Towing the jeep now legal

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by easo

Thanks Tony, I have toyed with lights from car to car. The initial idea was to have my old 1957 Land Rover's lights come on in conjunction with its trailer. Mucking around with it, I could only get the parkers and brake lights to work but not the indicator.

The light board is far more useful I recon.

Easo

Hi Easo

When was thinking about tapping direct lighting from the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. I toyed with the idea that if I run a 5 pin cable from the towing vehicle and plug the other end of the cable into the 5 pin outlet on the towed vehicle, the thought being that as the Jeep lights were already wired up to the 5 pin out. I did not test it to see if it may work in revers order. I chickened out and took the easy way and purchased the light board. Nice and simple and no problems.

Cheers

Tony

[Ian L]

Originally Posted by Little Jo

Hi Easo

When was thinking about tapping direct lighting from the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle. I toyed with the idea that if I run a 5 pin cable from the towing vehicle and plug the other end of the cable into the 5 pin outlet on the towed vehicle, the thought being that as the Jeep lights were already wired up to the 5 pin out. I did not test it to see if it may work in revers order. I chickened out and took the easy way and purchased the light board. Nice and simple and no problems.

Cheers

Tony

Hi Tony I've tried it and failed back in the UK we have a 7 pin socket on towing vehicles.
I made up a lead with male connectors on both ends and plugged it into both 7 pin sockets thinking the lights would repeat on the towed vehicle. THEY DONT !!!!

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by Ian L

Hi Tony I've tried it and failed back in the UK we have a 7 pin socket on towing vehicles.
I made up a lead with male connectors on both ends and plugged it into both 7 pin sockets thinking the lights would repeat on the towed vehicle. THEY DONT !!!!

Hi Ian

I am glad to know someone had tried it, I feel better now and pleased I went with the Light Board.

Cheers

Tony

[easo]

Socket to socket was show I tried. No indicators.

[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.