Car Towing Dolly - Okay for Atom?

[datasafe]

Hi Guys

Just wondering if one of the car towing dollys like the ones used by the AA & RAC would be suitable for pulling an Atom?

This is the sort of thing and much cheaper than a Brian James trailer

www.trailers.co.uk/ourrange/armcardolly.php

JC

>> Edited by datasafe on Friday 5th August 17:27

[haymanator]

This is the sort of thing and much cheaper than a Brian James trailer







or you could talk to me about hiring my rather natty, new this year, custom built for the atom, brian james tt trailer! as its just sat in the garage when the cars not in use!

[Bruce Fielding]

Mullerr is custom building one for the Atom which will pack away into a car boot (and adapt to carry a bike)! Or at least he was... what's happening with that Richard? Are you going to start offering them to Atom owners?

If not, I can thoroughly reccommend the BJT TT - as the original prototype was created around my first car (and I still use it!).

[datasafe]

This was the sort of thing I had in mind

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/A-FRAME-TOWING-DOLLY-TRAILER_W0QQitemZ7991575387QQcategoryZ30928QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I like the idea of being able to pack it away in the boot of a car.

JC

[mullerr]

Car towing dolly is not suitable because you can't have the front wheels on the road (you can't lock the steering and the Atom's angle of approach is too shallow risking damage the nose whilst in tow) and by the same token the rear axle can't be the bit on the road because there is a risk of damaging diff/gearbox whilst being towed.

Trailer I'm building is based on the 'Foldaway' bike trailer ( see www.trealestrailers.co.uk ) with a separate 'clip-on' frame (my own design) to accommodate the Atom. Was planning to have it operational some months back, but metal fabricator who promised to do the work for me failed to live up to their promise so I've had to find a new fabricator. Also ITMT wife's pregnancy has diverted funds so it'll only be done for next season.

Main reason I went for this trailer though, is that I needed one for the bike and it needed to be dismantleable (space constraints)

>> Edited by mullerr on Friday 5th August 18:53

[John Lloyd]

Haymanator,

Nice to have you back is this third time lucky let's see a photo then.

>> Edited by John Lloyd on Saturday 6th August 00:44

[datasafe]

Mullerr

I've posted your reply to the manufacturer of the dolly for their response.

I guess the proof of the pudding is trying one.

Seems such a good idea for the times when the family drive out using a family car me following in the Atom! When it starts p*****g down, just hitch up and sit in the dry.

JC

[Bruce Fielding]

John Lloyd said:

let's see a photo then.

[JonRB]

Maybe you want one of these:

www.aframes.co.uk/trailers.html

[datasafe]

Thanks for the post Jon.

Seems the same company advertising on ebay (see earlier message)

JC

[GreenV8S]

I wondered about using an A-frame to tow the V8S, but as far as I could work out it is only legal for emergency recovery. The issue is that the towed car counts as a trailor, and is heavy enough to require brakes. I've come across a couple of references to 'braked' A-frames using the towed car's brakes but don't see how they work. I'm also concerned about possible gearbox damage, so far I haven't found out whether my gearbox is safe to tow long distance but I know that not all gearboxes are.

[haymanator]

Bruce Fielding said:

John Lloyd said: let's see a photo then.

yup, thats the baby its based on! where the custom bit comes in, its not only that they make it so an atom just fits on, but also, like mine has, you can have it with low level tyre racks and a fuel can storage box. they were also able to customise the A-frame so the whole trailer is of a specific length (i needed it to fit in my garage in front of a Minno trailer, with dare i say it, a caterham on...eeek, said it!) so if the standard jobbie isn't quiet right, then they can make to suit!

[haymanator]

[quote=John Lloyd]Haymanator,

Nice to have you back is this third time lucky let's see a photo then.



i hope you were just asking for a picture of the trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JonRB]

datasafe said:

Thanks for the post Jon. Seems the same company advertising on ebay (see earlier message)

Yep - that's how I found out about it.

[datasafe]

Quote from Simon:

John

Look forward to seeing you next week.

On the towing question I can't see anything wrong with towing the car. I'll have a word with our technicians on Monday and see what they say. Generally it's automatic gearboxes that shouldn't be towed. I'm fairly sure that someone has used a tow dolly that the front wheels sat in. I'll come back to you with a better opinion next week.

Have a good weekend.

Regards

Simon

[John Lloyd]

haymanator said:

i hope you were just asking for a picture of the trailer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was. I think you tried to show one on an ealier post to this thread, but it didn't show?

But if you want we may as well see what the "enemy" looks like

Just to keep it fair here is me on Christmas Day after a couple of bottles of red!

[haymanator]

But if you want we may as well see what the "enemy" looks like

Just to keep it fair here is me on Christmas Day after a couple of bottles of red!
[/quote)











that has made me feel a whole lot better this morning, i thought i looked grim after last nights er, intake!!!

not a hope in hell of getting a mug shot of me on here!

[badge70]

Very nice, any topless ones?

Is this is what happens on a date when you use Rohipnol (how do you spell it?).

Badge

[benyeats]

badge70 said:

Very nice, any topless ones? Is this is what happens on a date when you use Rohipnol (how do you spell it?). Badge

Its rubbish that Rohipnol, apparently if you use it it guarantees sex on night out. I took 4 lots and not a sausage.

Ben

[datasafe]

Just an update guys.

Simon had his technicians look at the pictures of the suggested towing dolly and this was his reply.

John

We've had a look at the photos and understand the dolly. There shouldn't be any problems towing an Atom with one of these. On certain manual cars the diff is fed by pumped oil but that doesn't happen on the Honda. We're not too certain how or where one would attach the dolly but in theory it will work.

Regards

Simon

Simon Saunders

Here's a reply from the manufacturer of the 'A Frame' Dolly and below the full spec sheet. I sent him pictures of the Atom.

All we need now is a guinea pig

Hi John,
thank you for your enquiry regarding our Solomatic - I have attached the product sheet for your perusal.
I can't foresee any problems towing this type of vehicle from a practical point of view, however if the vehicle is not road legal then the only way of transporting it legally is if all 4 wheels are off the road.
I trust this information is sufficient but should you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
Dave Rodgers
Tel: [phone]




>> Edited by datasafe on Monday 8th August 09:44