Concerned over ACME Tow Dolley Straps
I recently purchased a new ACME tow dolley and am very concerned about the placement of my straps on the tires. They state they will fit tires up to 20" which is what I have, 20" tires. I send pictu...
Forum Discussion
Loose tire straps are not a problem if you make 2 changes in your loading procedure:
1. Don’t pull the toad all the way forward on the dolly. Leave about 1 inch between the front tires and the front wheel stops.
2. Tighten the straps down until the tires squish.
When you pull all the way forward the straps will not slide over the tire leaving them a little loose behind the tire. By allowing the 1 inch gap in front of the tire the wheels will roll forward tightening the straps on both sides of the tire.
Since I started doing this, 10 years & 50,000 plus miles ago, I’ve never had a problem with a loose strap. I still check them after the first 50 miles and each time I take a rest stop (about every 2 to 3 hours) but rarely can tighten them any further.
Two other things to watch for. A dolly is wider than the toad & in my case a little wider than the MH so watch when you park next to a curb that you don’t rub the lettering off of the curb side dolly tire. Also make sure that you have plenty of room to pull way from a curb. The sharper you turn away from the curb the more the dolly tongue will swing into the curb causing the dolly to jump the curb.
Dave
1. Don’t pull the toad all the way forward on the dolly. Leave about 1 inch between the front tires and the front wheel stops.
2. Tighten the straps down until the tires squish.
When you pull all the way forward the straps will not slide over the tire leaving them a little loose behind the tire. By allowing the 1 inch gap in front of the tire the wheels will roll forward tightening the straps on both sides of the tire.
Since I started doing this, 10 years & 50,000 plus miles ago, I’ve never had a problem with a loose strap. I still check them after the first 50 miles and each time I take a rest stop (about every 2 to 3 hours) but rarely can tighten them any further.
Two other things to watch for. A dolly is wider than the toad & in my case a little wider than the MH so watch when you park next to a curb that you don’t rub the lettering off of the curb side dolly tire. Also make sure that you have plenty of room to pull way from a curb. The sharper you turn away from the curb the more the dolly tongue will swing into the curb causing the dolly to jump the curb.
Dave
