@jackjoyce1744 It’s a tough decision but in the UK the EVs just don’t cut it for many reasons, the main one being infrastructure for charging. The Volvo XC40 petrol would tow a small caravan but the EV version would struggle. There are many options to weigh up including train weight if you are towing with a motorhome. Take care to check you are not exceeding the limits stated by the manufacturer. 🙂 Trev

[@mark-hazelsmotorhomeadventures]

Very interesting and informative thanks for sharing Trev & Sue . If you don’t mind me asking which size iPad did you use in that pop up note board thanks Mark & Hazel

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It’s the 6th generation iPad which is the standard size. 9th generation is now available which is the same size. The iPad mini or the 11 or 12 inch iPads are the small or larger options. 😃👍🏻 Trev

[@TheBlueBikeDoyle]

Pretty much same here in the states. But we don't have to change numbers plate and 90% don't use the in tow sign

[@PoshcatsCamping]

That’s interesting to know. In continental Europe, the French and Spanish police don’t like A Frames even though they had European standards and are within the European Law. They insist on having the car on a trailer. Thanks for watching 👍🏻😄 Trev

[@tonymartin3780]

Great video Trev & Sue. Quick question what do you think of the Fiat automatic , could you do a video showing how the auto working please thank you.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Do you mean the auto gearbox on the Fiat Ducato ? If so, yes I can do that. Thanks for the suggestion 😁👍🏻 Trev

[@tonymartin3780]

Poshcats Camping yes please Trev I was thinking of getting the automatic ducato next time but there isn't Many videos demonstrating how it works , thanks Tony

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Ok Tony, I will think about how I can demonstrate it. Incidentally I have had no issues with it over the last 27 months of owning the van. 😁

[@tonymartin3780]

Poshcats Camping hello Trev sounds good . Been looking but no many generalised videos you could just do the basics up and down the gears Q, can you do manual as well if you need to hold it in a certain gear May be the next time your out and about you could show how it works 😀 thank s again

[@PoshcatsCamping]

I will certainly give it a try and fix up another camera to film it 👍🏻😁

[@davidtanslow3584]

Good and informative. A question, would it be wiser to empty the waste and water tank and Rubbish first before we hitch up to a towcar?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

We usually do that. There are sites where it is possible to service the van with the car on the back but there normally isn’t enough space. Same on arrival if you want to top up fresh water. We have occasionally detached the car before arriving at the site if access is tight, then drive both vehicles into the campsite separately 😃🚐 Thanks for your question 👍🏻 Trev

[@scotspie501douglas7]

thanks for that video seen those cars being towed is it worth it having a motorhome then towing a car would you not be better just taking the motorhome

[@PoshcatsCamping]

It’s more often the case that we just take the motorhome but if we want to visit places that are inaccessible to the larger vehicle then the car comes into its own. Given the choice I wouldn’t tow but then we would lose all flexibility 😃🚐 Trev

[@jimstelfox6120]

What about that brake cable coming out of the grill, you never mention it only about the switch inside the car, does it have to be connected or not

[@PoshcatsCamping]

The electric connection to the car must be connected at all times when towing. The brake light signal activates the compressor that’s connected to the hydraulic brakes hence making the brakes on the car work. The Safety Cable is there to remove a plug in the braking system so if the car detaches from the van, the cable removes the plug and the car brakes stop the car from running away. I hope that answers your question 👍🏻🙂

[@markydh3]

Hi, good video, very informative and clearly presented. May I ask, what is the difference in MPG when towing the car compared to using the motorhome on its own?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks, the difference is very small. Perhaps 2 or 3 mpg but negligible. Just takes a little longer to get from a to b. 😃 Trev

[@keithmayhew4191]

An excellent demonstration .Is this system very expensive ?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Keith, it is quite expensive to have the car conversation and tow hitch fitted on the van. Total cost was approximately £3,000.

[@keithmayhew4191]

@@PoshcatsCamping Do you take Ethel every time you go on an adventure ? P.S. Andterton Boat Lift is impressive we live only 6 miles from it.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

We take the little car when we are certain that we will use it. We have a trip next week that we may leave it at home and also a weekend in August that we will not take the car. It seems to be about 50% of the time. 🙂

[@keithmayhew4191]

@@PoshcatsCamping Thanks Trevor, been subscribed to your channel for a while and enjoy watching you both on your travels. We have only had a motorhome for 6 months (took the plunge after 15 years of having a caravan) and love it. I hope you don't mind me asking but I noticed in one of your recent videos you put your Fiamma awning out. Do you leave it out overnight if its not too windy or do your wind it in every night ?

