Flat Towing

Yuglamron · Guru

Flat Towing

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Towing a 4 wheeled "trailer" with an "A" frame can not be considered to bear any similarity with towing a conventional trailer (caravan).
Quite different rules of physics apply. There will be no "ball weight" applied from your "A" frame.
For a different view, google "Dog trailers" and "Pig trailers" and you will understand the differences.

Cheers,
Peter

Yuglamron · Guru

Thanks,I will do that.Will Google and check that out.

Zoomtopz · Guru

G'Day Trevor.
I looked @ "flat tow trailer" @google , as all I got with dog trailers , was for carting dogs ,
& a bit of heavy truck stuff , farm trailers don't add much either .
After I googled - flat tow trailer - I found one @ the bottom of page 1 - How stuff works .
You may want to chec out the Hints in it .
Richo

goldcoaster · Senior Member

We flat tow a suzuki using the hitch n go A frame.Haven't had a problem yet,the only thing I do is padlock it onto the towball.Would be interested in what you find out.

Yuglamron · Guru

Update on flat towing.

I have done a bit of research online, and although a lot of the reports of towball failure and coupling unhitching all the reports seem to be hearsay.
It does appear that in the USA it is not advised to use a towball style hitch for flat towing.It is recommended to use the square receiver WDH type . Hayman Reece style. It appears that the consensus is that an "A" frame type hitch does not have sufficient downforce to be safe. Ref.( www.motorhome.com) A US site.
Personally I now believe that the McHitch attached to the "A"frame appears to offer the best and safest connection.
It has two methods of attachment ,one a screw down and ratchet lock to the pin, and a side pin which slides into a groove on the pin.
Thanks to all who have replied .

Wombat 280 · Guru

goldcoaster wrote:

We flat tow a suzuki using the hitch n go A frame.Haven't had a problem yet,the only thing I do is padlock it onto the towball.Would be interested in what you find out.

Hi

I have finally found someone who has a hitch and go system . If not out of line what was your final set up cost as I want to go that way myself towing my soft top Vitra .

Have had some prelim cost and they seem rather high and then there's the need to have the dealer set it up all seemed a little over the top for such a simple device

Yuglamron · Guru

Hi :- Costwise it was $3100 to have the Hitch-N-Go fitted to my RV and Suzuki Grand Vitara 2001 model 2 litre manual.That was at the Hitch-N-Go reccomended dealer in Bundaberg Qld.
I decided to add the McHitch $495 as an extra for my own peace of mind.
That included the Tow Toungue as I needed a drop of some five inches to keep the "A" Frame level.It also included fitting the overide breaking system to the car via a cable attached to the brake pedal.
I had a look at the Janer(US Roadmaster system) which does look to be a better product but somewhat more expensive. I also discovered later that the attachment to the tow vehicle is a much easier process with the Janer system.It appears that the bars on each side slide and change to allow easier attachment and then self lock in the correct alignment.
Not the Hitch-N-Go.
The attachment is also easier to stow,can be directly attached via a WDH receiver so no need for a towball. Negating the need for the McHitch.
I have to find somewhere to keep the A frame when disengaged from the 4x4 with the Hitch n go
In retrospect I would have gone the Janer option.
Isn't hindsight wonderful.
Saying that there a lot of people successfully towing with the hitch-n-go and have had no problems.
I am sorry if my answer gives you more questions to ask.

Wombat 280 · Guru

Thanks for the detailed costings and thoughts, at that price I may stick with hiring vehicles when I get there as I do on an as required basis . On close examination of the setup there isn't that much in it to warrant the cost even with all the engineering certifications and the like. I understand that in some states flat towing is not permitted regardless of the set up but you would have to be unlucky to find a copper who really understands what flat towing is really all about .

As they say Ned Kelly remains alive and well in the auto trades.

Many Thanks again