Car transporting

[tigga]

Is it legal to tow a vehicle on a dolly (i.e. two wheels on the road) or does it have to be a full length car trailer ?

I mean the vehicle wouldnt be taxed mot'ed or insured, i would be transporting from an auction to my house for restoration.

Thanks in advance.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

of course its legal

[noxlumos]

yeah thats fine.

[Grunty]

Can't speak from my own knowledge, but I found this on the Triumph Owners' website:

It is a popular misconception that you can use 'A' frames to tow cars. What you are towing is a drawbar trailer and if it weighs more than 750 kg it MUST be braked. If it is a car it must be completely road legal (tax, MoT and Insured) plus the driver must have a licence to drive it. It cannot be towed if it weighs over 750 kg, because it need brakes that are operated by the tow car. It still requires a steersman too.

If the vehicle is a broken down vehicle it is exempt trailer regulations, but this does not include an unroadworthy car being moved from one place to another. To move such a car requires it to be totally lifted off the road.

Essentially the regulations for an 'A' frame are the same as for a tow rope.

Mike Crewes
http://www.tssc.org.uk/copshop

[noxlumos]

Grunty, an A frame is not a Dolly. With an A frame all four wheels remain on the floor with a Dolly two are raised.

[stanleyman]

A dolly does not make any difference, legally it can still only be used for recovery same as an A frame or tow rope. All wheels on a trailer have to be braked and even if the trolley and car had working brakes it would still not comply with Construction and use Regs.

Motor homes towing cars have the same problem and should use a trailer, however you would probably get away with it, I've never ever had a problem towing. The police are too busy doing paperwork to worry about you, unless you have an accident of course!

[noxlumos]

Which would make spec lifts and Harvey Frosts unsuitable for towing too.If you count the wheels on the car as being part of the trailer and therefore needing to be braked then every brand new spec lift and harvey frost would operate illegally.

[tigga]

Thanks all, i think i'll go with it being ok - thats if i cant make space for a full length one with brakes.

[soapbox]

Be carefull, some vehicle can't be towed on a dolly. These are usually automatics and/or cars with some version of traction control.