building a car dolly?

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I would love to know if anyone has tried building a dolly that could haul a small suv around. I have looked for plans and ideas but nothing anymore is free so I am asking here. I dont want to buy one for more than a grand when I have the ability to weld one up. Any help is appreciated...
Reply:Northern Tool has plans for around $12 I think.Or, maybe just go to your local U-Haul and check one out.  It's a good way to get your ideas.  Then you can modify it to suit your needs."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Greetings Max_payne,Sorry to say I would discourage you from building one. Did you ever use a tow dolly? How did it go?The loaded tow dolly is one combination I will not pull.I stay further away from them than anything else on the road.Essentially you're pulling a four wheel wagon with no steering, no brakes, no springs, and little tongue weight; they are over-width, and off-tracking, with undersized tires and little road or turn clearance. If there ever was a tow configuration that should be outlawed - I think the dolly is it. And I never advocate outlawing anything!Okay, maybe on a dry straight flat desert road; besides that, I say forget it.Maybe I've got it all wrong; if you or someone else has had  different experience with tow dollies, I'd be glad to hear about it.Good luck
Reply:I've got a pretty nice one here in Austin that I'd be willing to sell for less than you could build one for. . . . .
Reply:I duno denrep, I used one to pull a '95 Grand Am 30 miles behind my Suburban to get it home once and wasn't too concerned.  First and only time I've used one.  I admit I've seen some bozo's using them that probably shouldn't even have a license yet alone pull one vehicle behind another.  After using the one I actually considered buying one just to have it in case I needed one.  Using it didn't give me cause for concern but then I used to haul 80,000# rigs down the interstate on the back of an underreach so...Oh!  btw, welcome max_payne.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:there are some bad ones out there ( like the ones u can rent) but I used one 2 years ago well built put about 250lbs toung weight on the truck had a swival point from the dolly to the towed auto. had a wheel lift style strap set up I was amazed how well it towed at 100kmh highway speeds. I would use it as quick as I would use the trailer but the guy who owned it said it was $1299 to buy lol price of a trailer.
Reply:Nothing at all to do with whether a guy should be building one or not, but aren't there some issues with the towability of many vehicles with automatic trannies? So if a guy was to build a dolly with a specific vehicle in mind and/or build one for extended trip applications it might be worth checking on what the manufacturer says about towing that particular vehicle.2¢
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyNothing at all to do with whether a guy should be building one or not, but aren't there some issues with the towability of many vehicles with automatic trannies? So if a guy was to build a dolly with a specific vehicle in mind and/or build one for extended trip applications it might be worth checking on what the manufacturer says about towing that particular vehicle.2¢
Reply:When you think about it a front wheel drive vehicle would be the best vehicle to oull with a tow dolly.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Just to clarify - The type of dolly I'm talking about has two tires, and a load platform with no through axle. The tires of one end of the towed vehicle, (usually the front) rest on a cradle just a few inches above the road, between the dolly's tires. Some have a center pin allowing for slight articulation, others are fixed and depend on the towed car's unlocked steering to articulate.You know I see so many of the tow dollies on the road that I do sometimes question my low opinion of them. I'm no stranger to car towing, I bought one of the first caster-steer style tow dollies when they came out; I wrote that design off immediately. Then when I saw the current style tow dolly cropping up I was interested again; one trip cured that.If you just think about the basic design, they don't make sense. The "wagon steer" combinations have two or more different points of articulation, yet still a very limited turning radius. Then there's the three different track widths, no brakes, undersize tires, low clearance, no reverse capability. Again, on a straight dry flat road, with a heavy vehicle pulling a much lighter one, they're probably okay. But if you have to drive a wet road or are forced to make any tight turns or fast stops, you'd better be ready!I wouldn't want my name on any tow dolly build.Last edited by denrep; 09-07-2008 at 11:49 AM.
