If you’ve been using the Acme EZE-TOW dolly, you may have experienced the ramps popping off of the dolly while loading or unloading your car. For some reason, the ramp hooks bounce out of the dollys loops and the ramp(s) fall to the ground.
EZE Tow representatives state you must load / unload on a hard surface such as asphalt or concrete.
I routinely load / unload on soft surfaces such as packed gravel and dirt, and the ramps have popped off a couple times. This seems to happen when loading/unloading, and the car bounces up / down or forward/backward, and the dolly is jerking around a little.
I wanted a solution to this problem that would allow me to continue to use the dolly on soft surfaces and eliminate the risk of the ramps popping off. The solution I came up with is inexpensive, easy to install, doesn’t change the structural integrity or design of the ramp, and only requires one minor step when installing / removing the ramps.
I ordered two of these latches from Nuera Trailer Parts ($7 each). These latches have a 1/2 inch spring loaded pin. The latch also has a “locked open” position where the pin is held retracted. A small twist of the handle then releases the pin to its extended position.
Installing the latches on the ramps.
I used one latch per ramp, and welded the latches to the inside of ramps side rails.
To install, release the latch so the pin is extended all the way. Slide the latch inside the side rail, and move it forward until the pin touches the ramp hook.
Securing the latch to the ramp – You can drill holes to either rivet or bolt / nut the latch into place, or do as I did, spot weld on the edges and the holes to hold the latch in place. Clean the welds and a little shot of aluminum paint to clean it up.
Installing the ramps on the dolly using the latches.
Always wear gloves when dealing with these ramps as they have some very sharp edges.
I put the ramps on the dolly so the latch pin is toward the outside. This way its easy to reach when I remove the ramps.
Always wear gloves when handling the ramps, they have some very sharp edges..
Pull the spring loaded latch open (the pin is retracted) and turn the lever so it faces down. This will hold the latch open.
Place the ramp hooks on the dolly, reach under the ramp and release the latch. The latch pin will slide forward and prevent the ramp from unhooking.
To remove the ramp, you need to reach under the ramp and pull the latch backward as you lift the ramp out of the dolly loops.