33x12.5's on a penske tow dolly

[frobuster]

We're moving cross cousntry and renting a penske truck and dolly. I have a 40 on 33x12.5" tires. There are several threads on this very similar scenario, I figured I do this one also to keep the idea fresh, and to label it as I would search for it.

I want to be clear here, I've done the research and I don't want everyone telling me to use a trailer, or to flat tow it or whatever, this is a quick and specific thread on how I get the 40 secured to a tow dolly that has basket straps designed to fit smaller tires.

1) I have read and agree with Liam and Travis on other similar threads
2) there's also a guy on a -eep forum that lit my idea light (a real aha that was easy moment)
3) I have 15 years experience professional towing all classes of vehicles and I'm hopefully posting this as a semi professional recource for others to safely secure large tired vehicles to a dolly.

Most important anyone with any ideas or questions please chime in, I just wanted to clarify the thread and have a cool discussion with pictures about this rather than rants.

 

[frobuster]

Honestly though there is still a chance for failure, some people have commented about sway, if the 40 starts wagging, well yes I'm screwed and will have to switch to a trailer. I also forgot to include the one of the primary reasons for starting a whole new thread is to get some good, close up pictures of how we can run the straps. If anyone has pics please post em up

 

[barefoot]

Have you thought about buying some cheap Chevy wheels w/ used small tires for the front? (Put the 40's front tires in the truck)

 

[frobuster]

Yeh i have, unfortunately I'm just too lazy, cheap and stubborn.

Update: my 40 has 4 wheel discs and a driveline drum parking brake between the t-case and rear driveline, so i will be pulling the rear shaft entirely (replacing the bolts back into the drum to hold that all together). So i will have 100% usage of front wheel drive and a parking brake (font wheels only) .

 

[FJsnoozer]

I would buy a dead set of wheels and tires to roll it up on there. I worked for penske, and the key is going to be the space and that straps ability to go over the tire and hold it within the wheel chock.


I also recommend the 26 footer. Same truck as the 22 footer, just more space which makes a huge difference. Request the international and not a GMC if at all possible. The GMC is bizzare. Its more plush, but it is like someone put a tahoe cab up in the air on a box truck.

 

[frobuster]

Thanks snooze, if i must, i'll just get some roller tire/wheels. Trying to avoid it, i really think we'll be fine with the 22' but hey i'll. Ask if they have one too. As far as Chevy-vs-IH, maybe ill ask about that too, i've seen my share of duramax woes, and still weary of it. But that's a whole other thread should be getting the truck/dolly this Saturday.

 

[frobuster]

Ok, the joke is on me, feel to edit or delete this thread, i really wanted to inform the public if 33x12.5s would fit in penske dolly straps. The problem is penske did not have a dolly and gave me a carrier instead. I can however salvage the thread by getting some close ups of the strap system on this particular carrier, and photo journal what I do.

First thing i did is to see if i could pull the straps entirely out of their ratchets or not. It took a little fenangling, but yes the straps can be pulled out of the ratchet.
Second: I grabbed my spare to see how much too short the straps would be; vualla! The straps were fine! (Ok, not much to spare, but they could be used as is, without detatching anything). They not only fit, but i was able to finesse them around the tire without pulling them out of their ratchets.

 

[frobuster]

Epic fail on my part to post pictures. But here's my advice, pay the extra $150.00 for the carrier! Think for just a moment about your cruiser coming loose on a car dolly, the tow bill, repair bills, and god forbid it hurts someone else. Leila my cruiser came out of her sraps the first night; it was icy, snowing, nasty nightime driving. We arrived in farmington, only then did i have any clue that she was floating freely on top of the trailer with her parking brake on and the safetys still in place. After pulling her fully forward against the front chocks, she stayed in the straps just fine through cabbage and snowqualmie passes which were snowy too.

 

[MOfj40]

Epic fail on my part to post pictures. But here's my advice, pay the extra $150.00 for the carrier! Think for just a moment about your cruiser coming loose on a car dolly, the tow bill, repair bills, and god forbid it hurts someone else. Leila my cruiser came out of her sraps the first night; it was icy, snowing, nasty nightime driving. We arrived in farmington, only then did i have any clue that she was floating freely on top of the trailer with her parking brake on and the safetys still in place. After pulling her fully forward against the front chocks, she stayed in the straps just fine through cabbage and snowqualmie passes which were snowy too.

Towed my 40 home on a Penske car carrier. 40 was 2.5" lift with 33x10.50 boggers. Ratchet tie downs fit with plenty of room to spare.

Definitely worth the few extra dollars for carrier vs dolly.