Community Forums

nothermark · 10-15-2016, 08:08 AM

FWIW I built mine the way twinboat showed in another thread but used these:

Everbilt 3/8 in. Zinc-Plated Quick Link-43384 - The Home Depot

After the first trip I reverses the ends to put the links on the outside because I could not get to the inside attachment points without getting on a knee. Not handy with two replacements. The quick links are just big enough to clear the bar and clear the cable loop. I might look for the next size up. Might not too. ;-)

twinboat · 10-15-2016, 09:01 AM

If got 2 fake knees too.

I probably reach, without kneeling, because I tow a short nose Kia Soul.

Haven't tried it the other way, but I thought it would be harder to push the cable thru, from the inside.

Kiawah · 10-15-2016, 11:45 AM

I have the same dolly, and occasionally my plate is cocked slightly as an angle as well.

The way I fix this, is I carry a simple cargo roof web strap (the webbing is about an inch wide) which I had picked up a package of 4 of these things years ago. It is something similar to this:

Tie Down Straps & Tie Down Accessories at Harbor Freight

I just simply put the hook on the serrated drive up ramp, put the other end in the dolly winch that you use for the wheel strap, and just give use your existing wrench to tighten the strap. It will slide the pivot table back to center.

Just put it on side which is the longest, simple correction to get the pivot table back straight.

Leelee · 10-16-2016, 05:50 AM

My dolly has a couple of large blue teflon type "washers" that the plate rides on. They were gouged a fair bit even though it's supposedly only been used once. I agree that the grease would attract more grit but didn't know what else to use. Maybe I should just clean them up next time and try it dry. Thanks for all the information.

On your picture of the safety cable, there's a third cable in the middle that appears to be going into the ratchet. What is the purpose of that and how did you attach it to the other cable? Also, I wouldn't think I'd put the cable and the tire straps in the ratchet together. Is that what you do?

Leelee · 10-16-2016, 05:54 AM

That'd work for sure. I think I'll carry one of these with us in case this happens away from home.

twinboat · 10-16-2016, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leelee

My dolly has a couple of large blue teflon type "washers" that the plate rides on. They were gouged a fair bit even though it's supposedly only been used once. I agree that the grease would attract more grit but didn't know what else to use. Maybe I should just clean them up next time and try it dry. Thanks for all the information.

On your picture of the safety cable, there's a third cable in the middle that appears to be going into the ratchet. What is the purpose of that and how did you attach it to the other cable? Also, I wouldn't think I'd put the cable and the tire straps in the ratchet together. Is that what you do?

That is actually just a tree branch, I proped the cable up with, for the picture.

walt2137 · 10-16-2016, 07:40 AM

The round thing under the turn table is a taflon disc and does not need grease suposely.

nothermark · 10-16-2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

If got 2 fake knees too.

I probably reach, without kneeling, because I tow a short nose Kia Soul.

Haven't tried it the other way, but I thought it would be harder to push the cable thru, from the inside.

It is harder so I made a hook out of a wire coat hanger. Push the hook through the hole, put loop in hook, pull back through the wheel. Can do it all when bent over with our Escape.

IMHO whatever works for a given user and vehicle. I might have been OK with your way if I use the hooks you did as it is faster than the screw gates. This way we have both ways covered so anyone else you tries this has their options covered. ;-)

twinboat · 10-16-2016, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothermark

It is harder so I made a hook out of a wire coat hanger. Push the hook through the hole, put loop in hook, pull back through the wheel. Can do it all when bent over with our Escape.

IMHO whatever works for a given user and vehicle. I might have been OK with your way if I use the hooks you did as it is faster than the screw gates. This way we have both ways covered so anyone else you tries this has their options covered. ;-)

Absolutely