OP
eddieirvine
Silver Member
ok this is why i asked i was aware of it not working but asking about it is good advice thanks for the reply's, I will stay with my tandem axle trailer
Towing Tractor
- Thread starter eddieirvine
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jyoutz
Super Member
Just buy an appropriate weight rated trailer of sufficient length.
ROFLOL.
Having been through that endorsement process, simply put, they will NOT. And, if you damage their dolly, I promise, they're going to want to know why, and will demand photos of what was being towed.
Anyone else here old enough to remember the UHaul/Ford Explorer fiasco? I had a 1992 SWB Standard Cab F-150 2WD, 5.0 and manual. If it had been 4WD, or, LWB, or Extended Cab, or Automatic, they would rent me a trailer. What was really bizarre was that if my truck had been an I6 instead of a V8, they would have rented me one. But because it was none of the 5 requirements, they would not. I wound up using the company van (2500) to pull the trailer. I wanted a dolly to pull one of my old T-Birds with a dolly. Absolutely not because I showed up with a '98 Ranger. UHaul got hit pretty hard with the suits for Explorer and Ranger towing risks, when really, it wasn't their fault. Everything was traced back to faulty Firestone tires on the Ford Light Truck line, but because Uhaul was implicated and had to pay settlement, they refuse to allow their trailers to be towed by the smaller Fords.
So, if you want to use one of their dollies (which are darn good dollies, btw), best not tell 'em you're going to put a tractor on it. They WILL ask for proof and a tag number for the towed vehicle. Load distribution with a tow dolly is NOT an issue, because all of the weight of the vehicle is directly on the axle of the dolly. There's little tongue weight but the nature of the beast with a swivel in the middle prevents speed wobbles (and so does slowing down). HOWEVER, since the COG is so low on them, they tend to lift the rear end of anything pulling them if the towing vehicle isn't a lot heavier than the towed vehicle. That's probably not going to be the case with anything bigger than a compact tractor. They typically have something like a 3500 lb load rating, IIRC, but might wanna check me on that. I've used them a lot for pulling cars but would NEVER EVER consider pulling a tractor with one.
Just make sure your trailer can carry the load, and that your towing vehicle can pull the loaded trailer. GVWR ratings are there for a reason. If you have a tandem axle trailer, why would you even consider the dolly? Even an underrated trailer would be safer (but definitely not recommended) to haul the tractor.
ssgp2
Silver Member
NO!. But, if you do, please post video!
I'll bring the popcorn.
oldnslo
Super Member
Interesting responses on this subject. There are “Plow days” in this area and several of the participants tow their old tractors to this event in the manner the OP is asking. Have seen John Deeres, Oliver’s, Farmalls, etc. all being towed with front tires on a dolly of some fashion. These are all older 100% mechanical drive transmission with dry clutch. No clue how far they are being towed but suspect at least 10 or more miles. If was damaging something I doubt these people would be doing it.
jyoutz
Super Member
How fast?
oldnslo
Super Member
Have never followed one but would estimate 12 - 15 MPH. These are old mechanical brake machines that we used to pull to start if needed or pull to shop to work on. Pretty sure tranny and gears are all splash lube.
jyoutz
Super Member
I guess it depends on how far and how much traffic is on the route.
