We own a Fiat Rollerteam 707, however we are very new to this and are looking for some advice. We went to France this year and although we have a drive away awning it was far too much hassle to try and drive away in the motorhome. We want to go back next year and were considering attempting to tow a small car behind the motorhome. Can anyone give me advice on how much this type of set up would cost and what size / make / model of car could we tow? Any advice would be appreciated.
There is some controversy over the methods of towing a car behind your motorhome,
The unquestionable legal method is to put it on a trailer.
You will need to check your V5 document for the towing weights and then work from there for the size of vehicle/car you can have. You will need to add the vehicle weight and the trailer together and compare them against the V5 (log book) towing weights, that will determin the size of car.
If you want to go down the questionable legal way e.g. Using an "A" frame e.g. (a frame attached to the front of a small car that is then towed on its own wheels behind the motorhome). Then you will still need to find the towing weights on your V5 (log book) and take them into account but you wont have to add the trailer weight.
An "A" frame costs around £1000 to £1500 to have fitted to a new vehicle.
But if you do a search on the classifieds on here or on ebay you will often find smallish vehicles for sale complete with "A" frames fitted which is proberbly the cheapest way to find out if it suits your purpose.
Because with an eight year old, a four month old baby and with both my parents over sixty I think I need to stick with the car option.
Enodreven, thanks for the info, I will check the V5. before posting my question on here I had googled it to try and find out what I could tow and I think the site I was on said 1200kg, I looked at cars and even a Kia Picanto weights over 2000kg hence my confusion as I see loads of motorhomes on our roads towing little Kia's or something along the lines of a C1.
Quote: Originally posted by Webbymanchester on 05/10/2012
Because with an eight year old, a four month old baby and with both my parents over sixty I think I need to stick with the car option.
Enodreven, thanks for the info, I will check the V5. before posting my question on here I had googled it to try and find out what I could tow and I think the site I was on said 1200kg, I looked at cars and even a Kia Picanto weights over 2000kg hence my confusion as I see loads of motorhomes on our roads towing little Kia's or something along the lines of a C1.
Just an aside, are you thinking of getting 5 people or 6 into this car? I would have thought that a C1 would be a bit small for that amount of people. Some European Police are very strict about where and how small children are carried in cars. Some countries being more efficent in enforcing the Law than others. Apparently I must not carry my grand-daughter strapped onto the roof rack...
I would suggest that you check about having a towbar fitted before you go too far. We ended up paying over £600 just for the towbar because it had to be a "one off" You have probably got an Alko chassis for the back end of your Motorhome. Alko are quite specific about not drilling their chassis so if you're going to have a go at fabricating your own towbar you'll need to pick up on existing holes on it.
As to the legality of "A" Frame towing I would ask for a written undertaking from who ever I bought the "A" frame from that they will meet all your legal expenses should you be stopped and fined by the Police. All the companies will happily provide a sheet of paper quoting the relevant European agreements. The trouble is that the majority of traffic cops, especially in the sunnier parts of Euroland, couldn't give a fig for such niceties; hence my suggestion about having your legal fees covered
As you may have gathered from the above, I use a Trailer
Quote: Originally posted by alpiner on 06/10/2012video
http://www.smart-tow.com/img/logo/SmartTow1s.jpg
Have a look at the video above and the website, hope this is of any use to you.
All the "A" frames are simplicity themselves to use. Nothing would have pleased me more than to have bought one. If you don't need it, just fold it up and store it in the vehicle. I find touring with a trailer can be total pain. Just storing the brute if you're not on a campsite can be frustrating to say the least
The trouble is that the continental Rozzers don't share that view and have the potential to make a lot of trouble for you.
Theoretically with the new systems of making the vehicle brakes work you may be OK but if the Spanish / French / Portuguese / German / Belgian / Dutch Police get it into their minds to fine you then it's all over. You can, of course, contest the fine but that will cost you a fair bit of money
Just to play Devil's advocate, we towed an old Suzuki Alto behind a 2 litre petrol Talbot Excalibur. Albeit only in the UK. Never had any issues or problems (apart from an unrelated brake pad issue when wrong pads supplied !) I would personally use an A frame as the law is confused and misleading at best. (Anyone got a flak jacket that I can borrow............) Speak to towtall in Stoke-on Trent.
------------- cramming for my finals in the twilight zone
Quote: Originally posted by Webbymanchester on 05/10/2012
We own a Fiat Rollerteam 707, however we are very new to this and are looking for some advice. We went to France this year and although we have a drive away awning it was far too much hassle to try and drive away in the motorhome. We want to go back next year and were considering attempting to tow a small car behind the motorhome. Can anyone give me advice on how much this type of set up would cost and what size / make / model of car could we tow? Any advice would be appreciated.
if your finding that you must have a car to get about maybe your choice of Holiday vehicle is wrong and you should have considered a Car/MPV + 5/6 berth caravan
Just checked on line and I'm not sure where you are getting your car weights from, only from the link below they are stating that the Kia Picanto only has a Kerb weight of between 1020 and 1030kg depending on the configuration.
Just noticed they show Kerb Weight and Gross Weight, I believe for the purpose of towing it empty you only need to take the Kerb Weight into account, I'm sure someone can confirm this or tell you what weight to use for your calculation, but none of them are 2000kg as the information you found?
Quote: Originally posted by Webbymanchester on 05/10/2012
Because with an eight year old, a four month old baby and with both my parents over sixty I think I need to stick with the car option.
Enodreven, thanks for the info, I will check the V5. before posting my question on here I had googled it to try and find out what I could tow and I think the site I was on said 1200kg, I looked at cars and even a Kia Picanto weights over 2000kg hence my confusion as I see loads of motorhomes on our roads towing little Kia's or something along the lines of a C1.
You cant tow a car thats suitable to carry 6 people behind your motorhome.
So a car costs say £3500 the trailer is say £1000 the towbar another £600 then theres the extra insurance for towing on the motorhome policy, insurance for the car, fuel, ferry charge & tolls if you use such roads. What about the storage and running costs of the car at home?
Simple answer... Hire a car whilst in France and save thousands
------------- "All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy."
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: I want to tow a car with my motorhome?
