31 replies to this topic

[plantfitterRich]

Iv been wanting a tow dolly for some time now, I have no real need for one but just fancy having one, just incase. I will lend it out and possibly rent out once complete. Every tow dolly iv seen on ebay have been over complicated and over expensive or poor design and build quality.

So i did a few basic drawings and set out on building one. I had already sourced the suspension units for a previous trailer project. The steel was begged and borrowed from friends in different industries(as you do.) Its taken me about 2 hours so far.

Heres a few pics(sorry maybe on the big side)

First thing to do was flash up the chop saw. (ebay bargain £5.50!)


Then i made the frame that i want to be the main body of the tow dolly


Welded in the wheel plates, i will be mounting the suspension units to this so 5mm plat was fitted.



Suspension units in place. Just a mock up here, these will be my next thing to mount.

[plantfitterRich]

Holes marked out for suspension units to be bolted.



Primer under the suspension units once holes are drilled.



Suspension units now on, wheel tried out. Next is to come up with the draw bar.

[ChrisG10]

Looking good! Looks better than most of the ones ive seen!!
Keep up the good work!

[loobies-dad]

Any further with this? Looks like a great idea.

[firstforward]

Are Tow Dollies still legal? I thought they can only be used to remove a car to the nearest "safe" place, whatever that means.

[AVV IT]

I'm not aware that there has actually been any change in legislation, it's just that it is now advised that a braked trailer is to be used instead and that anything less is only advised for emergency use. The same is true of tow ropes, contrary to popular belief, it's actually still legal to use them, it's just that the official advice is that you should really just use them to move a broken down vehicle to a place of safety in an emergency.

The other issue is that in order to legally use a dolly, A - Frame, or tow rope, (where any road wheels are still in contact with the road), the vehicle needs to be taxed, insured MoT'd and roadworthy. If the vehicle is unroadworthy or on a SORN, it needs to go on a trailer or recovery vehicle, so that it legaly becomes a load and ceases to be a towed vehicle.

EDIT: One thing I've always wondered (might be a daft question), is how do you actually get the front wheels of the car up onto the dolly? Is it a case of jacking the car up and then reversing the dolly back under the car once it's in the air?

Edited by AVV IT, 28 January 2013 - 04:43 PM.

[firstforward]

The one i had was with brakes and steered itself, was really good actually, you had to place ramps either side and drive/winch the car on, strap it down and MAKE sure you let the handbrake off before you drive off, I only mentioned that as I did not once!!!! I think other makes allow the cradle to lower via a winch to let the car on.

just found this link to my type, if you look closly you will see track rods that turn the wheel plates.....must keep the steering lock off on the car of course.

http://www.fiestatur...-guys-vt191758/

Edited by firstforward, 28 January 2013 - 05:49 PM.

[minical]

I have used a dolly a few times picking minis up and never really looked into the legal side of it until I got talking to someone the other day who does a lot of towing. Basically a dolly is meant for the recovery of a broken down vehicle in which case no braking system has to be in place, but if its used for moving a vehicle from A to B then there should be some braking system used on the towed vehicle. Also as it is classed as a trailer on a trailer the maximum speed on the motorway is only 40mph and 20mph on other roads. Saying that all the times I used mine I never got pulled for speeding which probably means the police arn't too clued up on it either.

[998dave]

My step Dad used to have one in his Sprinter, you'd open the back doors and it was mounted vertically, use a winch to lower the bed ground level, push the car on.
Then winch it up in the air with the front of the car, and fit the hub and wheel assemblies - was quite useful!

[valve bounce]

. Also as it is classed as a trailer on a trailer the maximum speed on the motorway is only 40mph and 20mph on other roads. Saying that all the times I used mine I never got pulled for speeding which probably means the police arn't too clued up on it either.

not true a trailer can do 60mph on motorways, 50mph on normal roads

[mini-geek]

You will find that won't really work. It will drag around corners.. It needs to be able to pivot...

[minical]

. Also as it is classed as a trailer on a trailer the maximum speed on the motorway is only 40mph and 20mph on other roads. Saying that all the times I used mine I never got pulled for speeding which probably means the police arn't too clued up on it either.

not true a trailer can do 60mph on motorways, 50mph on normal roads

True but a car towing a dolly with a car on it is classed as a trailer on a trailer in which case the speeds are 40 and 20.

Have a read through this...

http://www.direct.go...t/dg_200824.pdf

[absx2]

. Also as it is classed as a trailer on a trailer the maximum speed on the motorway is only 40mph and 20mph on other roads. Saying that all the times I used mine I never got pulled for speeding which probably means the police arn't too clued up on it either.

not true a trailer can do 60mph on motorways, 50mph on normal roads

True but a car towing a dolly with a car on it is classed as a trailer on a trailer in which case the speeds are 40 and 20.

Have a read through this...

http://www.direct.go...t/dg_200824.pdf

Reading the link makes me think you could probably get away with an untaxed/insured but road worthy car being attached to an A frame provided you have a trailer board on the back as they call it a trailer.........or not?

[minical]

Reading the link makes me think you could probably get away with an untaxed/insured but road worthy car being attached to an A frame provided you have a trailer board on the back as they call it a trailer.........or not?

Yeh think your pretty much right, I think for it to be classed as a trailer the vehicle cant be moved under its own steam. So if you needed to move a fully working car on an A frame just disconnecting the battery would do it as then it cant power itself.

[scaffers]

looks good