t4 transform into a trailer rules.

[Bill Lee]

I just happen to have another t4 to play with and I'd like to make a trailer (like those professional t4 drivers have ,a shiney half vehical) and I asked the law here in tasmania and they said to place on a 'turntable' costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I'd like to tow the thing with an a-frame but sawing the cab off and mounting towing trailer forks and frame may be all that's left to do, so can I?
If so would there be a set of instructions to follow? Or law!
Any suggestions.....thanks

[Umai Naa!!]

You'd need to speak to an engineer.

I reckon it's a great idea, to be honest.

I'd be more inclined to build a new frame, drawbar and axle for it. Make a new floor, etc.

[Sunny43.5]

Yes agree with Umai each state has certified persons who can do the checks and give information for legality , don't ask the police they are not fully informed of the laws and regulations regarding conversions . They do know how to pass out fines but the rules on conversions are very complicated .

[Bill Lee]

.....that's the turntable. (Ideal they say)
I don't know why the existing wheel base isn't good enough, conversion could be a little better for this country ....I'll just have to settle for the engineer.
Thanks for the help.

[Umai Naa!!]

You could get away without the 5th wheeler setup.

Cut the floor and everything out of it, and drop it over a trailer chassis made up to suit, then build a new floor for it. Sounds like a lot of work, but it'd turn out a lot better than trying to attach a drawbar to the existing chassis.

[Bill Lee]

Well this is the thing isn't it, what, can I do. To do that comes under the existing trailer requirements and passes. I build?
Maybe the engineer can find a good reason and I can use the whole vehical like originally planned, lose the engine and cab.

[Scouser]

These look great!

[Peter Jones]

Trailers are pretty simple things and the rules are pretty straight forward to build and register.

Take a look at VSB1 to get a feel for it.

https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/..._b.aspx#anc_11

The only real tricky bit is getting the axle in the right place if you're re-purposing a van. You want it about centre under the load area.

I'd be inclined to make a very basic trailer chassis out of 2mm 50x75 RHS and attach the body work to that.

[Bill Lee]

Yes that's the style I'm left with. Originally I wanted an A-frame for a temporary tow, then the wheelbase had to be moved for a trailer/turntable setup, rego being the reason. I might go back to the a-frame idea, drop the engine and cover the windows but ultimately the engineer will define what I should do.

[ocdrbug]

This is an interesting subject for discussion as i had a vicroads appointed guy tell me i would be ok useing the rear half section ( cut straight thru the middle of the mid window in the cargo area) of a SWB van and fabricating a 3mm min 50mm x 75mm mild steel chassis rail with cross bracing and A Frame head design with the appropriate load hitch for the intended purpose. I was looking at use for carrying 2 200kg roadbikes set at their furthest rear placment point possible wit minimial weight in the forward section so as to keep the ball weight and axle weight as evenly distributed as possible. all said and done it will come under the same classification as my open 6' x 10 - 3 bike trailer and will be 35cm longer from tow ball to axle.

[ocdrbug]

This is an interesting subject for discussion as i had a vicroads appointed guy tell me i would be ok useing the rear half section ( cut straight thru the middle of the mid window in the cargo area) of a SWB van and fabricating a 3mm min 50mm x 75mm mild steel chassis rail with cross bracing and A Frame head design with the appropriate load hitch for the intended purpose. I was looking at use for carrying 2 200kg roadbikes set at their furthest rear placment point possible wit minimial weight in the forward section so as to keep the ball weight and axle weight as evenly distributed as possible. all said and done it will come under the same classification as my open 6' x 10 - 3 bike trailer and will be 35cm longer from tow ball to axle.

[Bill Lee]

Well, at least you get the word trailer with yours, I'd never heard of a TURNTABLE. Like some rotating train bridge.
I posted an engineer associated to the licensing of these things and he hasn't replied yet, so when he does then I've some news.
The guy on the phone from the registration said all that, so using a trailer base IS considered but they might not register it unless an engineer has waved some magic hand.