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Towing with an \"A\" Bar. (New pics)

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Desert Bug Wolfsburg Wizard

687 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#245028
G'day,
Last week I made up an "A" Bar so I can tow the 3 Kombis home that I bought 180 ks away in Halls Creek. Last w'end had to go to Halls Creek to vote so decided to tow one home and it towed beautifully, sat on 100kph on the 15 ks of bitumen and 80-90kph on the 160ks of corrugated dirt on the Tanami Road down to home (Billiluna). Had no problems at all.
It is made from 25mm x 3mm square tube with U bolts attaching it to the lower tube of the front beam backed of slightly to allow some movement up and down, then the hitch is bolted to the pointy end and attached to the towing vehicle. Works great, 2 more to go.
Cheers, Ian.

[Edited on 28-10-2004 by Desert Bug]

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matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#245058
Ian,

Would you be willing to make one of these for me, or provide some drawings so I can make one.

Cheers

Steve

PHAT BUG Dave says Bini's a fool

1,698 posts · joined May 2003 ·

#245097
I thought you were puuling my leg when you told me that!

Done a great job Dad, got any more photo's of the Kombi?

BenettonVW Administrator AVD Forum Founder

3,125 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#245125
So steering is not a problem? Or does someone need to steer all the way home?

Sorry Ian, u know me.. Mechanicals aren't my strong point.. Lets talk accessories. 🙂

THE LOWEST WITH THE MOSTEST BLING BLING WINS!!

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#245132
We used to use Towing Dollys in the uk, so when we had a vehicle on backwards (two wheels are in a frame) we just tied up the steering wheel around the brake pedal with some rope, if you get my drift?

Andy



Sorry Iain to hyjack your post, looks like a shweet A frame well done! please to here you have the saviour in you still

[Edited on 12-10-2004 by VolksFolks]
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

KruizinKombi Seriously Obsessed Cyber Dubber

3,493 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#245143
Ian, I'm surprised you didn't make three A-frames and tow them all home in one hit!! :o
Kruizin Kol

VolksFolks Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,869 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#245149
KruizinKombi wrote:Ian, I'm surprised you didn't make three A-frames and tow them all home in one hit!! :o
I imagined that was what he was doing, lol, would of looked ace ay,

Andy
They laugh because You are different, You laugh because They are all the same.

check out www.lowlight.com.au for low lights only..

DoNkEy Wolfsburg Wizard

684 posts · joined Jul 2003 ·

#245150
thats what i thought he meant when i first read it :P

PHAT BUG Dave says Bini's a fool

1,698 posts · joined May 2003 ·

#245156
That was the original plan, towing them all behind behind the splitty would have been a sight to see.

RISKY^VW Wolfsburg Wizard

403 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#245186
so do you need a person in the other car to stear? or do u tie the stear wheel up?
can you please take some more pic's of how it attaches to the front beam?
cheers
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The best tech forum around

oh sgetty will you respect me in the morning

things could be worse you could live in kentucky

Desert Bug Wolfsburg Wizard

687 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#245237
G'day,

I had thought about moving them one at a time the 16 ks to the start of the Tanami Rd then hooking them alltogether into a Kombi Roadtrain but decided it was a bit ambitious, though I might make another "A" Bar and hook 2 up.
I spoke to one of the local cops about using an "A" bar and he said no probs long as it is safe, so I guess that puts the onus back on to me doesn't it!
Because the bar is fixed solidly to the front end (only up/down movement) the Kombi/Beetle etc will follow along, self steering the same as it does when you let go of the wheel after turning a corner, its the caster on the front end that allows this to happen. It doesn't work when backing up into a parking spot as the wheels tend to go the opposite way and skid sideways.
I'll jack the Kombi up high on one side and get a pic of the attachment underneath, though it's a bit hot to do anything up here at the moment, it's over 40 every day and currently at 8.30 pm its 29 outside.
I'm toying with another idea as well that utilizes the Kombis' steering mechanisim.
Cheers, Ian.

seagull Compulsive Aussie Vee Dubber

4,979 posts · joined Dec 2003 ·

#245304
Dont forget this was done were the cops look the other way , You can not tow a car that does not have rego .you must have a lic car or dealer plate fitted .
Looking for that special lady : PM me for coffee & cake

RISKY^VW Wolfsburg Wizard

403 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#248287
hey mate can we have some more pic of how it attaches to the kombi?
cheers
www.austech.info/forums
The best tech forum around

oh sgetty will you respect me in the morning

things could be worse you could live in kentucky

twoguns simply aircooled

4,275 posts · joined Nov 2002 ·

#248397
no i dont think these are allowed in nsw. they were once, but they need to have the right stamp on them,a nd the vehicle being towed needed to be registered. i know mark has one for his manx, but i dont think you can get one passed today.
Simply Cruzin'...

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#248422
Hi

I used to have one but it was stolen. My work supplied it and I used it often, they were always a grey area legally, they are legal in NSW if towing with a privatley registred vehicle and if the towed vehicle has rego, the car must have a functioning front end (ie wheel aligned). Im pretty sure you use them in SA but this may change when the road rules become national.

Tip, dont try and reverse when using one.

Steve

MR930 Wolfsburg Wizard

666 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#248502
Yes they can be passed by the nsw rta but the vehicle has to be less than 750kg and engineers reports are needed for the a-frame and the vehicle fittings. Also need a letter from the rta giving permission to use it.

Desert Bug Wolfsburg Wizard

687 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#253669
G'day,
Some pics of "A" Bar and attachment to front beam.
Cheers, Ian.

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Desert Bug Wolfsburg Wizard

687 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#253670
.. I added cups to go under the beam as shown, also move the Ubolts inwards to miss the steering damper mount on the back of bottom tube.

[Edited on 28-10-2004 by Desert Bug]

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RISKY^VW Wolfsburg Wizard

403 posts · joined Mar 2003 ·

#253817
ahh sweet mate 🙂 🙂 :beer
im off to make one now
that would fit bug and t3 as well hey?
cheers
www.austech.info/forums
The best tech forum around

oh sgetty will you respect me in the morning

things could be worse you could live in kentucky

Buger Gary Seriously Crusin Dubber

159 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#253854
We tow our buggies all the time here in Tassie on an A frame.It tows better than a trailer and we fill it up with all our gear.I've even sat on 100 k's and passed people(boy it makes their head spin when they see the buggy keeping up with the tow bus!) The only problems we encounter are soft sand when we are 4x4ing in to the shack. It grabs the steering and goes full lock. We over come this by tying the steering wheel down to the seat runners so it can't turn,no more problem. Backing is definatly out can't be done.We have RV rego on the buggy and told them what we were going to do.I have the rear buggy lights wired to a trailer plug on a 3m cord and plug it into the tow bus like a trailer,when not towing I have a F/male trailer plug under the buggy bonnet and plug them back in so they work from the buggy an normal.I hear some states these are ileagel I hope it dosn't happen here as it's very handy.
Gary.

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VWFREAK VWFREAK

2,577 posts · joined May 2004 ·

#254043
I've used David beckers A fram before, it's alot more heavy duty but worked like a charm.

Great bit of kit.