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RJsfishin's avatar
RJsfishin
Explorer
Apr 03, 2014

"Updated" Demco Dolly Blew It Bigtime.!! "Updated"

I bought a used Demco KarKaddy (earlier post) Then I bought surge brakes for it (same earlier post) and thought while waiting for the brakes to come, I'd run the D Caravan (minivan) up on it, make sure all is ok. Well to my surprise it isn't, not even close !
The van wheels are 10" too wide for even the maximum width that will fit into the pans on the dolly. I still don't get it,....or believe it. It looked to be wide enuff to fit even any full sized vehicle, let alone a minivan. But not the first time I learned the hard way.

Now the big question, do I install the surge brakes first, then sell it, or sell'm separate ? Wow, did I blow it !
  • Usmcsousa's avatar
    Usmcsousa
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    I feel your pain, I once bought a "home made car hailing trailer" for a 500 mile drive only to realize the night before my morning departure, my vehicle was about 2 inches too wide and about 3 inches long.
    your buddies will have a laugh, and as long as you haven't over paid for the dolly, should be able to get your money back.
    I'd right "return to sender" on the brakes and get a refund if you can.
  • gotsmart's avatar
    gotsmart
    Explorer
    Apr 03, 2014
    I take it that the 3rd option, replacing the minivan, is not an option. :S :B
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    According to the manual I downloaded AFTER I bought my Demco Kar Kaddy dolly, there are two different ones; the KK260 and the KK360. I was not aware that there were two different sizes, either, but I was lucky, my PT cruiser fits perfectly!
    sorry to hear about your problem.
    I would look at what you could sell the dolly for as is, compared to installing the brakes then selling it. Seems to me you would make out better selling them separately.
    Good luck.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    I don't get it ! That dolly is 94" wide overall. Its 10" too narrow for the tires to go into the tire pans. So the overall width will have to be 94+10= 104" You're only allowed 102" legally going down the hiway. Where am I going wrong ?? We like the van, not likely it'll go away anytime soon.
  • Off_Pavement's avatar
    Off_Pavement
    Explorer II
    Apr 04, 2014
    According to the Demco Kar Kaddy info I just looked at, it shows the wheel spacing from 42" to 76". Sounds like those pans are meant to slide in and out... is that not true?
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    According to my manual, the maximum allowable widths are:
    KK260;
    70 inches outside of tire to outside of tire
    42 inches inside of tire to inside of tire
    72 inches max. body width

    KK360
    76 inches outside to outside
    42 inches inside to inside
    78 inches max body width

    The tie rod for the KK260 is 8 feet wide
    The tie rod for the KK360 is 8 1/2 feet wide

    I can go out and measure the overall width of mine later today.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    I must have the 260, and the pans are welded to the axle.

    Off Pavement wrote:
    According to the Demco Kar Kaddy info I just looked at, it shows the wheel spacing from 42" to 76". Sounds like those pans are meant to slide in and out... is that not true?
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    Mine will handle 68" max, a bit short of the 70" spec.(maybe wider tires)
    I need 75" minimum. Looks like the 360 would work.
    I just figured this was the widest one :(((

    Mower, if you have the 360, I would be curious of the overall width.
    And thanks for the help and spec info.

    mowermech wrote:
    According to my manual, the maximum allowable widths are:
    KK260;
    70 inches outside of tire to outside of tire
    42 inches inside of tire to inside of tire
    72 inches max. body width

    KK360
    76 inches outside to outside
    42 inches inside to inside
    78 inches max body width

    The tie rod for the KK260 is 8 feet wide
    The tie rod for the KK360 is 8 1/2 feet wide

    I can go out and measure the overall width of mine later today.
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    OK, here are the measurements of mine:
    From outside edge of tire pan to outside edge of tire pan:71 1/2 inches
    From outside edge of ramp to outside edge of ramp: 67 3/4 inches
    From outside edge of fender to outside edge of fender: 8 feet

    From descriptions given to me by Demco Customer Service, I believe mine to have been made sometime between 1983 and 1994. The data tag has been completely obliterated, so I have no idea of the true model number or serial number.
    But, my PT Cruiser convertible fits on it just perfect.
  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    Apr 04, 2014
    Mower,
    Thanks for the specs. You have the same one that I do, the smaller 260. I need at least 8" wider on the tire pans. I put it back on Craigs List. If it doesn't sell for the $800 I paid, I think I'll install the brakes, and lengthen the axle 8".

    mowermech wrote:
    OK, here are the measurements of mine:
    From outside edge of tire pan to outside edge of tire pan:71 1/2 inches
    From outside edge of ramp to outside edge of ramp: 67 3/4 inches
    From outside edge of fender to outside edge of fender: 8 feet

    From descriptions given to me by Demco Customer Service, I believe mine to have been made sometime between 1983 and 1994. The data tag has been completely obliterated, so I have no idea of the true model number or serial number.
    But, my PT Cruiser convertible fits on it just perfect.

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