Towing a mb willys jeep

[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.

[Little Jo]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hi Lynn and Terry

The government legislation for A Frame towing in Australia is very strict and states that no person is allowed to travel in a "Towed" vehicle. The only time it is allowed is if the vehicle is towed by a cable or tow rope, then a person is allows to be in it to steer the vehicle and use the brakes. When I referred to "Mr Tibbs" I was joking as he is my dog and that is also not allowed. There really are a lot of for and against when using an A Frame and I agree with some ideas and worry about others. I have heard some people use altered resleeved front wheel hubs and remove the rear axles so the wheels all free wheel for long distance towing. All food for thought.

Cheers

Tony