Towing Dolly

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 1:13 pm

#21080

Anyone in Sydney got a towing dolly so I can tow a car from one suburb to the next?

Thanks

Steve

geodon Wolfsburg Wizard

478 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 4:12 pm

#21109

Steve I'm making one at the moment but I can't visualise one that you hook up & then tow unless there is someone in the seat of the towed vehicle steering it. If you get one can you e-mail me a set of photos.

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 4:35 pm

#21113

Geodon,

Have a look at this site! I reckon one of these would be great for towing cars short distances

http://www.northstarent.com/Towing.htm

Can you make us one?

I think you just leave the car in neutral and the wheels will follow the car in front!

Steve

[Edited on 17-1-2003 by matara]

[Edited on 20-1-2003 by matara]

mattie182 Wolfsburg Wizard

466 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 5:16 pm

#21118

thats the idea...... i know rick towed his manx from mackay, in CQ to the Frazer trip like that

Once you go flat, you never go back!!!!!!

geodon Wolfsburg Wizard

478 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 6:03 pm

#21123

I think the hitches have some sort of connector rod to the tie rod ends on the stub axles- otherwise I can't see how the front wheels follow you going around a corner UNLESS someone is in the drivers seat steering. However, the site also shows a "dolly" where the front wheels are off the ground & in a "cradle" with its own steering obviously connected to the hitch that pulls the dolly. Or have I got it wrong?

Buggy Boyz

Former member · 17 Jan 2003, 10:41 pm

#21181

I could go into a long winded answer but basically it just follows you. You do not rope the wheels or anything you just let them go free and it will follow on great. Must be a fixed tow draw though not a rope. Like the one pictured. ie a dolly just like a dolly trailer. YOu can't reverse them real easy though.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 10:53 pm

#21184

Hi

Its the caster that makes it follow you, the same thing that makes your wheels return to straight ahead after you turn. Dave Becker is a bit of a fan of them.

1302Steve

Bugged Again Wolfsburg Wizard

507 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 17 Jan 2003, 11:35 pm

#21191

I heard somewhere years ago that it wasillegal to tow a car with a rope. you needed a solid metal implement like the previous posts. Has anyone else heard this.
Kurt

hazet Slammed & Awesome Dubber

89 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 18 Jan 2003, 12:15 am

#21200

I brought one back with me from the US and they are the best.
It attaches to the lower beam of the front end(ghias and bugs up to 70),the other end to the tow ball.
I have towed miles using it,very safe.
As long as the towed car is licenced or has a temporary permit and you've got "trailer lights",i can't see why it would be illegal.
No reversing and make sure steering lock is off.
Sorry pic not very good

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geodon Wolfsburg Wizard

478 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Jan 2003, 5:08 am

#21212

I stand corrected! I forgot about the self steering effect of the castor settings. That's whay you can't reverse- the front wheels would go to full lock in either direction! Hazet, I'd like to see a longer hitch than that- I've towed trailers behind m/cycles alot & the longer draw bars always tow cleaner with less twitching.
I may be paranoid but I'll make one for a split Kombi but I'll use the Grey Fergie to pull it arond the paddocks 1st to make sure it works!
Actually this jogged my memory- it appears about 100 years ago a certain young engineer suggested this would happen- his name: Herr Doktor F. Porsche!

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 18 Jan 2003, 12:35 pm

#21243

Not sure about the other states, but in Qld it is legal to tow a vehicle with an "A" frame like the one pictured above as long as the vehicle being towed is under 750kg which is the legal weight for an unbraked trailer.
Graham

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
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68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
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matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jan 2003, 11:37 am

#21503

Geodon,

Another link for you showing the two wheeled dolly with some good close up's and even a video!

http://www.pensketruckrental.com/personal_rental/towing/towdolly.html

Once you've made one of those dolly's I'd be interested in buying one if you want to make another!

Thanks

Steve

amazer kombi pilot

3,187 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 20 Jan 2003, 2:04 pm

#21530

No storage hassles like a trailer. You could keep that in the spare bedroom.

Chris.... kombi pilot, oval dreamer... finisher #26971 2005 city to surf

J&SBlue Officially Full-On Dubber

307 posts · joined Dec 2002 · 20 Jan 2003, 3:34 pm

#21538

I have heard that 'A'-frames are illegal in NSW. Does anyone know this for sure ?

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Jan 2003, 8:37 am

#21699

I checked this out with the RTA:-

Steve

Application's to use "a" frames in NSW are granted on an individual basis.

You are required to make request:

The Manager
Road Environment and Light Vehicle Standards
PO Box K198
HAYMARKET
NSW 1238

If approved the permit provided will contain ALL requirements.

Regards
Geoff Edwards
RTA Technical Enquiries

[Edited on 20-1-2003 by matara]

Old Dubber Wolfsburg Wizard

605 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Jan 2003, 5:31 pm

#21830

Not being picky, "11CAB" but besides what you have stated, in QLD you must also have all the lights (stop, tail, ind etc) on the 'towed' vehicle operated by the driver of the 'towing' vehicle ie. just like a normal trailor.
I have an adjustable "A" frame if anyone up my way would like to borrow it.

Grahame
visit my club site at www.vwdcqinc.org.au

11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Jan 2003, 6:13 pm

#21836

Sorry, I thought that was pretty obvious, but yes you also need to have taillights which are operated from the tow vehicle.
The "A" frame seems like the perfect answer for getting my Baja Bus & Manx Buggy to the beach, think I should easily get under the 750kg weight limit with the manx

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
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11CAB If ya got it....Baja it

4,674 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 21 Jan 2003, 6:17 pm

#21837

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the towed vehicle has a trailer plug, then you should be able to hook up from the trailer plugs between both vehicles and use the tail lights etc on the towed vehicle without having to run a setup like on boats.

65 Meyers Manx
68 Country Buggy (KO 367)
68 Country Buggy (KO 669)
68 Country Buggy (KO 789)
68 Country Buggy (KO 815)
68 Baja Bug
76 Baja Kombi Twincab