Try out of Dolly and KIA

[Brockx]

Hooked up behind my RAM for a try-out, got a few things to learn. Had trouble getting the wheel nets to draw up tight on the back sides. I don't like the double straps that go thru a D ring in the front to the winch. Ordered a set of nets that are a single strap to the winches. Car was a little too loose on the Dolly to suit me. I had safety chains on, and I realize the dolly hitch is high, I have the right "dropper" for the MH hook-up.

Towed well, cornered good, stopped good, need to tweak the hook-ups.

[Scarab0088]

Congrats! It looks great.

Just in case you didn't see previous posts about the ramps and spare taking a walk...it might be a good idea to put them in a bin in your RV so they are not lost on the road or from some "sticky fingers."

Also...just in case, take a lug wrench and maybe efen a small jack for the dolly. Murphys Law says if you have the wrench and jack, you will never need them.

Best luck!

[Oldme]

Good to hear and see.
Looks good.

I just got the 2" drop hitch today for mine.
Acme says the best spot is 14" from the ground
for the ball base.

Have you seen the video, on their site?
it looks like they get the vertical straps tight
over the tire, then around the tire before cranking on the
tie-downs. I guess this is because they are adjustable from
13" to 20".

I was surprised to see the additional safety chains they included.

It looks like I'll get to tryout mine next week.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Congrats! It looks great.

Just in case you didn't see previous posts about the ramps and spare taking a walk...it might be a good idea to put them in a bin in your RV so they are not lost on the road or from some "sticky fingers."

Also...just in case, take a lug wrench and maybe efen a small jack for the dolly. Murphys Law says if you have the wrench and jack, you will never need them.

Best luck!

The same scissor jack for the KIA will work and I have a folding 4 way. Ramps and spare will go in the MH, got lots of extra room now that I won't be carrying so much food and drinks now that I can get around. I have driven for 55 years, close to 2 million miles and never had to change a tire on the road. Except I blew a rear tire on my bike (Murphy law no spare on a bike), on a Sunday morning in nowhere Lower Alabama. Wife had to drive 6 hours with my trailer to get me, still hear about it.

Originally Posted by Oldme

Good to hear and see.
Looks good.

I just got the 2" drop hitch today for mine.
Acme says the best spot is 14" from the ground
for the ball base.

Have you seen the video, on their site?
it looks like they get the vertical straps tight
over the tire, then around the tire before cranking on the
tie-downs. I guess this is because they are adjustable from
13" to 20".

I was surprised to see the additional safety chains they included.

It looks like I'll get to tryout mine next week.

Yes saw the video, the straps seem plenty long and wide for my tire size 195/65R15. That is really not that small a tire but there just seems to be a lot of strapping. But , all in all it went pretty good took about 15 minutes to get it on and tied down, not bad for first time.

[gman69]

I could never get the supplied straps to fit properly on my Honda Fit, and was a bit of work each time you installed them to get them right. if finally went with these straps. they work great with no messing around. snap the hooks to the dolly and tighten. the tail strap was much longer than what I needed. I cut off the excess. I have two sets of the Acme straps for sale if anyone is interested. one that came with the dolly and a back up set. wish Acme would just send these straps from US cargo control since they work great and fit right.

Tow Dolly Basket Straps - Wheel Net Car Tire Tie Down Basket Straps

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by gman69

I could never get the supplied straps to fit properly on my Honda Fit, and was a bit of work each time you installed them to get them right. if finally went with these straps. they work great with no messing around. snap the hooks to the dolly and tighten. the tail strap was much longer than what I needed. I cut off the excess. I have two sets of the Acme straps for sale if anyone is interested. one that came with the dolly and a back up set. wish Acme would just send these straps from US cargo control since they work great and fit right.

Tow Dolly Basket Straps - Wheel Net Car Tire Tie Down Basket Straps

Same ones I ordered, same vendor also. I also ordered the sleeve material to go over the strap at the winch to avoid abrasion.

[Arch Hoagland]

That picture made me wonder how far you can back up.

Looks like it could get interesting pretty quick.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

That picture made me wonder how far you can back up.

Looks like it could get interesting pretty quick.

Backing up a loaded dolly is a lot like pushing a rope. However; it can be done (from what I understand, not done) if everything is straight when you start, and you only need a few feet to get out of a jam.

Big problem (as I have been told) is once you are pushing the tow on an angle with 4 wheels down (dolly 2, Toad 2) you WILL bend the tongue.

[LakeKerrGuy]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

That picture made me wonder how far you can back up.

Looks like it could get interesting pretty quick.

Not just because of the physics but the dolly has surge brakes. The brakes can be "locked out", however, other than just backing straight for a couple of feet. forgitboutit.

Been there done that!

[Oldme]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

That picture made me wonder how far you can back up.

Looks like it could get interesting pretty quick.

The Acme site says backing it is not recommended.
Like all dolly manufacturers.

Here is what they say:
Q- Can I back a loaded dolly?

A- "Yes and no. In order to back a loaded dolly the RV, the dolly, and the car on the dolly all must be aligned and straight to begin with.

Lock out the the dolly brake system. At some point the dolly and the towed car will begin a divergent path that cannot be corrected. At some point damage to the dolly tongue will occur.

I have seen one customer back his loaded dolly 50 feet here at the factory."

Too bad they do not have a video of the 50 ft. backing.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

That picture made me wonder how far you can back up.

Looks like it could get interesting pretty quick.

I have backed-up my EZE-Tow (with the brake lock-out installed) with a mid-size SUV for about 50 yards...could have gone farther, but not needed.

I was at a small truck stop/gas station and my planned egress became blocked by a delivery truck...the driver hopped out and disappeared into the mini-mart/restaurant for so long that I gave-up waiting.

Everything doesn't have to be perfectly straight - but that helps. The key is to NOT allow the dolly or toad to start a turn. As soon as it starts to turn, all is lost. The turn increases exponentially into an instant jack-knife.

Safe travels to all

[Arch Hoagland]

Brockx....You must have backed up a bit to get out of that driveway, seems like that could even be a challenge.

[Brockx]

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Brockx....You must have backed up a bit to get out of that driveway, seems like that could even be a challenge.

I would like to be a hero, but actually I was dumping the car there. It is my neighbors home and I use his garage for my toys when they are in the Mid-West (snowbirds). I have backed just the dolly a few times and it is really twitchy being so short from hitch to axle.

[LakeKerrGuy]

Originally Posted by Brockx

I have backed just the dolly a few times and it is really twitchy being so short from hitch to axle.

Usually no need to back an unloaded Eze Tow. They are light enough to move by hand - at least short distances. I use my lawn tractor to move mine around when at home.