We've had requests to clarify the situation when A-frame towing a car behind a motorhome. So not only do you have a motorhome and a tow vehicle to maintain, but the tow dolly as well. We are newbies and purchased 2012 Thor Class C Chateau. As a guide see the list below. Many a road user has raised their fist to grumble at a car that appears to be following an RV way too closely, only to realise the alleged tailgater is being towed on its wheels. All Rights Reserved. The fact sheet, any reports, approvals or other documentation is recommended to be carried in the vehicle at all times. But personal preference comes into play as well. Check out our: While were busy filming Season 5 of The RVers for Discovery and PBS, you can stream previous seasons on Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play. A tow dolly is used mainly for vehicles with front-wheel drive transmissions, although rear-wheel-drive cars can be placed in a tow dolly if their transmissions are disconnected. While it isnt cheap, youll definitely appreciate having your tow vehicle along for daily driving, and the ease and speed at which you can connect and disconnect it (even one person by themselves). In all cases, the A-Frame and associated components must comply with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 62 Mechanical Connections between Vehicles, but the rules on engineering sign-off and operating the towed vehicles brakes vary, and NSW/ACT rules are substantially different to the rest of the states and territories. Required fields are marked *. Some states enforce the 3.5:1 ratio rule, whereby the towing vehicle must have a tare mass notgross vehicle mass (GVM) that is 3.5 times the massof the towed vehicle. Flatbed Trailer or Enclosed Trailer. See GVM definition.3.5:1 tow mass ratio as it applies to braking:The 3.5:1 tow mass ratio applies if you plan to tow an un-braked vehicle. Youll simply drive the car up onto the included ramps and strap your vehicle in using heavy-duty ratchet straps. 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD. Both vehicles must be registered in Western Australia. Persons wishing to undertake A-Frame towing should seek advice from an Approved Engineer to ensure that the A-Frame device that is intended for use meets the standards set out further in the guide. The good news is, if the set-up is legal in the state or territory it is registered, you can legally tow it anywhere in Australia and the rules of your state or territory govern what you can do. Though it might be somewhat of a hassle, a big plus for using a car hauler is saving the wear and tear on your toads engine and transmission while you haul it. Depending on size of the motorhome or bus, many people have reported only an extra 1-2L/100km fuel consumption. With this configuration, you opt out of the bulk of a trailer or a car dolly for a special tow bar. Towed vehicles above 750kg GVM must be braked, anything over 2000kg GVM must be braked with electric brakes that can be activated from the drivers seat of the towed vehicle. The rules about flat towing vary slightly between the states and territories, because this is Australia, and it would be far too simple to have a universal system *rolls eyes*. In this assembly of seven different countries called the Commonwealth of Australia thats not a simple job. Are you affected? Forward this page by email or share it directly on social media. Added weight means increased stopping distance. I have it on good authority that the rules are being re-written for TAS. Weve had requests to clarify the situation when A-frame towing a car behind a motorhome. NOTE: Dolly / Gypsy Trailers are defined in NSW as a Lift and Tow Trailer.Felk Engineering manufacture these trailers Australia wide for a variety of different clientle i.e. I feel having it above the towbar caused the damage, my husband thinks it should be above, please help us figure this out. However, if the towed vehicles GVM is more than the manufacturer of the tow vehicles maximum unbraked towing capacity, the driver must have control of the towed vehicles brakes from the drivers seat of the tow vehicle. 7. You must be able to disconnect the driveline either as a manual gearbox in neutral and/or with a transfer case that can switch to neutral to disconnect the entire driveline. A set-up where the unladen mass of the tow vehicle is less than 3.5 times the laden mass of the towed vehicle, with or without brakes, is not accepted. Thats why many of us choose to tow a car behind our motorhomes. Note:You wont have a driver or passengers in the towed vehicle, but dont think about loading it to the hilt as you may exceed the towed vehicles GVM, A-Frame and tow vehicle towbar ratings, the tow vehicles maximum tow rating, and the GCM of the combined set-up. This guide offers a list of vehicles that can be flat towed as well as manufacturers instructions. If youve chosen to tow a 4X4 you can get off the beaten track. WHAT IS FLAT TOWING?In simple terms, flat or A-Frame towing refers to towing