Well, I finally bought a tow dolly...

Can't use them in MA for junk/scrap cars
Since the vehicle on the Dolly's touching the ground
it needs to have a current Registration

So unless you have a Repair plate to put on the scrap, Not legal >> and the Troopers are only too happy to explain that to you.

If they are in a good mood, they will allow you to get off at the next exit
Or if in a town, to park it
OTHERWISE >> They call the next hook in line to come and get it

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

So, hypothetically, if I were to throw some sort of plate on it I shouldn't have a problem.

Here in MA, You would still need a current Registration for the vehicle on the dolly
even if the dolly has a plate
Because the vehicle is touching the ground

Couple years ago a guy purchased a car from me on eBay
Came from New York with a Dolly
Picked the car up from me and I got a call from him about an hour later
Seems he made it a mile and a half from me and was about to get on the highway 495
Was pulled over by the locals for the dolly and no plate on the car BUT had a warrant out for child support to go along with the illegal tow
They arrested him and towed everything
He wanted nothing to do with using a Dolly in Ma again, I met him the next day at the tow yard
he bailed out his truck, Dolly and Car
I loaded the car and he followed me the 155 miles to the State line on Route 90
I off loaded the car at the truck stop at the first exit in NY and he put on his Dolly
Not the way I like to make money, BUT it was a nice payday for me

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

So four cars now with the tow dolly. In those four cars I have learned:

1.) Always ask before going if the tires are all inflated and present.
2.) Always carry a tank to inflate tires, because people lie or don't know that their tires are low.
3.) Inspect the car for completeness before buying. (One had the cat removed and I discovered it at my shop.)
4.) Look up values of things. My guys didn't want to remove taillights on the 86 Cougar because it was too old. I said let me check. On eBay completed listings show a minimum of $50 each. Yeah, remove the friggin' taillights!
5.) Catalytic convertors have a WIDE range of values and I deal with a buyer who explains the differences to me. It pays to have a good relationship with your buyers!
6.) They are a great place to throw shred items and save yourself trips to the yard!
7.) I found a buyer who will give me higher value than the scrap yard for aluminum rims.
8.) Same buyer will also buy the tires!
9.) Put a winch on the dolly and save your back and your strength.

I'm sure more will occur to me later!

Good advice. I'll add, I always carry a 12v air compressor as well, just in case the air tank isn't quite enough. I've also learned to carry a jack and a 4-way wheel wrench, just in case you have to swap rims around.

Originally Posted by sledge42

Speaking of trailers/dolly etc. I figured the laws would be pretty easy to find online, I have spent the last hour scouring Google looking for laws in my state in regards to trailer requirements, sparce information out there. Does anyone have a definitive site that actually has each states trailer laws and requirements? I run a 16ft Car Hauler, I have my rig as legal as I am aware of it to be (i.e. Breakaway, all lights re-wired and functional, brakes on all 4 wheels of the trailer, safety chains are now long enough to do criss-cross etc) but even on my state BMV website I have not found any listing as to the legality of what REQUIREMENTS are. Anyone have a good source?

Maybe look into commercial safety requirements...

Here in ar you could tag that as a homemade trailer.

Yes, I know what you mean. I think if you're worried about it, you should follow commercial requirements. I don't know if you have a licensed business or not, but you're hauling as a business would. Maybe a local tow yard would have some advice.

Here in NC, lest on my sandbar..they don't sweat you to much for it. Seeing as I had to have my mechanic tow me the other day, an he used a dolly similar to yours Burly. Both of the rear wheels of my vehicle were touching the ground.

It started my vacation early, work will be done while I'm gone. Heh.

Tater, you could always try the GoJack wheel dollies, the impound guys use..lol. Slide them suckers under the rear wheels, front on a wheel lift/dolly. This is what the tow guys use up in Va, where I have family work. Mainly for impounds and the like. Then again..I've seen some of them roads in KS you guys have, heh. So might not be the best option for you after all.

Sirscrapalot - Wheels on the dolly go round and round..

Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

Both of the rear wheels of my vehicle were touching the ground.

If it is your daily driver and was registered
Then it would not be a problem

It all my years, I have never picked up a junk car that was still registered