How sharp a turn with tow dolly?

[rek]

I am sure there are some members in this forum that use this same Model Dolly and I would be greatful if they could tell me if this is a problem. I bought a tow dolly from camping world. It is the less expensive Roadmaster model RM3477 that has the 9degree swivel of the wheel platform. Roadmaster says don't make sharp turns but how sharp? Can I hitch on the street and tow out of our neighborhood or should we drive somewhere like a Walmart parking lot to load the car. I e-mailed Roadmaster asking the question and they said I shouldn't tow through our neighborhood if the turns are sharp. But what is a sharp turn? You could be making these same sharp turns pulling into RV Park. Thanks for replies.

[Jim Stewart]

I would think you would have to try it in a parking lot to be able to tell. My guess would be it will take a 90 degree turn, but not a U-turn. I suppose that in a U-turn, you could hit the side of the dolly against the bumper of the MH.

Remember that if you go wide in a turn, to come back in line, you are at a greater than 90 degree angle.

[Ed-Sommers]

IMHO

I would not worry about it at all in normal driving. Without getting into it too much (as if I could), the angle of the dolly tongue in relation to the towing vehicle has a lot to do with turning radius.

If you did/do have to make a u turn and are worried, you could always unlock the steering during these low speed maneuvers to make a third pivot point (towing vehicle/tongue of dolly, platform swivel, and toad steering) . In this case, if it is an EXTREME u turn watch out for the side of the car meeting the fender of th dolly.

Ed

[Doggy Daddy]

You can always lengthen the tow bar to give yourself more clearance
and reduce the fear of jackknifing.
With modification you could make the tow bar telescopic with pins.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I doubt if you could turn sharply enough moving forward in normal driving to ever cause a problem. In another words, turning a typical city street corner should not be an issue. Attempting a U turn or something like that could be problematic, but there are so many variables it is impossible to predict. draw bar length, rear overhang on the coach and coach wheel cut (turning radius) are three of the major ones.

To put your fears at rest, go a big parking lot and make some turns. Stop 1/2-3/4 of the way through and go look at the dolly, so you have some feel for if and how close it comes. Or bring an observer you trust, though your own eyeballs are the best in forming a lasting impression in your own mind. You probably don't even need the car on it to run some tests.

[rek]

I may not have anything to worry about. Our neighborhood streets are barely wide enough for cars to pass but they were wide enough to drive our 5er around. Thanks for replies. I was hoping that someone who tows with the same dolly could also post a comment.

[bigenna]

Interested to see this post as we have been mulling over thoughts of buying that same tow dolly and importing it into Canada. After some research as to what is required and various fees and costs and exchange rates, we would still appear to save ourselves $800 - $1000 over the cheapest one we could buy here.
Roger, how do you like the dolly? would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[rek]

bigena,
It seems to be a good dolly for the money. Not counting tires and wheel bearings the only maintenance item is that you have to grease the slides that it swivels on. We will not be using it for some time because they asked me to come back to work so all camping will be local for now. You can get at Camping World for around $1500.