Steering wheel unlocked when towing with a dolly?

mowermech wrote:

wbwood wrote:
Not a problem, but if you DON'T have one or have never used one, then I don't see how you could bash it or say it doesn't work.

Then you haven't been paying attention!
I have repeatedly stated that I will never have a dolly that does not steer, either with steering linkage and kingpins like the Demco or with a swivel plate like the American.
The Acme has neither. The dolly does not steer. They say the car steers for the dolly. I think something under the car is being unduly stressed. You and Acme say it works fine.
I don't care. I don't like it, and I would never buy one.
Now, can we just leave it at that?

I agree if you can't figure out that is why you leave the steering unlocked you should not get one. Perhaps you should ponder the complexities of towing 4 down.Yes hear two you leave the steering unlocked.
Bill

wbwood wrote:
Not a problem, but if you DON'T have one or have never used one, then I don't see how you could bash it or say it doesn't work.

Then you haven't been paying attention!
I have repeatedly stated that I will never have a dolly that does not steer, either with steering linkage and kingpins like the Demco or with a swivel plate like the American.
The Acme has neither. The dolly does not steer. They say the car steers for the dolly. I think something under the car is being unduly stressed. You and Acme say it works fine.
I don't care. I don't like it, and I would never buy one.
Now, can we just leave it at that?

Not a problem, but if you DON'T have one or have never used one, then I don't see how you could bash it or say it doesn't work.

Ok, the video has been there since April, at least.
That just shows how little interest I have in the Acme dolly.
You love it. That's fine, I accept that.
Please accept the fact that I would never buy one.
that is all I have to say about the issue.

I don't see what the difference is. The vehicle is turning. And that video has been there since at least April, because that is when we purchased ours.

wbwood wrote:

mowermech wrote:
So, you are saying that having the car loaded on a dolly with the wheels firmly strapped in place is the same as jacking it up so the wheels will steer freely?
Sorry, I still do not believe it!
The front wheels of a car can not help steer the dolly that they are firmly strapped to, whether the steering is unlocked or not. The tires of a non-steerable dolly will skid sideways when turning. Unlocking the steering of the car that is loaded on the dolly will not change that.
Again, I have watched the Acme video of their dolly in a 90 degree turn. The wheels of the car do not move!
Again I ask, exactly what damage to the car will occur if it is towed on an Acme dolly with the steering locked?

Email ACME and call their bluff and let us know what they say.

Why would they tell you to unlock the column if it wasn't necessary? Wouldn't it make it even all more the easier to do?

In the video you will see the steering will moving. No the front wheels do not move on the dolly, but the rest of the vehicle does.

OK, they have created a new video since the last time I looked at it.
Yes, it does show the steering wheel moving. That, to me, is just a little worrisome. Exactly what is moving in the steering linkage that allows the steering wheel to move when the front wheels do not move? The front wheels are firmly tied down, and the car is twisting enough that the steering wheel rotates? Something in the steering system is being twisted in a way that it was not designed to do, IMO, based on over 40 years working as a mechanic.
I admit, it seems to work. I don't care, I don't like it, and I would never purchase one. I have a dolly that steers, and that's what I will want now and forever. Watching their new video has firmly convinced me that my old, nearly antique, Demco Kar Kaddy is a much better unit. For me, definitely better!
No, I will not contact Acme for an explanation, because I really don't care. Some people are very happy with the thing, and are willing to accept the fact that something is moving that probably should not move. That's fine.
I am not in the market for a new dolly, and it I were it would be the American unit built in Colorado and delivered to my door, for only slightly higher cost than the Acme. It steers.

WOW. So much controversy. Very happy Ford makes a hybrid C-Max I can tow four-down so I could get rid of the dolly I needed for the Prius.

mowermech wrote:
So, you are saying that having the car loaded on a dolly with the wheels firmly strapped in place is the same as jacking it up so the wheels will steer freely?
Sorry, I still do not believe it!
The front wheels of a car can not help steer the dolly that they are firmly strapped to, whether the steering is unlocked or not. The tires of a non-steerable dolly will skid sideways when turning. Unlocking the steering of the car that is loaded on the dolly will not change that.
Again, I have watched the Acme video of their dolly in a 90 degree turn. The wheels of the car do not move!
Again I ask, exactly what damage to the car will occur if it is towed on an Acme dolly with the steering locked?

Email ACME and call their bluff and let us know what they say.

Why would they tell you to unlock the column if it wasn't necessary? Wouldn't it make it even all more the easier to do?

In the video you will see the steering will moving. No the front wheels do not move on the dolly, but the rest of the vehicle does.

mowermech wrote:

Oldme wrote:
Most manufacturers will tell you
unlocked.

The toad need to yaw when the dolly turns.
This makes the turns smoother.

Do a search for your manufacturer and check the FAQ.

I know Acme specifies UNLOCKED only.

Yes, Acme says the wheels must be unlocked so the dolly will steer.
I don't believe it.
IMO, once the wheels are strapped tightly in place, they are not going to move, and they will not help the dolly steer.
I have watched their video of the dolly turning, and I still don't believe it. I simply can not see the wheels moving at any time during the turn.
I will spend the extra money and have a dolly that steers.
The American Tow Dolly is the best bang for the buck, IMO. If I ever buy a new dolly, that is what it will be.

Did you not see the steering wheel turn in the video?

FireGuard wrote:

Does the wheel also need to be unlocked when using a tow dolly, such as an Acme dolly?

Yes, we have the ACME and the steering column needs to be unlocked.