So I picked up a tow dolly for cheap here in so. cal. It apears to be an old U-haul dolly in decent shape. My questions are:

It didnt come with plates, do these things even need plates or does the vehicle its towing need them?

Im also guessing that if it didnt come with plates that it doesnt need to be registered, or even need a pink slip?

Im pretty sure it doesnt need either, so my real question is...

They make some dollys with brakes, do they make a kit to put brakes on these, or can I go somewhere and have them installed?

Thanks ahead of time, and if you have any suggestions on towing with these things feel free to comment!

I was going to buy one also. They don't need plates. As for the brakes you shouldn't need them unless your towing some thing heavier than your tow rig. Hope that helps.

Dollies with brakes are very, very nice, whether what you are towing is heavier or not, it still tends to get squirrely. You SHOULD be able to swap a set of backing plates and brakes right on, once you find the spindle size, etc, should be a standard trailer size.

anybody know where I can get larger tire straps? are they made or am I going to have to get them custom made for me?

I have had the same problem, anything over a 33, and your screwed, form what i can tell. It shouldnt bee to hard to lengthen the ones you.ve got, depending on type.

If you need longer straps pm " launch_it " he has a dolly and keeps his 36's on the front when he tows. I do know he swaps to stock tires in the rear to keep from wearing out the rears too quick.

Originally posted by Childsplay
anybody know where I can get larger tire straps? are they made or am I going to have to get them custom made for me?


I ran into the same problem, and ended up making my own chain "straps" to capture the tires and used a binder to ratchet those down.

Worked well for he several years I owned and used a dolly.