Towing the jeep now legal

[easo]

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.

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by easo

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

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

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.

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

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

[Little Jo]

Hi Rich and Easo

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

Cheers

Tony

[Philliphastings]

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

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Philliphastings

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