a vehicle with all wheels on the ground via a triangle or A shaped frame that connects the tow vehicles towbar to the front of the towed vehicles structural frame. There are specific rules regarding safety chains and cables. Yes, flat towing with an A-Frame is legal in every state and territory of Australia. As your resident Grand Vitara expert, Ive included a guide to choosing the best third-generation Grand Vitara at the end. Contact Department of State Growth Transport directly to confirm. It helps to manage the car's weight and has the critically important job of bringing it to a stop in the event of a breakaway. With the last Suzuki Grand Vitaras being made in 2018, no manufacturer selling in Australia supports their vehicles being towed with an A-Frame. Seek further advice from VicRoads or a VASS signatory if this is the case. The information sheet, any reports, approvals or other documentation is recommended to be carried in the vehicle at all times. 4WDs are popular towed vehicles, allowing off-road excursions away from a motorhome base, but some cannot be A-frame towed particularly some full-timeor on-demand 4WD types and automatics. The odometer of the towed vehicle likely wont register the trip, but youll still be wearing out tyres, suspension components and brakes at a similar rate to if you were driving it. Regardless of how you tow your car, your RV will need to have a trailer hitch receiver and some electrical connections. For example, you cant flat tow (4 wheels down) all vehicles behind an RV. It is legal in all states and territories of Australia, whereas use of dolly or gypsy trailers may not be. The tow vehicle and towed vehicle each have their own separate GVM. This is considered a permanent fixture on your RV. 2020 Chevy Tahoe. Whether you choose an insurance provider that covers both vehicles or separate insurance providers, youre up for two claims in the event of an accident that damages both vehicles. If that is a concern, consider finding a pull-through campsite. These systems are available through certified installers only. You cant reverse the combined vehicles any considerable distance as youll soon find the towed vehicles steering following the path of least resistance and going to full lock dragging the tyres. First, you can check the manufacturers website for your vehicle as they will usually provide towing information there. Hitches are rated by the amount of weight they can pull, so always be sure to refer to your vehicle (and trailer, if applicable) weight and the towing capacity of your RV before towing. DO I NEED A DIFFERENT LICENCE TO FLAT TOW? Note:Unless otherwise required (NSW is the exception), all states and territories accept cable/manual override brakes at a minimum when brakes are required. Here are a few additional things youll need if using a tow dolly: Most dollies come with attached ramps, so loading is usually straightforward. In-person support no matter where the road takes you. Some small motorhomes and buses wont have the tow rating nor GCM to tow anything more than a very small car. The initial set-up tends to be more expensive than a cheap car trailer. PLEASE NOTE: We're handy RVers, not professional technicians. 7. If we concerned you earlier with our note about the potential to destroy your transmission if towing the wrong way, youre probably wondering what your options are. Second- and third-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara (3- and 5-door, manual and auto) - by far the most common. But those are the attributes you need to flat tow a vehicle behind your motorhome or camper. Safety chains/cables and an emergency breakaway system (if required). But it also makes things a little more complicated. A perfect tow vehicle is one your motorhome can tow and that meets your needs on the road. And using our links won't cost you an extra penny! The initial set-up tends to be more expensive than a cheap car trailer. The rules about flat towing vary slightly between the states and territories, because this is Australia, and it would be far too simple to have a universal system *rolls eyes*. The space between the vehicles must not exceed 2m (unless certain requirements of the Transport Operations (Road Use ManagementRoad Rules) Regulation 2009 are met and then it may be up to 4m). When purchasing a trailer, look for car haulers that are long enough for your vehicle. WHAT HARDWARE DO I NEED TO START FLAT TOWING?There are several components youll need to start flat towing. The overall vehicle combination must not exceed 19m total length. FREE TOW BAR COVER & FREE HITCH RECEIVER LOCK! Consult the baseplate distributor and the owner's manual regarding suitability. If youve ever considered doing it yourself, youll realise that flat towing draws strong opinions when the subject is raised. Brands commonly used in Australia include: Watch Northcoach attach a Ready Brute Elite A-Frame to a second-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara: Remember to close the air vents so your towed