Straps for Dollies

A set of dollies is awesome equipment that no tow truck should be without. They provide towers the ability to tow even the most difficult loads. In most states, when dollies are included as part of the towing process, state law requires that a set of ratchets and straps secure the towed vehicle to the dollies. Where dollies aren’t strapped down, the tow truck driver can be cited for an unsecured load.

It’s really embarrassing when your drivers tow a vehicle into a dealership or repair shop only to have the dollies ripped out from under the towed vehicle when the driver mis-calculates the turn into the driveway and hits the curb.Worse yet … ever see a set of dollies come off a vehicle running at highway speeds? In a dolly crash scenario on northern California’s I-5, a set of dollies came apart at highway speeds causing the dolly’s components to separate. When the tower realized what was happening, he hit the brakes in an attempt to keep the dollies under the towed vehicle. Unfortunately, another vehicle (that was following too close to begin with) struck the towed vehicle. During the course of the accident investigation, the officer determined that the tower didn’t have the towed vehicle secured to the dollies. Because the tow truck caused the accident, it’s driver was guilty of two points … one for causing the accident and the other for unsecured load.Straps keep errant parts with towed vehicles when an unfortunate event causes dollies to come apart. Regardless as to the reason why a vehicle is being towed on dollies, straps must be employed as a means to keep the towed vehicle and dollies together. When dolly components come apart and get (partially) stuck within the vehicle’s wheel well … it usually causes extensive damages to the vehicle’s underbody and suspension.For extremely damaged wrecks, run the ratchet strap’s ring back through the second strap’s ring, pull until the loose ends are together and then thread into ratchets. Run the strap’s rings over the vehicle’s topside and center into the middle of the hood or trunk deck so it becomes one long, single strap, ring-to-ring. Attach both ratchets into the dolly handles to cause downward pressure into the dolly tire pads. Pad straps at any area where rubbing might be a factor, to prevent damaging the straps. Be aware that if tightened too much and the rings are in the middle of a large glass window, it could blow out the glass. Tighten the straps completely, being sure that padding is positioned in areas that could fray the straps. Twisting the straps makes for a stronger hold-down.Strapping vehicles down to dollies is a process not to go ignored as it adds safety to the overall use of dollies. Drivers, take time to install dollies correctly to avoid potential citation and to avoid a horrendous crash should they come apart without warning.