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The RVer's Open Forum / GENERAL RV DISCUSSIONS / Towing with a dolly

KenS
User ID: 9928103 Apr 22nd 10:33 PM
I had a '94 Tracker that I flat towed for years, but was rear ended which totalled it. I just bought a 2000 Tracker and until my back heals, will not be putting the Demco base plate on it to flat tow it, so I'm using my Saf-T tow dolly. The dolly has a swivel deck, but today I made a trial run around town and noticed that the Tracker's front wheels were turning left and right in the corners. Apparently, the steering wheel does not lock until the key is removed, even in the "off" position. Since the wheels were turning, should I leave the wheel unlocked and let them turn? I do not want to put to much stress on the steering wheel lock, and the fact that they were turning seeems to indicate that maybe they should, but I'm not sure. I stopped in a turn and looked and the wheels still seemed straight in relation to the dolly, but turned in relation to the Tracker. I haven't dolly towed in years, so I guess I have to be trained all over again. Thanks for any help.
KenS
Ridgecrest, CA

Marty
User ID: 9565813 Apr 23rd 9:55 AM
Ken: All "Trackers" that I'm aware of have that no lock feature. I tow a 94 4 down and have always turned the key to the off position for towing. Your right, the steering wheel will not lock until the key is removed. IMO: If your Tracker tracks true at hiway speed, I wouldn't lock the steering wheel at all. Just be careful that you don't clip curbing or some gutter when making a hard turn to the right.

Marty in TN

Randy Z
User ID: 9544623 Apr 27th 9:16 AM
You don't want to lock your steering, your wheels turning is a good and normal thing. The width of the dolly's axle is wider than the width of your towed vehicle's axle so it has a slightly different turning radius than that of your towed vehicle, and the turning of the towed vehicle's wheel's just accomadates this. Locking your steering will cause the towed vehicle to lean hard in corners as it tries to exualize towing radiuses. One other thing, when using a dolly it is a good idea to enitially recheck the tie down strap tension once you have gone a short distance and around a corner or two, and again after your first hour. Other than that, worry less, enjoy more.
Randy Z

KenS
User ID: 0512724 Apr 29th 2:53 PM
Thanks for the help. I remember now, too about keeping an eye on the straps. Like I said, I have to be retrained after not dolly towing for a while.

KenS User ID: 9928103	Apr 22nd 10:33 PM I had a '94 Tracker that I flat towed for years, but was rear ended which totalled it. I just bought a 2000 Tracker and until my back heals, will not be putting the Demco base plate on it to flat tow it, so I'm using my Saf-T tow dolly. The dolly has a swivel deck, but today I made a trial run around town and noticed that the Tracker's front wheels were turning left and right in the corners. Apparently, the steering wheel does not lock until the key is removed, even in the "off" position. Since the wheels were turning, should I leave the wheel unlocked and let them turn? I do not want to put to much stress on the steering wheel lock, and the fact that they were turning seeems to indicate that maybe they should, but I'm not sure. I stopped in a turn and looked and the wheels still seemed straight in relation to the dolly, but turned in relation to the Tracker. I haven't dolly towed in years, so I guess I have to be trained all over again. Thanks for any help. KenS Ridgecrest, CA
Marty User ID: 9565813	Apr 23rd 9:55 AM Ken: All "Trackers" that I'm aware of have that no lock feature. I tow a 94 4 down and have always turned the key to the off position for towing. Your right, the steering wheel will not lock until the key is removed. IMO: If your Tracker tracks true at hiway speed, I wouldn't lock the steering wheel at all. Just be careful that you don't clip curbing or some gutter when making a hard turn to the right. Marty in TN
Randy Z User ID: 9544623	Apr 27th 9:16 AM You don't want to lock your steering, your wheels turning is a good and normal thing. The width of the dolly's axle is wider than the width of your towed vehicle's axle so it has a slightly different turning radius than that of your towed vehicle, and the turning of the towed vehicle's wheel's just accomadates this. Locking your steering will cause the towed vehicle to lean hard in corners as it tries to exualize towing radiuses. One other thing, when using a dolly it is a good idea to enitially recheck the tie down strap tension once you have gone a short distance and around a corner or two, and again after your first hour. Other than that, worry less, enjoy more. Randy Z
KenS User ID: 0512724	Apr 29th 2:53 PM Thanks for the help. I remember now, too about keeping an eye on the straps. Like I said, I have to be retrained after not dolly towing for a while.