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Old 04-09-2023, 10:22 PM   #1
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THOR #11834
Tow Dolly Issue

I use a tow dolly whenever I travel a long distance from home. I tow a Honda Civic which has a low profile front end. Each time I need to disconnect the straps, I run into the problem of not being able to open the ratchets all the way needed to loosen the straps, because they won’t extend as needed, because the front of Honda is too low. It’s a constant struggle, and this past week I had to cut the straps on one side to remove car. Has anyone had a similar problem, what did you do? I am thinking of placing a 1.5 inch thick board in the well where tires sit to give me the extra height needed to open ratchet, but not sure this would be safe when towing the car.

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Old 04-09-2023, 11:00 PM   #2
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THOR #7035
Most people frustrated with dolly loading/unloading issues switch to flat towing to resolve the frustration.
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Old 04-09-2023, 11:39 PM   #3
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THOR #6277
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichRob View Post
I use a tow dolly whenever I travel a long distance from home. I tow a Honda Civic which has a low profile front end. Each time I need to disconnect the straps, I run into the problem of not being able to open the ratchets all the way needed to loosen the straps, because they won’t extend as needed, because the front of Honda is too low. It’s a constant struggle, and this past week I had to cut the straps on one side to remove car. Has anyone had a similar problem, what did you do? I am thinking of placing a 1.5 inch thick board in the well where tires sit to give me the extra height needed to open ratchet, but not sure this would be safe when towing the car.

I have only come across this situation one time with my 2019 GMC Terrain on my MasterTow dolly. Take a look at the page out my tow dolly manual for how to use a screwdriver in the ratchet to release the strap. This assumes, of course, that your tow dolly's ratchet is similar to the MasterTow.


I agree that it's easier to flat-tow, but none of my 3 cars can be towed that way.
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Old 04-10-2023, 01:51 AM   #4
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THOR #11834
I would love to flat tow, except none of my cars can be flat towed, and according to articles I have read, more and more cars that used to flat tow will no longer be able to.

Thank you for the article/instructions on how to deal with ratchet in my situation.
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Old 04-10-2023, 03:38 AM   #5
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Sorry can't help with your issue. Following along to see how you resolve it.
Personally, I wouldn't try raising the car with blocks, doesn't sound too safe. Maybe contact the dolly manufacturer and see what they advise.
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Old 04-10-2023, 05:03 AM   #6
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Our American Car Dolly had the ratchet mechanism outside the car width. Make a dolly change. (?) Can you reverse or swap the ratchet to release in the downward direction? Rather than up under the car.
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Old 04-15-2023, 06:35 PM   #7
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I have a similar problem towing my MiniCooper. It also runs very close to the ground and doesn't allow us to use the quick release feature on the ratchet of the straps. I learned to always keep a screw driver near by and use the screw driver to force the release of the ratchet. Learn to use the screw driver option and the problem goes away.
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Old 04-15-2023, 07:01 PM   #8
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Tow Dolly Issue

I had this issue. Rachetts come in 3 lengths, short, medium and long. I ordered short. Solved my problem. Believe I used Cargo USA for straps and rachetts
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Old 04-15-2023, 08:36 PM   #9
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I had this issue with my Ford Fusion. I use a phillips head screwdriver to get into the ratchet and push down on the locking bracket. I was also having issues with the front of the car hitting the ramp so I take several 2x8 x14 boards and set them up before the ramp so the tire hits on the board before the metal ramp. if you need more clearance use some boards. but the screw drive works great. There is a slot in the back of the ratchet to leverage the tools to push down the locking bar.
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Old 04-15-2023, 08:38 PM   #10
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THOR #13712
follow the diagram - works perfectly - except you are on the ground to do it.
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Old 04-15-2023, 10:15 PM   #11
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I had a similar problem when using a tow dolly. The screwdriver solution concerned me since it would only have to slip to gouge the sidewall of the tire.

I have a good battery powered air pump that travels with me and, recently, a light bulb lit, simply take some air out of the tire and remove the straps with a good tug. Worked like a charm. I then air the tires up and drive off the dolly.
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Old 04-15-2023, 11:39 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichRob View Post
I use a tow dolly whenever I travel a long distance from home. I tow a Honda Civic which has a low profile front end. Each time I need to disconnect the straps, I run into the problem of not being able to open the ratchets all the way needed to loosen the straps, because they won’t extend as needed, because the front of Honda is too low. It’s a constant struggle, and this past week I had to cut the straps on one side to remove car. Has anyone had a similar problem, what did you do? I am thinking of placing a 1.5 inch thick board in the well where tires sit to give me the extra height needed to open ratchet, but not sure this would be safe when towing the car.
We have towed our Honda Fit, and now our Honda HRV and have had the same issue with space. We also had to cut the straps before. We carry a large screwdriver to insert, and release, instead of trying to use the ratchet handle. It saves my husband's knuckles as well!
Happy travels!
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