We have had an enquiry this month from a subscriber who asks "what is the best way to tow a vehicle? Do you leave it in gear? If so what gear? Do you leave electrics on? Do you secure the steering?"

In answering this question we make the assumption that you are talking about towing with an "A-frame" or a "dolly" (also called "car caddy").

For those unaware of these terms an A-frame, as the word suggests, is the A shaped draw bar, like the front part of a trailer, bolted with swivel joints directly to the front of your vehicle. All 4 wheels are then travelling on the ground and rotating as you are driving. The vehicle is fitted with an adaptor for the frame.

A dolly or car caddy is similar to a car trailer but only one set of wheels are on the ground. Which set depends on whether it is a front or rear wheel drive car and whether it is an auto or manual gearbox.

Towed vehicles should be left in neutral, brakes off and steering unlocked on an A- Frame, locked on most dollies. Four wheel drives should have a neutral in their transfer case.

Electrics options
Basically wire as per a normal trailer, hooking into the cars existing wiring to operate the lights- if unsure get an electrician to do it. Some cars need diodes to avoid feedback. You may also have different voltages in the electrics of the motorhome and the car (for example 24volt in the motorhome and 12 volts in the car).

Fit new bulbs in existing light fittings, if there is room. Then wire as per trailer directly to the new bulbs.

Put on a light bar, similar to that used to tow some boats. This is the simplest solution as it does not involve the car wiring. It is then easy to transfer to another car. There is also no worry about different voltages between the vehicles. It may take slightly longer to hook up each time though.

Brakes
If the towed vehicle is less than 750 kg brakes are not necessary. If the vehicle is over 750kg, but less than 1500kg, you usually only need "assist braking". (As with all information you are given, please check with your local registration authority to ensure this complies in your state or territory.)

The advantages and disadvantages of each are as follows

A-FRAME

It is possible to make an A-frame but by the time you buy the materials, design it and the car mounts and get the engineer to approve it we found it easier to buy a complete kit

Advantages
Can fold up for storage, fits in the boot or a bin
Most are light weight
Disadvantages
Need different mounts if you change cars
You can not easily reverse a vehicle with and A-frame attached
Virtually no automatics are suitable, unless the drive shaft can be disconnected or they have a second transmission oil pump driven by the tail shaft

DOLLY or CAR CADDY
Advantages
Allows a variety of vehicles to be used
Automatics can be towed (drive wheels up on trailer)
Trailer supplies extra braking (when equipped)

Disadvantages
Most cannot be reversed
Extra registration of the trailer
Need to find somewhere to store it whilst not in use
You need somewhere to store it, although we have seen small fold up Dollies that fit in a bus bin.

It must also be considered whilst towing with either an A-Frame or Dolly, your Motorhome is usually wider than the vehicle you are towing. You may need to consider something like ,a rear camera, or fish-eye lens on your rear window, to keep an eye on your "Towed"