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A Frame/Dolly towing

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 7:49 am
by grimbo
I asked vicRoads of the legality of towing a vehicle using either an AFrame or a dolly trailer (which is basically a a trailer with two wheels that has the front wheels of the towed vehicle on) this was the response I got

In response to your email regarding towing a vehicle with an A Frame:

(1) If all the wheels are going to be on the ground then it is the
operators responsibility to ensure that it is safe.

It is up to the operator to make sure they can control the towed vehicle
from their sitting position in the towing vehicle.

If they can't control the vehicle from a sitting position, then the
brakes, indicators, lights, have to operate and a fully licensed driver
must be in the towed vehicle.

(2) If the front wheels are going to be off the ground then you will need a
permit as it is classed as towing more than one vehicle.(the A frame as
well as the vehicle)

The permit is issued by TSS (Transport Safety Services) who can be
contacted on 131174 during business hours Monday to Friday.

The tyres must be speed rated.

If you would like further information please contact Vehicle Safety on 1300
360 745 Monday to Friday.

So it seems that a dolly can be used. i will try and get some more info or if anyone has any more info post here

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2003 6:18 pm
by Surfection
This is second hand info, which is not the best kind... My folks have two friends who are setting up a coach to go round Aus for a few years. They have a swb v6 grand vitara, and are planning on flat towing it with an A frame all the way. I enquired about legalities cause i know it's been a bit of a hot topic with you guys recently, and he reckons it's completly legal, as long as all the lights work and all mounting points are of engineerable quality, although he says an enqineers report is not needed. And he certianly has no plans of his wife sitting in the car whilst they travel round australia in their $200k plus coach.
He is also an ex highway patrol officer of many years, so i would think he would know what he's on about.

Jeremy :)

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:41 pm
by Damo
Just diggin this back up... does anyone know about this stuff?

I am sure I read somewhere that the vehicle being towed had to be registered, but can only find that spcifically applied to flat towing with an a-frame.