Towing a mb willys jeep

[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

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by 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

Thanks for the update Ian. Surely that is the way to go, I am definately more interested now. I have contacted our Government Transport department and they are sending me all the do's and dont's, so once I know what is required I will know where I stand.

Cheers

Tony

[Robin Craig]

Dear Tony,

I do quite a bit of trailering and towing and have some experience of A bars.

If it saves you a brown trousers moment may I point out a flaw in the process.

The vehicle being towed relies on enough friction between its front tyres and the road for them to turn and follow the towing vehicle. Should the weather change and you run into rain or snow you now have a film between those tyres and the road.

Now the following vehicle has the ability to overcome the friction and instead of following you around a corner will go straight ahead. I would honestly say this is a feeling and experience you need to be aware of as it has the potential to "push" the rear of the towing vehicle sideways.

Trust me it can happen and it is not pleasant.

Also dont forget that for the most part an A frame will mean that it is very near impossible to back up in most occasions.

Regards

Robin

[Little Jo]

Hi Guys

This project is now becoming very interesting. I have heard of living on the edge. Robin, A towed vehicle with a mind of it's own, now that is something, I will have to put my dog, "Mr Tibbs" in the drivers seat of the towed vehicle and teach him to steer the Jeep. Dianaa, Backing must be a cause for concern as in the State regulations it states that they don't suggest backing more than a metre. Having said all that, life won't be dull.

Cheers

Tony

[maple_leaf_eh]

Putting a real person into a towed vehicle seems both drastic and dangerous. So, is that person there to turn the wheel and press the brake pedal, or just feel powerless?

In Canada, we have simpler rules about towing. Lights and signals only. The auto parts and gadgets stores sell A-frames that attach to the front bumper and connect to a tow-ball hitch. I have one that cost maybe $200 for my M38A1. However, I wonder if the stresses of tracking the tow vehicle haven't damaged my front wheel bearings. They seem worse than before.

The alternative in Canada is a two-wheeled car dolly from one of the equipment rental companies (U-Haul offers them for do-it-yourself cross country moves behind one of their cargo vans). They are articulated with a pivot under the towed vehicle. You drive into two shallow wells, fold up the ramps, and attach the light harness to the tow vehicle.

[Lynn Eades]

I think "towed " in that sense, means with a rope, which would obviously require a steerer, as would someone being towed on a fixed bar. Surely no country's laws would require a person in the drivers seat of a vehicle being drawn by an "A" frame, or on a dolly.
I have heard that A framing a jeep can sometimes present problems, with the jeep trying to head off in a different direction to that of the A frame. A caster issue, I imagine.
Over here some guys just pull the rear axles and bolt a pre-made cap on each side to keep the dirt out, if they are planning a long trip, with a jeep under tow.