tow dolly

[djgwilly]

we just bought an Acme tow dolly for our trip south this winter. We took it out on a test drive and the tire straps kept getting loose, the straps seem to be stretching. This is a new dolly, is it normal for the straps to stretch. We had to tighten every 5 to 10 miles. thank you for your help

[djgwilly]

Thank you for all your information. Very helpful.

[Monkeyman_and_L]

I have an ACME that I just started using this year. I'm not tightening every 5 miles. I do check at every stop. I have noticed they are a little loose from time to time.

I'm considering putting a bolt on wheel stop behind my tires after the car is loaded. This would make the loose strap less of an issue.

But I over-engineer everything. So maybe it's not a great idea. Dunno.

Tows great though.

[jplante4]

westernrvparkowner wrote:
That Acme stuff never worked for Wile E Coyote either.:)

You crack me up :B

[craig7h]

Yes new straps will stretch more than older ones. My straps are going on two years now and I still stop and tighten them. After loading car onto the dolly make sure when tightening the straps you get them really tight. After driving a short time stop and retighten. I have always had to tighten the straps one ore two more clicks on the rachett.

[westernrvparkow]

That Acme stuff never worked for Wile E Coyote either.:)

[GREGORYJ]

We usually check and maybe tighten straps in the first mile or two, but stay tight after that. I can't say what the problem might be, but that shouldn't happen. In the manual the picture of the strap winch doesn't show it well, but on ours, the strap threads thru a slot on the winch drum which will keep the strap from slipping on the drum when tight. Just something to check.

[RedRollingRoadb]

Stop your vehicle about one inch from the stop then tight down the straps pulling the vehicle forward the last inch. Never had another strap loosen up.

[ferndaleflyer]

I just bought new straps from Master Tow for our dolly because the ones we had were to large for our Smart car. Used them to Pigeon Forge and back, about 800mi, and tightened them when I left to go and when I left to come back and they never came even a little loose. Make sure the car is all the way forward on the dolly and get the straps good and tight. Might be junk straps!

[Dutch_12078]

From the Acme Owners Manual:

THE WINCHES SHOULD BE TIGHTENED BEFORE USE.

NEW WHEEL STRAPS WILL STRETCH.

CHECK ALL WHEEL STRAPS , RATCHETS & COUPLER AFTER THE FIRST FEW MILES. ADJUST IF NECESSARY. CHECK AGAIN EVERY TIME YOU STOP FOR FUEL OR REST.

Owners Manual