Tow dolly question
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
Tow dolly question
Here we go. My brother and I are going to pick up a cj-5 on sunday. We do not have a trailer capable of hauling this. It was too good of a deal to let pass, so we are going to buy it for $150. Heres the issue. It has a snowplow on it. We can get the tow dolly from a friend for free. I'm sure there won't be any clearance to turn if we put it on forward. This may be a very bad question, but can we safely put the jeep backwards on the tow dolly, and just chain the plow up as high as it will go? Is putting it on backward a major issue? I can borrow a brake controller for the weekend, and pay for a trailer if needed but i'd rather not. Can this be done? Would it be safe to do this? It's about a 60 mile ride. Thanks guys.
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Scott -
See page 9 of U-Haul's dolly manual at http://www.uhaul.com/guide/userguide-towdolly.pdf; it's pretty dead-set against towing backwards.
Where in Southeast PA? I'm originally from York.
Steve
See page 9 of U-Haul's dolly manual at http://www.uhaul.com/guide/userguide-towdolly.pdf; it's pretty dead-set against towing backwards.
Where in Southeast PA? I'm originally from York.
Steve
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
I was worried about the balance issue. Just trying to come up with some ideas, and that one is out. I can fit up to about a 7.5 plow in the bed of the truck, provided I take my toolbox out, but the big issue is getting the heavy thing in there. If we get it in I have access to a tractor with loader to unload, so thats no biggie. Steina, I'm from Green Lane (very small). It's about 1 hour northwest of Philly and 30 mins south of Allentown. About a 2-2 1/2 hour ride to York from here.
Last edited by Ferguson65; Dec 12, 2006 at 04:49 PM.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
Alright, so backward is out. I was concerned about all that weight in the rear and the negative effect on handling. Putting the plow in the truck sounds great, but requires some sort of machinery to do it, I don't know that it could be done by hand, and also my 6.5 foot bed has limits unless I leave the tailgate at home. I have access to a loader tractor to unload though, so if we get it in i'm set. Waiting an a call back from my brother to find out what size plow it is, as he has all the details on the vehicle and is making arrangements with the owner, I'm in charge of towing and picking it up. And Steina, I'm in Green Lane, a very small town, about 1 hour northwest of Philly and 30 mins south of Allentown. It's about a 2-2 1/2 hour ride to York from here.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
If you simply dismount the plow blade, but not the mount and lift, a couple guys should be able to load it just fine.If nothing more stand it up and slode it into the box.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 77
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From: Dayton, Ohio
Well, I tried to tow a small Toyota pickup on a tow dolley backwards once. Didn't make it 1 mile before I stopped and turned it around (had to take the driveshaft down after loading it on frontways). I figured wreckers tow cars backwards all the time, it should work. I'm not sure if it is because of the caster in the front wheels or the difficulty in keeping the wheels "centered". Whatever it is, I don't reccommend it at all!You know what it is like steering a vehicle while backing up rapidly? It seems the wheels will turn very easily and have a tendency to keep turning when you cut the wheel? I think the caster that gives stability in the steering when going forward, has the opposite effect when going backward.
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CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Scott -
At one time I had relatives in Reading, Kutztown, Emmaus and Allentown; haven't been back there in over 40 years so they're probably all pushin' up daisies by now!
Good luck with the CJ/plow problem; maybe a trailer is gonna end up being your best choice.
Steve
At one time I had relatives in Reading, Kutztown, Emmaus and Allentown; haven't been back there in over 40 years so they're probably all pushin' up daisies by now!
Good luck with the CJ/plow problem; maybe a trailer is gonna end up being your best choice.
Steve
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,992
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From: Lancaster, MA
I wouldn't think a CJ blade would weigh too much. I know three of us put a 8' old style Fisher in the bed of a truck no problem. Bring a few 2x4 blocks to slid it in on and you are golden. I would say two or three people to load. To off load tie one end to a tree with a chain and slowly hit the gas. It is old school, but it works.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: southeast PA
Well things just got a little easier, and a lot less profitable. My brother talked to them again today and the plow don't go now. Looks like it may get parted out after all. The tow dolly ride will be enough fun.