Queensland is not behind the times we are the leaders in such things as Rugby League & breeding Prime Ministers,
our youth are just so advance that they get voted to Federal Parliment once they are out of nappies and our 'A' Frame towing regulations are the envy of the Nation.......read on all you Queenslanders, for the rest of youse (sic) ring me and I read it to you ....real slow so you understand.
Oh and the tables have stuffed up, I tried to fix them but they stuffed up again.
When towing another vehicle by means of an "A" frame, rigid drawbar or rope, the drivers of the towing and towed vehicles must hold a current driver’s licence that includes the classes of vehicles being utilised. An "A" frame may also be used to tow another vehicle that has no driver if the specific conditions on the "A" frame towing page are met in addition to the general requirements for drivers and towing vehicles described so far.
"A" frame towing of a motor vehicle with a GVM of up to 4.5t
Introduction
This section of the Queensland Transport website explains how to undertake "A" frame towing of a motor vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5t in Queensland in a manner that satisfies the Australian Road Rules.
"A" frame towing is the term used to refer to towing a motor vehicle which has its front wheels on the road and is connected to the towbar of the towing vehicle by a triangular shaped frame, commonly known as an "A" frame.
The Australian Road Rules state:
294 (1) The driver of a motor vehicle must not tow another motor vehicle unless:
(a) either:
(i) the driver can control the movement of the towed vehicle; or
(ii) the brakes and steering of the towed vehicle are in working order and a person
who is licensed to drive the towed vehicle is sitting in the driver’s seat of the towed
vehicle, and is in control of it’s brakes and steering; and
(b) it is safe to tow the vehicle.
In addition to the section about safe towing, this section provides a guide for both unbraked and braked "A" frame towing of a light motor vehicle with a GVM of up to 4.5t. Persons wishing to undertake "A" frame towing may need to seek advice from a Registered Professional Engineer to
ensure that the "A" frame device that is intended for use meets the following technical requirements.
A list of recognised Registered Professional Engineer is available from Queensland Transport
customer service centres.
Queensland Transport recommends that a copy of this information, together with any reports,
approvals or other documentation, is carried in the vehicle at all times.
Persons wishing to undertake "A" frame towing of a vehicle in excess of 4.5t GVM need to apply to Queensland Transport providing a complete submission addressing all relevant aspects of the
proposal for evaluation. Persons living in other states will need to check with the Road Transport Authority in which their vehicle is registered to determine individual state requirements for the towing of vehicles with "A" frames.
Coupling design
The "A" frame coupling must:
• be designed and constructed with sufficient strength to hold the vehicles together in tow and must comply with the requirements of Australian Design Rule 62/… (Mechanical connections between vehicles) relevant to the GVM of the towed vehicle;
• permit an adequate amount of angular movement between the towing and towed vehicles, to cater for road undulations;
• be secured to a substantial body member of the towed vehicle, such as a sub-frame or chassis member. Connection to the towed vehicle’s bumper, suspension or steering components is not permitted, unless approved by the manufacturer of the towed vehicle;
• be marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark and the rated capacity. The "manufacturer" may include the owner in the case of a privately constructed device; and
• maintain a space between the combination not exceeding 2m.
• be secured to a substantial body member of the towed vehicle, such as a sub-frame or chassis member. Connection to the towed vehicle’s bumper, suspension or steering components is not permitted, unless approved by the manufacturer of the towed vehicle;
• be marked with the manufacturer’s name or trademark and the rated capacity. The "manufacturer" may include the owner in the case of a privately constructed device; and
• maintain a space between the combination not exceeding 2m.
Safety chains for towed vehicles with a GVM of up to 3500 kg
Towed vehicles with a GVM of up to 3500 kg must be equipped with safety chains/cables complying
with AS 4177.4-1994 of the appropriate size for the towed vehicle GVM as detailed in Table 1 below:
Table 1
Towed Vehicle Nominal material Chain markings
GVM in kg size in mm
0 to 1000 6.3 4177-10
Up to 1600 8.0 4177-16
Up to 2500 10.0 4177-25
Up to 3500 13.0 4177-35
The number of chains required depends on the towed vehicle’s GVM as follows:
• Towed vehicles with a GVM up to 2500 kg must be equipped with at least one safety chain.
