Tow dolly question

[pdeinc]

I have a question for those with tow dolly experience - does the plate with wheel chocks pivot on all tow dollies?

And what is the primary purpose for this function?

Is it intended for car with front wheels that lock or does that not matter?

Thanks!

[twinboat]

All, but one dolly manufacture, that I've researched, has either a articulating plate for the tow tires to sit in or the dolly itself has steering tires.

If you think of a little red wagon steering, that's the dollys built with the articulating plate. Probably the most popular style.
With that style dolly, you can tow just about any front wheel drive car that will fit, steering locked or not.
Same with the Demco dolly that has steering tires.

Acme Dollys have no steering function on them. They depend on the dolly twisting the tow cars tires, when cornering. With that, the cars steering must be unlocked.

[ThePowells]

Originally Posted by twinboat

All, but one dolly manufacture, that I've researched, has either a articulating plate for the tow tires to sit in or the dolly itself has steering tires.

If you think of a little red wagon steering, that's the dollys built with the articulating plate. Probably the most popular style.
With that style dolly, you can tow just about any front wheel drive car that will fit, steering locked or not.
Same with the Demco dolly that has steering tires.

Acme Dollys have no steering function on them. They depend on the dolly twisting the tow cars tires, when cornering. With that, the cars steering must be unlocked.

And expect someone to come onto the forum and basically tell you that if you cannot see the logic in a certain dolly design, that you are not smart enough to own their dolly. BTDT

[pdeinc]

Originally Posted by ThePowells

And expect someone to come onto the forum and basically tell you that if you cannot see the logic in a certain dolly design, that you are not smart enough to own their dolly. BTDT

I can't help but ask, are you that 'someone'?

I have no doubt that if I had any experience, either first hand or from the standpoint of witnessing the varied designs in action, and I could probably answer those questions myself. And I'd also have to see or experience the difference between towing a car with steering locked and unlocked with each dolly type to properly determine if that dolly's design approach satisfies all requirements.

The fact that there are at least 3 distinct designs indicates different philosophical approaches to the function. Without experience, I can't speak to whether one design is better than the other or if one has distinct problems associated with their approach but from an engineering standpoint, I can see issues with all three designs.

[MarvinG]

I use the Acme dolly and love it. Light, simple, and with the built in surge brake, I never know it is there when braking.

[push toy1]

I have a tow master it does the job.. I like towing 4 down but this was much cheaper than a new car.. it's much more work than 4down and if you can't back up the dolly without the car then you better have a hitch on the car because it's hard for a old person to push

[Frutza]

Which ever kind you get, make sure you check the straps after a couple of turns,

[MarvinG]

2X check the straps after pulling a little ways. As far as weight, the Acme is light and balanced and easier to push around then some of the others ones (one reason I bought mine, to help keep the total tow weight below the tow limit of my Bounder.) But the older I get, the less I like to push mine, so Push Toy’s advice about a hitch on the towed vehicle is spot on. I don’t have one yet, but will before I get too much older.

[NXR]

Originally Posted by MarvinG

2X check the straps after pulling a little ways. As far as weight, the Acme is light and balanced and easier to push around then some of the others ones (one reason I bought mine, to help keep the total tow weight below the tow limit of my Bounder.) But the older I get, the less I like to push mine, so Push Toy’s advice about a hitch on the towed vehicle is spot on. I don’t have one yet, but will before I get too much older.

I put a $30 pivoting trailer wheel from Tractor Supply on my Acme dolly. It barely fit and it’s too tall to just crank it down on to the ball hitch, but it sure does make it a lot easier to push that thing around.

Ray

[MarvinG]

Ray, that is a fantastic idea. Any chance you can upload a picture?

[pdeinc]

Originally Posted by MarvinG

I use the Acme dolly and love it. Light, simple, and with the built in surge brake, I never know it is there when braking.

Thanks for responding. Is your car steering free to turn? If not, have you ever watched your car's front tires up close as the coach, dolly and car execute a turn? If so, do the car tires turn relative to the surface they're resting upon?

And do you see any tendency for the tire straps to loosen over time? Thanks again.

[BillJinOR]

I have an American tow dolly with a very low deck that swivels and has removable ramp. With a swivel deck the steering should be locked but I have towed without. The current car and most new cars steering don’t lock. I throw the seatbelt through the bottom of the steering wheel and buckle it to keep the wheel from moving. The problem is since the deck swivels if you add the steering also turning the car can turn too sharply in sharp turns and hit the dollys wheel fenders and dent the car door .
Always check the straps at every stop .. the constant stress on the straps pulling and loosening stretches them. It’s most critical after you’ve moved a short distance. You can’t ever get the ratchets to tighten them enough at first it seems ( until they get stretched )

[pdeinc]

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

I have an American tow dolly with a very low deck that swivels and has removable ramps. ~snip~

Thanks for that info, with my Mini Cooper, I'll need removable ramps as well. I unwittingly purchased a tandon tow style dolly without realizing the fixed ramps would hit the rocker panels of my car and now am trying to sell it.

[MarvinG]

Originally Posted by pdeinc

Thanks for responding. Is your car steering free to turn? If not, have you ever watched your car's front tires up close as the coach, dolly and car execute a turn? If so, do the car tires turn relative to the surface they're resting upon?

And do you see any tendency for the tire straps to loosen over time? Thanks again.

I typically drive a 1/4 mile or so and tighten my straps, then drive maybe five miles to a good pull over and tighten again, and although I’ve checked I never find them loose again. However, my tows do not generally run longer than 3-4 hours. And then I’ve arrived, set up, unhook the tow and enjoy my destination.

With Acme, you turn the ignition switch on, then back a notch where it leaves the steering wheel free to turn but no power to engine or electronics. No, I’ve never watched the car and dolly execute a turn. I’ve used it numerous times with zero frame stress issues, at least none that are apparent to the casual glance. I do find the tires can move forward and back on the dolly slightly as I turn.

I’m a big fan of this dolly because of its simplicity, it has nothing that can damage the auto in a turn, or underneath since the ramps are removed and stowed once the car is loaded. (I stow the ramps in the cargo bays of my RV rather than on the dolly, I don’t want to worry about them coming loose as I travel down the highway.)