Towing dolly's - and the law..

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I want to get a towing dolly to transport my Spitfire and my Series around behind the D3, however, I know there are laws around towing dolly's - so have been trying to get my head round them to work out if it is legal or not...

However, if
“dollies” are used for the transportation of perfectly functioning vehicles they will need to 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. The dolly would also be required by Regulation 22 of C&U to be fitted with suspension.
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That is the key paragraph about them - however, what does it mean about the breaking efficiency of the vehicle on tow? Does that mean the vehicle on tow has to have its brakes connected in some how to work whilst on tow?
 
Yes but there's lot's of other trailer laws that come into effect such as auto reverse mechanism that disconnects the brakes to allow a trailer to be reversed. Lighting rules have to followed as well.

In short they are legal to recover a vehicle over a short distance to the first available place of safety. I:E nearest layby slip road or services. beyond that they become illegal.
 
redhand said:
In short they are legal to recover a vehicle over a short distance to the first available place of safety. I:E nearest layby slip road or services. beyond that they become illegal.
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So, for regular (ish) use they're not an option... what about A-frames? same issues?
 
Bump said:
So, for regular (ish) use they're not an option... what about A-frames? same issues?
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yep Law says once a vehicle is attached to a dolly or an Aframe, it becomes a trailer and has to meet trailer C&U laws. only way to get round it is if towed vehicle has a Gross weight of less than 750kg some little french thing Called an Axiom is the only thing you can legally tow on a dolly or aframe, over a long distance.
 
redhand said:
yep Law says once a vehicle is attached to a dolly or an Aframe, it becomes a trailer and has to meet trailer C&U laws. only way to get round it is if towed vehicle has a Gross weight of less than 750kg some little french thing Called an Axiom is the only thing you can legally tow on a dolly or aframe, over a long distance.
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So.... how do the camper van folk do it then?
 
200tdi ayre said:
Just get a trailer so much more useful
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Yeah... maybe... but, storage space is a major issue at the current place - there is the option of, after doing the drive i could park something permanently on the trailer, but, a dolly would be easier. (and cheaper)
 
Bump said:
Yeah... maybe... but, storage space is a major issue at the current place - there is the option of, after doing the drive i could park something permanently on the trailer, but, a dolly would be easier. (and cheaper)
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Can't change space I guess but you'll find lots of uses for the trailer once you've got it :)
 
200tdi ayre said:
Can't change space I guess but you'll find lots of uses for the trailer once you've got it :)
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I've owned car transporter trailers in the past... it spent a lot of the time sat in the front garden and when we did use it the wheels kept coming off in every direction... :eek:

It would be a flat bed if i got anything as i could put sides on it and use it for Scout camps too. but i can borrow box trailers for that if needed.
 
Bump said:
I've owned car transporter trailers in the past... it spent a lot of the time sat in the front garden and when we did use it the wheels kept coming off in every direction... :eek:

It would be a flat bed if i got anything as i could put sides on it and use it for Scout camps too. but i can borrow box trailers for that if needed.
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Flatbeds are so much more useful but if you can borrow trailers fairly easily then that's better for you :)
 
Ifor williams do good trailerssides and ramps so ideal for cars and stuff.my father in law towed his car behind his camper but had buy a brake buddy which senses the camper breaking and brakes were applied to car.however he got told that he would need to get an a frame fitted that would apply the brakes to the car.or get a axiom trailer.but they wouldnt carry the weight of a series. This is why you see people with campers towing small cars.due to weight and a frame laws.but soon will have to be braked or trailered
 
Bump said:
So.... how do the camper van folk do it then?
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depends, some just break the law and hope for the best, but theres quite a few manufacturers now where all 4 wheels of the towed car stay on the ground, and they have adaptations so the attached drawbar operates the brakes, and vehicle lights, all you do is stick the numberplate of the camper in the back.

like these

Car-a-tow System Information
 
timtheenchanteruk said:
depends, some just break the law and hope for the best, but theres quite a few manufacturers now where all 4 wheels of the towed car stay on the ground, and they have adaptations so the attached drawbar operates the brakes, and vehicle lights, all you do is stick the numberplate of the camper in the back.

like these

Car-a-tow System Information
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They're just A-frame systems though?
 
its never going to be found out, unless something happens and it goes to court.

At the end of the day, no car towed, however it is done, unless its for recovery or on a trailer, all wheels off the ground is going to be 100% to the letter of the law.
Its not type approved, end of, even if the Aframe itself is, the unit (car and frame) is not, unless the owner gets it done, which it wont pass, as theres no autoreverse mechanism.
 
Bump said:
So.... how do the camper van folk do it then?
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They have a hydraulic slave clyinder going to towed car with a trailer plug thing for lights.so when tow vehicle puts its brakes on the brake peddle is applied and light at the same time.

I'll see what I can find:) Most of all our trailer here are electric brakes on trailer either drum or disc on newer trailers, with a brakeaway cable if it comes lose locks up the trailer brakes. And we can backup with the trailer.

Back in the 50's they used to be surge brakes but that was all changed in the 60's to electric applied brakes. Nice if you get tail wag you can activate the trailer brakes, to regain control, like articled trucks:)

http://roadmasterinc.com/products/braking/brakemaster/brake_m.html
 
Last edited:
over there may be, electrically operated brakes ain't allowed over here. trailer braking systems have to be completely mechanical (another grey for the braked overrun Abar ;) )

were only allowed overruns as in the link.

we do have electric "assistance" systems like the alco ATC, but thats it.

we can also reverse with the trailer, theres a cam inside the hub, so if a force is applied at the same time as the wheels trying to turn backwards, it releases the brakes so we can reverse, auto reverse came in is 1977/8 IIRC
 
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