• Towed vehicles with a GVM over 2500 kg must be equipped with two safety chains. For towed vehicles with a GVM up to 3500 kg safety chains may be replaced by safety cables with a certified load capacity not less than that of chains complying with Australian Standard 4177.4 1994 "Safety Chains up to 3500 kg".
Safety chains for towed vehicles with a GVM over 3500 kg
Towed vehicles with a GVM over 3500 kg must have two chains made from steel of a minimum 800
MPa breaking stress and conforming to the mechanical properties of Grade T chain as specified in AS
2321-1979 ‘Short-link chain for lifting purposes (non-calibrated)’. (Refer Table 2).
The size of chain must be as follows:
• Towed vehicles with a GVM over 3500 and up to 4300 kg shall have chains of at least 7.1mm
in size.
• Towed vehicles with a GVM over 4300 and up to 7500 kg shall have chains of at least 9.5mm
in size.
Safety cables (fitted in lieu of safety chains) must comply with and be certified to AS 3569-1989 ‘Steel
wire ropes’. The cable fitted with attachments (i.e. snap hooks and quick link) must be equal to or
larger than that specified in Table 2.
Table 2
Towed Vehicle Nominal material Applicable Australian
GVM in kg size in mm Standard
0 to 4300 7.1 AS 2321-1979
Over 4300 and up to 7500 9.5 AS 2321-1979
Towing capacity of towing vehicle
Where the vehicle used for towing has a GVM not exceeding 4500 kg, the towing limits specified by the vehicle manufacturer must not be exceeded. Please note that most manufacturers specify towing limits for their vehicles in the vehicle handbook.
Where the vehicle used for towing has a GVM over 4500 kg, the manufacturer's Gross Combination Mass (GCM) must not be exceeded.
The loaded mass of the towed vehicle must not exceed the towing capacity of any component in the combination, including the "A" frame, towbar and tow ball.
Towed mass ratio
The tare mass of the towing vehicle divided by the laden mass of the towed vehicle (including the "A" frame) determines the combination’s towed mass ratio (TMR).
TMR = Tare mass of towing vehicle : 1
Laden mass of towed vehicle
Braking requirements
Where the towed mass ratio of the combination is not more than 3.5 : 1 (the tare mass of the towing vehicle is not more than 3.5 times the laden mass of the towed vehicle), the brakes on at least one axle of the towed vehicle must operate when the driver of the towing vehicle applies the brakes of the towing vehicle.
Please note that it is not acceptable to utilise the park brake of the towed vehicle to achieve this.
Where the towed mass ratio of the combination exceeds 3.5 : 1 (the tare mass of the towing vehicle is more than 3.5 times the laden mass of the towed vehicle), there is no requirement for the brakes of the towed vehicle to be operable. The requirement for a towed mass ratio in excess of 3.5 : 1 is designed to give a combination adequate braking without the need for the brakes of the towed vehicle to be operated by the driver of the towing vehicle.
Irrespective of the towed mass ratio, the combination must have a braking performance of at least that detailed in Table 3.
TABLE 3
Stopping distance Average deceleration Peak deceleration
when brakes applied rate from any legal rate from any legal
at 35 km/h speed speed
Vehicle combination 12.5m 3.8m/s2 5.8m/s 2
gross mass
under 2.5 tonnes
Vehicle combination 16.5m 2.8m/s2 4.4m/s2
gross mass
2.5 tonnes or over
The parking brake of the towing vehicle must be able to hold the combination stationary on a 12% gradient.
Lighting
The following lamps must be fitted to the rear of the towed vehicle and must be operational whilst
under tow:
• two turn signal lamps showing yellow light to the rear.
• two stop lamps showing red light to the rear.
• two reverse lamps showing white light to the rear.
• one registration plate lamp at the rear of the towed vehicle to illuminate the registration plate.
