toad towing question

As I said in a previous post on this thread, refering back to the (brief) time when we towed our Kia Sedona minivan on a dolly:

The only tow dolly I ever found that works good with minivans, is the Acme EZE tow dolly.

Just about every other dolly we looked at would not work either due to weight limitations, or concerns over fender contact when turning.

Contrary to what a previous poster suggested, yes, you DO have to account for the entire weight of the towed vehicle. If a dolly says it is rated to handle only a 4,000 lb vehicle, then it is not a good idea to tow a 4500 lb van with it. Not only that, but you have to consider the weight limitation of the Motorhome's hitch receiver. Many are limited to 5,000 lbs, and this means the weight of the vehilce PLUS the dolly needs to be under that 5,000 lbs. When most vans weigh 4500 lbs or more, this rules out many dollies as their weight + 4500 would put you over the 5000 limit. The Acme dolly with its light 400 lb total weight and 5000 lb vehicle rating makes it ideal for minivans.

As far as width, turning goes: Based on what some tow dolly manufacturers would recommend, it seems they expect you to just avoid any turns more than 45 degrees, haha. :)

Pivot tables just do not allow for much pivoting/turning with wider vehicles like vans. There are a few dollies that the wheels on the dolly itself are steerable. This is much better, but problem is those dollies tend to be so heavy, the 5,000 lb limit of the hitch receiver becomes an issue.

Acme EZE dolly takes a whole different approach that seems to work best and allow for the tightest turning: They use a solid, non-pivoting platform that the vehicle sits on, and instruct you to leave steering wheel unlocked to allow for pivoting. They use small enough wheels, fenders, that contact is just about impossible no matter how tight you turn. Check out the videos of this dolly on their web page, you'll see what I mean. Its almost as if the fenders, wheels of the dolly become one with the front wheels of the towed vehicle. I actually tested this with our van, MH in a parking lot once. I could literally turn so tight that front of van was about to make contact with the back of the MH (easily 90 degree angle between the two, and there was no contact with fenders of the van.

If we were ever to go back to using a dolly to tow, no question, it will be with an Acme EZE dolly.

Yes, steering wheel was locked. Called Master Tow and they said max width allowable is 78 inches. Our Sienna is 78.1. Wasn't even a close fit.

Are you sure your steering is locked when loaded so the wheels don't also turn a little which swings you tow vehicle wider. If it is not locked then the wheels in harness allow the back of the vehicle to make wide swings. I would be concerned if it was high enough to go over the fenders/wheels of the dolly. At that point the stress on the hitch is enormous and stability is an issue.

A tow dolly has a specific weight limitation. Check the brands web site for the weight restriction of your dolly model.

willald wrote:

sammy64 wrote:

kalynzoo wrote:
My concern: Isn't the Caravan rather overweight for the rating of the dolly?
Just mentioning.

how could it be overloaded? the mini van is probably one of the lightest things to tow (other than a preaus) thanks

No, minivans are not light, compared to a regular car.

Most minivans are going to weigh around 4400-5000 lbs. Your 2011 Caravan's curb weight is listed at 4510 lbs when I just checked.

Many dollies are only rated to handle up to 4000 lbs, some less than that. There are only a few dollies out there that can handle a 4500 lb car or minivan like yours.

Soooo, yes, it is quite possible, that you are putting more weight on your dolly than its designed to handle.

Anyway, back to your original question: One thing you may want to consider, that would alleviate both the fender rubbing issue as well as the potential weight issue: Sell that dolly you have, and get you an Acme EZE tow dolly. I know for a fact that fender rubbing is just about impossible with the way the Acme dolly is designed (I used to tow a minivan on one). And, it is one of the few dollies that can easily handle 4500 lbs of vehicle, yet still be light enough to keep you from going over the 5,000 lb maximum most MH hitch receivers have.

That'd be my recommendation, if the board stacking idea previously mentioned won't work.

The dolly rating is for the wt. ON the dolly. NOT the total wt. of the vehicle on it. You will be fine with a Caravan.

lesliericker wrote:
We just tried our 2013 Sienna Van on a Master Tow 80THD. Had the same problem When turning, fenders rubbed (badly) the sides of our van even with a nice, wide turn. Did you ever find a tow dolly that would work? We are still looking at the Roadmaster 2000-1, the ACME EZ-load or possibly the Landgrebe tow dolly. Anyone have any experience towing the Sienna and using a tow dolly. We are 78.1 width....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

no sorry i never did find a dolly that worked for our caravan :(

We just tried our 2013 Sienna Van on a Master Tow 80THD. Had the same problem When turning, fenders rubbed (badly) the sides of our van even with a nice, wide turn. Did you ever find a tow dolly that would work? We are still looking at the Roadmaster 2000-1, the ACME EZ-load or possibly the Landgrebe tow dolly. Anyone have any experience towing the Sienna and using a tow dolly. We are 78.1 width....

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Think I'd pick the Master Tow just for the 205/75D 14" tires over the 205/65-10 on the Acme tow dolly.

tomousecap wrote:
Tow Dollies Model 77T Model 80THD
Vehicle Tread Width 40” – 77” 40” – 80”
Max Width at Front Doors 75” 78”
Overall Width 99” 102”
Overall Length 121.5” 121.5”
Height at Fender 26” 26”
Ground Clearance 6.0” 6.0”
Weight 450 lbs. 551 lbs.
Tow Dolly Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating 3,000 lbs. 3,500 lbs.
Actual Cargo Capacity 2,550 lbs. 2,950 lbs.
Maximum Gross Weight of
Vehicle to be Towed 4,250 lbs. 4,900 lbs.
Tire Size (Trailer Service) ST 205/75D 14" 6 Ply Rated
Coupler Size 2” 2”
Coupler Class SAE 2 /3,500 lbs. SAE 3 / 5,000 lbs.

www.mastertow.com

This chart is on "Master Tow's" website. I use the model 80THD and it clears vehicles up to 78" wide at the doors. I think you have the narrow model and need to do your homework. The capacity of the dolly is Ok. It is the width you need to look at. Also be advised that if you fail to secure the steering wheel from turning, it will allow the dolly tray to pivot into the body because of the front wheels turning. It will also loosen the tie down straps if the steering wheel is not locked.

thanks i did look at the van and the steering doesnt lock. i did not know this my Kia van locks the wheels when the key is removed... i do know how to strap the wheel to keep it from turning,(used to drive a tow truck) thanks again

Tow Dollies Model 77T Model 80THD
Vehicle Tread Width 40” – 77” 40” – 80”
Max Width at Front Doors 75” 78”
Overall Width 99” 102”
Overall Length 121.5” 121.5”
Height at Fender 26” 26”
Ground Clearance 6.0” 6.0”
Weight 450 lbs. 551 lbs.
Tow Dolly Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating 3,000 lbs. 3,500 lbs.
Actual Cargo Capacity 2,550 lbs. 2,950 lbs.
Maximum Gross Weight of
Vehicle to be Towed 4,250 lbs. 4,900 lbs.
Tire Size (Trailer Service) ST 205/75D 14" 6 Ply Rated
Coupler Size 2” 2”
Coupler Class SAE 2 /3,500 lbs. SAE 3 / 5,000 lbs.

www.mastertow.com

This chart is on "Master Tow's" website. I use the model 80THD and it clears vehicles up to 78" wide at the doors. I think you have the narrow model and need to do your homework. The capacity of the dolly is Ok. It is the width you need to look at. Also be advised that if you fail to secure the steering wheel from turning, it will allow the dolly tray to pivot into the body because of the front wheels turning. It will also loosen the tie down straps if the steering wheel is not locked.