| Author | Message | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 143 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 71.111.188.44  Rating: N/A |
Hello frendly bus nuts---- I think I am going to tow my van on a dolly with turn table. Do you lock the front wheels of the van while towing? The turn table is quite stiff but I will try to grease with something first, Thanks ever so much for all the help you all have been 4905 Larry Also regards the loud bang from rear of coach I still have found nothing. | ||
| Edward J. Sommers (Sommersed)
Registered Member Username: Sommersed Post Number: 30 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 148.78.155.174 Rating: N/A |
The "turntable" serves the same purpose as your tires turning so Yes, you can lock the steering in your case. Ed | ||
| Larry Higuera (Larryh)
Registered Member Username: Larryh Post Number: 28 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 148.78.52.146 Rating: N/A |
Larry Dixon I take it from your post your towing it backwards rear wheels on dolly. Then by all means front wheels must be secured in the straight ahead position. I use the seat belt to secure steering wheel put at least one full loop around steering wheel. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 238 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 149.168.204.4  Rating: N/A |
Larry Higuere wrote: "I take it from your post your towing it backwards rear wheels on dolly. Then by all means front wheels must be secured in the straight ahead position. I use the seat belt to secure steering wheel put at least one full loop around steering wheel." __. Right! I don't know much about diesels but I can tell you thing or two about passenger cars. And one of those is that the "steering lock" on cars is meant to be anti-theft (well, really only strong enough to slow a thief down enough to make stealing your car less practical). If you're towing rear-wheels-up and the front wheels are on the ground (either a dolly or a tow truck), you're inviting breaking the steering lock. That will leave you with 1) unlocked wheels and your towed vehicle doing who knows what, and 2) a broken streering column/ignition switch. __. Both of these conditions could be described as "not too good". You really should use a secure steering wheel stop. | ||
| Larry & Lynne Dixon (Larry_d)
Registered Member Username: Larry_d Post Number: 144 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 71.111.188.44 Rating: N/A |
Hi everyone it seems I always forget to mention something. The van is a late model front wheel drive van and auto tranny. Van is quite heavy but don't have the want to buy another vehicle to tow all wheels down. Thanks so much all, I had an idea this was the answer but more heads are better than one. Thanks 4905 Larry | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 239 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 149.168.204.4 Rating: N/A |
__. OK, you you're going to tow it front-wheels-up on the dolly? That works, in fact with the engine and drive line (weight) up front, it should work very well indeed. | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 666 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.36 Rating: N/A |
Larry, Keep in mind that there is no way you can back up with a dolly so keep yourself out of any tight spots. | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 71 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.197.246.104  Rating: N/A |
Larry, we have towed our Honda Odessy all over with a dolly and have had no problems. Just make sure the wheels are secure on the dolly plates and check the straps several times as they tend to loosen up with driving. The other thing you might consider is a c0ver for the front of the van. If your bus smokes at all(and most diesels do) it will make a mess of the van . | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 605 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.102.43  Rating: N/A |
We towed our Caravan all over, all four down, by using the Remco transmission pump. It's alot easier four down, than to have to go through the unhook/rehook procedure with a dolly.... BTW, alot of campgrounds now charge extra for a dolly! Remco Lube Pump (Message edited by john_mc9 on May 20, 2008) | ||
| Steven M. Toomey (Pabusnut)
Registered Member Username: Pabusnut Post Number: 6 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 71.207.107.232 Rating: N/A |
Like some other folks said "remember you can't back up"!! If you plan your trip well, you won't have to back up, but..... Murphy intervenes! I would recommend becoming proficient at unloading and re-loading the van on the dolly. Don't ask me how I know!! | ||
| Ednj (Ednj)
Registered Member Username: Ednj Post Number: 191 Registered: 3-2003 Posted From: 67.85.229.150  Rating: N/A |
Hello frendly bus nuts---- I think I am going to tow my van on a dolly with turn table. Do you lock the front wheels of the van while towing? The turn table is quite stiff but I will try to grease with something first, Thanks ever so much for all the help you all have been 4905. > Larry, I have a Stehl tow dolly with the turn table and YES you HAVE to leave the steering wheel UNLOCKED. When you make a turn the steering wheel turns and the dolly tires and the toad rear tires take a different track. Making a shaper turn and not scrubbing the tires. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 606 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.177 Rating: N/A |
Larry- Sorry, I didn't read your question correctly! I thought you were just considering to use a dolly, not that you already chose to.... That said.... You may want to research things a bit further regarding locking the steering or not. See: Towing 101 That's just one website among many, that explains proper rv/dolly towing. Your best bet, would be to contact your dolly's manufacturer for their detailed instructions and requirements. Making a simple mistake with the initial hook-up can bring not-so-nice consequences! | ||
| Ednj (Ednj)
Registered Member Username: Ednj Post Number: 192 Registered: 3-2003 Posted From: 67.85.229.150 Rating: N/A |
John, That article totally contradicts what STEHL Tow sayes. But like you said check with the dolly manufacturer. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 607 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.100.125 Rating: N/A |
Ed- Hope youse didn't take it personal.... When we were considering the method of dragging along our van, I found so much contradiction among users, manufacturers and dealers, that I felt mentioning it now, might save the guy some headaches. A friend that dollied (full-time/10 years), convinced me to tow four-down, giving me all his bad experiences using a dolly... The first time we drove into a mis-marked campground entrance, at night, in the rain, towing four-down.... well... It convinced me that we made the right choice! I don't think it took a minute to unhook, and maybe another two to re-hook. To each, our own.... I 'spose.. |