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06-11-2020, 07:34 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 53
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Super mega tow dolly expert needed
So I messed up and bought a car dolly without brakes. It has no stickers or branding on it to tell who made it, but it looks much like an American Car Dolly.
Now I want to add electric brakes to it since I will be using it in many states. It has empty mounting plates welded to the axles, so I should be able to bolt on backing plates for electric brakes. The measurements between the holes don't match anything I can find online. The whole plate is 3 3/4" inches across and I show 2.5" between the holes, center to center. Does this make sense to anyone and do you know where to buy brakes for this thing?
Attached are some pics.
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06-11-2020, 07:57 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 152
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I don't know what to tell you because I have never seen breaks on a tow dolly. Probably some new tow models are coming with electric brakes!! I am in Houston and the next best thing I can think of is contact a local trailer company to seek advice. For example in Houston there is Trailer Wheel & Frame... look at their website and this is the kind of company you need to contact. There are many trailer companies out there but choose a company in your area that can help you with in-house parts, etc. Good luck and Happy Trails!!
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06-11-2020, 08:04 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 305
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It would help to post a pic of the whole dolly.
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06-11-2020, 10:20 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,417
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I would call a place like ETrailer.com.
They sell all of that stuff.
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06-11-2020, 10:55 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: De
Posts: 494
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Post picture of whole dolly someone will recognize the brand then contact the manufacturer if it is American Car Dolly when you call the phone will be answered by the owner and he will help you.
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06-11-2020, 11:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Georgia
Posts: 1,002
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American Car dolly usually welds a serial number in a bead on the top side of the trailer tongue. Give them a call with that serial number if it has one and ask if that's their dolly and about the bolt patterns. Gary is very helpful in answering questions about his dollies
__________________
Joe a/k/a "Americanrascal"
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q +tow dolly
8th RV to sit in our driveway in 40 years
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06-11-2020, 11:33 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Americanrascal
American Car dolly usually welds a serial number in a bead on the top side of the trailer tongue. Give them a call with that serial number if it has one and ask if that's their dolly and about the bolt patterns. Gary is very helpful in answering questions about his dollies
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Here's what the number looks like. Gary uses it since tow dollies are not vehicles requiring a VIN. It is useful to identify which employee fabricated it and especially to identify it if it is ever stolen. 
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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06-11-2020, 12:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 839
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Seem like a lot of work?
Why not sell it and buy one with breaks installed already?
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06-12-2020, 03:45 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Georgia
Posts: 1,002
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It would not be too hard to install electric brakes if the 4 bolt pattern matches up. Full complete brake assemblies mounted to the backing plates are not too expensive and go on in a few minutes. I've completely changed my backing plate/ drum assembly out in about 15 minutes each on my American Car Dolly- just bolt in the assembly to the 4 mounting bolts, set the new drum, and then run the wires forward to a 7 pin connector and integrate the trailer lights.
The hardest part is running the wiring up to the tongue if you do it internally in the tongue and even that's not too hard
__________________
Joe a/k/a "Americanrascal"
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q +tow dolly
8th RV to sit in our driveway in 40 years
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06-12-2020, 06:06 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FL420
Here's what the number looks like. Gary uses it since tow dollies are not vehicles requiring a VIN. It is useful to identify which employee fabricated it and especially to identify it if it is ever stolen. Attachment 289157 |
I guess I'll call Gary. The welded on serial is the only mark I can find anywhere and it makes me think it might be an old one of his. 5157
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06-12-2020, 06:10 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Americanrascal
It would not be too hard to install electric brakes if the 4 bolt pattern matches up. Full complete brake assemblies mounted to the backing plates are not too expensive and go on in a few minutes. I've completely changed my backing plate/ drum assembly out in about 15 minutes each on my American Car Dolly- just bolt in the assembly to the 4 mounting bolts, set the new drum, and then run the wires forward to a 7 pin connector and integrate the trailer lights.
The hardest part is running the wiring up to the tongue if you do it internally in the tongue and even that's not too hard
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Exactly why I am trying to make sure my mounting plates are correct. I called a local trailer place and they say 2.5 inches is wrong. I am afraid I will have to get them to weld new plates on for me or see if I can get my welding skills honed up....what's the worst that could happen?  They want me to bring it in to look at it.
The strange thing is - these plates look manufactured to a certain size, not homemade, so they must fit SOMETHING.
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06-12-2020, 12:26 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2019
Posts: 16
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Contact these people. They specialize in trailer parts and repair. From your photo, I think that mounting plate is for 10” backing plate.
https://www.championtrailers.com/
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06-12-2020, 02:33 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 3,009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Striider
Exactly why I am trying to make sure my mounting plates are correct. I called a local trailer place and they say 2.5 inches is wrong. I am afraid I will have to get them to weld new plates on for me or see if I can get my welding skills honed up....what's the worst that could happen? They want me to bring it in to look at it.
The strange thing is - these plates look manufactured to a certain size, not homemade, so they must fit SOMETHING. |
Below is a pic of one of my mounting plates on my 3 y/o ACD. Yours appears to be quite a bit older comparing the tongue and hitch and low ID number.
As best I can tell while standing on my head with a tape measure my bolt holes are 2 13/16" OC or 2 7/8" OC.
The second pic is a better look at the ID number. I've forgotten how but Gary can tell you how to decipher it if you're interested.
Several ACD owners have said the axles are by Dexter and parts are easily available at NAPA. I have also seen them at Tractor Supply Co.
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/anyone-have-an-american-car-dolly-380899-post5106158.html
https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/anyone-have-an-american-car-dolly-380899-post5109959.html
 
__________________
2005 Monaco Knight 40PLQ; Cummins 8.3L ISC330, Pacbrake, Allison 3000, Roadmaster RR8R, ScanGauge D, 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan VN750(Geezer Glide) on a Versahaul carrier pulling a 2013 Kia Soul+; 2.0L, 6 speed Sport shifter(great car) on an American Car Dolly(great dolly.)
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06-12-2020, 05:22 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: West Georgia
Posts: 1,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Striider
Exactly why I am trying to make sure my mounting plates are correct. I called a local trailer place and they say 2.5 inches is wrong. I am afraid I will have to get them to weld new plates on for me or see if I can get my welding skills honed up....what's the worst that could happen? They want me to bring it in to look at it.
The strange thing is - these plates look manufactured to a certain size, not homemade, so they must fit SOMETHING. |
Just measured mine with the calipers. 2 1/2 inches O.C. on my American. I think I remember ordering them from etrailer for less than $40 each. No problem finding them
__________________
Joe a/k/a "Americanrascal"
2016 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q +tow dolly
8th RV to sit in our driveway in 40 years
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