Reply:Yup, that's the kind I was thinking of too and I,m with you on the turning radius limitations.  In fact your supposed to leave the towed vehicle in neutral and steering whell unlocked so the wheels can move when the platform rotates what little it can.  Not a comforting thought when you see a guy in a gas station trying to put a vehicle back on the dolly because he turned too short and the tire net strap came off.  At least he was in a parking lot and not toolin' down the interstate at 70+!And then there's the guy at the rental place that doesn't know the first thing about the trucks they rent let alone instructing a person how to properly use a tow dolly.  I'm not saying there aren't any knowledgable people at these establishments, I'm saying I've seen some that aren't.As for backing, I didn't find any difficulty there but then I used to back those same 18 wheelers into the 'hole' while still on the hook (as many heavy recovery guys do every day) and even dumped a frameless dump trailer rig once after backing it in off the road while hooked up.  Surprised myself on that one.I think the bigger issue is the number of people out there using them that don't have a clue and we've just been luck there haven't been a lot of accidents involving them.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks for all the insight, thats alot of things I never thought about. My main reason for getting one though is to save broken down wheeling rigs (such as my own). I have dealt with uhaul and a few other companies before and have never liked the service i get from renting something. Would just be a nice convenience thing. I am also thinking about trailers but for now cost is kind of an issue. Thanks!
Reply:If your thought is hauling home broken cars, do it with a real trailer, not a dolly.  Please?
Reply:I am not sure why a dolly wouldn't work for a break down, unless it is a wreck or suspension problem.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Would a dolly be more stable if the rear tires were loaded up instead of the front?
Reply:I think the front wheels on the towed vehicle have to be free to turn from side to side.  Same as when using a tow bar.  It allows the towed vehicle to trail in a turn.Or maybe not.  Never used one but seems likely.Last edited by farmersamm; 09-07-2008 at 08:18 PM.Reason: because I'm an idiot"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Okay photo lovers, time for the weekly photo-dump.Tow dollies have been added to the "subjects of interest."Caught two in action for ya:Attachment 23640Attachment 23638Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:35 PM.
Reply:We had on like in the bottom at work.  Ramps slid out from underneath the wheel platforms. Fenders were there, but smashed.THEY SUCK TO LOAD WHEN THE TOW CAR IS DEAD!The center pin is a must and backing them up is as hard as loading a dead car.(or van)Build it if you want to deal with it.  Better than nothing, but nothing like a flat trailer.And yeah, ours didn't have brakes either. David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:the retired couple next door have one that is nice.  But he did pay almost 2k for it.  Pull it 2400 miles each year with no problems.  Inertia brakes, sway control built in to the dolly.  Looks a steering stabilizer on a truck.  Weight on the hitch when loaded.  Full size load rated tires.  I have seen many more swaying like a mofo going down the road.  Built right they can be good.  I can get picts if you want.Carlohttp://public.fotki.com/Naudi2U/
Reply:i was at a local car crusher a few years ago and after i pulled off the scale i drove around back to wait in line to get unloaded. i get up to the front of the line and a guy pulls in behind me and we both start undoing our tiedown straps. i glanced back at him he had an older dodge truck towing a towdolly with a small foreign car on it.i looked at him and then  i did a double take he never grabbed a wrench to loosen his straps on the drivers side i thought maybe he did and i just didnt see him do it. curiously i walked around with him to the passenger side and they were lose to not barely loose but all he had to do was reach down and take them off without loosening the! i told him man them things was loose he said yeah i couldnt find my wrench to tighten so i got them hand tight and figure what the hell. how on earth he made it there without killing someone i will never know.
