Tow Dolly Question ?

[NHRA225]

I Retired from NHRA Drag Racing Last February and sold My Car and Race Trailer and now in Full retirement mode.
I planning on my annual Trips to Florida and would like to tow my 1999 GMC Denali But on a Dolly. It has the Neutral system for the Transfer Case so that isn't a concern. The Truck Weighs about 4500 lbs Curb weight. Tow vehicle is my 1992 American Eagle 8.3 450 hp So power and stopping isn't a concern. I've been researching Dolly's and my 1st priority is a Braking system .
Concerns: The small ST 8 ply tires bother Me a little--Will they hold up with approximately 3000 lbs of front end weight ?
Does anyone here Use a Dolly for Tucks of this weight ?
Which MFG Dolly would you recommend ?

Thanks

[twinboat]

I tow a Honda Ridgeline, 4 door pickup, on a Stehl Tow dolly, with surge brakes.

Look up StehlTow and input your zip code. They will list dealers where you can see the product.

[Gary RVRoamer]

Tow dollys have a GVWR, typically 3000-3500 lbs. Enough to carry the front axle of a many vehicle, but yours would be running at or above max load all the time. Obviously tires are going to wear faster than a lighter load.


I used a Master Tow dolly for one travel season and they specify a dolly GVWR of 3500 and max vehicle weight of 4900 lbs (the dolly weighs about 500 lbs by itself). It also uses a 2" ball coupler rated for 5000 lbs, as I recall. Stehl dollys are about the same. Maybe some others have a higher capacity?

[FL420]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Tow dollys have a GVWR, typically 3000-3500 lbs. Enough to carry the front axle of a many vehicle, but yours would be running at or above max load all the time. Obviously tires are going to wear faster than a lighter load.


I used a Master Tow dolly for one travel season and they specify a dolly GVWR of 3500 and max vehicle weight of 4900 lbs (the dolly weighs about 500 lbs by itself). It also uses a 2" ball coupler rated for 5000 lbs, as I recall. Stehl dollys are about the same. Maybe some others have a higher capacity?

American Car Dolly. GVWR of 6500#. Best design, materials, construction. As a racer you will immediately recognize the quality and robustness of the steel and the welds. No thin wall round tubing or bolt and nut connections to vibrate apart except for the large main pivot plate bolt.
https://americandolly.com/
For electric brakes I highly recommend the proportional Tekonsha Prodigy P3 controller over the pendulum style Gary sells. I found Gary the designer, fabricator, owner and deliverer to be very easy and helpful to work with.

[NHRA225]

Thanks for the Tips ! Very helpful Indeed ! I called American Dolly --No Answer and no return call as of now- But I like the specs on His Dolly. I'm also looking at a Stehl ST80TD Seems adequate for the task. I don't care for the Tire Specs on either- I rather have 15 in Alum Wheels and at the very least an E Rated or even an F rated ST Tire. I already have a Techonsha Brake Controller in he Cockpit -- Don't care for the American Brakes. Here's the Spec's on my Truck

My 1999 Denali Weight Specs. Curb Weight - Rear (lbs)2327Gross Axle Wt Rating - Rear (lbs)3686Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Cap (lbs)6300 Curb Weight - Front (lbs)2584Total Weight* *-- just*@ 4800 lbs
Front vehicle weight on the Dolly would be 2584 lbs- from what I've read the model #ST80TD Specs show Axle weight 3000lbs---Am I figuring correctly*?
Thanks

[twinboat]

I see all of the StehlTow dollys listing 13" tires in the specs.

When I bought mine, back in 2014, it came with ST205/75R14, load range C tires.
I replaced them last year, after about 30,000 miles, with the same tire in a load range D, because I was towing a heavier vehicle.

[deblas]

NHRA225,

Have some patience with Gary @ American. He does most, if not all, deliveries across the country. We purchased the 9' dolly back in July. It took almost 2 months to actually receive it...but the wait was worth it.

I would suggest to text Gary at that 970 number on his website, it is his cell.
He admittedly missed a couple of my "calls" but later I found he responds better via text, at his request.

Good luck!

[Mr_D]

You will probably find the Denali is towable four down or on a trailer but not on a dolly!

[NXR]

Unfortunately not too much info here but some of the ads are interesting: https://images.goodsam.com/newmotorh...inghyGuide.pdf

"Towing your vehicle" starts on page 5-8. Looks like there are some significant speed limitations if it's not on a trailer: https://my.gm.com/content/dam/gmowne...kon_owners.pdf

55 MPH unless it has an electric shift transfer case. Then it's 35 MPH and only for 50 miles.

HTH,

Ray

[NHRA225]

Thanks Guy !
My Original Manual states the truck Transfer Case can be placed in Neutral and I've tested that many times. Also it can be towed all 4 down behind a MH- It doesn't mention any speed limit limitations at all Nor warnings Nor how many miles it can be towed. If I place it in Neutral on a tow Dolly -It's still in Neutral as if all four down only 2 wheels moving . I don't want to overthink this so I'll call my Dealer in the am to confirm exactly what I want to accomplish. Tow Dolly behind My Horse diving to Florida in 3 weeks.
Can't wait for American that long to build a Dolly .

[FL420]

Check Craigslist. You might get lucky. ACDs are built like tanks.
[emoji40]

[Unplanned Tourist]

Originally Posted by NHRA225

Thanks Guy !
My Original Manual states the truck Transfer Case can be placed in Neutral and I've tested that many times. Also it can be towed all 4 down behind a MH- It doesn't mention any speed limit limitations at all Nor warnings Nor how many miles it can be towed. If I place it in Neutral on a tow Dolly -It's still in Neutral as if all four down only 2 wheels moving . I don't want to overthink this so I'll call my Dealer in the am to confirm exactly what I want to accomplish. Tow Dolly behind My Horse diving to Florida in 3 weeks.
Can't wait for American that long to build a Dolly .

Pretty sure you can't tow it on a dolly. Four down, or on a trailer are your options. Or with a driveline disconnect.

[cmtnrv]

To be sure have your vehicle weighted is really the only way to know your exact configuration. I use a Demco Kar Kaddy SS. It has a self contained braking system.

[NHRA225]

Update !
Talked to my GMC Dealer and to my go to Mechanic Racing Buddy who rebuilt My NP246 Transfer case and my 4L60E Transmission 6 years ago.
Both have stated that My 99 can be Towed either 4 Down or up on a tow Dolly.
Once placed in Neutral (Tow Mode) the Transmission is disconnected from the drive line and the Drive Shaft will turn but plays no role at that point -So no need to be concerned with the D-Shaft or the Fluids and Clutches in he Transmission. Just hookup and Go !
As far as weight Spec's are concerned- My front end on the Dolly will be aprox-2584 lbs- Still well under the 3000 lb Limit.
Next- I found a near New Stehl ST80TD with Elect Brakes under 2000 miles for a Very Good price.
Still not Happy with the Little Tires- Gonna Replace those with ST205/75R15 LR E 2100 lbs GWR ea along with 2 New Aluminum Wheels with Easy Lube Caps