Need info on car dollys before I buy

[VanDiemen23]

Rented u-haul stuff twice for long trips where we needed a Toad (2008 CRV). No brakes, no plates.

[milasman]

Damn nice tires on that there ACME dolly.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Man - This forum is full of good info

I don't know who makes them, but U-Haul in SoCal is renting tow dolly's with NO BRAKES!! - I know - That's crazy and it's illegal in Cali, if the Toad weighs over 1500lb!
Attachment 21402
See - no surge brake master cylinder set-up!

The U-Haul website says max load for their dolly is 3450lb!
Once, I called for a quote to tow a 1/2 ton pick-up and they said I would have to rent a car carrier (that had surge brakes).

Demco shows a rental dolly on their web site that has no brakes. Not sure about the CA law on dollies. Really doesn't matter to me as I want all the braking I can get. Just as it takes more HP to move more weight it takes more braking force to stop it.

In WA, OR and CA a car being towed four down (considered a "combination vehicle) doesn't require brakes if you can meet the braking requirements of stopping from XX mph in XX feet. WA and CA are the same and OR is stiffer.

[milasman]

Nice electric brakes on Road Master even after seven years of use.

[RVluvin]

Were on our 2nd trip using the Demco Kar Kaddy. I been extremly happy with how the dolly performs.

Needing a spare was a no brainer, so I pick up a new black rim and same brand of tire from Discount Tire for $135. About $100 less than Demco's price with a chrome rim.

Fabricated a spare tire carrier that mounted on the tongue from Harbor Fright for $10. Demco's was $85. (I think)

The folding ramps didn't operated as intended until I got down on the ground with a hand file and cleaned up the cut outs. Poor quality control on Demco's part.

My arms get a little dirty when attaching the straps, due to the with of the tires and the little space between the tire and fender.

Untill I fabricate some type of hook, I currently need to lay out a towel, lay on the ground to connect the safety chains from the dolly to the fram of the vehicle. (this is the worst part)

The ramps ride very close to the under carriage of the tow vehicle, but no damage has happened yet.

I did replace the factory rear mudflaps with 24" wide by 3.5" off the ground mudflaps and a full width mudflap at the rear of the MH to prevent any chips to the tow vehicle.

I biggest consern was being able to maneuver this dolly unhitched without a vehicle on it by myself. It's very light and easy to move around.

Despite a few inconveniences, overall I'm happy with my purchase and selection of this car dolly.

[Sequim Guy]

Originally Posted by RVluvin

My arms get a little dirty when attaching the straps, due to the with of the tires and the little space between the tire and fender.

I keep a long sleeve shirt (that I don't care about) in the lower storage
where I keep the straps. Put that on and wear a pair of gloves and stay
clean while putting on straps...

.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by RVluvin

Fabricated a spare tire carrier that mounted on the tongue from Harbor Fright for $10. Demco's was $85. (I think)

My arms get a little dirty when attaching the straps, due to the with of the tires and the little space between the tire and fender.

GOTTA LOVER Harbor Frieght

GOTTA own an SUV - no messy arms hookin' up with nice big wheel arches

A question...
...I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the new ARS for the EZETow?

I'm leary of wrapping a chain over the suspension parts of any new(er) vehicle as a tie down

[Sequim Guy]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

GOTTA LOVER Harbor Frieght

GOTTA own an SUV - no messy arms hookin' up with nice big wheel arches

A question...
...I'm wondering if anyone has experience with the new ARS for the EZETow?

I'm leary of wrapping a chain over the suspension parts of any new(er) vehicle as a tie down

ARS works fine, just be VERY careful where it goes and make sure you
don't catch it on anything breakable.
I ended up going back to straps because I spent too much time under
there making sure it was just right.
But it is a very secure system when properly installed...

.

[Tony H]

My EZE-Tow came a couple of months ago with conventional strap hold downs. When I wrote them asking why the new system was not sent, I was told they have discontinued the new ARS because on too many applications it could cause problems.

[Sequim Guy]

I didn't know they discontinued it, but you did have to be very careful where
you put the chains.

.

[gman69]

See that the EZE Tow's ramps are stowed, rather than permanently attached.

saw a You Tube Video of a Stehl dolly towing a mini van behind a motorhome. when the MH came out of a driveway, the ramps on the dolly hit the bottom of the van. does this happen on other brand dollys, or do they also have removable ramps like the EZE Tow?

[whem2fish]

Ok how was the ball from the ground as I recall Stel is 18 in minimum i have never had mine hit

[gman69]

100_4561.MOV - YouTube

haven't got a dolly yet, but saw this video and gives me concern regarding the ramps hitting the bottom of the car.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by gman69

See that the EZE Tow's ramps are stowed, rather than permanently attached.

saw a You Tube Video of a Stehl dolly towing a mini van behind a motorhome. when the MH came out of a driveway, the ramps on the dolly hit the bottom of the van. does this happen on other brand dollys, or do they also have removable ramps like the EZE Tow?

OUCH, to the Video above!!!!

I, thankfully don't have any experience with dolly's that don't stow the ramps. My experience is EZETow, and U-haul rental dolly's and an older Master-Tow that had retractable ramps that slid into the tire tray.

See:

U-Haul Tow Dolly Loading Video - YouTube

BTW: See no brakes on the U-Haul dolly