towing 91 Dakota backwards on Dolly

[Ednj]

Your question was, towing 91 Dakota backwards on Dolly

Anybody done the above any problems or troubles to watch for??

I have a "Stehl Tow dolly, http://www.stehltow.com/ and in the
Owners manual it says to never tow a car backwards on the dolly,
And always leave the steering unlocked or the lock will brake.

I don't know why maybe someone here could send them an e-mail and ask, then post the reply.

I do know that when I'm towing a car on the dolly and make a turn not only does the platform turn but so does the steering wheel on the toad.

[larryh]

I've had quite a few emails directly asking how we turned etc I won't say we can make a true 90 degree turn but close and I will post the company's web site where you can view pictures  how they turn etc  and yes we can park in adjacent sites  LOL enjoy the link.
http://diamondheavyhaul.com/convoy.htm

[HighTechRedneck]

Another factor that could come into play pulling the toad backwards would be if it has radial tires.  I've always understood that once a radial tire had been settled in, it is dangerous to put it in a position that would reverse its rotation direction (other than just backing up a little of course) because it could cause instability and early tire failure.  This is why radial tires are swapped front to back rather than the traditional 5 point rotation of bias ply tires when rotating the tires.

[kyle4501]

Another factor that could come into play pulling the toad backwards would be if it has radial tires.  I've always understood that once a radial tire had been settled in, it is dangerous to put it in a position that would reverse its rotation direction (other than just backing up a little of course) because it could cause instability and early tire failure.  This is why radial tires are swapped front to back rather than the traditional 5 point rotation of bias ply tires when rotating the tires.

Man, that's an old wives tale! 

The torque transmitted thru the tire is reversed every time you change from acceleration to braking. So rolling forward or backward makes no real difference as far as the tire goes.

My 95 GMC suburban shows rotating the tires in a cross pattern that swaps sides (changing rotation direction) when going from front to rear & the rears move straight to the front.

[HighTechRedneck]

Man, that's an old wives tale! 

The torque transmitted thru the tire is reversed every time you change from acceleration to braking. So rolling forward or backward makes no real difference as far as the tire goes.

My 95 GMC suburban shows rotating the tires in a cross pattern that swaps sides (changing rotation direction) when going from front to rear & the rears move straight to the front.

Just goes to show, learning is a never ending process.  That was taught as absolute fact for many years and it was reflected in tire rotation instructions in manuals for years.  But I just did a Google search and found a document by the NHTSA confirming that the criss cross approach is advised for all tires now.

[wrench]

(I tow my Mercedes-Benz Turbodiesel that has a drivetrain disconnect on it). 
  Tom, can I know what disconnect are you using, brand, model?
             thanks   wrench