Reply:Greetings All.  Newbie here.  But not new to welding, or, towing.  Been welding for 45 years, taught welding in the Army.  Just retired from my Welding/Fabrication business.  The original poster asked if any had built a tow dolly.  Another poster mentioned he had one for sale he would sell for less than you can build one.  This is probably very true.I will disagree with another poster about safety of tow dollies.  I have a Stehl brand that we use to tow our "toad" behind our 37' motor home.  I have NO problems towing with this unit.  It is not the "top of the line" model out there, but plenty enough tow dolly for what we tow.  It has a 3000 lb capacity, and BRAKES (wouldn't buy a dolly without them), and Lights.  You can get tow dollies without brakes, but I wouldn't recommend them.  Electric or Surge Hydraulic brakes are available.  I use the electric brakes as I can adjust brake intensity while driving.  Tow Dollies are far less expensive to use with our RV's than "flat towing".  Flat towing requires a good tow bay (generally costs more than a dolly), Break away kits, auxilliary braking source (required in most states and Canada), light kit for car, plus transmission cooling kit for most toads.Towing with a dolly does require proper set up.  Hitch capacity on tow vehicle must be at or exceed what you're towing.  Know your weight carrying capacity of Tow Dolly and don't exceed.  Proper alignment of tongue  (tongue should be parallel to the ground when loaded).  This could require a drop tongue ball mount in your receiver hitch.  This item is critical to towing without "tail wagging".    We use Magnetic tow lights on our Toad also.  I have used out dolly for towing other vehicles short distances with great success.We've got just under $1000 invested in our towing system.  I've had no problems with it.  As soon as I bought it I bought a spare wheel and tire from the manufacturer, and, a extra set of tie down straps.  Always check tire pressure before each trip (including spare), lug nut torque, and make sure the bed will pivot (may need cleaning and relubing).IMHO you can't build one for what you can buy one.  Been there, done that with other things. Liability, in the event of equipment failure would be another item of consideration.  However, the self satisfaction of "I made it" could be a factor you want to achieve.  Just don't cheap it out.  As one poster suggested, visit dealers and get some ideas.  Visit their web sites.Good luck with your project.
Reply:X2 what ^ said. I had a Stehl tow dolly and it was great, no problems whatsoever. One thing you mentioned comes to mind; that you want to use this for broken down wheeling vehicles. Keep in mind that Dolly's can only accommodate up to a specific tire size which is probably smaller than what you're wheeling with.
Reply:Today I had a chance to inspect one up close for y'all.Yes, I got the pictures! Attachment 41426Attachment 41427Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:43 PM.
Reply:i have the northern tools car dolly plansthere realy great  and DOT approvedthere $29.99 are you  in FL.
Reply:Make one where the deck swivels, as opposed to the pictured stiff deck designs.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with these as far as usage.THEY SUCK TO LOAD WHEN THE TOW CAR IS DEAD!Originally Posted by denrepToday I had a chance to inspect one up close for y'all.Yes, I got the pictures!
Reply:I don't know anything about its history, but the design definitely looked like it had evolved through a long process of trial and error. By the way, I know this is an old thread, and I'm not looking for a tow dolly, just thought I'd post an interesting piece.The owner was looking for someone to do some welding work on the dolly, and probably still is.Good Luck
Reply:I'm with Denrep on this one I have no use for a tow dolly. Most would be better off with a full trailer. It is more versatile and easier to load and pull for the most part. My opinion is based in experience. I borrowed one once to transport a Corvette 6 hrs from home and bring back a Chevelle. When I got there (on a Sunday) I turned into the parking lot very easily and the hitch extention bent into a "Z". To say I was torqued would have been an understatement. I spent several hours trying to find someone to fix it since I was 6 hrs from home. Finally I found a race shop that was open and they cut it and rewelded it much better than original I might add. They were great, They charged me a reasonable rate too when they really could have stuck it to me. I finally made it home and have never used one again.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepI don't know anything about its history, but the design definitely looked like it had evolved through a long process of trial and error. By the way, I know this is an old thread, and I'm not looking for a tow dolly, just thought I'd post an interesting piece.The owner was looking for someone to do some welding work on the dolly, and probably still is.Good Luck
Reply:I rented one from Uhaul and towed a Civic from S.C. to Oh. used my f150. The rental center was very good they checked my truck out and fully explained how to use the dolly. Had no problems at all. The dolly had a center piviot pin so it actually turned very good. As for some of the pic's just check out some of the trailers on the road and their condition it scares the crap ot of me some of the stuff people will pull down the highway unsecured.Miller 330 A/BP Bernard SS coolerMiller cst 250Miller Big Blue 251DCentury 210 Mig (first welder I bought)Hypertherm PowerMax 800Victor torch setRu Fong 31 MilAtlas lathe
Reply:I tend to agree with Denrep. I had a guy pick up my car recently when it refused to start (ignition switch problem). He brought a tow dolly and faced it down-hill into a cul-de-sac. This was so he could load the dead car onto the dolly. It didn't occur to me that he couldn't back the thing up, and he didn't see the "Dead End" sign. The dolly's wheels would turn whenever he tried to back up. So we both sweated while he went down to the end of the cul-de-sac, successfully turned around and came out okay. He missed hitting another car by inches. The experience definitely put me off to them. SteveLast edited by rookie_steve; 11-16-2009 at 11:59 AM.JunkYard Tools .com
Reply:Look what I saw today:Attachment 45997I even went around the block to make sure I saw what I thought I saw.Attachment 45998Double trouble! Maybe "third time's the charm"  Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:43 PM.
