car dolly

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Jun 9, 2011 | 10:14 PM

t.duggan.photo

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car dolly

Anyone have experience with these? how much weight on average would they hold?

my friend needs her 98 4 cylinder ranger towed about 400 miles.

To lighten the weight I was thinking about trying to use one of them instead of a trailer. also do they run with a 4 pin trailer brake connector or a 7?

Jun 9, 2011 | 11:05 PM

snakedoc

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From: AL, Reform

all that i have seen are 4 pin. i dont know how much weight you will cut but to me a dolly is the worst way to tow a car. i have had some bad times with the so i wont use them just my .02

Jun 10, 2011 | 01:18 AM

Roadfind

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From: FOLSOM CA

I would agree with SnakeDoc , those car dollies are fine for short hauls in town or getting stalled car off the hiway . The increased cost of light car trailer is worth the piece of mind on a long tow . Sure you could haul it on th dolly, your truck would do fine . But is it worth doing it for a little less cost ,,,,,,, olllllo

Jun 10, 2011 | 07:30 AM

rvpuller

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From: Home Base Nebraska

Car dollies have been around for years and years; motor homes have been using them for long hauls for years. Most use the 4 pin connector for lights and some of the heavier duty ones have surge brakes. You can even buy them now that will hold two motor cycles and a car, they are called heavy haulers. A friend of ours hauled a Ranger PU and two HD cycles on his behind his motor home. If you are looking at the Uhaul type dolly they are built heavy enough to haul a full size PU so a Ranger would be no problem, but remember you can't back up with one.

Denny

Jun 10, 2011 | 08:14 AM

dchamberlain

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From: Scio, OR

I've towed with the U-Haul car dollies a bunch of times. None of the ones I used had brakes, but depending on the tow vehicle you probably don't need them. They are a LOT lighter than the car trailer.

They are very easy to use and purpose built for the job. But, as has been mentioned, they are hard to back up in.

U-Haul car trailers are also sweet outfits. Purpose built for hauling cars with ramps and wheel tie downs and everything. Pretty much idiot proof. They use surge brakes. I've towed quite a few of those also and are necessary if your vehicle can't be towed with any wheels down.

If your friends Ranger is 4WD, make sure it's safe to tow with any wheels down if you're going to use the dolly, or you remove the right drive shaft.

Jun 10, 2011 | 11:40 AM

senix

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From: Frederick, MD

You can use a dolly with the Ranger...gonna have to make sure the steering wheel is secure as the rear is what needs to go on the dollly.

They are all 4-pin.

Given the choice I'd rather use a trailer but I have no problem using a dolly. Even long distance. It is not an issue.