MLU FORUM  

Go Back   MLU FORUM > MILITARY VEHICLES > The Softskin Forum

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-09-12, 11:42
easo's Avatar
easo easo is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Darwin NT
Posts: 123
Default

More questions,

Rego, yes or no.
Club or Full.

Tight turning, does the steering still follow when conducting tight turns?

Reversing, again how does the steering behave when going backwards?

Length of A-frame, how did you decide on the right length?

Breaks, do you have a set up for brake away brakes? Does it require them?

What does a Jeep Weigh?


Reason I ask, I have a 1957 Series 1 Land Rover and by doing it this way is so much more practical over a car trailer. I miss my car trailer.

Regards Easo

P.S. Look forward to seeing it at Corowa.
__________________
You can tell a lot about a woman from her hands, for example, if there around your neck then she might be a little mad with you!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-09-12, 15:51
Little Jo's Avatar
Little Jo Little Jo is offline
Tony VAN RHODA
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Strathalbyn South Australia
Posts: 878
Default Answers to questions

Quote:
Originally Posted by easo View Post
More questions,

Rego, yes or no.
Club or Full.

Tight turning, does the steering still follow when conducting tight turns?

Reversing, again how does the steering behave when going backwards?

Length of A-frame, how did you decide on the right length?

Breaks, do you have a set up for brake away brakes? Does it require them?

What does a Jeep Weigh?


Reason I ask, I have a 1957 Series 1 Land Rover and by doing it this way is so much more practical over a car trailer. I miss my car trailer.

Regards Easo

P.S. Look forward to seeing it at Corowa.
Hi Easo

I obtained a copy of the Department of Transport Fact Sheet governing the legal requirements for "A" Frame towing. This explained to me all I had to do. I gave a copy of the fact sheet to a local Trailer Manufacturer who build the "A" Frame to the required specifications.

The fact sheet is specific about "A" Frame towing:

1. The maximum speed when towing is 100 Klm per hr.

2. The vehicle combination must be capable of turning within a 25m diameter circle.

3. Reversing with an "A" Frame coupled combination is not recommended, due to the lack of diectional control. (but not a problem)

4. Maintain a space between the combination not exceeding 2 metres. (My "A" Frame is 1.4 m. long)

5. Must be equipped with safety chains. (Mine are 8mm.)

6. Overall combination is not to exceed 19.0 metres.

7. Both towing and towed vehicled must be registered. (My Jeep is on Club Registration and I fill in the log book when being towed.)

10. I worked out a simple mechanical braking system. (See my photos at the beginning of the thread. works perfectly.)

11. They work out a 3.5:1 ratio that means if the towing vehicle is 3.5 Ton and the towed vehicle is 1 Ton and the combination does not eceed 4.5 tons no brakes are requied. also if the jeep did not weigh more than 750 Kilo then no brakes are required regardless of the weight of the towing vehicle.

I am not required to have a break away braking system as the safety chains are all that are required. I have towed the jeep at varied speeds, through hilly terrain, around roundabouts and through the busy parts of town and everything went according to plan, no problems. One thing to remember is that you must be moving for a few metres before doing a turn as it is not a good idea to do a sharp turn from a still start, as the wheels won't follow you, you must be moving.

Daily Trailer hire is becoming more expensive all the time and I do not have space to store a trailer at home. The "A" Frame solved all my problems. It is also a lot lighter to tow the Jeep than a heavy car trailer with a Jeep on it, I expect my fuel bill will now also be lighter. My Jeep weighs around 1,000 Kilo.

If you like I could forward you all the information you require. send me a PM and I will advise my email address and phone number.

