Question re: Towing using an A Frame

[Nizsafari]

Morning all,

I'm looking at purchasing a vehicle that has Locked diff's front and rear (possibly welded), this vehicle has an A-Frame for towing, My question would it be safe to A-Frame this vehicle over long distances without damaging the drivetrain, Diffs etc or rooting the tyres, or would it be advisable to trailer the vehicle

Cheers in advance

Tony

[muddy]

I think it would be a very bad idea - but not because of drive-train damage, although that would be a concern. And it would definitely be hard on tyres. But the main issue is that with locked diffs, it will strongly resist turning corners. The A-frame relies on good steering geometry (mainly castor, but toe-in and camber are also inportant) so that the towed vehicle steering actually turns the corners. You really want to do all your braking in a straight line, and accelerate slightly so you pull it around the corners. With locked diffs, the towed vehicle will resist turning even if you do this, but if you get it wrong and have to brake in a corner - you'll be off the road pretty quick.

You need a trailer!

[Jerry]

Have a chat to Stinky....he was looking at making some towing dollys soon....

[Nizsafari]

Have a chat to Stinky....he was looking at making some towing dollys soon....

Just spoke to Taz...

[skid]

I would not even use a dolly

Trailer it all the way

how far up north is it, you will wreck it dragging it on the road

[rangimotors]

does it have manual hubs?

[mike]

My LR is about 1200kgs or thereabouts and it has a welded rear and believe me when i say you feel it on the corners. It pushes the surfs tail around the corners if your not careful. I would recommend a trailer as well.

[H2OLOVA]

you can fit a freewheel hub to one side of the rear drive flange on Landrovers and unlock it for towing

[Bubba]

What about towing it backwards on a dolly?? You would have to lock the steering though otherwise it would look like a snake going down the road Oh and unlock the hubs

[MNC]

Morning all,

I'm looking at purchasing a vehicle that has Locked diff's front and rear (possibly welded), this vehicle has an A-Frame for towing, My question would it be safe to A-Frame this vehicle over long distances without damaging the drivetrain, Diffs etc or rooting the tyres, or would it be advisable to trailer the vehicle

Cheers in advance

Tony

Seeing as your question is 'over long distances' then I'd agree that trailer is a better option. About $70 a day to hire car transporter trailer which I'd do for any distance.

A-framing is horrible unless your tow wagon is significantly heaver and wider than the vehicle being towed. That said you can frame a wagon with locked diffs - put the front hubs into 4x2, put the transfer case into neutral (between 4H & 4L in my wagon). Leave the key in the unlocked position so the front wheels can turn. The steering/turning will come from the front wheels tracking after the tow wagon.

Beware that at low speeds the wheels may not track well. Hope that helps.