Demco GT300 - User Manual

Need help?

Do you have a question about the Demco GT300 and is the answer not in the manual?

Overview

Function Description
Important Technical Specifications
Usage Features
Maintenance Features

The Demco Rent-A-Kaddy GT300, GT300SB & RK300 is a tow dolly designed for transporting vehicles behind a motorhome or other towing vehicle. It is manufactured by Dethmers Manufacturing Company.

Function Description:

The primary function of the Rent-A-Kaddy tow dolly is to provide a safe and convenient method for towing a vehicle with its front wheels on the dolly and its rear wheels on the ground. This allows for the transportation of vehicles without accumulating mileage on the towed vehicle's odometer. The GT300 and GT300SB models are designed for front-wheel-drive vehicles, while the RK300 model is suitable for rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive vehicles. The tow dolly is equipped with features to ensure secure loading, towing, and braking.

Important Technical Specifications:

Maximum Tire Width: 42 inches
Minimum Tread Width: 46 inches
Maximum Towing Speed: 55 MPH (Do not exceed 55 MPH)
Weight Limits: Exceeding weight limitations or not using a towing vehicle larger and at least 1,000 lbs. heavier than the tow dolly and the towed vehicle combined can result in loss of towing vehicle control, separation of the tow dolly from the towing vehicle, or separation of the towed vehicle from the tow dolly, causing severe personal injury, death, or property damage.
Towing Vehicle Requirements: The towing vehicle must be at least 1,000 lbs. heavier than the tow dolly and the towed vehicle combined.
Tow Dolly Weight:
- GT300: 430 lbs. max.
- GT300SB: 450 lbs. max.
- RK300: 480 lbs. max.
Wheel Base (GT300/GT300SB): Minimum 48 inches, Maximum 76 inches.
Wheel Base (RK300): Minimum 48 inches, Maximum 76 inches.
Brake System: 10" self-adjusting brake cluster and drum. The DA91 Actuator is used for the brake system.
Tire Size: 5.5 x 14" Rim (Optional Spare Tire)
Electrical System: The tow dolly includes wiring for tail lights, turn signals, and brake lights, connecting to the towing vehicle's electrical system.

Usage Features:

Loading Instructions:
1. Park the towing vehicle and tow dolly on a level surface.
2. Chock the towing vehicle's wheels and engage the parking brake.
3. Lower the tow dolly ramps and secure them.
4. Drive the vehicle onto the tow dolly, ensuring the front wheels are centered on the ramps.
5. Secure the towed vehicle using the provided tie-down straps and safety chains.
6. Raise and secure the ramps.
7. Connect the tow dolly's electrical plug to the towing vehicle.
Towing:
- Always drive at a safe speed relative to local conditions and ensure that your speed is low enough for an emergency stop. Do not exceed 55 M.P.H.
- Reduce speed prior to turns to avoid risk of overturning.
- Always keep towing vehicle in gear to provide engine braking when going downhill. Do not coast.
- Do not drink and drive!
- Comply with state and local laws governing highway safety.
- Local laws should be checked for all highway lighting and marking requirements.
- Plan your route to avoid heavy traffic.
- Be a safe and courteous driver. Always yield to oncoming traffic in all situations, including narrow bridges, intersections, etc.
- Watch for obstructions overhead and to both sides while transporting.
- Operate with maximum visibility at all times. Make allowances for increased length and weight of Rent-A-Kaddy when making turns and stopping.
Unloading:
1. Park the towing vehicle and tow dolly on a level surface.
2. Chock the towing vehicle's wheels and engage the parking brake.
3. Disconnect the tow dolly's electrical plug.
4. Lower the tow dolly ramps and secure them.
5. Remove the tie-down straps and safety chains from the towed vehicle.
6. Drive the vehicle off the tow dolly.
7. Raise and secure the ramps.
Optional Accessories:
- Winch: An optional winch (1400 capacity) can be installed for easier loading of vehicles.
- Tool Box: An optional tool box provides storage for tools and accessories.
- Spare Tire and Mount: An optional spare tire and mounting bracket are available.
- Wheel Jack: An optional wheel jack can be used for leveling or maintenance.
- Light Bar: An optional light bar provides additional visibility and compliance with lighting regulations.

