Tow Dolly Equipment Instructions
There are a few things to note before renting a Penske tow dolly:
- Your vehicle must have lockable steering. Check your owner’s manual if unsure.
- Tow dolly cannot be used to tow mid- or rear-engine mounted vehicles.
- Vehicles with a low front end or air dams may not have enough ground clearance to drive up the tow dolly platform.
- Tow dolly must be attached to truck before loading your vehicle onto your Penske rental tow dolly.
- Your vehicle must be centered with its front end on the tow dolly facing forward. Never back a vehicle onto a tow dolly.
- Rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles must have drive shaft disconnected and removed. Consult your auto dealer.
- Do not load possessions, people or pets in your towed vehicle.
- Do not attempt to back up your rental truck with the tow dolly attached. Severe damage to your vehicle and the tow dolly will result. If backing up is necessary, remove your vehicle from the tow dolly, then unhook the tow dolly from the truck and move separately.
The tow dolly may only be used with a Penske rental truck. When used properly, the tow dolly provides a safe and effective way to transport your vehicle. Contact your local Penske rep if you have any questions.
Take a moment to view our instructional video to see how Penske towing equipment can make your move easier.
View 56K Windows Media video.
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Tow Dolly Load Limitations
| Towed vehicle at widest point: |
74 inches |
| Minimum width: |
42 inches inside of tires |
| Maximum weight: |
4,300 pounds |
Refer to the
tire size chart for more details. If you are unsure of your tire size, it is noted on the side of the tire, or just ask a Penske rep for assistance.
Hookup of Your Tow Dolly to Your Truck
Your Penske rep will hook up the tow dolly to your truck at the time of rental. However, if it is necessary for you to disconnect the tow dolly to load your truck, follow the instructions below to reattach the tow dolly.
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The coupler-locking device must be in the full open position. Place the coupler of the tow dolly over the two-inch hitchball on your rental truck. Be sure the coupler is fully seated down over the hitchball.
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Completely lock the coupler. If the tow dolly is equipped with a lever-type coupler, the lever must be in the down position and the locking pin inserted. If equipped with a handwheel-type coupler, completely tighten the handwheel. When finished, pull up on the tow dolly coupler to be sure it is properly secured.
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If your tow dolly is equipped with color-coded wires, connect them to the corresponding color-coded posts on the truck’s electrical box. If your tow dolly is equipped with a single flat electrical plug, insert plug into the receptacle in truck’s electrical box. Check for proper operation.
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Crisscross the safety chains/cables from the tongue of the tow dolly. Pass through eyelets on your truck and attach the hook to the safety chain. Allow slack in the chains for movement during turns.
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Loading Your Vehicle onto the Tow Dolly
It is your responsibility to hook up your vehicle to the tow dolly. Penske is not responsible for any damage to a towed vehicle. Consult your insurance carrier before towing a vehicle or talk to your Penske rep about the Penske Towing Insurance plan available with any towing equipment rental.
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Be sure that your truck and tow dolly are lined up straight on level ground. Also, make sure that the tow dolly platform is straight.
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Remove safety pin on the tie-down ratchet assembly and unroll the tire straps. Place ratchet handle in the down position.
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Lay tire straps along fender side of the tow dolly, off of the tire platform.
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Release the platform locking pin and allow the tow dolly platform to tilt back.
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With someone safely guiding you, slowly drive the front end of your vehicle onto the tow dolly until the front tires are resting against the tow dolly wheel stops. As you drive your vehicle onto the tow dolly, the platform will go into the upright position. NEVER BACK UP YOUR VEHICLE ONTO A TOW DOLLY.
Sign on tow dolly is reversed so it can be seen correctly in rearview mirror.
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Make certain that your vehicle is centered on the tow dolly platform, because the platform swivels during turns. Adequate space is required between the tow dolly fenders and your vehicle.
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Replace the platform locking pin to the locked position.
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For safety reasons, engage the parking brake on your vehicle while loading onto the tow dolly, and place transmission in low gear (standard) or park (automatic).
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Center the tie-down ratchets in front of the towed vehicle’s tires and pull the tire straps forward over the tires, arranging for a secure fit.
Sign on tow dolly is reversed so it can be seen correctly in rearview mirror.
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Tighten each tire strap securely by pulling up and down on the tow dolly ratchet handle as many times as necessary. Tire straps should fit snugly against the tires, with no slack. Be sure the strap on the inside of the tire does not come in contact with any brake or suspension parts.
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Insert safety pin and attach safety clip with ratchet handle in down position.
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Hook up the safety chains from the tow dolly platform to the frame of your vehicle directly above the area where chains are mounted on the tow dolly. Allow slight slack in the chains to provide for suspension movement on the towed vehicle while traveling.
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Disconnect and remove the drive shaft on your vehicle if it is rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Consult your auto dealer if you are uncertain about the above. Towing a vehicle using a tow dolly without disconnecting the drive shaft will damage your vehicle’s transmission, even if the transmission is placed in neutral.
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The parking brake must be released on your vehicle before traveling. Be sure the steering is locked in the straight position, with the wheels pointed straight ahead.
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Remove your keys from the ignition and lock your vehicle.
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Check the towing system after hookup and tow about 100 feet, then stop and perform a safety check. Check the bolts, safety chains/cables, coupler, ramps, tire straps and other items to make sure they are in the right position and secure. Repeat the safety check after the first five miles and then every 50 miles thereafter.
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Your vehicle is now safely connected and ready for travel.
CHECK THE TOW DOLLY BOLTS, COUPLER, SAFETY CHAINS, ELECTRICAL HOOKUP, AND TIRE STRAPS AFTER THE FIRST
FIVE MILES OF TRAVEL AND THEN EVERY
50 MILES THEREAFTER.
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Unloading Your Vehicle from the Tow Dolly
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Park your rental truck and tow dolly straight and on level ground.
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Fully apply the parking brakes on your Penske rental truck and your towed vehicle. Reinstall the drive shaft on rear-wheel, four-wheel or all-wheel drive towed vehicles.
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Remove tire straps and safety chains from towed vehicle, placing the ratchet handle in the down position.
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Release the tow dolly platform locking pin.
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Release the parking brake on the towed vehicle.
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Slowly back your vehicle off the tow dolly platform to prevent the bottom of the vehicle from contacting ramps. If the drive shaft was removed from your vehicle for towing, check the transmission fluid level, as it may have leaked during your trip.
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Return the tow dolly platform to the up position and engage the platform locking pin.
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Take up excess slack of the tire straps in tie-down ratchet assembly and replace safety chains back in the storage position.
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