Community Forums

Grady Ray · 06-04-2015, 03:24 PM

Why can't you tow a truck on your tow dolly, with the truck backed on the dolly? The steering wheel will be locked, via the ignition lock, so the front tires will be straight. With my Roadmaster tow dolly, the platform will swivel as I turn, so what's the problem?
Grady Ray

CFDfireman90 · 06-04-2015, 05:06 PM

You should have no problem doing that. As a tow truck operator I tow rear wheel drive vehicles like that all the time. One recommendation I would make is that you not rely on the ignition/steering wheel lock alone. They sell spring loaded steering wheel holders or as I do, simply wrap the seat belt around the bottom of the wheel once and connect it to its buckle.

Pds47 · 06-04-2015, 05:14 PM

front end alignment will be shot after extended tow as well as tires

normandlegra · 06-04-2015, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pds47

front end alignment will be shot after extended tow as well as tires

Why should they be shot ? Not worse then towing a front wheel drive with a rear independant suspension !

speed racer · 06-05-2015, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFDfireman90

You should have no problem doing that. As a tow truck operator I tow rear wheel drive vehicles like that all the time. One recommendation I would make is that you not rely on the ignition/steering wheel lock alone. They sell spring loaded steering wheel holders or as I do, simply wrap the seat belt around the bottom of the wheel once and connect it to its buckle.

I wrap the seat belt threw the steering wheel.

speed racer · 06-05-2015, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pds47

front end alignment will be shot after extended tow as well as tires

Apparently you have never studied or did any front end alighnments.

Pds47 · 06-05-2015, 07:18 AM

So it would make no difference between toe in and toe out on tire wear then why have it aligned at all ?

Randyman1 · 06-05-2015, 07:24 AM

I did that years ago and it didn't work out so well. Was towing a Bronco II and it fish tailed something terrible when I got up to speed. Had to put it on like normal and all was fine. I figured it equated to pulling a trailer without enough tongue weight. The only way you will know is to try it and see if it works for you. Randy

palehorse89 · 06-05-2015, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grady Ray

Why can't you tow a truck on your tow dolly, with the truck backed on the dolly? The steering wheel will be locked, via the ignition lock, so the front tires will be straight. With my Roadmaster tow dolly, the platform will swivel as I turn, so what's the problem?
Grady Ray

The caster/camber - toe in/out is set up for traveling forward. Tow trucks tow this way for short distances. I would not recommend this style of towing for long distances. You will for sure see tire wear in a short period of time I would think? The biggest thing here.......DO NOT trust the ignition key tumbler lock to keep the wheels straight/locked, the ignition lock is not intended for this service and if it fails.......well, you will for sure see your TOAD in your mirror's

as the tires will turn to one side or the other being towed backwards. I have seen people towing this way in my travels though...........a couple of times.

Don_T · 06-05-2015, 08:49 AM

Short trips you can load the truck the way you are suggesting. On a long trip you may cause some abnormal wear to the tires on the ground. It won't actually do anything to the front alignment, just the tires. You definitely need to use the seat belt or something to hold the steering wheel, or something to lock the front wheels so they can't move. Don't trust the ignition lock to do that.

Waiter21 · 06-05-2015, 10:48 AM

I seen a few going down the road with an F150 (or something) on the dolly backwards. Looks funny as heck.

Front end alignment is normally toe in, backwards would be toe out so tire wear may be a little different. As others say, do not rely on the ignition lock to hold the wheel.

I would use a rope or tie the seat belt around the wheel.

Take a couple photos. and post them up here.

speed racer · 06-05-2015, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pds47

So it would make no difference between toe in and toe out on tire wear then why have it aligned at all ?

Some cars specs call for toe in and others call for toe out although it be a small amount on weather it has front steer or rear steer componants. The tires will wear the same going forward or backward if it is running in a straight line. The bigest reason for getting a wheel alignment is to have the suspention parts checked and to get the camber and caster and toe set to spec's. Camber and caster has all to do with how the tires track while going around corners but if these are not corect or at least the same on each side it won't want to go in a straight line very well.

Just thought you would like to know.

tim myers · 06-05-2015, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waiter21

I seen a few going down the road with an F150 (or something) on the dolly backwards. Looks funny as heck.

Front end alignment is normally toe in, backwards would be toe out so tire wear may be a little different. As others say, do not rely on the ignition lock to hold the wheel.

I would use a rope or tie the seat belt around the wheel.

Take a couple photos. and post them up here.

Video might be more fun!!

grady8288 · 06-15-2015, 09:40 AM

Since you have the rear tires strapped to the dolly, the steering would have to be locked in perfect center steering to experience zero front tire scrubbing. Once again, the amount of tire scrubbing would be relative to how close you are able to lock the steering in center position. That's very hard to do! Short distance towing may not show significant wear, however long distance towing may show significant scrub wear. Demco does not authorize towing vehicles on their dollies this way. If you must tow a RWD vehicle on a dolly, you must tow with the front wheels on the dolly and disconnect the driveline at the differential.