[@mariusaggenbach3508]

Make sure your tow vehicle is in neutral

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Most definitely yes, it must be in neutral 👍🏻 Trev

[@terryrobinson7576]

Hi Trev & Sue Firstly love your travelogue I note in the video you use a iPad as a large Sat Nav something I have often thought about. Where did you obtain the iPad holder from ? Cheers Terry

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Terry, our iPad holder is part of the Fiat / Peugeot dash board however there are other alternatives on the market which will fit quite well. 😄👍🏻 Trev

[@TheKingLRB]

We are in the process of buying a camper van and we already have a small town-car. Question - does the weight of the car get added on to the gross weight of the camper, driving the total weight above the 3 500kg limit

[@PoshcatsCamping]

No, the tow car is not part of your payload within the 3500 Kg maximum vehicle weight. Your vehicle will have a specific plate on it with train weight which is the maximum trailer (car) and motorhome added together 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@TheKingLRB]

@@PoshcatsCamping Thanks for that. It makes things a lot simpler.

[@craigpowell5325]

How do you get on with reversing it guys? Our Fiat 500 will tolerate a straight line if your careful but then the steering on the car "falls' to the opposite direction of desired travel. You could force the issue but thats not mechanically sympathetic to the car..

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Craig you are spot on with the steering. We have never pushed our luck with reversing and always take the car off before negotiating a pitch. Our trip to Cornwall this year will need to be planned routes due to the narrow lanes. On one such occasion I think I will have to backtrack and go the long way round when towing the car. It’s like back to my old caravanning days 😁 Trev

[@jnmmoore]

Very informative! May I ask where you had the conversion done?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

The conversion is by www.towaframe.com and fitted at the local agents to us Barley Green Garage in Suffolk 🙂 highly recommended 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@jnmmoore]

@@PoshcatsCamping great thanks and we are also in Suffolk :)

[@PoshcatsCamping]

@@jnmmoore The garage is in Stradbroke just off the Ipswich to Norwich road just north of Eye. 👍🏻😃 Contact Mike Northeast at Towaframe first and he will arrange delivery of the kit to the garage.

[@TheRamblingsofBry]

Interesting, I have never actually seen anyone do that, or rather never really watched. Did you find your rubber grommet?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Thanks Bry, I managed to fish it out from behind the grille thank goodness 😅 Thanks for watching 👍🏻 Trev

[@happy2meetu34]

Hi there, did the A Frame come your house for the install, or did you have to go their place for installation ?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Hi Ken, the installation is too complex for a mobile fitter and we took it to a TowAFrame.com agent near to where we live. There are agents all over England and TowAFrame will advise you or you can visit their web site. We left the car there for a couple of days as the front has to be adapted with an additional towing eye and the pneumatics for the car brakes and electrics for the lights all have to be modified to be road legal. It’s quite an extensive adaptation. Hope that helps 😀 Trev

[@lucyholford2514]

Good morning, out of curiosity how long does it take you to hitch up/complete safety checks when leaving to move onto the next site? We're considering botong the bullet after the faff of driving to a hire car shop and back (plus the cost of it) in the lakes this weekend!

[@PoshcatsCamping]

With practice the A-frame, number plate change, checking the lights and fitting of the sign takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes. The time when un-hitching is about the same. Cost of our car £6000 and cost of A-frame and conversion £3000. Then there’s car insurance so we had a total budget of £10,000 when the car was only 18 months old. Remember towing is easy but reversing is impossible because the car wheels cannot understand you are reversing and damage can occur to the car steering. When choosing a car tow, make sure you get one that can have the 2nd towing eye fitted and has a steel substructure not aluminium. We used www.towaframe.com and they provided all the advice we needed and we chose a local towaframe nominated and trained fitter to do the work. The tow kit on the motorhome was Witter and fitted by our motorhome service dealer for approx £550. Hence our £10K budget. We don’t take the car everywhere but it’s nice to have the flexibility. 👍🏻🚐 Trev

[@lucyholford2514]

@@PoshcatsCamping thank you for the reply!

[@martintaylor8469]

Hi Trev great information about a frame towing thank you. I noticed you use google maps but you can’t but the height of your motorhome so you could get caught out with a low bridge? Or is there a way round it as I would use google maps rather than spending a lot on a sat nav. Thank you Martin.

[@PoshcatsCamping]

You are right. There is no way of putting height or width into Google maps. I always try to look at the route before setting off. We have been tempted by the Caravan and Motorhome Club Garmin system but the price put us off. We are still using Google Maps with caution. Thanks for watching and your comment 👍🏻🚐🙂 Trev

[@marcandsebe]

How much is the conversion for the car A Frame?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Keep in mind that my conversion was done in 2018. I paid £2,995 including VAT. All the details are on this link www.towaframe.com/ Hope that helps 🙂 Trev

[@sprucelodge]

As far as driving in France and Spain how legal is towing a car with an A frame ?

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Technically there is a European law that allows this set up. In reality the French and Spanish police will stop you and ask you to remove the a-frame. The only way to tow a car with a motorhome in France or Spain is with a trailer. 🤨 Trev

[@1mikechung]

hi, have you got the web site url or phone number for the A frame

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Yes it’s all on this web site www.towaframe.com 😃👍🏻 Trev