Towing A-frame advice?

alo1587

Does anyone on here use a towing A frame? Just wondering which is the better version, the one with the chains only or the one with the ratchet straps? I heard the chain ones need to be tightened very often, as they loosen slightly? Have used one before but it was only a 5 mile trip.Thanks in advance..

Johnboy Mac

alo1587 wrote: »

Does anyone on here use a towing A frame? Just wondering which is the better version, the one with the chains only or the one with the ratchet straps? I heard the chain ones need to be tightened very often, as they loosen slightly? Have used one before but it was only a 5 mile trip.Thanks in advance..

The type I had, which I only sold in Dec., was chain attachment to vehicle with straps to tension. No problems with it provided the vehicle you using to tow is suitable.

Contact: Recovery & Winch, 071 9630875.

milltown

I think what you are asking about is known as a tow-boy and afaik they were made illegal a long time ago. When I was an apprentice, ~17 years ago, a lad in work raced Ritmos in Mondello and because he couldn't legally use a tow boy, he got an A frame made up that would bolt onto the chassis of the Ritmo with a tow hitch at the pointy end to hitch up to the towing vehicle.

No doubt someone with recent knowledge will be along soon to call me a buffoon though. As I said, it's AFAIK.

beam99

The frame with the straps is the best, you don't have to retension them, the aa and rca use them, just make sure ur vehicle is heavier than the vehicle ur towing other wise it will push the back of ur car around on corners ,
You can do a search on them on the net, the best one is a. solomatic a frame

lifer_sean

beam99 wrote: »

... just make sure ur vehicle is heavier than the vehicle ur towing other wise it will push the back of ur car around on corners ,

+1

Have used one, but a trailer (eg Brian James type) is less stressful on the nerves IMO !!!

Getting pushed around corners by the car behind is not a nice feeling !

@milltown, any time I heard the "towboy" term used was for the type of towing trailor that lifts the front of the car off the road, and rear wheels of car run on the ground.

kyote00

I have a solomatic for a few years. Never really had any trouble with it....

Don't forget that you cannot reverse with it, and if its dark you need some lighting on the end of the towed vehicle....


In the end I now have a trailer for longer runs and use the a-frame for events if someone breaks down....

milltown

lifer_sean wrote: »

@milltown, any time I heard the "towboy" term used was for the type of towing trailor that lifts the front of the car off the road, and rear wheels of car run on the ground.

Apologies then. I've just had a look at the Solomatic on teh webz. I'd never seen the A-frame concept with chains or straps so I thought the OP was talking about towboys.

D- Must pay closer attention.

Silvera

I have used a A-Frame's, Towing Dolly (aka Tow Boy) and Car Transporter Trailer in the past.

Firstly, insurance-wise, it's a grey-area using an A-Frame or Dolly unless you are a recovery operator or have a motor trade policy.
Next, exceeding you vehicle's legal and (safety) limits is very easy with a Frame or Dolly ...not to mention you would also legally need category 'EB' on your licence.

Overall I would recommend using a car transporter trailer ..a properly-built trailer with lights, brakes, safety chain etc for peace of mind and to be properly insured.

(In response to the OP's question, I used the chain and rachet strap type A Frame. It would always need to be checked/re-tensioned after a few miles. Incidentially, I never used a Frame or Dolly - day OR night - without first having fitted a trailer board to the rear of the towed car! You are just asking for trouble by not using one!)

Johnboy Mac

^^^ +1