willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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Effy wrote:Why does everyone keep saying dollys need plates? They don't.
..I think, 'tis another case of folks hearing something once, and just passing it on, without checking to see if its true or not. Thats how a lot of 'misinformation' gets spread on here.
It IS true in some states, that dollies need license plates. However, not all, and not in the majority of states.
Quote:Also you can't back up with a dolly either. Any new dolly has a swivel plate which means it behaves just like 4 down.
You know, Effy, I am somewhat intrigued by the whole backing up with a toad thing, and am not 100% convinced that a dolly would behave same as 4 down in all circumstances when backing.
Our dolly does NOT have a swivel table (Acme EZE tow). Towed vehicle's steering column/front wheels have to be unlocked, to allow steering. I actually like this arrangement better, as (in the case of the EZE tow), it pretty much eliminates the risk of dolly fenders making contact with the towed vehicle and damaging it in a tight turn.
I did some 'experimenting' on our last trip to prove this. In a parking lot, I put the MH and towed vehicle in a very tight turn. Right to the point the dolly and towed vehicle were about to make contact with back of the MH. Got out and looked around in the middle of said tight turn, noticed the towed vehicle's front wheels had moved/steered very little. Also noticed that the small tires/fenders of the EZE tow pretty much insure that no matter how tight a turn you take, its almost impossible for fenders of the dolly to make contact with the towed vehicle.
This being the case, I really think that with our dolly, I think I could back up a good ways without a problem. Especially if we're talking about just backing in a stright line (which is all I'd ever try). I've so far been too 'chicken' to try it, though. One of these days, I'm going to try, just so I'll know. 
Will
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wa_desert_rat
Central Washington State
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Daboo wrote:Effy wrote:Why does everyone keep saying dollys need plates? They don't.
Also you can't back up with a dolly either. Any new dolly has a swivel plate which means it behaves just like 4 down.
I can back my dolly without the car aboard...mine has a pin you put in the hole and it will back...
Ditto... it's short-coupled and you have to be quick on your steering wheel but I can back my dolly. I also have a receiver on the toad so I can tow the dolly with that and move the dolly to a storage site if that's more convenient.
Craig
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RV Jim
Palmyra, Pa.
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Effy wrote:Why does everyone keep saying dollys need plates? They don't.
Also you can't back up with a dolly either. Any new dolly has a swivel plate which means it behaves just like 4 down.
As a kid I backed many a hay wagon, front wheels pivoted on them just like my dolly
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willald
NC
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Daboo wrote:Effy wrote:Why does everyone keep saying dollys need plates? They don't.
Also you can't back up with a dolly either. Any new dolly has a swivel plate which means it behaves just like 4 down.
I can back my dolly without the car aboard...
Sure, any dolly can be backed without a car on it. In that case, its acting exactly like a (very) short trailer would.
However, the extremely short length of the 'trailer' in that case makes it VERY unforgiving, and it will jack-knife very quickly. Especially if you're backing with a vehicle that has a long rear overhang like many MHs do.
Thats why with trailers, a longer trailer is actually a little easier to back than a short one.
Will
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VinCee
Western NY State
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My 2cents on dolly's, you can back up any dolly not loaded. The swivel plate is what makes it impossible to do when a car is loaded on it, it would twist the main frame arm to the hitch. Another short cut for safty chains etc. is many cars today have OEM open spoke "mag" type wheels. That is what my DW's Rav4 has. I put a rachet strap through each front wheel and ratch it up to the hook holes on the dolly. No crawling under the car etc. Another con dispelled is tires. Whether 4 down or on a dolly, there are only 4 tires on the ground. Additionally, dolly tires are much cheaper to replace than auto tires. I have been using my Master Tow Dolly for 3 years. It does not have brakes I know, DUMB, but we have been through northern NY, Vermont, Maine and PA and have never felt in peril. My motor home is rated gross combined weight of 26K pounds, my combined weight is about 19K. The rig is made to stop 26K, or fully loaded. I look at it as if it was a commercial truck atop the Ford chassis, thats what its built for.
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Effy
MD
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Ok, let me rephrase and say that I cannot back MY dolly. Not that it can't be done. Mine will swivel unloaded even pushing it by hand. Doubt that I could back up a hay wagon either. That process always amazed me. Like pushing a chain uphill. I have respect for those that can. Also, in MD I do not need tags.
Point being that a lot of percieved cons about dollys are not entirely true. Mine is easy and versatile and things like looking for a new car for DW which we are in the process of, I am not limited to 4 down only vehicles.
Won't argue the advantages of bars. One day I plan on going that route perhaps at retirement. Right now I have more uses for a dolly than being committed to a single toad.
2012 Thor ACE 29.1
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wa_desert_rat
Central Washington State
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Effy wrote:
Won't argue the advantages of bars. One day I plan on going that route perhaps at retirement. Right now I have more uses for a dolly than being committed to a single toad.
I don't have a quarrel with this at all. I might do the same thing if we ever full-time and have only one vehicle we might like to tow. For us the advantages of a tow dolly outweigh trying to go 4-down. This might change in the future.
There is an advantage in being open-minded about these things. No single way is best for everyone.
If you get a tow dolly I recommend that you get one with brakes and one that has a pin to keep the wheels from turning when you don't want them to. Also, lights are good.
No vehicle registration or license is needed in all the states I am familiar with.
Craig
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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Effy wrote:Why does everyone keep saying dollys need plates? They don't. You mean license tags/plates? Some states require them for tow dollys and many don't(don't ask me which ones, cause I don't know, but some do). NYS does not require them on a dolly, but will sell them to you for your tow dolly if you are going to pass thru another state where they are required.
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jk31668
so. new jersey
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i am not sure on this but i was told that with 4 wheels down the odometer continues to run therefore the miles rack up even tho it isnt being driven so a dolly would prevent that.
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ThunderingQuiet
In Your Mind
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jk31668 wrote:i am not sure on this but i was told that with 4 wheels down the odometer continues to run therefore the miles rack up even tho it isnt being driven so a dolly would prevent that.
No not normally. Sometimes you might need to pull a fuse...
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