can you take off a tow dolly with car attached

[DiSilas]

Yes, you can take off a tow dolly with the car still attached, but it is a multi-step process that requires careful preparation to avoid damaging the vehicles or causing injury. The key is to first safely support the towed car's weight before disconnecting the dolly. This is a common procedure when you need to park the towed vehicle separately from the tow vehicle and dolly.

The safest method involves using jack stands and wheel chocks. Never rely solely on a hydraulic or scissor jack to hold the car's weight for an extended period. After positioning the entire rig on a flat, solid surface, place chocks firmly against the tow vehicle's tires and the towed car's front tires (which are on the dolly). Then, carefully raise the towed car's rear end with a floor jack and place jack stands under its solid frame points. Once the rear is secure, you can lower the dolly's jack to detach it from the tow vehicle. The dolly will now be supporting the front of the car, and the jack stands are supporting the rear.

Critical Safety Considerations:

• Surface: Always perform this on a level, paved surface like concrete or asphalt. Soft ground or a slope is extremely dangerous.
• Weight Support: The towed car's rear axle is not designed to bear the entire vehicle's weight without suspension support. Using jack stands is non-negotiable.
• Reconnection: Reattaching the dolly is the reverse process. Ensure the dolly is perfectly aligned before pulling the towed car's rear wheels back onto the road and removing the jack stands.

Step	Action	Key Tool	Safety Tip
1	Park on a level, solid surface and engage parking brakes.	-	Chock all wheels that are on the ground.
2	Raise the towed car's rear with a floor jack.	Floor Jack	Lift from a designated frame point, not the axle or body panels.
3	Place jack stands under the rear frame.	Jack Stands	Use stands rated for the vehicle's weight. Double-check they are locked.
4	Lower the floor jack until the car rests on the stands.	-	Gently shake the car to test stability.
5	Lower the dolly's jack to disconnect it from the tow vehicle.	Dolly Jack	The dolly remains under the car's front tires.
6	Slowly pull the tow vehicle and dolly away.	-	Have a spotter guide you to avoid hitting the parked car.

[LeAugust]

I've done this plenty of times in my driveway. You absolutely can, but don't just drop the dolly and drive off. The trick is to get the back of the towed car up on jack stands first. That takes the weight off the dolly's connection to your truck. Then you can lower the dolly's own jack and unhook it. Just make sure you're on flat, solid ground and have chocks behind the tires. It’s a straightforward 10-minute job if you take it slow.