Tightening Dolly Straps

[Nonno]

After years of towing 4 down, I'll soon be using a tow dolly for the first time. The owners manual for the dolly (6yr old Demco KK460 SS) says to retighten straps after the first 5 miles and every 50 miles thereafter. My question is how often you stop and retighten your straps?

[Sequim Guy]

I check them after a few miles, and then each time I stop.
Every 50 miles seems a little much.

[Pogo]

I have found that I need to do it after a few miles, or if I have it strapped for an hour or so before leaving, I can notch it tighter. Then, any time you stop for fuel, etc., go back and retighten the ratchets. If it rains, they will get tighter on their own.

[whem2fish]

I agree I check them after maybe 5 miles then when I stop for what ever reason it may be 100-300 miles that said I did add chains to go over the lower a frame of car the only time I had a issue with a strap was from a super hard panic stop. It would be ugly if the car came over the dolly. The hard stop was from someone jumping in front of me and over reacting

[speed racer]

When you load your car on the dolly let it roll to the back of the pad and leave it in neutral before you install your straps. This way when you tighten the straps it pulls the car forward on the pad and does a better job of tightening. If its front wheel drive put it pack in park before moving. I have done this for five years now and don't have to retighten the straps but its still a good idea to check as often as posible.

[doc]

Having used the heavy duty straps like those on the tow dolly for several years on the auto transport I drive p/t, I can tell you that until the straps get some age on them and 'set', they will loosen up after traveling a while. Our straps fasten around the tires just like those on the tow dollies. New straps will stretch and need to be tightened a few times on a long trip. Every 50 miles might be a bit much, but it is a good idea to re-tighten and check after 15 or so miles. You'll probably find the straps will finally 'set' after a few months and after the initial tightening won't need more than a click or two to snug up as you travel.

[Nonno]

Thanks for all the replies and tips.

I picked up the dolly yesterday and it was interesting because the person I bought it from towed an 09 Hyundai Elantra and I'll be towing a 2010. My plan is to practice loading and unloading, as well as some maintenance, this week. Fortunately I also have a larger vehicle to practice towing it prior to having to tow it behind the MH.

[akadeadeye]

Originally Posted by Sequim Guy

I check them after a few miles, and then each time I stop.
Every 50 miles seems a little much.

Ditto here. And, my experience is that I have to tighten them more often in the rain.

[Steve N Sal]

I check ours within the first couple of miles. Then every time we stop. Every 50 miles seems to be a bit much.

[GJHD]

When my straps were new I would have to tighten them a few times. after the first trip when I checked them after 2-3 hours of driving they were always tight. I have been using a E-Z tow dolly for 4 years, no problem, tracks great. Great unit for the price.

[johnd1985]

Originally Posted by GJHD

When my straps were new I would have to tighten them a few times. after the first trip when I checked them after 2-3 hours of driving they were always tight. I have been using a E-Z tow dolly for 4 years, no problem, tracks great. Great unit for the price.

I can vouch for this, mine came loose during the first trip because they were brand new and I should of been more vigilant but after that they stayed tight. i checked them after around 50 miles (depending on the road) then every rest stop for the dog which for us averages around 150 miles.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by Sequim Guy

I check them after a few miles, and then each time I stop.
Every 50 miles seems a little much.

Same here, once I've checked them the first time I've never had one loosen up.