Towing Dollys v A Frames

[donnkim]

We have a Kia Picanto which we shall want to tow in the future. I haven't seen much comment about the dollys. As the Kia is on a limited mileage purchase plan I thought the dolly would be so much better as it raises the front wheels there by keeping the mileage down.
Any comments on our plans - we shall be doing alot of mileage around the UK with the car in tow.

 

[Xabia]

We have a Kia Picanto which we shall want to tow in the future. I haven't seen much comment about the dollys. As the Kia is on a limited mileage purchase plan I thought the dolly would be so much better as it raises the front wheels there by keeping the mileage down.
Any comments on our plans - we shall be doing alot of mileage around the UK with the car in tow.

Towing dollies are illegal apart from recovery by authorised agencies like the AA, RAC etc.

 

[pappajohn]

sorry, dollies are not legal for general.use and can only.be.used by recovery companies to tow disabled cars.
there are also reduced speed limits when in use.

 

[pappajohn]

the Picanto will probably have an electronic Speedo so maybe won't record towed mileage if the ignition is turned off.

another more inconvenient option, if it still records, would be to disconnect the electronic speed sensor on the gearbox when towing

 

[TheBig1]

use a trailer if you plan towing the car in Spain in particular

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[Billy23]

I feel an "A" Frame coming on!

 

[knokinonabit]

In the Lake Disrict at New Year there was a couplke on site who had a Reliant Robin as a toad (no, it wasn't the Trotters), and they were using a dolly to pull it.
I was sure they were illegal but was too polite to mention it. Or was that start an argument?

 

[TheBig1]

In the Lake Disrict at New Year there was a couplke on site who had a Reliant Robin as a toad (no, it wasn't the Trotters), and they were using a dolly to pull it.
I was sure they were illegal but was too polite to mention it. Or was that start an argument?

interesting, as it might be classified the same as a trike derived from a motorcycle. I believe that you can still tow these on a specialised dolly or with the front wheel in a bracket on the van.

still illegal in spain though as you cant tow a vehicle there with its wheels touching the road


this has been discussed to death on here before though and every now and then somebody new comes along without the benefit of experience or the wisdom to try searching the forum first

 

[Jaws]

Three wheelers are actually a different thing but I would suspect they are still illegal ..
As a by the by I believe the rules also require the vehicle towing to have an orange flashing light on the top !

 

[donnkim]

Shows how great our community is - information given so quickly and informatively - thank you.
Will have to think again re an A frame. Will only be towing car in the UK and actually seen a Kia Picanto on an A frame on the M66 today. Might have been going to Burrs which is close to me.

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[pappajohn]

interesting, as it might be classified the same as a trike derived from a motorcycle. I believe that you can still tow these on a specialised dolly or with the front wheel in a bracket on the van.

still illegal in spain though as you cant tow a vehicle there with its wheels touching the road


this has been discussed to death on here before though and every now and then somebody new comes along without the benefit of experience or the wisdom to try searching the forum first

No they aren't legal.

still got wheels on the road which ever method is used and as the wheels have brakes they must, by law, work efficiently.
Can' t do that with front wheel suspended on a bracket or dolly.

 

[gozomike]

Just found this which may be of interest

http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/a-frames.shtml

 

[pappajohn]

Just found this which may be of interest

http://www.ukmotorhomes.net/a-frames.shtml

This being the relevant paragraph

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. Therefore as a trailer if the maximum laden weight of the dolly exceeds 750 kg it must be fitted with operational brakes, additionally the brakes on the wheels of the second trailer (the towed car) must work and meet the specified requirements. Again this would be very difficult for the rear brakes of a motor car, on their own, to meet the 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 Traffic Act that introduces a limitation on the maximum speed that the combination can be driven; this is 40mph on motorways and 20mph on other roads.