Safety chain(s) must be suitably and appropriately connected to a tow bar. The use of a shackle to attach a safety chain to the tow bar is permitted, provided the shackle used is fit for purpose and compatible with the safety chain in terms of strength and size.

The A-frame must be equipped with safety chains/cables that meet the same Safety Chain requirements for trailers as described above.

The vehicle combination must be capable of turning within a 25-metre diameter circle, measured at the outer wheel track.

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The requirement for a 3.5:1 towed mass ratio is intended to give the combination adequate braking without the need for the brakes on the towed vehicle to be operated.

The load capacity of a tow bar must be at least equal to the loaded mass of the trailer. All tow bars manufactured after 1 January 1992 for passenger vehicles must be marked showing their load capacity as well as the make and model of the vehicle they are intended to be fitted to.

This advice applies to towing vehicles that have a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4,500kg or less. For information about towing vehicles with a GVM that exceeds 4,500kg, contact the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator by visiting www.nhvr.gov.au or telephone 13 64 87.

You can use a shackle that is compatible with the safety chain and complies with Australian Standard AS 2741-2002 'Shackles'.

These lamps may be the towed vehicle's own lights or as an alternative be arranged on a portable light bar providing it is properly secured to the rear of the towed vehicle and comply with the lighting positions shown in Vehicle Standards Bulletin VSB1, Chapter 6.

All pig trailers with rigid drawbars (with or without breakaway brakes but excluding converter dollies) and any other trailer without breakaway brakes, must be fitted with safety chains that are marked in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard complying with the following:

A motor vehicle can be flat-towed behind another motor vehicle, using a device commonly known as an A-frame. In this case all the wheels of the towed vehicle remain on the road. When towing using an A-frame, the safety requirements stated above continue to apply.

The tow bar must be fitted with attachments for connecting safety chains that can withstand the rated load capacity of the tow bar.

A combination (tow vehicle and trailer) that’s 7.5m or longer may be fitted with rear marker plates displaying ‘DO NOT OVERTAKE TURNING VEHICLE’. This is mandatory if your vehicle needs to straddle 2 lanes when making sharp turns.

This device transfers some of the load on the tow bar ball to the towing vehicle's front and rear suspension. This maintains the vehicle's ride height and steering control.

You should use heavy duty tow bars and attachments with a weight distribution hitch. Get advice from the tow bar manufacturer or caravan dealer before using this equipment, as it may overload the tow bar and its components.

The simplest form of A-frame towing involves towing another vehicle without applying its service brakes. To provide for adequate levels of vehicle stability, handling and braking performance, it is necessary to maintain a towed mass ratio of not less than 3.5:1. This means the mass of the towing vehicle must be at least 3.5 times the mass of an un-braked vehicle being towed (that is, if the mass of the towed vehicle is 1,000kg, the mass of the towing vehicle must be no less than 3,500kg). If the towing vehicle is less than 3.5 times the mass of the towed vehicle, the brakes on the towed vehicle must be used.

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It is recommended that the tow-ball or hitch position on the towing vehicle is located as close as practicable to the rear axle. This will reduce any adverse effects of the towed vehicle on the handling characteristics of the combination.

Tow bars, including tow bar tongues, must not have sharp edges and corners or overhang dangerously when a trailer isn't connected. The use of a removable trailer ball mount, protective guard on protruding sections, and/or recessed tow bar is recommended.

The following lights must be fitted to the rear of the towed vehicle and must operate in unison with the towing vehicle whilst under tow:

The parking brake of the towing vehicle must be able to hold the combination stationary on a 12 per cent gradient, when the combination is on a dry, smooth road surface, free from loose material.

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.

Ensure the safety chain attachments are mounted adjacent to the tow coupling and arranged to maintain the towed vehicle's direction if the coupling fails or disconnects.

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Light trailers that do not exceed 3,500kg ATM must have a quick release coupling which is designed to be engaged and disengaged without the use of tools. It must be of a positive locking type with provision for a second independent locking device. The locking must be readily verifiable by visual inspection.

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An A-frame consists of a triangle-shaped frame which provides a means of towing a motor vehicle. This towing mechanism is used to tow a vehicle without lifting the towed vehicle clear off the ground. Both the towing and towed vehicles must be registered.

The length of the safety chain/s must prevent the trailer's drawbar hitting the ground if the trailer is detached from the towing vehicle. The safety chains must be properly connected to the tow bar with attachments capable of withstanding the specified breaking load of each chain. Do not use padlocks.