Mr Bean Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I am to collect my latest purchase - Defender at the weekend. It will be a 400mile round trip. It doesn't run so a friend of mine is going to tow for me with the use of an A-Frame. My question is "What is an A-Frame?" Then "Is it suitable?" Followed by "Will the transmission wind up?" I have little experience of recovery some i need some help people, please. Thanks, Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 If all four wheels are on the ground and the transfer box isn't in difflock then you're fine - the problem (and what causes recovery companies to be unwilling to tow LR's) is if two wheels are on a lift and two are rolling on the road, the vehicle can try to drive the two stationary wheels with obvious problems. This is made worse by viscous transfer boxes / LSD's etc. fitted to some vehicles (not 90's) which could cause a vehicle to try and drive over the recovery truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bean Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 Well that has cleared up the transmission wind - up question. Any thoughts on the other two? Thanks, Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Would be much better to use a full lift trailer or vehicle transporter, the dead vehicle must be road taxed/mot'd & insured to normal use standards to travel on a A frame & IIRC there's a weight issue too, similar to the 85% for caravans. this might be worth a read http://www.towtal.co.uk/a-frames.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 get/borrow a trailer, 200miles in a non runner wouldnt be my idea of a fun way to spend a weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bean Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 I understand from previous threads that there may be a legality issue about the use of A-Frame, aside from this though would it be able to tow a 90 safely? I have not been able to locate a trailer so this is my only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 An A-frame over 200 miles sounds a tad like inviting trouble if you ask me. hire a trailer. they're not that expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 the A frame would be able to do the job, but as discussed previously, A long trip with a 90 attached with no braking affect wouldn't be very pleasant, very surprised you can't find a suitable flatbed trailer to rent in your area. these might help trailer hire in Lincs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bean Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 Thanks for the links i shall chase some of them up tomorrow. Another question is "How does it steer?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Top90 Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Thanks for the links i shall chase some of them up tomorrow.Another question is "How does it steer?" It follows the vehicle in front and with the steering lock off, the front wheels take the path of least resistance between the towing vehicle and the towed back wheels so it self steers. Remember to take the steering lock off. I did an amount of towing with an A frame before I got a trailer (still got the frame) and it's not fun. Bought a 90 back from Yorkshire on the back of a 110. Going along is fine, but any braking suddenly or on a corner will get very interesting very quickly. You really notice the difference trailer brakes make. If you need to brake on a tight corner it will try and push the back of your towing vehicle out and jackknife. Other than slowing it feels fine so stick to large open road and avoid country lanes where possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 You can't reverse with some types of A-frames. As soon as you try to go backwards the towed vehicles front wheels go to full lock and you have no control of direction. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orgasmic Farmer Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 This old chestnut has been done to death over on Difflock.com. Proper can o worms..... Basic consensus is that with exception of recovery to a safe place it is not legal. Any trailer over 750 kg must be braked so unless your A frame has some way of applying the "trailer" brakes then its a no-no Also, if the vehicle being towed is in contact with the highway it technically needs to be taxed (and hence have current MOT and insurance). However, many people out there regularly use A-frames to tow there specials to off-road sites and as far as I am aware no-one has yet got into any serious trouble with the Bill doing so. Your choice........ I would find a trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
istruggle2gate11 Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 However, many people out there regularly use A-frames to tow there specials to off-road sites and as far as I am aware no-one has yet got into any serious trouble with the Bill doing so. Your choice........I would find a trailer Yep, I dont know of anybody getting in bother, but as the law stands, there is potential to. If you have to do any serious bracking with a 90 on a A frame your in trouble. Yes, get a trailer, with a good tow truck and trailer, pulling a 90 for 200 miles will be childs play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gruntus Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Agreed with all of the above, I think it would be okay towing something light with a Land Rover (astra size or smaller) but towing anything big can be dangerous if you have to stop or turn quickly (and thats usually how accidents occur anyway). A 90 out of control going into the opposite lane would be catastrophic (their not renowned for their crumple zones! ) Towing a 90 with an A frame would have been okay for a short distance and done later in the evening however doing 200 miles is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. Play it safe Sorry I couldn't be more positivee Cheers G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8CAMEL Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Agreed with all of the above, I think it would be okay towing something light with a Land Rover (astra size or smaller) but towing anything big can be dangerous if you have to stop or turn quickly (and thats usually how accidents occur anyway). A 90 out of control going into the opposite lane would be catastrophic (their not renowned for their crumple zones! )Towing a 90 with an A frame would have been okay for a short distance and done later in the evening however doing 200 miles is a recipe for disaster in my opinion. Play it safe Sorry I couldn't be more positivee Cheers G and towing on a motorway unless you are a breakdown truck is illegal as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmatt Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 and towing on a motorway unless you are a breakdown truck is illegal as well Another vote for a trailer! I would have thought you woukld soon attract PC traffics attention if you pass one two many motorway junctions on an a frame! As stated above towing on M-way illegal unless in a proper recovery situation. Car transporters can be hired from local trailer suppliers and also HSS Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Be aware that you will likely have to supply your own strapping for a hired trailer. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happyoldgit Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Be aware that you will likely have to supply your own strapping for a hired trailer.Chris ...and numberplate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 And numberplate. Remember to remove it after, unlike me. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Baldwin Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 You're asking for trouble with an A-Frame. What you're proposing to do is illegal. End of. My mate's a traffic cop and trust me, no traffic cop in the country is going to turn a blind eye as you pass him by with a Land Rover hung off an A-Frame. Motorhomes towing Smart Cars and Cinquecento's (sp?) are rich pickings to your average traffic cop. You may as well put a bike rack on the back blocking the lights and number plate and REALLY make their day! Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Motorhomes towing Smart Cars and Cinquecento's (sp?) are rich pickings to your average traffic cop. You may as well put a bike rack on the back blocking the lights and number plate and REALLY make their day!Kev Are you not allowed to tow with an A frame in ANY circumstances? Here you can do it, but you need to run a brake setup for the towed vehicle. There are fancy air systems that actuate the brakes of the towed vehicle in tandem with the towing vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicTheOrange90 Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Trev, I dont suppose your collecting the 90 from anywhere in the South East are you? Id be happy to hire a trailer and collect your 90 if so, all for fuel, trailer hire and an agreed amount for the service. PM me if you need more info or would like to discuss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bean Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 Thanks for the info from everybody. Thanks for the offer Orange90 but i have managed to hire a twin axle Ifor Williams trailer for £50 for the day and a friend is going to pull it with his Land Cruiser 4.2 TD. Hopefully it shall go well. Thanks Trev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Have a safe journey & make sure the 90 is well strapped on for the return trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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