'Afternoon from Sunny Somerset

[HenryJS]

Good Afternoon everyone!

Henry from Ariel here ....

Here to try to help where I can, mainly technical answers to any questions one may have! or perhaps even the ones you were afraid to ring the Factory to ask, don't worry - its not a silly question - better to ask and remove doubt than soldier forward potentially doing harm to something / someone (lets hope not) / somewhere or a combination of the above. That, and try not to get in the way too much!

All the best

[autobackup]

OK Henry here's one for you!

Is a 'dolly' suitable for towing a standard manual Atom 3.5?

A 'dolly' such as : http://www.phoenixtrailer.co.uk/product/towing-dollies-99/

1. Would the towing speed and distance be limited in anyway? (I'm not talking about legal 'road' towing speed limits!)
2. If towing speed & distance are limited what would be the recommended limits?
3. Would the diff (or any other) lubrication be compromised by towing from the front with the engine not running?
4. Would towing an Atom using a 'dolly' cause any other problems not mentioned above?

While it is theoretically possible to tow 'backwards' (i.e. rear wheels on the 'dolly') but doing so creates other problems such as having to effectively lock off the steering not to mention the additional problem that doing this would cause an Atom's nose being very close to the road - even more so if a wing is fitted!

The reason I ask is that a 'dolly' is reasonably cheap to buy and, particularly for my purposes, is considerably easier to store than a full sized trailer as it can be stood up on end against a wall thus taking up little space when not in use!

[HenryJS]

Hi Autobackup:

Whilst there is no reason to not tow an Atom with a dolly, it is preferable not to, for a number of reasons. But mainly because it is against the law, sorry! as a Dolly is only suitable for recovering broken down vehicles, not for transportation use - outlined in this document:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/408927/a-frames-and-dollies.pdf

(for ease i have copied the relevant section in here - it also outlines A frames as well)

Dollies
The use of “dollies” is intended for the recovery of broken down vehicles, not for the transportation
of a vehicle from “A” to “B”. Under Regulation 83 of C&U a motor car is permitted to tow two trailers
when one of them is a towing implement and the other is secured to and either rests on or is
suspended from the implement.When used for recovering broken down vehicles “dollies” are
exempt from having an operational braking system fitted, provided that the towing vehicle is
capable of meeting the minimum prescribed braking requirements for the combination. However, if
“dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to be fitted
with an operational braking system. dditionally the brakes on the wheels of the towed carwhich
are in contact with the road must work and meet the specified 50% braking efficiency required for a
trailer. The dolly would also be required by Regulation 22 of C&U to be fitted with suspension.
Regulations 19 and 22 in C&U permit a broken down vehicle to be recovered without complying
with these requirements. However, there is further legislation under the Road TrafficRegulation Act
1984that introduces a limitation on the maximum speed that the combination can be driven; this is
40mph on motorways and 20mph on other roads.

Henry

[russty_james]

Hey Henry,

Welcome to the forum!

A quick question, what tyre pressure should the Nomads A/T 15's be set at F/R as default for road? Couldn't find the answer in the cars user manual...

[HenryJS]

Thankyou for the welcome Russ,

Your tire pressures should be 26psi front 31psi rear.

I know I know - the manual is underway - theres even an screen shot attached so its not all just hopes and dreams!

[autobackup]

Henry

I am well of those UK rules in regard to using a 'dolly' - however I don't live in the UK and 'dollies' are perfectly legal in Cyprus!

I was simply wondering if there was any mechanical reason why an Atom shouldn't be towed using a 'dolly'?

Incidentally the 'dolly' shown at the weblink is both braked and has suspension - the legislation also states that the towed car's road contact wheel brakes must be 50% efficient but actually doesn't specifically say that they need to work when actually under tow - just that they 'must work' which could be demonstrated by sitting in the car and pressing the brake pedal!! 

i.e. - as per your quoted text
"..........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. .........."

[Sir Nick]

When is my Atom 4 gonna be ready? 

[HenryJS]

Hi Autobackup:

Apologies, I didn't know you were in Cyprus, assumed you were in the UK as there is no location set on your posts.

There is no reason to not tow an Atom on a dolly, as long as it is in neutral, as it will simply be turning the diff, which is LSD anyway so the cornering should be spot on  It may be a bit 'sketchy' as all of the weight is over the rear wheels and they are not braked, the risk of a 'jack knife' is increased under heavy braking.

The only problem i can see with the dolly is the method of strapping the car to it. We are firm believers in using the wishbones at the front to strap the cars into our trasnporters. We dont strap on the wheels as it can alter the setup of the car. This is extreme cases with cars going into containers where they look like they are being strapped in as if it were a 10 ton digger, but has happened.

[HenryJS]

Sir Nick:

Its all a mystery! Is there or isn't there an Atom 4? Who knows?














The wizards.....

[Bruce Fielding]

[quote="HenryJS"]
I know I know - the manual is underway - theres even an screen shot attached so its not all just hopes and dreams!
[/quote]

Nice design... Looks familiar...

[HenryJS]

One i cant take credit for! Why change something that is well presented and informative!

[Andrew300]

Hi Henry welcome to the forum .

[Steve Gibson]

Dear Henry,

My girlfriend says that riding in the Atom makes her horny. Is this normal? And would you like photos for the new manual?

Thanks for your help.

Steve, London

[Rocket Man]

just makes me want to go to the loo, think its an age thing.
who said women don't like to go in an Atom.

PS. sitting on the washing machine could be her answer for those winter months 

[IanG]

That now makes sense since we had our utility room finished
I was wondering why the wife was doing so much washing.
All explained now