southernkilowatt
North Carolina
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Joined: 11/13/2007
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Picked up a new to me tow dolly today. Never owned one before now and I have some questions. This one is used and needs tires and the lights rewired.
1- How fast can I SAFELY pull it UNLOADED?
2- What weight range tires should I put on it? (planning to tow a pontiac sunfire or a 02 saturn, both 4 door small cars)
3- Can I pigtail off the lights of the dolly to magnet mount lights on the toad?
4- On this one the pans fold down for loading and unloading instead of the tounge "breaking" with the pin- Which is better and if the tounge break is better should I convert it to that?
5- Who sells a good quality strap?
6- In addition to straps, do I also need a "safety chain" to connect the car to the dolly?
7- What spare parts would you reccomend having on hand when towing?
Any other advice you can offer please do. And as always, Thank you!
Dave
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Joined: 09/24/2007
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It may need brakes, if it has them and wheel bearings may need to be repacked or replaced if they are flat spotted. Try Towing World, they might have what you need.
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Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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You should have the wheel bearings repacked so you have a baseline. Many manufacturers recommend repacking and inpspecting annually but thats probably overkill. I feel the bearings when getting fuel, etc. They should never get uncomfortably hot.
I would carry a spare tire, hydraulic jack and a set of spare bearings.
You should be able to piggy back the lights. Only issue would be blowing a fuse.
You can tow as fast as the tires are rated for empty. I let all but 10 PSI out of the tires as it will bounce a foot or two in the air when you hit a pothole. Strapping on a few sand bags or concrete blocks will really settle it down, too.
A safety chain is a good idea. Be careful loading in the rain; its easy to drive the car over the front.
Check your straps a few miles after loading. They loosen up often.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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BaldyD1
Central Florida area
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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Check your state's lighting requirement for dollies because some (maybe most) states only require that the dolly brake lights "werk" and can be seen from the rear; as well as side marker lights. You probably can pigtail off of the MH if you so desire, but, doubt it's required or necessary. Also, remember that side marker lights are probably required if dolly was produced with them.
The straps are available at most any trailer store, Camping World, and may be available at Wally World or Sears/K-Mart.
Recommend a radial tire of with a heavier load range (original equipment tires are usually minimum load range) no matter what dinghy you tow.
Recommend a spare wheel & tire bolted onto the dolly tongue.
Either method of "breaking" is fine. Stay with the current "breaking" method.
The dolly will bounce when unloaded, but, you must determine the speed at which you are comfortable towing an empty dolly.
Spell Check did not work on this post.
Speedy, Jackie & Dusty {Shih-Tzu/Maltese}
2006 Kountry Star KSDP 3912
2005 Saturn Vue (dinghy)
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Foggy
Kalamazoo Mi. U.S.A.
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Joined: 04/01/2001
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Mag lights pigtailed from dolly no problem. Extra lights may need a heavier flasher. More lights mean less likely inattentive drivers will rear end you. I can see the mag lights on the roof of the toad in my rear view mirror so I can be sure they are working.
Empty tow at highway speeds as long as the bounce is not excessive. Lower tire pressure and added weight will help. Cement blocks are not recommended because with a severe jolt they can crumble and leave a road hazard behind.
Radial tires wear much better than bias ply.
I use safety chains! I cut a 6ft trailer safety chain in half and bolted both halves to the front of the pan.
Happy-Trails
Foggy
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kalynzoo
Los Angeles , California
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Joined: 12/30/2005
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1. When you tow unloaded you will see, feel, and hear the dolly hopping on the road. Safe speed is below this bouncing point. With my old dolly 45 to 50 was max.
2.Tires are not my specialty, however, I have purchased tires for my dolly before and have always been told to purchase trailer specific tires. These are hard to find on the road, so a spare, even unmounted is a good idea.
3. I pigtailed my trailer lights to magnetic mount lights, so that everything lit up.
4. You can order nice straps from Demco. I think you can purchase straps from U-haul.
5. I have always used safety chains to the frame of the car from the dolly. More than once my straps became loose. Never lost both straps, but then I always had safety chains.
6. Spare parts? A repair kit for the light wires...if they unplug and drag the wire breaks. Extra hitch pins. If you unhook at a campground to move the dolly out of the way, and your tired, you may forget where you put the pin. (I have)
A spare tire. I once had a flat and by luck found a tire shop still open at 5pm that had one tire on hand to match my trailer.
I enjoyed my Demco dolly for over 25 years. Never really had a problem, other than flats and loose screws, all part of life. I only went to 4 down now that I don't change out cars, and my back and knees complain.
Happy Trails
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southernkilowatt
North Carolina
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Joined: 11/13/2007
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All great info thank you all very much. Ill let you all know when I get her back on the road.
Thanks
Dave
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sundance_8
Cincinnati
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Joined: 12/23/2009
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You might consider 2 spares. On our last trip out West I had one tire blow on the expressway and since it was a steerable dolly the blown side pulled the other tire sideways and blew it as well. Unfortunately you can't always tell when one goes flat until its too late.
www.threedogsandus.com
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