vehicle doesnt fill with dust, just as you would on the motorhome/bus and invest in a stone guard to avoid spraying rocks into the front of the towed car. So thats the hardware you need for flat towing behind an RV. There are specific rules regarding safety chains, cables and emergency breakaway systems. . Your email address will not be published. Companies such as Northcoach and Janer specialise in A-Frame towing and can advise you on whats available to you at different price points before pointing you to their resellers for certified installation. An A-frame is legal for towing a car behind a motorhome in the UK, as long as it has the correct gear (number plate, working lights etc) and the GTW isn't exceeded (see above.) Its also likely that the motorhome, A-frame and towed vehicle assembly will need inspection by a certifier, before a certificate of approval is issued. Before purchasing anything, talk to an expert about whether your proposed combination will work, Watch Northcoach attach and disconnect a Ready Brute Elite A-Frame to a second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara in the videos below. Your tow dolly will also require regular maintenance to ensure that its in good working order. Best way to tow your car and motorcycle behind your motorhome - YouTube To get around this, consider adding a battery charging system via an Anderson plug. Camping As many people (especially full-timers, including us) consider flat towing to be the gold standard, its probably not surprising that its more expensive than dolly towing. Companies such as Northcoach and Janer specialise in A-Frame towing and can advise you on whats available to you at different price points before pointing you to their resellers for certified installation. COMMON FLAT TOWED VEHICLES IN AUSTRALIA Note: vehicles are manual unless otherwise noted, and not all year models will work. How To, off-road tips and adventure travel destinations, Not just utes. A gas powered smart car is also built to be flat-towed. Therefore, you need to plan ahead about where youll stop or unhitch the towed vehicle. I've owned, used, and repaired almost every class and style of RV ever made. The certificate and associated checklist must be kept in the vehicle combination at all times and presented when requested. This is not an exhaustive list and, in the end, whats important to you wont necessarily be important to someone else. If youre not able to find an answer, you can also check the Dinghy Towing Guides (the Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Towing Guideand the Good Sam Dinghy Towing Guide are good examples). The space between the vehicles must not exceed 4m. There are a couple of things to consider with towing using a dolly. Here's the three ways to tow a car behind an RV: 1. We are using the 2021 Stehl Tow Dolly with surge brakes. You might be wondering what happens when you cross borders. The fact sheet, any reports, approvals or other documentation is recommended to be carried in the vehicle at all times. To get around this, consider adding a battery charging system via an Anderson plug. In fact, most countries will stop and fine you for using an A-frame to tow a car. ORDER YOUR NEW NIGHTHAWK FACTORY DIRECT . How To Safely (And Legally) Tow A Car Behind Your Motorhome The standards do not mention accepting a setup where the unladen mass of the tow vehicle is less than 3.5 times the laden mass of the towed vehicle, with or without brakes. Consult the baseplate distributor and the owners manual regarding suitability. From 2009 to 2018, Ford made the F-150 perfect for towing behind a Class A motorhome. How to tow a car behind your RV or motorhome RV with Tito DIY 122K subscribers Subscribe 878 Share Save 285K views 11 years ago Here is how I use a towbar to connect and disconnect my car. If you have checked the Dinghy Towing Guides and find that your toad cannot be pulled four down, then you have two options: Tow Dolly or Car Hauler. Heres a bit of trivia for you; the towed vehicle is commonly referred to as a toad. Thats why they chose to insure with Club 4X4. The added weight also impacts your fuel mileage which is already relatively poor if youre driving a large RV. Your Esperance can tow 3500kgs, if you have the correct tow bar. But have you considered how youll get around once you put your motorhome in park? There are specific rules regarding safety chains, cables and emergency breakaway systems. The CR-V does have a speed limit of 65 mph when being flat towed. Using a tow dolly is a pretty easy process. abide by the CarsGuide. Suzuki Alto (theres a definite Suzuki flavour). Not all cars support flat towing, but more on that later. There are three main ways to tow your car: four down, with a tow dolly, or with a car hauler. This Fact Sheet explains how to undertake A-frame towing of a motor vehicle behind another motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonnes, in a manner that satises the Australian Road Rules. The set-up tucks up close behind the motorhome