Towing a mb willys jeep

[Little Jo]

Hi Guys

I am seeking advice from my fellow MLU's regarding the possibility of towing my Jeep. I recently sold my Jeep trailer due to lack of storage space at home and the cost of off site storage was becoming too expensive.

I was sitting on the throne this morning (that is where I get most of my best ideas) and thought I would look into the feasability of manufacturing an "A" frame and towing my Jeep to shows. But before I get too excited I thought I would run the idea past my fellow MLU friends as there could be someone out there who may be towing their Jeep and able to advise.

I know I would have to tow the Jeep with the Transmission and Transfer both in nuetral. However I am not sure how fast I could travel or for how far I could tow the Jeep behind my 4x4 without causing mechanical damage to my Jeep. . Has anyone done this before and better still can it be done. I am looking at the idea of towing the Jeep to shows like Corowa, which is a long way from home and saving the expensive cost of trailer hire. I have seen photos of Jeeps with "A" frames attached and wonder if it can safely been done.

Cheers

Tony

[Euan McDonald]

Tony,
In Victoria we drive our jeeps to shows and Corowa, some of us even drive them around Australia for fun.
If you wanted to tow it 80 km/h is quite alright.

[rob love]

Personally, I leave the transmission in high gear and the transfer case in neutral. The transfer case will lubricate, since the driven shafts are under the oil. However, with the transmission in neutral, there can be some centrifugal spinning through the transfer case, and there is no oil thrown by the upper output shaft. It is possible to burn out the little rollers between the input and output shaft. With the transmission in gear, there is no spinning of the gears in the transmission.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Tony,
Before you get too excited about "A" framing you may want to check your State regs. Most (Aus.) States require a licensed driver to be behind the wheel in the towed vehicle.
(Queensland is one exception). This does get to be quite a lonely and boring job....
Many years ago we towed a Buggy with a fixed tow point on the bull bar, and the front wheels removed.
A two wheel towing Dolly may be an option, but with all the money you have saved in trailer storage fee's the occaisional trailer hire may be affordable?
Rich.

[Ian L]

I tow the Jeep every where behind my Motorcaravan with a braked A Frame, although in the UK I hope this helps ?

[Little Jo]

Hi Guys

I really appreciate your time and effort in assisting me with my idea of A Frame style towing. I had only ever seen them used by Camper Vans towing a small vehicle on an A Frame. I have also seen some trades persons towing their private vehicle behind a tractor or Road scaper. This is what got me thinking of using one for my Jeep. It seemed a simple thing to do and elliminate my storage problems. But as I started receiving replys from you guys I thought I might be opening a can of worms, prompting me to start doing a bit of reseach before I put it in the, Too Hard Basket.

EUAN. I would love to drive my Jeep to functions, but for long distances it would take too long and be too uncomfortable . Though I do love driving my Jeep whenever I can.

ROB. Some good ideas, I never thought of the turning parts.

RICH. Your answer prompted me to download the Government Fact Sheet on A Frame towing. I feel I can work within the legislation, so I have not yet been detered. You only require a second person behind the wheel of vehicles being towed in cases such as using a Tow rope or Cable. With an A Frame there is no need for someone in the towed vehicle. The max. speed limit is 100 Klm per hr.

IAN. I love your set up and that is the ultimate way to go. I wonder if you could answer a few questions I have.

1. What do you do with the Jeep when towing, do you leave your transmission in high gear as suggested by Rob.

2. How does you braking system work. I was thinking of attaching a cable or rod to the Jeep brake pedal and using the mechanical braking system on the A Frame towball.

3. Have you experienced any problems using the A Frame, I think backing could be "interesting", is the A Frame commonly used by others or are you a trail blazer. I love the idea.

DIANNA. The Fact Sheet I downloaded refers to the "Australian Road Rules" so I suspect it would cover all states and Territories. They suggest that a copy of the Fact Sheet regarding A Frame Towing be kept in your vehicle at all times, I suspect this is in case an uninformed Police Officer pulls you over. The A Frame must be built to the "Australian Design Rule 62. and must also have safety chains attached. The towing gross Vehicle mass ratio must not exceed 4.5 tonnes and use the formula ratio of 3.5:1 towed mass. The overal length of both vehicles must not exceed an overall length of 19.0 metres.

I will conduct some more enquiries into the feasability of an A Frame against using a trailer. I have contacted a company who manufacture A Frames and nearly choked and was lost for words when he quoted me the cost of their A Frames at $3,500 plus. I asked if it was gold plated and said "No Thank You".

Thanks guys for getting back to me. I am still waiting to hear from any others who may be using an A Frame.

Cheers

Tony.

[Ian L]

Hi Tony

There are several companies in the UK that make the 'A' frames and fit them to most small car, the kit fitted is about £900 (not much good to yourself) but I bought mine on ebay Spain for £250 and made the brackets myself.
It works on an overun hitch connected to quick release cable which pulls the brake pedal down.
Because of the way an 'A' frame is connected ridged to the front bumper it is not possiable to reverse more than a few feet before the axels go in different directions.
The transmission lever is left in neutral but I am intending to fit free wheeling hubs to the front & blanking plates to the rear half shafts for long journeys to same axel wear.

Hope this was of interest, Ian