Cheers

Tony
__________________
Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA.
Strathalbyn. South Australia
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-09-12, 02:36
Richard Coutts-Smith Richard Coutts-Smith is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Barnawartha, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,236
Default

Curious about the differences between the States Re "A" Framing, I checked the VicRoads website, could not find anything at all. Went into the Wodonga office and they were unable to help, this question had not been asked before, and I had to actually explain what it involved.
Easo take note, the best they could offer was to ring the regional office (Benalla) on 035761 1888.
I suggest there will be some differences between what Tony can do and what is OK for Vic registered vehicles.
Rich.
__________________
C60S
Austin Champ x 2
Humber 1 Ton & Trailer
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-09-12, 11:39
Little Jo's Avatar
Little Jo Little Jo is offline
Tony VAN RHODA
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Strathalbyn South Australia
Posts: 878
Default Different states

Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith View Post
Curious about the differences between the States Re "A" Framing, I checked the VicRoads website, could not find anything at all. Went into the Wodonga office and they were unable to help, this question had not been asked before, and I had to actually explain what it involved.
Easo take note, the best they could offer was to ring the regional office (Benalla) on 035761 1888.
I suggest there will be some differences between what Tony can do and what is OK for Vic registered vehicles.
Rich.
Hi Rich

I looked at all states "A" Frame towing Legislation when I first thought about going to "A" Frame towing and found very little difference between the states, nothing that concerned me. I also some information from the motor home caravan groups, who tow small cars behind their motor homes and who travel in all states. They have produced a do's and dont's document for their members when towing a vehicle behind their motor homes.

The document is kept in the motor home showing the variations when travelling between states, as I said there was nothing to be concerned about. The legislations were basically all the same apart from NSW RTA who require an engineer's certificate and a signed off VSI No41 report, which is a completed check list and which must be kept with the vehicle at all times after being signed of by the Engineer.

I will post a copy of the state by state comparison of requirements beween states used by the Motor Home people later tonight.

Cheers

Tony
__________________
Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA.
Strathalbyn. South Australia
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-09-12, 15:22
Little Jo's Avatar
Little Jo Little Jo is offline
Tony VAN RHODA
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Strathalbyn South Australia
Posts: 878
Default States comparison

Hi Rich and Easo

I have attached for your information showing the comparison requirements between the states.

Cheers

Tony
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Scan10147.jpg (63.3 KB, 19 views)
File Type: jpg Scan10148.jpg (52.0 KB, 14 views)
__________________
Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA.
Strathalbyn. South Australia
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-09-12, 16:54
Philliphastings's Avatar
Philliphastings Philliphastings is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sunny Australia
Posts: 528
Default Thankyou

Thanks for your interesting post Tony.

I have been 'A' frame towing within Western Australia for the past 12 years with absolutely no problems whatsoever in terms of legality or practicality. The only area which I have just learned was not fully compliant in that state is in regard to having the A frame stamped.

I was trained to A frame vehicles in the ARA some 30 odd years ago and the Army tend to use practical solutions.

Unfortunately my towing vehicle has recently been disposed of so I'm back to trailering.

Cheers for an interesting and useful thread

Phill
__________________
Ford GPW Jeep USMC Ambulance
Willys MB Jeep
Daimler Ferret Mk 1
Daimler Ferret Mk 2
Land Rover S2A Field Workshop
Land Rover S3 FItted For Radio x2
Land Rover Perentie GS (SASR)
International No 1 Mk 3 2.5 Ton 4x4
International No 1 Mk 4 2.5 Ton 4x4
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13-09-12, 02:27
Little Jo's Avatar
Little Jo Little Jo is offline
Tony VAN RHODA
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Strathalbyn South Australia
Posts: 878
Default Thank you

Quote:
Originally Posted by Philliphastings View Post
Thanks for your interesting post Tony.

I have been 'A' frame towing within Western Australia for the past 12 years with absolutely no problems whatsoever in terms of legality or practicality. The only area which I have just learned was not fully compliant in that state is in regard to having the A frame stamped.

I was trained to A frame vehicles in the ARA some 30 odd years ago and the Army tend to use practical solutions.

Unfortunately my towing vehicle has recently been disposed of so I'm back to trailering.

Cheers for an interesting and useful thread

Phill
Hi Phill

Good to hear there are others out there in MLU land who have also done "A" Frame towing. I am convinced there are many others who have been thinking about it, but not sure how to go about and who only needed to hear from those of us that have. It sure is a cheaper alternative to trailer hiring.

Cheers

Tony
__________________
Anthony (Tony) VAN RHODA.
Strathalbyn. South Australia
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +2. The time now is 09:23.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Maple Leaf Up, 2003-2016