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DrainSurgeon's avatar
DrainSurgeon
Explorer
Jun 01, 2015

Master Tow dolly problems

Just wondering if anyone else has had the problems I've experienced with my Master Tow 80THD. I purchase this dolly about 6 years ago and have had nothing but problems with it. Excessive tire wear (Third set in 14,000 miles). Light connectors under the fenders keep coming loose. I've tried taping, caulking, even epoxy and they seem to work loose after a couple of hours on the road. There should be some kind of retainer clip or something to hold them to the light assembly. Thirdly, the inside of the wheel fenders are putting small dents in the driver and passenger doors from sharp turns. The web site says it will tow up to 78" wide vehicles and my DeVille is 74.5" at the doors. I have emailed them twice with NO response. I went to a Master tow dealer in Mesa AZ last winter to order new lights and explained the problems I've experienced. They emailed Master Tow and THEY never got a response to my issues. It seems that their customer relations person has retired or died or something. I will never purchase one of their products again. Any one else having problems with theirs and how was your problem(S) addressed by Master Tow?
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2015
    Have you considered towing 4 down, requires new toad. Have you considered retrofitting the trailer with boat trailer lights from Walmart, submergible and better built. Next time you replace tires have the wheel bearings maintained. 1.75 inch clearance on either side of car seems tight, the tolerance in vehicle suspension movement, trailer suspension movement and your accuracy in aligning may be suspect. Have you considered lying to Master Tow and suggesting that you want to buy another dolly from them but you've had these problems and want to know how to avoid them in the new purchase.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Jun 02, 2015
    IMO, if you are wearing tires on a "fixed" axle, the axle either got bent, or was never welded correctly at the factory. Any trailer alignment facility will be able to align it.

    And I dare say that either your toad is too wide for the dolly, (no matter what the book says) or your turns are too short. I believe any turntable (pivot) dolly will have this same problem.

    Light and fender problems are common on most dollies. They have no suspension, so the fenders and lights get a rough ride, especially when towing it w/o a toad (load) on it.
  • hipower's avatar
    hipower
    Explorer
    Jun 05, 2015
    I used a Master Tow dolly for 9 years and only stopped when I purchased a 2009 Chevy Silverado as a towed vehicle to allow taking along the golf cart or motorcycle.

    My experience with the dolly was generally positive and seemed appropriate to the price of the initial purchase. I found that the tires will wear quickly if the pressure isn't kept well into the high end of the sidewall ratings. I replaced the lights with LED's and never replaced another one in 7 years. Before that I rarely made even a short trip where I didn't have to replace at least one light at a cost of $8-9 each.

    As for trying to get some feedback from Master Tow, I never found the need so can't expand on that.

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