Maintenance Features:

Pre-Operation Check:
- Carefully study and understand the manual.
- Keep wheel and lug nuts tightened to specified torque.
- Assure tires are inflated evenly.
- Give unit a visual inspection for any loose bolts, worn parts, or cracked welds, and make necessary repairs.
- Be sure there are no tools lying on or in Rent-A-Kaddy.
- Do not use unit until you are sure that area is clear, especially around children and animals.
- Don't hurry learning process or take unit for granted. Ease into it and become familiar with your new Rent-A-Kaddy.
- Practice operation of your Rent-A-Kaddy and its attachments. Completely familiarize yourself and other operators with its operation before using.
- Make sure that brakes are evenly adjusted (if equipped with brakes).
- Securely attach to towing vehicle. Use an appropriately sized and rated hitch ball and attach safety chains.
- Do not allow anyone to stand between tongue or hitch and towing vehicle when backing up to unit.
- Make sure tow rating on vehicle is high enough for what it is towing.
Torque Specifications: Regularly check and tighten all bolts to the specified torque values provided in the manual (refer to the "BOLT TORQUE" section for detailed tables).
Tire Safety:
- Failure to follow proper procedures when mounting a tire on a rim can produce an explosion which may result in serious injury or death.
- Do not attempt to mount a tire unless you have proper equipment and experience to do the job.
- Inflating or servicing tires can be dangerous. Whenever possible, trained personnel should be called to service and/or mount tires.
- Rent-A-Kaddy tires must be inflated to recommended P.S.I. See decal on Rent-A-Kaddy for correct pressure.
- Always order and install tires and wheels with appropriate type and load capacity to meet or exceed gross weight of unit.
Brake System Maintenance:
- The first requirement for safe, sure hydraulic braking is the use of proper brake fluid. Use only DOT-3 or DOT-4 brake fluid from a sealed container.
- If pressure bleeding equipment is available, follow the manufacturer's instruction in bleeding the system.
- If system must be bled manually, proceed as follows: Fill master cylinder with fluid. Install bleeder hose on first wheel cylinder to be bled.
- Have loose end of hose submerged in brake fluid in glass container to observe bubbling.
- By loosening the bleeder screw located in the wheel cylinder one turn, the system is open to the atmosphere through the passage drilled in the screw. Pump actuator with long steady strokes. The bleeding operation is completed when bubbles no longer rise to the surface of the fluid. Be sure to close bleeder screw securely.
- Repeat bleeding operation at each wheel cylinder. During the bleeding process, replenish the brake fluid, so the level does not fall below the 1/2 full level in the master cylinder reservoir. After bleeding is complete, make sure master cylinder reservoir is filled and filler cap is securely in place.
- After the bleeding operation has been completed, apply pressure to the system and check the whole brake system for leaks.
General Maintenance:
- Good maintenance is your responsibility. Poor maintenance is an invitation to trouble.
- Make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Never operate engine of towing vehicle in a closed building. Exhaust fumes may cause asphyxiation.
- Before working on Rent-A-Kaddy, stop towing vehicle, set parking brake, turn off engine and remove ignition key.
- Always block wheels and never use a jack as sole support.
- Always use proper tools or equipment for job at hand.
- Use extreme caution when making adjustments.
- Follow torque chart in this manual when tightening bolts and nuts.
- Openings in skin and minor cuts are susceptible to infection from brake fluid. Without immediate medical treatment, serious infection and reactions can occur.
- After servicing, be sure all tools, parts and service equipment are removed.
- Do not allow grease or oil to build up on any step or platform.
- When replacing bolts, refer to owners manual for proper size and grade.
- Refer to bolt torque chart for head identification marking.
- Where replacement parts are necessary for periodic maintenance and servicing, genuine factory replacement parts must be used to restore your Rent-A-Kaddy to original specifications. Manufacturer will not claim responsibility for use of unapproved parts and/or accessories or other damages as a result of their use.
- If Rent-A-Kaddy has been altered in any way from original design, manufacturer does not accept any liability for injury or warranty.
- A fire extinguisher and first aid kit should be kept readily accessible while performing maintenance on this Rent-A-Kaddy.