Tow Dolly

Boss Cooker · #1 03/27/08, 09:23 PM

I will be shortly heading to my home in Florida. I will be renting a 26 foot four wheel disc break Uhaul Penske or budget truck for the move. I would like to use a dolly to tow my Dodge 2500 4X4 diesel quad cab HD truck behind the rental truck. The above mentioned outfits told me that my truck will not fit the dolly they rent. I have since found out the wheel base of my truck will in fact load and tie down on a tow dolly. Need to remove the drive shaft.
I have a friend that will drive my truck to my home in Florida and I will fly him back. No sweat.
Here is the question. Can I safely tow my truck?
I have looked at a few sites on dolly's. Sure could use some expert advise.

Old Vet · #2 03/27/08, 10:14 PM

I pulled a full sice truck on a dolly one time. I will never do that again. When I went down a hill it pushed me through a red llight at the end and another half a block before I could get it stoped. It was a losd on the back of a ford galisley and more than I realy wanted to handel. I was only going 5 mph at the top of the hill and about 30 at the end.

rambler · #3 03/27/08, 11:45 PM

I think you will run into problems with the rental place. The weight of your truck is likely what will exceed the tow dolly. You are into some real serious braking issues - your big truck is going to really push on the moving truck.

I read on another forum this week, those tow dollies are no longer legal in several states. Didn't follow the thread too close, so don't know the particulars, or if even true or not.

--->Paul

haypoint · #4 03/28/08, 01:35 AM

I've never towed a large truck any great distance. I have towed many vehicles on both a two wheeled dolly and a four wheeld trailer, what U Haul calls an "Auto Transport". I doubt I'd ever use a dolly again. The Auto Transport pulls like a dream. I think you can tow a full trailer with your truck on it a lot easier than overloading a dolly.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #5 03/28/08, 03:38 PM

i see well drillers with a tow bar (not a dolly) to their 4x4 3/4 ton pickups they pull them behind the drilling rig.

Beeman · #6 03/28/08, 08:20 PM

Let your friend drive the truck.

farminghandyman · #7 03/28/08, 08:20 PM

if you do tow it drop off the drive lines as even a manual transmission will not be lubricated with out the engine running, yes a manual transmission will tow better than a automatic but a long tow will damage either one.

tamsam · #8 03/28/08, 08:32 PM

I have towed a Dodge Spirit from NC to CA and back with no problems on a dolly. Mine is legal in all states as it has brakes on it and makes a lot of difference in stopping. Also towed a Datsun pick up from NC to Fla and back to WV with the back of truck loaded with tools. What you are towing with makes a lot of difference. I was towing with a 36 ft mh with disk brakes all around. If you do decide to tow it if possible take the drive shaft out and follow the rentals advice on towing. Sam

foxtrapper · #9 03/28/08, 08:36 PM

I've towed some trucks on a dolly. It's interesting, to say the least. Yes, you can do it. Wouldn't recommend it. All the stopping problems, legal problems, etc. For the price of a plane ticket, I'd be very inclined to have the friend drive it there.

Boss Cooker · #10 03/29/08, 08:14 AM

The bottom line, my truck is too heavy for a safe tow.. I am about 2000 pounds too heavy for the largest rig I could find. And using a tow bar will involve altering the front of my truck. And having to remove both drive shafts. I will buy the airline ticket for my friend. He wants to do a bit of fishing anyway.

tamsam · #11 03/29/08, 08:30 PM

Good choice as the weight is a problem. Sam

fantasymaker · #12 03/29/08, 11:05 PM

Like I said in the other thread Id just put a towbar on it and pull it with the axles out. no huge modification is needed just pull the bumper off and bolt the bar to the frame. When ya get there unbolt the bar and put the bumper back on.
Better yet how about buying a trailer to pull behind your truck? A 26 'U-haul has about 1500 cubic feet of space and 23 feet in length of floor space with a 7500 load capacity .
You could get that with your pickup bed and a utility trailer that you could resell or keep.
An open pickup and trailer would be harder to pack but you would have unlimited time and could even prepack a lot of the trailer

Id step up to a 18 or 20' trailer and buy it new in your area where they are cheep.

There is a herd of trailer builders in Sikston MO , Big Tex is just south of Texarkana and I seem to remember trailer builders scattered around AR.

I just priced a Jerry James trailer ,you can get a 18' flatbed with extra width and new white spoke rims and tires for about $1200 subtract the $700 the rental is going to cost and $100 or so you will save in fuel and it makes a pretty cheep trailer parked in FL!

Boss Cooker · #13 03/30/08, 06:10 AM

Buying another trailer { I have a big trailer now } will not work. The stuff I am moving needs to be secure while in transit. And kept dry. And It will fill the 26 foot body from end to end. And the weight factor comes into play. My load on a trailer would over load my truck. I build big smokers and cookers. And will be taking a lot of steel parts and a new cooker inside of the truck. I do wish there were some way to avoid paying out $800.00 for the rental rig. I have been looking for a used 28 foot semi box van trailer for the move. I can get it hauled for $1.50 a mile. Then use it for storage. How ever it goes, I will be at my home on April 8. That day will make 31 years with my lovely wife Linda.

Thank you all for your ideas and thoughts.