Community Forums

Itascarizon · 02-23-2016, 07:22 AM

Folks,
We are campground hosting in Arkansas and several RV's have come in with tow dollies looking to stay overnight. I have been asked several times about unhooking the dolly from their unit with the car still on the dolly. I'm just wondering what problems they might encounter other than not setting the brake or chocking the wheels and having their car roll down a hill.

Thanks for your comments,
Dave

JohnBoyToo · 02-23-2016, 07:41 AM

Hmmm,
don't have a dolly, but can relate to unhooking my utility trailer with a load on it

if the load is in front of the wheels ti's usually ok and the front wheeled jack will hold it up, BUT if the weight is behind the wheels the trailer will basically STAND UP with nothing to hold down the front end - not good or the tow vehicle or anyone standing close - damage WILL occur

so on the tow dolly, I would have the same concerns-
unbalanced weight on the tow dolly and when unhooked the front of the dolly flies UP (or down) making it impossible to rehook
(and probably impossible to get the toad off the dolly?!?)

even ANOTHER reason why I'm glad I tow 4 down !

twinboat · 02-23-2016, 08:15 AM

The position of the tires on the tray will make a diffence in tongue weight. If the car settled back in the straps, it could come up off the ball when un-latched.

I would never suggest unhooking a loaded dolly.

Haven't seen many dolly's with tongue jacks, probably for that reason.

The OP is a host with no influence on how guests tow cars.

I use a tow dolly, so I won't get on a soap box and list reasons to convert to 4 down.

vettenuts · 02-23-2016, 09:12 AM

Don't do it, remove the car first. Someone will get hurt otherwise.

mhudson · 02-23-2016, 09:16 AM

Don't do it. Mine had negative tongue weight. Ask me how I know this!
Really stupid moment unloading one day after a long trip. The MH still had a chip in the fiberglass above the hitch when I traded it.

Itascarizon · 02-23-2016, 11:55 AM

Thanks for the replies, I tow four down so not up to speed on info about dollies. The wheels of most cars seem to be in front of the dolly wheels which would make me think the dolly is tongue heavy but I'm sure there are many configurations for towing.
Thanks again,
Dave

nothermark · 02-23-2016, 12:22 PM

Normally the dolly is tongue heavy but they are close to neutral without a vehicle on them. Aside from going negative if the car rolls back a bit the other issue will be getting lined up again if the dolly+vehicle is detached. It is not a setup that would be easy to move a bit to line up assuming the tongue can be raised as needed. It't a really bad idea. Stay hitched or unload the vehicle first.