Question about using a tow dolly

You have more than just toad instructions to think about. It’s also according to what type of dolly you have. There are three types:
1. Swivel dolly wheels with fixed toad plates, like “Demco”
2. Fixed dolly wheels with swivel toad plates, like “Master Tow”
3. Fixed dolly wheels and fixed toad plates, like “Acme”

The first two require that the steering wheel to be locked in place with the transmission in park. The swiveling wheels or plates on the dolly will take care of the turning.

The last one you must leave the ignition on so that the steering wheel will turn thus allowing the front wheels to turn with the toad to do the swiveling.

In all cases you MUST check with the toad’s manufacturer for dolly towing instructions as these change with the manufacturer and vehicle model.

A few on this forum have complained about dolly wheel straps coming loose on the road. If they are strapped down as some dolly manufacturers recommend this can happen but with a slight modification in strapping instructions it will never happen. Send me a private message if you want the modification info.

Dave

I towed with a dolly for years and many different vehicles always in park. never had an issue.

vtbigdog wrote:
If you are worried about the parking pawl, you may want to drive up onto the dolly, lock the emergency brake, secure the tire straps securely and then place the vehicle into park. If the straps are tight enough there is will be little if any pressure on the pawl.

If you do this make sure you release the parking brake when it's done. Otherwise you'll be dragging your rear tires around. We put ours in park. If you strap it tightly there should not be any movement. But whatever your manual says. Personally I don't think I'd want to rely on straps alone to hold it on.

If you are worried about the parking pawl, you may want to drive up onto the dolly, lock the emergency brake, secure the tire straps securely and then place the vehicle into park. If the straps are tight enough there is will be little if any pressure on the pawl.

I tow a Hyundai on a dolly in park brake off.Have towed many miles with no problems

Do check your owner's manual, but most cars should be placed in park with the front wheels secured on the dolly. If the car is properly secured it will not move enough for the parking pawl (in the transmission) to be an issue. I towed an automatic Toyota Camry on a dolly, in park, hand brake OFF! for many miles with no issues whatsoever.

My car had to be in PARK, but every car is different. Check the owner's manual under RECREATIONAL TOWING or similar heading.

Check your owners manual. Roadmaster manual says tow it in park.

Joe

What does the directions say?? If I remember right, we did put our Lumina in neutral and then tied it down.. We couldn't put the parking brake on because it was on the back wheels.. I did have a large rope with safety hooks that I hooked on the dolly and on the frame of the car just in case.. Mike Mathews..

PS: I stand corrected, I found our old instructions.. It says to pull upon the doll until you're in between the chocks(against the stops)(there's a picture), apply the parking brake leave it in neutral, tie it down securely, then put the shifter into park and release the parking brake.. Stop and check the tie down straps at 100 miles..