Author Topic: Tow Dolly Straps  (Read 683 times)

gcharte

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Tow Dolly Straps
« on: November 01, 2009, 10:48:04 PM »
I will be using a tow dolly and I tried a dry run today. There is only one thing that I really don't care for and that the tie down straps, the ratchet part is in between the wheel well and the tire and there is very little roof o ratchet the tire tight it works but is very difficult. Does any one have any suggestions or ideas of a set of straps that ratchet closer to the dolly where it hooks on than in between the tire and the wheel well. Thanks for your help. One other question I'm towing a 2007 Chrysler Sebring and I tow it in park but the steering does not lock is this a common thing?



Gary



2007 Acme Eze tow dolly

hpykmpr

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #1 on: November 02, 2009, 08:02:05 AM »
I will be using a tow dolly and I tried a dry run today. There is only one thing that I really don't care for and that the tie down straps, the ratchet part is in between the wheel well and the tire and there is very little roof o ratchet the tire tight it works but is very difficult. Does any one have any suggestions or ideas of a set of straps that ratchet closer to the dolly where it hooks on than in between the tire and the wheel well. Thanks for your help. One other question I'm towing a 2007 Chrysler Sebring and I tow it in park but the steering does not lock is this a common thing?

Just got back from towing a VW beetle from Orlando FL. to Mahone bay Nova Scotia and back using an Acme Eze tow  dolly. I learned a lot about dolly towing in that 5000+ miles but I will be the first to admit that I have a lot to learn yet.I cannot quite set a handle on why your ratchets are between the tire and wheel well unless you have them on backwards . On mine the ratchets are on the front of the dolly down low. The hook on the other end of the strap should go to the rear of the wheel.. As far as the steering wheel not locking ,that I think is a good thing . On our VW we leave the ignition key in so the steering column does not lock,this way the front wheels can turn from side to side as required. Something else I learned about dolly towing very quickly is that there are a lot of gas stations out there that are not designed for easy access by a 36' motor home towing a car on a dolly behind. I found very quickly that we had to look for stations with the pumps parallel with the road verses the ones with the pumps perpendicular to the road as with very few exceptions there is never room enough to turn around in front of the stores or kiosks and for the most part you cannot back the motor home up.

2007 Acme Eze tow dolly
[edit]Fixed quote.[/quote]
« Last Edit: November 02, 2009, 08:51:32 AM by Tom »

gcharte

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #2 on: November 02, 2009, 11:32:16 AM »
The ratchets are on the front of the dolly but when you hook it up it's a flat hook and is quite long. I have looked online and maybe I can try a finger hook style ratchet which is a lot shorter. I'll also keep trying to see if I can't adjust the strap a bit.


Thanks,

Gary

hpykmpr

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2009, 06:03:27 AM »
The ratchets are on the front of the dolly but when you hook it up it's a flat hook and is quite long. I have looked online and maybe I can try a finger hook style ratchet which is a lot shorter. I'll also keep trying to see if I can't adjust the strap a bit.


Thanks,

Gary

Your hook looks the same as ours .On our dolly there are three rings on the dolly, one behind the wheel ,two in front one of them being inside of the tire and one on the outside. I put the strap through the inside ring,bring it across the frame of the dolly to the ratchet hooked to the outside ring. This keeps the ratchet low and below the tire along the frame of the dolly.I don't know if this will help you or not or if your dolly has 3 rings as ours does.  I will be loading it again this weekend and if I think about it i will take a picture and see if I can download it for you .Thanks Alan

gcharte

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2009, 09:34:44 AM »
Our dolly has a hook behind the tire and one long bar the width of the tire along the front. I'm still trying to figure out another way. It works but it's very very tight.


Thanks,


Gary

hpykmpr

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2009, 07:57:29 PM »
Our dolly has a hook behind the tire and one long bar the width of the tire along the front. I'm still trying to figure out another way. It works but it's very very tight.


Thanks,


Gary

So your dolly is different than ours.one way that may work for you is if your strap is long enough to put the strap through behind the bar and add a ring or something ahead further on the frame of the dolly to attach the ratchet hook to. Just a thought ,that is actually what I am doing with mine as the ratchet on it is so close to the frame it is difficult to tighten so hopefully it will make it easier for me to adjust the ratchet. Thanks Alan

gcharte

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #6 on: November 06, 2009, 03:45:40 PM »
Maybe I'll play around with it a try something like that.


Gary

gcharte

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2009, 10:06:27 PM »
Looking for replacement tow dolly straps. Anyone have a connection or direction to point me in.




Gary

Jerrygroah

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2009, 05:25:37 AM »
Garry, I have a set of tow dolly straps that I will sell. They are made for sixteen inch tires. If you are intrested, let me know and send me your email address and I will take some pictures and send you.

The straps are nearly new. I used them very little. Also don't have any idea what a fair price might be.

Regards, Jerry
Jerry Groah
Mims, Florida

gcharte

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2009, 10:34:56 AM »
I be more than happy to send it, if we didn't advertise to the WWW.

Gary

Jerrygroah

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2009, 05:49:35 AM »
Gary, I am confused by your short answer. I am sorry if I offended you in any way. I am not a phisher or some one trying to take advantage of you. I apparently misunderstood your request for help in finding tow dolly straps.

Please accept my apology, Jerry
Jerry Groah
Mims, Florida

Tom

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2009, 09:05:21 AM »
Gary, click on the IM icon beneath Jerry's avatar, and you can send him a private message that only you and Jerry will see.
Tom.   Need help? Click the Help button in the toolbar above.

elkhartjim

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2009, 09:58:22 AM »
Garry, I have a set of tow dolly straps that I will sell. They are made for sixteen inch tires. If you are intrested, let me know and send me your email address and I will take some pictures and send you.

The straps are nearly new. I used them very little. Also don't have any idea what a fair price might be.

Regards, Jerry

I sent you a personal message.
Jim & Tommie Ruth
along w/ Holly and Roxie
38' Bounder DP

Mr. McGoo

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Re: Tow Dolly Straps
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2009, 12:13:55 PM »
You can purchase straps here.............Dolly straps

I also carry an extra set for emergency!!! ::)
« Last Edit: November 13, 2009, 12:43:43 PM by Mr. McGoo »
Ahhh(-)~(-)
McGoo(..)
youv'e done it
again!