Ariel.Club Forum

[quote=robfitz post_id=302355 time=1604066819 user_id=5641]
I think I’d just look to rent a proper trailer when needed or if buying speak to a farmer etc about storing it if not enough space.
[/quote]

Good call

[quote=autobackup post_id=302354 time=1604064408 user_id=4949]
You might 'not be worried' about the legalities but I personally would be concerned about how it might affect the insurance should you unfortunately be involved in an accident while towing your dollied Atom!

The possible invalidation of my insurance l, after taking informal advice from a barrister friend, was the ultimate reason that I finally decided a few years ago not to go down the dolly route.

Your insurance cover is normally directly dependent on all aspects of your car and towing rig being legal!
[/quote]

That's a very valid point, thanks.

I think I’d just look to rent a proper trailer when needed or if buying speak to a farmer etc about storing it if not enough space.

You might 'not be worried' about the legalities but I personally would be concerned about how it might affect the insurance should you unfortunately be involved in an accident while towing your dollied Atom!

The possible invalidation of my insurance l, after taking informal advice from a barrister friend, was the ultimate reason that I finally decided a few years ago not to go down the dolly route.

Your insurance cover is normally directly dependent on all aspects of your car and towing rig being legal!

[quote=autobackup post_id=302342 time=1604050261 user_id=4949]
Extract from regulations :

[i]"..........However, if “dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to be fitted with an operational braking system. Additionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed car which are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a trailer. .........."[/i]


[/quote]

I'm not too concerned about the legalities, I think it would be a really poor bobby who stopped me for towing using this method.
What I am more interested in is damage to the car, and the implications of towing for long distances using the Dolly.
There seems to be little evidence of anything negative with regards to these points.
There is the little wear factor on the rear tyres too, but this will be minimal.
It seems a lot of people use them for exactly the same reason I intend to, for Atoms and other cars.
I am also looking into other options.....
My main problem is, I only have a garage that is 15ft long, and so any trailer will have to be b£spok£, whereas the dolly easily fit, and in comparison is much cheaper.

Would you rack up mileage with the rear wheels on the road?

Or maybe not with the LCD dashes and the electronics switched off. Probably just an an 'analogue' issue.

Ok, as you were...

Extract from regulations :

[i]"..........However, if “dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to be fitted with an operational braking system. Additionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed car which are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a trailer. .........."[/i]

To get the full picture you will need to take a 'deep dive' into this UK government webpage - including all the sub regulations and appendices!

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-frames-and-dollies/a-frames-and-dollies

Basically - to my understanding - the general purpose of the Towing Dolly regulations - i.e. what is intended by these regulations - is that this method of towing is mainly for the recovery of broken down vehicles.

- motor homes with an attached 'A' Frame Dolly for towing a small 'satellite car usually have quick release hydraulic brake & electrical connections plumbed into the towed car so when the motor home is braked it also brakes the rear wheels of the towed car and also operates the brake lights (and side lights at night).

A few years ago, shortly after I retired, my wife and I rented an enormous Winnebago for 3 months for an extensive tour of the USA which included a small towed car with both hydraulic brake and electrical connections between the two but I am unsure whether this option is offered (or even available?) in UK motor homes - but a dealer should be able to inform you whether such quick release connections could be fitted to an Atom/Nomad

Sometime ago I investigated using a Dolly which was extensively discussed in this forum - after quite a bit of research I concluded that buying a bespoke trailer from PRG was by far the better option!

[quote=autobackup post_id=302336 time=1604003475 user_id=4949]
The main problem with using a Dolly is that, unless you tap into the braking system of the towed car (a la motorhome towed cars) the max legal speed you can tow at in the UK is only 40mph!
[/quote]

Is that true, even if the dolly trailer is braked?

The main problem with using a Dolly is that, unless you tap into the braking system of the towed car (a la motorhome towed cars) the max legal speed you can tow at in the UK is only 40mph!

Seems that the factory are Ok with the use of dolly's as long as the car is in neutral, there is no issue.

.......Just when I thought I was doing OK in life!

Or... another option...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ymaT1Ko0Vs&ab_channel=MOTAHOLIC

Henry's comments on a Towing Dolly and how it is illegal :-

[url]https://ariel.club/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16631&p=283005&hilit=dolly#p282997[/url]


Another link :-

[url]https://ariel.club/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=16582&p=282367&hilit=dolly#p282344[/url]

I use a tow dolly for track events. It's 120 miles rounds trip. I've done it 10 times this summer. Super simple. Happy to help if you have questions.

Using a dolly has already been discussed in the forum do a search using the term.

From memory of the various posts in the forum I seem to remember that it was established that in the UK using dolly is only legal for vehicle recovery purposes (e.g. RAC and the AA) but I have a 'folk'memory that is not legal to tow a functional vehicle from place to place using a dolly?

Check online