tow dollies suggesitions not criticism

My Stehl tow dolly has does not steer but it does pivot. I'm not sure how I would like a steerable dolly. One broken linkage and you have an out of control piece of machinery behind you, which in turn could potentially make the towing vehicle loose control. Moving parts break and usually when you don't want them to. JMHO

Thanks everyone!

We have a Roadmaster dolly, steerable, but has the fixed ramps. I like how it tows and handles, but think i would like the retractable ramps better. Each dolly has a recommended hitch height, so look them over and then make the hitch call. Ours has electric brakes, but surge brakes are a very good option. Best of luck in your quest.

I previously used a Demco KarKaddy II for about 25 years without a problem. Be aware that a van is probably at the upper limit of what the dolly is rated.
Enjoy.

wny_pat

I was just answering the previous post question.

Lots of dollys out there that neither swivel or steer.

The steerable Roadmaster Dolly works on the same concept (having a hinge in the middle). Instead of the deck moving, the deck is solid and the tires are steerable like a four down toad. Way too many parts to keep up with.

Retired JSO wrote:

V10guy wrote:

V10guy wrote:
I have a dumb question... how does a tow dolly "pivot" or "steer"? Shouldn't all of them pivot via the ball on the hitch? Sorry...I'm not following!

Also, why would you leave the steering unlocked vs. Locked?

Anyone?

No real question is stupid, only stupid ones don't ask questions.

Picture a tandem trailer where the tandems are several feet apart like the tow dolly's axle distance from the toad's rear axle. (Have you ever tried to hand turn position a small tandem trailer? (Almost impossible). If the deck doesn't swivel or steer, then the front wheels of the toad, (ones on the deck) should be unlocked to reduce steering damage on the toad.

A steerable tow dolly has a pivotal platform (deck) that is turned by the load's drag, while the axle is connected direct to the tongue and follows the ball.
With a swivel or steerable dolly, the toad may be left in (park for FWD models) and the steering wheel locked, parking brake off. The dolly turns with the ball along with it's axle while the deck pivots a few degrees left or right removing undue stress on the steering linkage of the toad.

That is a tow dolly with a swivel plate.

A steerable tow dolly has wheels that actually turn and steer, just like your steer axle does, in the direction following the towing vehicle.

I use a 2011 Demco KarKatty SS behind our 82 Pace arrow Class A and my toad is a 99 deville concours. (Its almost mint) and I have almost jackknifed the the thing (only once)and the fenders never hit the car. I also believe that it can take up too a 81 inch wheel base. Plus you can use more than 1 vehicle (FWD), where as you need to have a base plate on anything you want to tow 4 down. A plus is the tongue folds and the ramps fold up for storage. JMO, Tim

V10guy wrote:

V10guy wrote:
I have a dumb question... how does a tow dolly "pivot" or "steer"? Shouldn't all of them pivot via the ball on the hitch? Sorry...I'm not following!

Also, why would you leave the steering unlocked vs. Locked?

Anyone?

No real question is stupid, only stupid ones don't ask questions.

Picture a tandem trailer where the tandems are several feet apart like the tow dolly's axle distance from the toad's rear axle. (Have you ever tried to hand turn position a small tandem trailer? (Almost impossible). If the deck doesn't swivel or steer, then the front wheels of the toad, (ones on the deck) should be unlocked to reduce steering damage on the toad.

A steerable tow dolly has a pivotal platform (deck) that is turned by the load's drag, while the axle is connected direct to the tongue and follows the ball.
With a swivel or steerable dolly, the toad may be left in (park for FWD models) and the steering wheel locked, parking brake off. The dolly turns with the ball along with it's axle while the deck pivots a few degrees left or right removing undue stress on the steering linkage of the toad.

V10guy wrote:
I have a dumb question... how does a tow dolly "pivot" or "steer"? Shouldn't all of them pivot via the ball on the hitch? Sorry...I'm not following!

Also, why would you leave the steering unlocked vs. Locked?

Anyone?

I have an Acme tow dolly and it has worked well. This one you leave the steering un locked. The best thing I have found is it seems nearly impossible to hit the car with the fenders when you make a turn. I have turned about as sharply as possible with it hooked up to the MH and no problems. I was just in a campground in Main and this coach came in towing a new Pious, he had a hard time getting around and dragged the tow dolly badly on a little hill. I was out walking the dogs later and noticed he had dented both sides of the car. It appeared as he had turned to sharp and the dolly had made contact “heavily” with the sides of the car. I didn‘t get the name on the dolly but it was in the style of the demco.
Bill