Stehl Tow Dolly

We used to have a dolly we used with our 2013 Fusion. The dolly wheels steered, we had to lock down the steering wheel so the car wheels wouldn't turn. If both turned then the car body would get into the dolly wheels and fenders. Check carefully, lots of new cars have two differences from older models. First they have electric steering not hydraulic assist. Second, they've eliminated the steering wheel lock because it's not as necessary any more with the improvements in chipped keys. We had a binder strap we'd run around the wheel and one of the openings in the center console to keep the wheel straight. We installed a brake controller on our rig to manage the brakes. Just my two cents worth.

We have a Lincoln MKZ as well and a Toyota Highlander we use with a ACME dolly with surge breaks. We use a dolly since it gives us the freedom to take whichever vehicle we want. We also pull a jeep wrangler four down. I would not worry about the size of the dolly tires as long as they are rated for highway speeds. We have well over 10k on our ACME with no problems. The ACME dolly uses inverted steering so there is no way it will damage your car on sharp turns. You will get a lot of different opinions but I would get what appeals to you.

I believe the Stehl will serve your needs. My thought would be to find out if they offer it in different widths. For your application/concerns, I would go with the widest they offer. That would lessen the possibility of the dolly wheels making contact with your car during sharp turns.
The Acme should do the job as well. It's designed to allow the car wheels to pivot so a steering wheel lock is not needed. Friends of ours have been towing one for several years without issue.
Our Demco SS uses surge brakes and we've found them to work very well. As for tire size, I believe the new Acme units are using 12" wheels. Ours uses 14"... as noted above, the weight and speed rating are probable more critical than diameter.

Gary

To Campinghoss@51 how is you ground clearance on the back of the Lincoln with Acme? Not sure it matters as far as weight and height but it yours' a Hybrid? and do you have 19" on the car and did the straps that came with it have any issues covering them for tow? And one last question what do u mean inverted steering from what I can tell from their pics on their site everything is welded so I see it means the frame doesn't have any steering capabilities like perhaps the Kar Kaddy or the Stehl has. Not that I'm complaining I just don't know what that all means being a first timer on CLASS A's and dinghy towing....
Thxs for any help

dmctlc wrote:
To Campinghoss@51 how is you ground clearance on the back of the Lincoln with Acme? Not sure it matters as far as weight and height but it yours' a Hybrid? and do you have 19" on the car and did the straps that came with it have any issues covering them for tow? And one last question what do u mean inverted steering from what I can tell from their pics on their site everything is welded so I see it means the frame doesn't have any steering capabilities like perhaps the Kar Kaddy or the Stehl has. Not that I'm complaining I just don't know what that all means being a first timer on CLASS A's and dinghy towing....
Thxs for any help

Ours is not the hybrid and I have the 17 inch rims. The back of the MKZ is not a problem clearance wise either. You may see more problems if the ground is not level and firm with the front spoiler on the MKZ clearing the ramps going up. That is one reason I like the smaller tires on the ACME as the ramps are not as steep. It is not a problem on the Highlander but it is close on the MKZ. The larger tires you have on the dolly will put the rear end closer to the ground as well depending on how high the axle on the dolly is of course.

As far as inverted steering----the best way I saw another op state it is if you glued your front wheels to the ground with the steering wheel unlocked and lifted the rear tires up you could swing the car right and left and the front tires would remain glued but the steering wheel would turn as the back end swung. That is the way the AMCE works as well. I have the old type straps as well and the new adjustable straps as back up. Either one of the straps would work on the MKZ.

We just like using a dolly since it frees us to get any kind of front wheel drive toad we want without worrying about four down capability. I have yet had a problem storing the ACME while camped. You can actually stand the ACME straight up if you need to.

Hope this helps you.