A little off topic

[Dieselguy123]

Hey all, I know this is a little of topic, but how much do you think a standard car dolly can handle weight wise? Do you think it could tow my diesel about 50 miles or so? The rating on it says 3995 lbs vehicle weight, but I have seen some pretty big vehicles on these things....any input would be appreciated, thanks -Brad-

 

[sle2115]

Well,they are all over the scale on capacity. I have an International that has a payload of 12,000 and is bumper pull (GVWR of 14070 lbs - trailer weight of 2070). When I was looking at trailers though, I have seen some as low as 2000lbs. If the one you have is rated at 4000 payload (not gross vehicle weight) then you are going to be about 1 1/2 times that or more! If that specification is total weight, you will be WAY over limit! My truck in stock trim, 87 standard cab pre dually and flatbed, weighed over 6300 lbs, empty. 50 miles is not far, but I would think twice about it myself.

 

[jauguston]

Take a look at the maximum weight capacity of the tires, its on the sidewall. That will be a good indicator of how much you can safely haul.

Jim

 

[Mr_Roboto]

There are a lot of different qualities of dollies. The cheapo rental ones have crap tires on them and are about useless.

I used to have a pretty good dolly with the premium high capacity tires, I used it and a van to tow a 74 Ford F350 rollback tow truck about 350 miles. YES it was very overloaded (van, dolly, everything).

Personally I don't think that any consumer tow dolly will handle a diesel truck properly, especially for that distance. Your better bet would be to drop the rear driveshaft and towbar it or have it towed out (Tow shouldn't be too much more than a dolly rental).

 

[sle2115]

There are a lot of different qualities of dollies. The cheapo rental ones have crap tires on them and are about useless.

I used to have a pretty good dolly with the premium high capacity tires, I used it and a van to tow a 74 Ford F350 rollback tow truck about 350 miles. YES it was very overloaded (van, dolly, everything).

Personally I don't think that any consumer tow dolly will handle a diesel truck properly, especially for that distance. Your better bet would be to drop the rear driveshaft and towbar it or have it towed out (Tow shouldn't be too much more than a dolly rental).

What he said!!!

 

[towcat]

a few things to keep in mind....
first- like already mentioned, your tires are the best indicator of the maximum capacity of the dolly.
second- your dolly is going to see whatever weight is on the truck's axle. If you have a chance to, weigh the total truck weight and the individual axle weights. If your axle weight exceeds your tire capacity weights on the dolly, the truck is too heavy.
third- even if your truck is within your dolly's capacity, check your tow vehicle for its maximum towing weight. Getting going is one thing....stoping is going to be your killer. Remember, you have no braking assist from the towed items. Plus, they work against you too. The momentum is going to double if not triple the effort needed to stop.
Overloaded is only a state of mind, having the equipment and maintaining it so it can handle to overloads so you can make the $$$ is the reason why I am still here.
I've been there, done that, and got the scars to show for it

 

[icanfixall]

I don't think any "car" dolly is going to be wide enough for these trucks. Like said... Trying to stop the weight will be the hard part...

 

[rip van sparky]

I towed a Chevy crewcab dually longbed with a 454 on a u-haul dolly. I went from Va to S.Carolina/Georgia border then up to Kentucky. About 700 miles. Pulled it with a '86 F250 with a standard and a 300 six. It actually did really well, I remember being very impressed. The "mountains" between S.C. and KY were, umm, interesting, especially the downgrades. I had a tow co. deliver my current F350 when it broke down 45 miles away, the ******** showed up with it on a dolly, fine, but they didn't leave the steering column unlocked so it completely stripped out the steering box. Didn't find out till they were long gone and they wouldn't return my calls. Oh well, it's only time and money, right? Any how, I'm sure you'd be fine with it, just be careful. Make sure the tow vehicle is up to the task.

 

[Dieselguy123]

thanks for all the input guys, it sounds like it would be a bad idea, so I guess I will have to load it on my trailer instead, I know it can handle it (tandem axle with 5200# axles under it) Well thanks again-Brad-

 

[h2odrx]

thanks for all the input guys, it sounds like it would be a bad idea, so I guess I will have to load it on my trailer instead, I know it can handle it (tandem axle with 5200# axles under it) Well thanks again-Brad-

smart call yo don't want to end up in one of those threads "would you tow this?"

 

[Ironman03R]

Well, I'm probibly gonna get flamed for this, BUT... I'd tow it.(With my truck) If it fits on the dolly. My dually could stop it, but I'd keep a spare tire handy. Being on the farm I pull a lot I probibly shouldnt, but I run between 30-32K combined GVW with the G/N, with and w/o brakes(depending on the truck pullin it) so I know I could stop a truck in tow on a dolly

 

[sle2115]

Well, I'm probibly gonna get flamed for this, BUT... I'd tow it.(With my truck) If it fits on the dolly. My dually could stop it, but I'd keep a spare tire handy. Being on the farm I pull a lot I probibly shouldnt, but I run between 30-32K combined GVW with the G/N, with and w/o brakes(depending on the truck pullin it) so I know I could stop a truck in tow on a dolly

Glad I am on the opposite side of the state as you!

 

[Dieselguy123]

well it would probably be a differant story if I was going to tow it with a 1 ton, but my daily driver is a 95' F150 4x4 5.8L Ex Cab short box, and I just dont think there is enought truck there to stop it, I will tow it on my trailer all day long but that also has 5200# axles with brakes on both(a little safer) I was just curious if a tow dolly would do it instead. -Brad-

 

[Dieselguy123]

Glad I am on the opposite side of the state as you!

I second that, glad I am a few hundred miles north of you

 

[Ironman03R]

Keep in mind our trips from fields to the elevator dont exceed 10miles. 40-45mph gets the job done, dont have far to go and I'm just gonna wait in line anyway. I'd never run 32k on the interstate with my truck, I get run over