These days, making a big purchase is more complicated than ever. That’s why you need to take care of your purchases. 

Take your car tow dolly, for example. Performing routine maintenance on your dolly is paramount. Proper upkeep is the best way to ensure you are getting the most out of your money. At Car Tow Dolly, we offer quality products that give you everything you need for car trailer dollies. Contact us with any questions about our Car Tow Dollies and tow dolly repair!

If you’ve purchased a used car tow dolly, you’ll need to pay close attention to your dolly’s preventative maintenance needs. However, with vigilance and an hour’s worth of work every so often, you can keep your tow dolly like new.

The best way to make sure you’re doing your part is by checking the dolly at least once every two weeks. Over time, bearings will wear out, and tires will go flat. A simple inspection can prevent expensive repairs or even catastrophic accidents.

And like most mechanical tools, it only takes a bit of simple maintenance to keep your investment running smoothly for a million miles. Here are a few tips for implementing tow dolly repair without breaking the bank—or your back.

Car Tow Dolly Repair: Oil Up

It’s hard to overestimate what an inexpensive can of WD-40 or other oil products can do because they do so much. From rust-proofing to squeak-stopping, a thin coat of oil is all it takes to protect the areas of your dolly that are easily prone to dust collection, like in the nooks and crannies around wheels.

The hub itself only needs a maintenance inspection once every five years, though you should make sure you grease the tow dolly wheel bearings once in a while, depending on use. Thankfully, many mechanics can do this easily while they’re working on other areas of your vehicle.

All that the tech needs to do is take out the oil filter, then rub it all around the shaft of your hub. If you want an even coat, extend your dolly’s life expectancy by using a plastic brush and letting it sit overnight before tossing it away.

Make Sure Your Tires Are Properly Inflated

Because car trailer dollies are used for varying purposes, their tire pressure requirements will vary. However, it’s always good to check the air pressure frequently, regardless of what type of tires your tow dolly has or how often you use it.

Even though dolly tires can be hefty, they still require attention to make them last. For example, each tire must maintain a pressure of 90 pounds per square inch. Ensure each lug nut is tight before loading a vehicle. Perform a “cold” check and watch for any leakage.

If the tire is low on air, fill it up before anything else and spend a few minutes doing your best to balance the tire and prevent flat spots. While you’re at it, check your tow dolly wheel bearings.

Remember: do not plug any holes you might find; they should only be repaired by a mechanic or immediately patched up if possible. You can also bring your car dolly into a shop for tire rotation, where they’ll replace the old treads with new ones.

This will help the tire from slipping on the rim and ruining your custom paint job or other exterior finishes. When you’re done, take a look around for any excess fluid dripping down from underneath the engine compartment as well as around the brakes. If you see anything, don’t hesitate to call a mechanic for tow dolly repair.

Wash Your Wheels

Every time you use your tow dolly, it’s going to collect dirt and grime from every surface it comes into contact with. Therefore, a good old-fashioned car wash will do a world of good. If you want to take things a step further, pick up a clay bar and clean the surface of your rims and tires.

Then, take out a bucket and soap to wash away all the leftover debris. If necessary, use a high-pressure hose to blast off any stubborn rust or mud. And get rid of that dirt under the fenders—it’s like an old house hiding termites; it will just come back to haunt you.

When you’re finished, dry off your entire tow dolly with a clean towel or soft cloth—even the hidden spaces where water tends to get trapped if possible. And make sure to check for corrosion under all metal flaps before putting everything away!

Check Wiring

Even during short trips, wires can become loose or frayed by the elements and normal wear and tear. Check every visible inch of your wiring for frays or splits. Remember, you’re checking for potential problems in addition to existing ones. That way, you can take proactive measures to prevent a major catastrophe that could have been avoided.

If you experience wire problems out on the road, reinforce the wires with heavy-duty electrical tape until you return home or get to a mechanic. Especially in rainy or precipitous conditions, exposed wires can pose a significant danger to anyone operating car trailer dollies. If you’re unsure how to care for wires, speak to a professional for tow dolly repair.

Learn the Manual

There are three users’ manuals to reference for tow dolly repair and maintenance with every Acme EZE-TOW car dolly. These books contain vital information you’ll need to keep your dolly in shape for years and years, including the best ways to handle the dolly. Even though it weighs less than competitors’ models, it’s still a few hundred pounds of metal and can injure you if you’re not careful.

Pay attention to the details and recommended maintenance schedule for the maximum benefit at the lowest cost for tow dolly repair.

Depending on how you treat your car tow dolly and what type of use it gets, you may not have to do detailed maintenance. However, if you beat it up and use it weekly, there may be other things you could do to keep your tow dolly running smoothly.

The gist of this advice is simple: take care of your investment, and you won’t be spending extra money in the future on something you could have easily prevented.

Do A Basic Inspection for Car Tow Dolly Repair Before Storage

If you know how to use a wrench and ratchet, this part is easy. Take off your tow dollies wheel, then inspect the brake drum for nicks or other damage that might cause problems during travel. If there are none, put it back on with new washers if necessary.

After that, take an old towel and wipe off any excess oil or other fluids on the axle. Now check out your dolly’s frame; it should be free of dents and rust by now. You can also use a flashlight to check for cracks that might turn into problems down the road, including the tow dolly wheel bearings and corrosion in hard-to-reach areas.

Remember, a tow dolly is only as good as its weakest point! And never forget to clean up any stray debris before putting everything away! When you’re finished, use a new cotter pin to fasten the wheels and store them in an open, dry environment.

Storage Concerns

When you don’t plan on using your tow dolly for a considerable amount of time, proper storage is required to prevent any rusting or depreciation through lack of use. Before you store your dolly, hose down and wash the surface like you would with any automobile.

Store it in a clean place as well. Don’t let it sit in puddles of oil or mud or where rats and squirrels like to make nests and chew wires and other vital components. Be mindful of the tires; given enough time, they’ll begin to dry rot like any other piece of rubber.

Once you remove your dolly from storage, do a sound check of the electrical system and the joints and bearings before loading it up with thousands of pounds of automobile ballast. And then recheck the entire dolly while it’s under stress to assess a need for tow dolly repairs. You may find something you missed before.

Know When To Replace

Now that we’ve discussed tow dolly repair, how can you tell if it requires replacement? Checking your dolly for rust can be a little bit more challenging. All you need is an old screwdriver, some sandpaper, and something to check the surface of your dolly with—like that same flashlight you used when checking if there was any oil on the hubs.

If there are signs of rust, you can be assured that your car tow dolly is due for a replacement. This is the case if there are chips in the metal or large spots of rust on any part of the structure.

Of course, it’s not always possible to tell when a tire needs to be replaced by using these methods—which is why checking things like air pressure and tread depth is essential.

Of course, a visual inspection can only tell you so much. That’s why you should take your car tow dolly to a mechanic every year for inspections and tune-ups. They will be able to do everything from replacing tires to fixing brake lights and signals to making sure your dolly is still structurally sound.

By following these relatively easy car tow dolly repair tips, you can keep your investment in top shape for years to come—which means more money in your pocket and fewer headaches.

At Car Tow Dolly, we pride ourselves in making top-quality car trailer dollies that last for years to come. If you’re planning an expedition, our impressive dollies will improve your journey and give you more options on the road. Check out our catalog to get started on your next trip!