Tire wear with dolly

[EdInArk]

Question for experienced dolly users.

Has anyone else experienced weird rear tire wear when pulling on a dolly?

After the first few thousand miles of towing, our RAV4 started making a pulsing, wah, wah, wah noise at speeds up to about 40. I rotated the tires, checked bearings, and did everything else I could figure out to do, but the noise persisted.

Then, last week we put new tires on it, and the noise has stopped. So, it was the tires.

Our RAV4 steering won't lock straight ahead, and it always would up with the top center of the wheel locked at 11:00 or 1:00 and the front wheels turned right or left, depending on which way we turned first. This would result in us pulling straight down the road with the wheels turned and the rotating tray on the dolly turned as well.

I strongly suspect that pulling several thousand miles like this kept the car trying to crab along and caused the tire wear.

I now take steps to keep the steering wheel from locking. The car pulls straighter and I hope the tires will wear more normally.

If you made it this far, I thank you. But I have this weird compulsion to explain things to death.

Anyway, do other folks dollying have this problem, and do you do anything to solve it? Like increased pressure in the rear tires or anything?

[twinboat]

My Kia Soul cupped the rear tires and made the same noise, even without the steering locked.

I think the rear is so light that the turntable doesn't turn easy enough and drags the rear tires around slight turns.

The tires had 60,000 miles so a change was in order anyway. I sold it at 90,000 and didn't hear the noise then.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by twinboat

My Kia Soul cupped the rear tires and made the same noise, even without the steering locked.

I think the rear is so light that the turntable doesn't turn easy enough and drags the rear tires around slight turns.

The tires had 60,000 miles so a change was in order anyway. I sold it at 90,000 and didn't hear the noise then.

I bet you're right, and if so additional air wouldn't help. I tend to be a bit lax about rotation; I'll be careful to keep that done on this set of tires.

I have started lubing the plastic pads with silicone spray, and it makes them much easier to turn, but I doubt it lasts long.

Thank you, sir.

[GaryKowal1]

I tow my Jeep 4 wheels down. The tires (expensive Kevlar) starting cupping badly after a few thousand miles. While I was in Cody Wyoming I had a wonderful tire store look at it. He told me they see that same thing with certain brands of tires that are towed. Wranglers were among the worst. I switched to Coopers and ride is better, quieter and problem seems gone.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by GaryKowal1

I tow my Jeep 4 wheels down. The tires (expensive Kevlar) starting cupping badly after a few thousand miles. While I was in Cody Wyoming I had a wonderful tire store look at it. He told me they see that same thing with certain brands of tires that are towed. Wranglers were among the worst. I switched to Coopers and ride is better, quieter and problem seems gone.

Front or rear tires ?

[Gary RVRoamer]

Our RAV4 steering won't lock straight ahead, and it always would up with the top center of the wheel locked at 11:00 or 1:00 and the front wheels turned right or left, depending on which way we turned first. This would result in us pulling straight down the road with the wheels turned and the rotating tray on the dolly turned as well.

If you have a dolly with the swivel platform, you should immobilize the steering somehow. Without a steering wheel lock, that means a strap of some sort on the steering wheel to prevent the sort of problems you had. I was able to use the lap belt on our 2013 Buick Verano, but on some cars that isn't practical. I don't know anything about the Rav4 wheel & seat, so can't make any useful suggestions.


Not every vehicle has problems if the steering isn't immobilized somehow, but the tire problem you describe is one result when it does happen.

[Xmcdog]

Originally Posted by twinboat

My Kia Soul cupped the rear tires and made the same noise, even without the steering locked.

I think the rear is so light that the turntable doesn't turn easy enough and drags the rear tires around slight turns.

The tires had 60,000 miles so a change was in order anyway. I sold it at 90,000 and didn't hear the noise then.

I wonder if adding some weight to the rear would help. Full tank of gas and a couple of sandbags? Just a thought.

[EdInArk]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

If you have a dolly with the swivel platform, you should immobilize the steering somehow. Without a steering wheel lock, that means a strap of some sort on the steering wheel to prevent the sort of problems you had. I was able to use the lap belt on our 2013 Buick Verano, but on some cars that isn't practical. I don't know anything about the Rav4 wheel & seat, so can't make any useful suggestions.


Not every vehicle has problems if the steering isn't immobilized somehow, but the tire problem you describe is one result when it does happen.

This noise actually started before I stopped letting it lock. We'll see how it goes with the new tires.

Originally Posted by Xmcdog

I wonder if adding some weight to the rear would help. Full tank of gas and a couple of sandbags? Just a thought.

Firewood
Worth a thought. Thanks.

[Mile Marker 42]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

If you have a dolly with the swivel platform, you should immobilize the steering somehow. Without a steering wheel lock, that means a strap of some sort on the steering wheel to prevent the sort of problems you had. I was able to use the lap belt on our 2013 Buick Verano, but on some cars that isn't practical. I don't know anything about the Rav4 wheel & seat, so can't make any useful suggestions.


Not every vehicle has problems if the steering isn't immobilized somehow, but the tire problem you describe is one result when it does happen.

Could run the seat belt thru the steering wheel.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by Xmcdog

I wonder if adding some weight to the rear would help. Full tank of gas and a couple of sandbags? Just a thought.

Not anymore, I tow a Honda Ridgeline 4 door pickup. Not so short or light.

[GaryKowal1]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Front or rear tires ?

All tires cupped on Wrangler/Kevlar