Towing Dolly with a Wedge

[ibroker]

As the front end is so low could I use one of these on my 400se?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CAR-RECOVERY-A-FRAME...

[wooly350i]

You would have to store it in the wedge boot remember, why not consider a towing eye and get it welded on the front chassis somewhere then use one of those adjustable towing bars.
Someone said to me once its not a good idea to tow a wedge with relevance to the gearbox! Dunno

Edited by wooly350i on Sunday 8th December 20:53

[K4TRV]

ibroker said:

As the front end is so low could I use one of these on my 400se?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CAR-RECOVERY-A-FRAME...

In theory a very simple adaption of an A-frame without the normal exterior fixing points to the towed-car (toad?).

Grey-area in legality, as its use falls within the toad being a trailer. If it is over 600Kg then it needs over-run brakes (or an electrical brake buddy) and rear number plate of the towing vehicle together with brake lights.

The Ebay item has a fixed tow head and therefore does not appear to incorporate over-run braking system used on "other" A-frames I've seen and used? If used with your Wedge you may get pulled by VOSA if you haven't some form of over-run braking system?

If it was, as your title said a towing Dolly, you can only use them when "recovering" your Wedge, not to tow behind Motor Homes, to/from racing events - another VOSA tug!!

It does seem "useful" but as I said above, it should incorporate a towing head with overrun cable brakes fittings. This would then run via a cable to the brake pedal as with "normal" A-frames. Or, you could fit an American Brake Buddy system, but they aren't that cheap!!

A trailer is really the better solution, but not always the cheapest or the simplest!!

Buyer beware.

T

[adam quantrill]

The rear wheels must be off the ground for towing because if you're not in gear, the input shaft to the LT77 gearbox will not be rotating. It's the input shaft that drives the oil pump.

With no oil pump running the box bearings might get trashed.

If you left it in gear and rigged the clutch to be depressed that might work - but what if the clutch started to engage - it would turn the engine over. Doesn't sound that safe.

[V8 Fettler]

adam quantrill said:

The rear wheels must be off the ground for towing because if you're not in gear, the input shaft to the LT77 gearbox will not be rotating. It's the input shaft that drives the oil pump.

With no oil pump running the box bearings might get trashed.

If you left it in gear and rigged the clutch to be depressed that might work - but what if the clutch started to engage - it would turn the engine over. Doesn't sound that safe.

So no towing Wedges without lifting the rear wheels off the ground? Something to remember, ta

[wooly350i]

See, So towing with rear wheels is a no no, the information was stored in my brain cabinet I just couldn't remember which drawer. Wooly.

[Wedg1e]

wooly350i said:

You would have to store it in the wedge boot remember, why not consider a towing eye and get it welded on the front chassis somewhere

Some wedges do have a towing 'eye', it's a triangular-shaped length of steel rod welded to the forward chassis structure. Unfortunately, any rope tied to it would tend to pull taut around the front edge of the airdam...

[wooly350i]

Wedg1e said:

wooly350i said:

You would have to store it in the wedge boot remember, why not consider a towing eye and get it welded on the front chassis somewhere

Some wedges do have a towing 'eye', it's a triangular-shaped lenth of steel rod welded to the forward chassis structure. Unfortunately, any rope tied to it would tend to pull taut around the front edge of the airdam...

And rip it orf,Better orf tying it around the drivers neck if he/she standing.

[ibroker]

I want to get some work done on the car and its an hour away. Was intending to use this to tow the car as it does not need a driver in the towed car. Seemed like an easy solution. But I guess not

[ibroker]

I want to get some work done on the car and its an hour away. Was intending to use this to tow the car as it does not need a driver in the towed car. Seemed like an easy solition. But I guess not

[Number 7]

You can tow them for short distances without damage (as I have several years ago), but as said, without being in gear, the oil pump wont work. I've covered 10-15 miles at slow'ish speeds (as you would on a rope) without a problem as an emergency measure. The other alternative is to disconnect the prop at the diff end and secure it properly.

[adam quantrill]

Yeah a few miles won't do any harm I would have thought. I forgot the prop trick - that will work. I wouldn't worry about securing it though - it won't be going anywhere, have you ever tried getting one out?