Forum Discussion

angler's avatar
angler
Explorer
Sep 05, 2019

Tow dolly empty - 1500 miles

I have a situation that I could either rent a uhaul car dolly or take mine on a 1500 mile trek. It would not have a car on it. I realize I would reduce tire pressure on the car dolly. Just wondering if anyone has done this. I’m guessing it would be hard on the car dolly, but not sure.

17 Replies

  • Having been behind some empty car dollies, I would keep a close eye on it. Most that I have seen bounced all over the road sort of like fishtailing. Obviously they are not heavy enough to affect the coach handling but I figured it probably didn't do the dolly any good. Maybe uneven tire wear and bearing stress as well as possible structural damage to the dolly.
  • Just fasten down anything that's loose (chains/ramps) or store it inside your MH. Bouncing down the road shouldn't hurt it.
  • Some manufacturers recommend against it, others say it's OK. Keep an eye on fasteners obviously, and as you said drop tire pressure to like 15psi.

    My only experience towing one empty was a Uhaul dolly for ~100 miles. Holy **** was that loud! Like embarrassing, people looking at what is making all that racket loud. I'm pretty sure the tires were in the air as much as they were on the ground... Didn't drop tire pressure though since it was just an emergency rental.

    If I were going 1500 miles with one, I think I'd toss a few bags of concrete on it.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    If it can’t take bouncing down the road empty, I would not put a car in it.