Tow dolly alignment (fixed frame)
Hello everyone, New to the forum here. Just purchased a used tow dolly (can't tell the brand or if it was home made). I have rented and used some before, but first time I buy one. The issue is that...
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Thanks everyone for their replies and info! I called some places back and changed the question (to bending a frame) and everything changed. However, I re-measured the toe and I must have been really tired because the toe was exactly at zero. I did this while unhooked and the dolly leveled using my jack. I discovered the reason it was swaying so bad was because my ball mount was really high. I changed it to a lower one and it did much better. Still swayed a little, but nowhere near as bad as with the first one, so I have the correct one on the way. And dropping the tire pressure will probably fix anything that the height will not.
As far as the towing capacity...do you know how they determine that? I hadn't even checked the capacity before. I flat-towed a 98 New Beetle (2700 lbs) back in December (same destination as this time) using a tow-bar and it handled beautifully. The car did not even complain. Note that I was not driving as fast as other people on the highway and was taking my sweet time to brake, always making sure I had PLENTY of space ahead of me. I have also seen other people towing even bigger trailers loaded with tons of stuff (not to mention the RVs featured at Can Am, although they modified the hitch receiver to a type III). I am sure that they specify 1000 lbs for a reason, but I am trying to figure out why. I will be towing a 97 Grand Am GT Coupe (2800 lbs) on the dolly, which does not have brakes at this point. And the hitch receiver is class II with 3500 lbs towing weight and 350 lbs tongue weight capacities.
Finally, just to double check if I have to have the coupler level or the tire frame level when towing. I have attached pictures showing how I level both of them.
All of your input is really appreciated!
Leonardo
As far as the towing capacity...do you know how they determine that? I hadn't even checked the capacity before. I flat-towed a 98 New Beetle (2700 lbs) back in December (same destination as this time) using a tow-bar and it handled beautifully. The car did not even complain. Note that I was not driving as fast as other people on the highway and was taking my sweet time to brake, always making sure I had PLENTY of space ahead of me. I have also seen other people towing even bigger trailers loaded with tons of stuff (not to mention the RVs featured at Can Am, although they modified the hitch receiver to a type III). I am sure that they specify 1000 lbs for a reason, but I am trying to figure out why. I will be towing a 97 Grand Am GT Coupe (2800 lbs) on the dolly, which does not have brakes at this point. And the hitch receiver is class II with 3500 lbs towing weight and 350 lbs tongue weight capacities.
Finally, just to double check if I have to have the coupler level or the tire frame level when towing. I have attached pictures showing how I level both of them.
All of your input is really appreciated!
Leonardo
