Tow dolly empty - 1500 miles

[angler]

I have a situation that I could either rent a uhaul car dolly or take mine on a 1500 mile trek. It would not have a car on it. I realize I would reduce tire pressure on the car dolly. Just wondering if anyone has done this. I’m guessing it would be hard on the car dolly, but not sure.

[Horsedoc]

Concrete blocks or anything that is not absolutely immovable on a bouncing dolly is asking for bad crash. Imagine the ballast coming loose during a bounce on a crowded road at interstate speed.
Rent a dolly

[1320Fastback]

The only way I'd take it is if I could put it in the bed or on a rack, other than that I'd fly out and rent a truck and dolly one way. 1500 miles the me is too far to drive empty, just fly there.

[Big_Katuna]

Talking from experience not guessing. Ballast makes a big difference. Lowering the tire pressure to 10-15 takes a lot of the bouncing out.

I have towed empty dollies back and forth between Fl and Ohio several times.

Henny penny comes to mind.

[MR_MAC]

Did it once 900 mi., would not do it that long again. Bounced all over the place. If you do drive with it empty, stop and check hitch hook up, mine droped a bolt and it almost came apart at 500 mi. Not trying to scare you but be careful, I stayed in the right lane all the way fron N carolina to Boston.

[Groover]

Chum lee wrote:
Please, before you strap any ballast to the dolly, be VERY CLEAR on how much the dolly WILL BE BOUNCING AROUND in transit, and, make sure you fasten the ballast appropriately, and, check it frequently until you are SURE it is secure.

The weight of the vehicle on the dolly, and the suspension/shocks on the towed vehicle help dampen the bouncing around, . . . . substantially.

The number of times I've dodged debris bouncing (off trailers) on the roadway, . . . . . . too many to count.

Chum lee

I second this. The bouncing is mostly controlled by the suspension of the vehicle on the dolly. I don't see adding weight as helping very much but it definitely adds to the things that could fall off and the force of the impact when it does bounce.

[Chum_lee]

Please, before you strap any ballast to the dolly, be VERY CLEAR on how much the dolly WILL BE BOUNCING AROUND in transit, and, make sure you fasten the ballast appropriately, and, check it frequently until you are SURE it is secure.

The weight of the vehicle on the dolly, and the suspension/shocks on the towed vehicle help dampen the bouncing around, . . . . substantially.

The number of times I've dodged debris bouncing (off trailers) on the roadway, . . . . . . too many to count.

Chum lee

[Duane]

Back in 2009 when I purchased our MH and dolly, I empty towed a KarKaddy SS from just outside of Detroit, MI to Raleigh, NC. I had no issues. Still use the same tow dolly today

[discovery4us]

When had a similar situation and went a bit different route. I had a dolly I trusted more than the rental dolly so we rented a small U-Haul trailer one way and loaded my dolly in there trailer. Got to our destination and dropped of the U-Haul trailer and then returned with my car on my dolly.

[the_bear_II]

I've seen some empty tow dollys bouncing nearly out of control on rough patches of highway over the years. I would be tempted to secure a wooden box filled with sand bags on the dolly to approximate the weight of a car to go the 1500 miles. Get rid of the sand and box once you arrive.

[wildtoad]

I can only assume you are driving 1500 miles to pick up a car and bring it back. Yes? I think you may be better off just renting one at the other end, and doing a one way rental.

[Bionic_Man]

I think I would look into renting.

[Big_Katuna]

You could strap on some cement blocks on it.
I’ve seen it done.

[rgatijnet1]

Having been behind some empty car dollies, I would keep a close eye on it. Most that I have seen bounced all over the road sort of like fishtailing. Obviously they are not heavy enough to affect the coach handling but I figured it probably didn't do the dolly any good. Maybe uneven tire wear and bearing stress as well as possible structural damage to the dolly.

[DFord]

Just fasten down anything that's loose (chains/ramps) or store it inside your MH. Bouncing down the road shouldn't hurt it.