Reply:would that be considered doubles or triples?  I know this thread is old, but I have to say I think building a simple single axle car trailer would be around the same cost, also myself working on a number of tow dollys I have to say if you build one it better be built well because they take a beating when towed empty"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:Originally Posted by eyeball engineerwould that be considered doubles or triples? . . .
Reply:they were trying to be the big guys Attached Images"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal"   -Henry Ford
Reply:We have another contender. Notice that the deck is mounted on the frame with pins, so it can tilt for loading.Attachment 48120Also notice that the spindles steer, on kingpins.A removable pin locks the tires straight when steering is not desired.Attachment 48121The spindles are connected to each other with a tie-rod.Looks like a carefully thought out design.Last edited by denrep; 10-19-2010 at 11:44 PM.
Reply:I actually bought a homemade one that uses the sling and hooks like a tow truck, lifts vertically with 12v hydraulic pump.  Only bad thing is you can't backup at all with a car attached.  But for quick hookup and drive off even if it is wrecked it is fast and easy.  I am actually working on plans to modify it to be a wheel lift like the repo wreckers have now.will post pic if interested in the design...have to either find them or go take new ones
Reply:Originally Posted by drewjunrI actually bought a homemade one that uses the sling and hooks like a tow truck, lifts vertically with 12v hydraulic pump.  Only bad thing is you can't backup at all with a car attached.  But for quick hookup and drive off even if it is wrecked it is fast and easy.  I am actually working on plans to modify it to be a wheel lift like the repo wreckers have now.will post pic if interested in the design...have to either find them or go take new ones
Reply:what is a "broken down wheeling rig"?  That is the purpose he wants it for?We get 60,000  snowbird couples in here to Yuma every winter and many tow a car behind their whales. 100 to 1 they do it with a Blue Ox tow bar that folds out of the way when not in use  and they tow a  light small SUV etc. rig that will freewheel without modifications. ps: "The roads to Canada are clear and open" ~ commonly heard in the line at Lowes coming from a disgruntled ol' cowboy  who is eager to have his highways and restaurants emptier soonLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Most of the problems I've seen with people towing with dollies, and towing in general have been from people completely failing to understand the magnitude of the "what ifs".I saw a guy roll both a mid-nineties K1500 and a ford ranger because he thought he could pull the heavier truck on a dolly behind a ranger at 75 MPH...I sure hope he learned his lesson.I've seen a few dollies built, that got used almost daily that I have a few things to say about their design...Heavy is better, not only for the sense of safety but also, to keep it from fishtailing when unloaded.Any dolly that doesn't also have a chain to hook to the cars subframe in addition to its straps are a jokeI've seen log chains bound into a similar design to the straps on mostSome enterprising individual bolted a cheapo electric winch to the front of his dolly to pull up dead cars, having done this with a manual ratcheting cable winch I think this man is a genius
Reply:The tongue has a bottom swivel that holds the bulldog secure.  It has an airtank for filling tires, 12v hydraulic lift.  Makes it easy to backup, hook and drag.  I have towed 3/4 ton trucks and cars without issue.  The only problem that I have run into is turning too tight will rub on the tire guards and it is impossible to back up a vehicle that is on the lift. Attached Images