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Dogpatch · 07-03-2011, 12:04 PM

We are about to embark on holidays next week. I purchased a 2 wheel dolly to tow our 01 PT Cruiser. It is a front wheel drive car. The dolly has electric brakes and I have set up our Class A with proper wiring, plug and brake controller. My question is, how does the PT Cruiser have to be set up? As the car is front wheel drive, what do I have to do? Do I still have to have the car in neutral and ignition on?

Any advise would be appreciated!

Go Dawgs · 07-03-2011, 12:57 PM

Just put it in park. Does your dolly have lights? Whenever I have towed a car on a dolly with front wheel drive that is what I have done. Also check your owners manual for specifics.

Monacoach · 07-03-2011, 12:58 PM

Put it in park with parking brake "OFF". Take keys out and lock er up. We are going to get our first dolly soon so I will wait for the pros to chime in. I could be wrong.

CD · 07-03-2011, 01:05 PM

i have only used a dolly once. I would think all you would need to do is make sure the Ebrake is not set and have proper brake/signal/tail lights on the back of the PT.

Elkhartjim · 07-03-2011, 01:20 PM

Four years and 30,000+ miles towing a Toyota Avalon (front wheel drive). Drive onto the dolly, put transmission in park with the wheels in the straight ahead position and the ignition turned off, remove the key, lock the car, hook safety chains, secure the straps on each tire, check that the dolly lights are working properly. Drive five miles or less and check the straps as them will tend to loosen after a few miles. Check the straps, car, dolly at each stop.

Wolfpack Fan · 07-03-2011, 01:40 PM

Said perfectly by Jim and Judy.

rivercat49 · 07-03-2011, 06:18 PM

We tow a 2002 pt. My question would be do the wheels on the dolly turn? If so do as previously stated, if not you will need to leave the Pt. ignition on Accessory and disconect the battery so the Pt. will turn.

Elkhartjim · 07-03-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivercat49

We tow a 2002 pt. My question would be do the wheels on the dolly turn? If so do as previously stated, if not you will need to leave the Pt. ignition on Accessory and disconect the battery so the Pt. will turn.

Just so we don't confuse the OP, the statement "do the wheels turn?" is referring "do the dolly wheels swivel".

The dolly I used, a Demco KarKaddy SS had wheels that swiveled. I don't have any experience using types of dollies that don't swivel. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of the dolly for their recommendations regarding leaving the steering wheel unlocked.

Mr_D · 07-03-2011, 07:15 PM

We've had two dollies, one had the swivel platform and the other is the KK-450 that the dolly wheels steer.
On the swivel platform one we had to tie the wheels down then leave the steering free so the wheels could swivel and use the tire straps. On the KK 460 you lock the steering in addition to the safety chains to the frame and straps over the tires.

wa8yxm · 07-04-2011, 07:20 PM

On the car you want it in park, as others have said (Front wheel drive, front wheels on the dolly) and be sure to check the straps a few miles after you start towing.

You do not want the brakes on the car to activate for any reason.. If they do they will pull it right off the dolly and you will have a break away situtation.

As for lights..... I have never thought of it before but in another thread the qeustion was ask... Since I have never thought of it before I've done no research and can only suggest you dig up that other thread.. The title is descriptiove.