Getting set up to tow?

[NT5224]

G'day folks... seeking advice from the brains trust..

Here's the situation. Might be buying a 3 tonne tractor down in Brissie and looking into freight options to bring it to the Top End. Realistically, its going to cost me thousands in haulage alone.

So was wondering whether would be cheaper to haul it up myself. Some bloke down there in Logan fabricates new 3.5 tonne plant trailers for four thousand bucks (not sure how sturdy they would be at that price)

tilt 3.5t car trailer | Trailers | Gumtree Australia Logan Area - Greenbank | 1134560180 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/greenbank/trailers/tilt-3-5t-car-trailer/1134560180).

I have also considered hiring a plant trailer for a week or so. I believe I could get one down in Darwin.

The thing is my Land Rover isn't set up for towing. I don't have a tow hook or fittings to connect up the brakelines and lights. My question is, how would I need to equip my Land Rover to tow 3.5 tonnes across the country? What would it cost?

Is it worth doing or better left to the professionals? Even though I would probably need a method of hauling my tractor around in the long term, I would really prefer to minimise expenditures right now.

Cheers

Alan

[dromader driver]

6500km at 15litres/100km. plus accomodation and wear and tear. put it on a truck. :angel:

[Tombie]

Plus break away system
Electric brake controller
Trailer
Time
Risk
Tyres
Fuel

Yep, truck will be cheaper!!

[jimr1]

There's nothing wrong with setting you Landie up to tow . I'm sure you will use it more than once . The thing is if the tractor weighs 3 ton , add trailer you will be over your legal limit . That opens up a big bag of worms even if you were within the law , it's a long tow . Shop around see who will give you the best price to haul it up to you !.. Jim

[dromader driver]

What model tractor?

Shaws transport used to run road trains from Toowoomba to Darwin. Not sure if still in business.

With the landie connections in BNE should be able to get a good tilt tray easily.

[MR LR]

Doesn't look like a very strong trailer, the deck looks to be 75x50 and there is no trussing at all... so it will twist and bend and buck and generally tow like a POS.

My opinion is that tilt car trailers are rubbish anyway, i'd be going for something solid.

As far as towing it yourself, most car trailers come in around 800-900kg, so if the tractor is a true 3T then it will be over... (not that it would probably phase me).

Towing that much weight that far with a Defender will be a laborious task because they're gutless! it's capable of the job but it'll be slow going...

If you want the trailer for other reasons then I would do it that way. But ask anyone and they'll tell you i have a somewhat too-keen interest in towing things! Haha.

[THE BOOGER]

Shaws are still bussiness but give ceva a call they moved my ferret from peth to sydeny $4000 flat the included a tilt tray trip to Perth

[strangy]

Setting up for towing is a good idea if you are going to tow a bit.
Surprising you Defer isn't already equipped (sans brake control unit)
Try ABC transport (Darwin), Northline and Shaw's