or bus so there is less drag. Suzuki Alto (theres a definite Suzuki flavour). You cant reverse the combined vehicles any considerable distance as youll soon find the towed vehicles steering following the path of least resistance and going to full lock dragging the tyres. A set-up where the unladen mass of the tow vehicle is less than 3.5 times the laden mass of the towed vehicle, with or without brakes, is not accepted. This introductory video gives some insight as to what you need to know in order to safely tow a car behind your RV: I've been involved in RVing for over 50 years including camping, building, repairing, and even selling RVs and motorhomes. What vehicles can be pulled behind a motorhome? - Campers Can You Tow Any Kind of Car Behind an RV? The certificate must cover the towing and towed vehicle, the A-Frame and braking system. Weve put together a comprehensive guide to answer ALL your questions, to ensure youre armed with the truth about flat towing behind an RV. Leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead of you. A tow dolly is a type of trailer on which the front two wheels of a car are loaded. RVs are a great way to explore the country without sacrificing luxury or comfort. Tow truck drivers, Car collectors, Motor home travelers etc.. Felk Engineering recommends contacting the relevant road authority for information on potential legislative limitations / speed restrictions that may apply to . Every week we offer free tips, tricks, product reviews, and more to our online community of RVers. Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time. You should always check with your road authority for the most current rules and call them directly if you dont understand your obligations. This is often the case with newer front-wheel-drive motorhomes. tow behind motorhome | Cars & Vehicles | Gumtree Australia Free Local The following table highlights rules for flat towing a vehicle up to 4500kg GVM, current at December 2019. Everything You Need to Know About Towing a Car Behind an RV - TheRVgeeks The cable is fitted through the firewall, linked to the brake pedal and is connected to the towing vehicle when the A-frameis hooked up. No matter how you tow your accessory vehicle, the RV will require several basic items to safely pull the car. Yes, flat towing with an A-Frame is legal in every state and territory of Australia. Hi, we have a 2016 Leprechaun and tow our 2012 chevy sonic. Watch this space. WHAT HARDWARE DO I NEED TO START FLAT TOWING? Also called the Demco Kar Kaddy 3, this product is a no-nonsense tow dolly with a build quality that should last for a long time. The base plate on the towed vehicle should not adversely affect its ADR compliance, especially occupant protection standards such as ADR 69 and ADR 73. The rear wheels of the car are on the ground and roll as the motorhome moves. There are several possible solutions for it, but it's good to be aware of. Its just not worth it and your insurance companies are likely to take a dim view in the event of a claim. Image source: automobiles.honda.com. WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS OF FLAT TOWING? You can find versions of these guides that go all the way back to 1990. A tow dolly nicely works for me. And they feel more comfortable knowing that theyve got cover wherever they go, including non-gazetted roads. Motorhome reversing a car on an A-Frame around a corner, Click below for more information or to get a quote. HitchNGo: A-Frames and associated components available through HitchNGo distributors: HitchNGo will be releasing an Australian-made telescopic A Frame around Easter 2020. A motorhome towing an SUV using the four-down method. If you have any insight or maybe another suggestion that would be better we would appreciate your input. If any part of the vehicle a manufacturer could be argued might be affected by flat towing (i.e. How to tow a car behind your RV or motorhome - YouTube The main issue that people find with this method is that many vehicle transmissions do not allow for this option. We want to flat tow a vehicle and are looking for assistance. Second- and third-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara (3- and 5-door, manual and auto) by far the most common. This comprehensive guide will answer all your questions, to ensure youre armed with the truth about flat towing behind an RV. The A-Frame must be parallel with the road on a flat surface when hooking up the towed vehicle. You have one less insurance and registration to pay than if you were to use a trailer. BUT A-frames are NOT considered legal in most European countries. You cant complain about that for the extra convenience! HitchNGo: A-Frames and associated components available through. Particular attention should also be paid to any effect on the crush zone and the vehicles ANCAP safety rating, if available. Note:Unless otherwise required (NSW is the exception), all states and territories accept cable/manual override brakes at a minimum when brakes are required.