Tow Dolly and pivots

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 3:55 pm

Ok, for those who dont know me very well, I am constantly trying to build something cheaper than I could just outright buy it. Sometimes it works out good, sometimes it doesnt.

Well, now I want to build a tow dolly. I have some plans but am taking my liberty with them to try and make the design more simple.

So my question is does a tow dolly have to pivot?

Adam Ligon · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:56 pm

Well I guess you could bet around that with a jack on the tounge.

And then unbolt it from the tow vehicle, jack it up to put the ramps on the ground. Drive the car up on it, then lower it back down on the hitch.

Seems like more work and potential for things to go wron to me.

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:06 pm

Different pivot....

The pivot I am talking about lets the car turn side to side as the tow vehicle turns. Think pivot like the trailer hitch ball and trailer pivot.

George Bright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 04, 2005 5:44 pm

The short answer is yes it has to pivot. Without a pivot you would twist the dolly under the front of the car every time you turned. that would put a lot of stress on the tie down straps.

Imagine trying to pull a little red wagon around a corner but, the handle is fixed in the straight ahead position.

Bernie Baake · **Posted:** Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:22 am

Ryan
Uhaul rents them! look them up and go down and take your design from what they're using
Bernie

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Ryan if you want a "tow dolly" without a pivot it is called "flat tow". I used to tow the MG Midget with a tow bar. It keeps all 4 of the car's wheels on the ground so you will need to take it out of gear unless you have a really strong tow vehicle. Seriously, the only disadvantage to flat towing occurs if you need to back up. Basically you can't back up without the front wheels trying to swing sideways. I have backed straight back by using a bungee to keep the steering wheel from turning, but that was because I managed to go down a blind alley.
There may be another disadvantage to flat towing with regard to indicated odometer mileage or transmission damage for some types of automatic transmissions, but for the kind of cars you will be towing, just make up some brackets and use a removeable front tow bar.
Charlie Guthrie

BretLuter · **Posted:** Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:04 pm

Geez Charlie,

back when you started towing things, didn't you use a Mule and some leather straps??? :wink:

Bret.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

As a matter of fact I have driven a mule as a tow vehicle, but I was too young for a driver's license. And in actual fact, the mule knew where he was going so I was pretty much along for the ride.
"Tow that tobacco sled from the field to the barn and then come on back, kid."

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Tow Dolly and pivots

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