Using Dollies

USING DOLLIES WITHOUT KEYS

Dollies are a great solution when towing a vehicle that is stuck in park or has locked wheels as they replace the wheels as the rolling surface. The dolly can be used to tow the vehicle to it’s location, however it’s important to know that dollies are not meant for long distances or high speeds. Dollies should typically set up on the rear wheels and the vehicle towed from the drive axle. Once the dollies are set up, be sure to secure the vehicle to the dollies via the wheels.

USING DOLLIES TO REMOVE THE CASUALTY

When removing a vehicle from a parking stop with a tow truck, dollies are an essential tool, particularly when the casualty’s drive wheels are on the opposite end of the tow truck or if the vehicle is locked and the parking brakes are engaged.

HOW TO REMOVE THE CASUALTY WITH DOLLIES

Here are the steps to remove a vehicle from a parking spot with dollies:

USING DOLLIES IN A TIGHT SPOT

Once the wrecker has used the wheel lift the casualty from by the non-drive axle, prepare the dollies for set up.

When the dollies are in position, lift the end closest to the tow truck with the load bar, being sure to engage the safety latch or primary engagement.

STEP 1

Engage the safety latch or primary engagement on the casualty side of the dolly and use the load bar to ratchet the dolly towards the tow truck, raising the back end slowly.

STEP 2

Repeat the previous two steps for the dolly on the opposite side of the casualty.

STEP 3

Then use the wrecker to pull the casualty far enough out the parking spot that the dolly loading sequence can be completed.

USING HYDRAULIC DOLLIES

When a vehicle is parked on a street between two vehicles, hydraulic dollies or “Go-Jaks” can be used when removing a vehicle in this position. The hydraulic dollies allow the vehicle to move side-to-side. Hydraulic dollies are not to be used while towing, the vehicle must be loaded on regular dollies for that. Care needs to be taken if the vehicle is pushed out of the parking space as dents to the body of the vehicle can happen easily.