• two tail lamps showing red light to the rear.
These lamps may be arranged on a portable lamp bar providing it is securely fastened to the rear of the towed vehicle.
Steering
The "A" frame towing system must provide safe and adequate steering control for both vehicles whilst being towed in combination. The stability of the combination, the steer-ability of the towed vehicle and the tracking of the combination must be satisfactorily addressed.
Please note that the steering wheel locking mechanism of the towed vehicle must be placed in the unlock position when the vehicle is being towed by an "A" frame.
Additionally:
• The combination must be capable of turning within a 25m diameter circle, measured at the outer wheel track.
• When travelling in a straight line on a level, smooth surface the towed vehicle must track (follow) in the path of the towing vehicle without deviating off-line by more than 100mm.
• Reversing an "A" frame coupled combination is not recommended due to lack of directional control over the towed vehicle.
Vehicle and towing componentry manufacturer’s requirements
The vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations must be complied with whilst carrying out "A" frame towing. This applies equally to both the towing and towed vehicle.
Vehicle owners are advised to check with the manufacturer/dealer to determine whether their towed vehicle is suitable for "A" frame towing. Advice given in the "Owner’s Manual" for the towing of the vehicle should always be followed.
Queensland Transport recommends obtaining the assistance of a Registered Professional Engineer to confirm that an "A" frame towing combination and "A" frame coupling apparatus meet the technical requirements.
Loads in towed vehicle
Carrying a load in the towed vehicle is not forbidden. However, when carrying such a load it is
important to consider the following points:
• The loaded mass of the towed vehicle must not exceed the capacity of any component in the combination.
• The loaded mass of the vehicle must not conflict with the Towed Mass Ratio (TMR) calculation as originally determined when assessing braking requirements of the combination.
• Any load carried in the towed vehicle should be placed as low and as centrally as possible. Large, heavy items (for example, outboard motors) carried high up and behind the rear axle of the towed vehicle will adversely affect the handling of the combination and may render towing unsafe.
Other requirements
• The overall length of the combination must not exceed 19.0m.
• The "A" frame, and any attachment which could constitute a dangerous projection, must be removed from the towed vehicle before it is driven on public roads.
• Both the towing and the towed vehicle must be legally registered.
• Both vehicles in the combination must meet registration requirements and be roadworthy.
• The coupling and towbar must not obscure the number plate or lights on the rear of the towing vehicle when the towed vehicle is not attached.
• Regulations prohibit towing more than one vehicle or trailer at once.
• Nobody is allowed to ride in the towed vehicle.
• The maximum speed at which towing is permitted is the posted speed limit.
• Following distances outside built-up areas - On roads outside a built up area that do not have more than one lane in the direction you are driving, there are specific minimum following distances for long vehicles. If your vehicle or combination is 7.5m long or longer (including any load), you may not follow closer than 200m to another vehicle or combination 7.5m long or
longer in front of you. The exception is when you are overtaking.
• Stopping on carriageways - If your vehicle or combination is longer than 7.5m or has a total
mass of more than 4.5t you may not: -
- stop on a carriageway in a built up area for longer than one hour unless engaged in picking up or setting down goods; or
- stop on a carriageway outside a built up area except on a hard shoulder or in a truck bay or other area set aside for parking of goods vehicles.
"DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE" signs
If the vehicle or combination is 7.5m long or longer, you may display the sign "DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE" at the rear. This can be either a separate sign or incorporated on one of a pair of rear marker plates.
If this sign is attached to the rear, other vehicles must give way whilst the vehicle or combination uses part or all of an adjacent second lane for turning. The vehicle or combination has the right of way to complete such turns.
It is an offence to straddle lanes when turning if this sign is not displayed.
It is an offence to display this sign on a vehicle or combination less than 7.5m long. However, it is not illegal to use standard rear marker plates without the words 'DO NOT OVERTAKE A TURNING VEHICLE' on such a vehicle.
"VEHICLE UNDER TOW" signs
It is not required to display any sign indicating a vehicle is under tow. However, drivers may do so if they wish.
Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies
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