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towing dollydrainplug
@GUEST
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May 21, 2012 22:22:52 GMT
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hi i have just got a towing dolly.....not a a frame i need to know how to use it thanks Attachments:
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May 21, 2012 23:06:55 GMT
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 1995 mk3 cavalier 1.8i 1972 1200 beetle 2010 1.2 fiat 500 "sometime's" 2000 suzuki gsxr 600 srad |
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barty
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,088
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looks like there should be some bars are missing, they go across the area where the wheels go so that a smaller wheel will not fall through. You will also need some ramps
I hear they may be making these illegal as they are not braked but that depends on who you talk to lol.
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May 22, 2012 12:03:41 GMT
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Have fun. I bought one but couldn't get along with it. Puts the front of the towed vehicle so high that it makes an unstable towing setup unless you are using something like a big van or 4x4. Tyres on dolley need to be 100% perfect otherwise any aging, cracks etc and they will pop leaving you stranded. New tyres need to be correct load rating and thus can be expensive as most common small ones available aren't suitable.
Paul H
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I used a dolly for a few years with no real issues but the law were cracking down heavily on them around the time I took mine off the road back 2 years ago.
A few tips.
Get decent ramps as the load angle will be quite steep asylu can't use really long ramps cos there's nowhere to put them plus they maybe too heavy to lift on and stay on.
Get a bolt or two with wingnuts on to really clamp the dolly down when unladen so it doesn't rattle as much.
If you've not got a decent winch forget about stuff that's not running,you won't get it on no matter how strong you are.
Practice reversing with it as it's very difficult,the dolly wants to go it's own way and I really got myself in a pickle trying to get it out of a tight spot once,it took me about 2hrs and I needed to get owners to move their cars etc all down to a retard telling me the road was open the other end but it wasn't.a trolly jack came in essential in this situation so throw one in the boot incase.
They can get snakey at motorway speeds and can be very hard to correct.I found 50-60 was fine but any more and it just started wobbling and felt horrible,lowered my speed and all was well.
You'll need a very long numberplate cable as its surprising the overall length with car and dolly.
Be prepared for a barrage of abuse from Internet warriors claiming "these are illegal" and "you'll be thrown in jail if you use it".
Their not illegal BUT the far your towing must be 100% road legal,you'll need to ensure your insurance covers you and make sure everything works perfectly on it before you leave as the plod are trying for easy targets right now and towing is such a grey area it's best to be forewarned.
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Be wary of the legal towing weight of the tow vehicle. It's now entered on the V5 for modern vehicles so police can see instantly if you are exceeding the limit. Without brakes you are restricted to 750kg (which includes the weight of the dolley) anyway so I assume the dolley is a braked item if carrying heavier cars.
This is the aspect that you MIGHT fall foul of the law more than any other.
Check with your insurer they will cover you as many now restrict you to two wheel trailers only whereas a vehicle on a dolly is classed as a 4 wheeler. NFU (my insurer) don't have such restriction.
paul h
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RobinJI
Posted a lot
"Driven by the irony that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
Posts: 2,995
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May 23, 2012 11:42:49 GMT
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Surely if it's classed as a 4 wheel trailer then all four wheels would need braking, not just the dolly's? (not having a go, I'm genuinely curious.)
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May 23, 2012 14:27:05 GMT
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Surely if it's classed as a 4 wheel trailer then all four wheels would need braking, not just the dolly's? (not having a go, I'm genuinely curious.) Trailer Brakes Trailers up to half the kerb weight of the towing vehicle do not require brakes up to a maximum limit of 750kg. Above this weight and up to 3500kg. Auto-reversing over-run brakes are required on all wheels and all equipment must comply with E.U. regulations. www.batesontrailers.com/trailer-towing-guide.asp |
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Todos con Lorca
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May 23, 2012 16:55:02 GMT
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These are for recovery of a broken down vehicle to a place of safety only. Transporting cars with them is illegal. Full Stop. Same goes for A-frames.
Its all down to weights and brakes. Any trailer under 750 kgs GROSS weight does not need brakes. Anything over 750 kgs needs over-run brakes on all wheels.
The weight of the car you tow will be taken as the gross vehicle weight as stamped on the VIN plate rather than its empty weight or whatever it actually may weigh at the time. Aside from perhaps a few kits cars and maybe French Sans-permis microcars, there is nothing on the road that will legally comply with these restrictions.
I have and use an A-frame myself despite this. As I always say in these threads, the chances are that you will not have a problem. The chances are that you will be able to use it as you wish for whatever you want. Many police are not clued up on the exact legislation involved and as long as your outfit looks "right" they will let you pass. - ie tow car much heavier than the vehicle being towed, correct lights and reflectors, nothing loose, good tyres.....
However - The day you meet a knowledgeable copper or a roadside VOSA inspection is the day you will have a real problem, and if - God forbid - you have an accident while using it, the book will not be thrown at you, it will be inserted without lubrication.
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1986 Panda 4x4.
1990 Metro Sport.
1999 Ford Escort estate.
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