Converter Dolly FAQs www.silvereaglemfg.com 1-800-547-6792

Converter Dolly Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs) Oct 2006

Aren’t all converter dollies pretty much the same? No – Just like class 8 trucks and semi-trailers, attention to detail can mean big operating differences. Materials, priming and painting, plumbing, hose and electrical routing, fit and finish, suspension design, counterbalancing, frame design, weight, ease of repair/maintenance….all add up to major impacts over the life of the converter dolly. The converter dolly is the steering axle of the second and third trailer – it warrants more thought and attention than it usually gets.

Why the upside down suspension on the Silver Eagle Eagle VA? That won’t work… The transverse leaf spring design works better than a conventional suspension on the converter dolly, and has since the forties. It is the design of choice at UPS, SYSCO, several FedEx operations, and many others. There are two primary reasons it’s better – 1) it lessens the distance between the trailer’s center of gravity and the suspension’s “pivot point”, making the trailer more stable and more resistant to roll over, and 2) it allows the use of a cambered axle that is toed in and laser-aligned to the center of the lunette eye, allowing up to 20% more tire life and a reduction in trailer rearward amplification, or “whip”. You’ll really notice the difference in triples and in a crosswind. Silver Eagle is the only dolly today of this design (although Utility made a version in the 60s – they are not related in any way).

Is the transverse leaf (Eagle VA) the only dolly Silver Eagle makes?

Converter Dolly FAQs www.silvereaglemfg.com 1-800-547-6792

No – Silver Eagle manufactures and supports a complete line, one of the few that do. Tandem axle, air ride, Hutch 9700, sliding/multi-position drawbar …Silver Eagle has a model for almost any on-highway dolly requirement.

Why do I need to buy new? Like anything else, technology becomes obsolete. After too long a fleet is most likely spending more to keep up an old piece of equipment than to replace it, and is also running a risk in vehicle performance and safety in areas like braking, corrosion, operator ergonomics, tracking, obsolete parts, regulations….is it really costing less?

Do I need a jack? For a single axle converter dolly with a drawbar less than 88”, not as long as you’re buying a dolly that is counterweighted – not all dollies are. Single axle Silver Eagle dollies are designed with a tongue weight less than 85 lbs -- the maximum under TMC recommended practice. A common complaint of other brands is the effort required to safely move a dolly into position, an issue that affects driver satisfaction, efficiency and workman’s comp claims.

I see a lot of dollies that look neglected

and abused – why? Either they’re past their useful life, aren’t being properly maintained or they weren’t built to last. A little thought and investment up front, as well as regular, periodic maintenance will go a long way. Unlike the power unit, dollies don’t have a driver in them and aren’t

necessarily used in every trip, so they can get “lost” – all the more reason to buy a brand that can stand up for itself.

Can I improve the dolly’s appearance and paint life? If you start out right – Silver Eagle is the ONLY dolly manufacturer in North America that offers electrodeposition (e-coated) primer, a proprietary process that comes from its work with the US military. E-coated primer gives the finish paint up to four times longer life, and works well against the effects of today’s highly corrosive magnesium and calcium chloride de-icing solutions.

Converter Dolly FAQs www.silvereaglemfg.com 1-800-547-6792

I’m avoiding the cost of ABS by refurbishing – smart, h’uh?

If your trailers are ABS, you’re inviting a vehicle handling issue. The converter dolly is the lowest mass vehicle in the combination, therefore has the smallest brake capacity and will lock up first, all things being equal. Now you have your trailers’ steer axle tires locked and the one or two trailers behind it pulsating, creating a potential jackknife scenario – not good.

I see a lot of tire wear on my dollies – anything I can do? Yes – the cause is most likely misalignment (“crabbing”) and suspension slack, both of which can be reduced or even eliminated with the Silver Eagle Eagle VA dolly. The VA has a no slack suspension and an aligned axle that in an independent study showed up to 20% more tire life, and enables the dolly to track “true” to the line between trailers. Tires are the third highest operating expense in a heavy equipment fleet, and you can’t get this improvement anywhere else but Silver Eagle.

We’re often bending our dolly drawbars, and good welders are hard to find – what can I do about it?

Get the Silver Eagle Eagle VA – it uses huck-bolted fasteners and a serviceable lunette eye, allowing individual frame component replacement using readily available grade 8 fasteners. For the most part, you no longer need a welder for your converter dollies, including the eye replacement – you’ll sleep better.

Why would I spend the extra money for LED lights on dollies?

The rear frame on most converter dollies takes a good deal of punishment, especially if you tow them unloaded – LED lights will last much longer than incandescent lighting in this position.

What’s the right drawbar length for my fleet? It depends upon many factors, including kingpin settings, pintle hook placement, reefers and tailgates if used, tandem or single trailer axles, wide or narrow track, and more. Your best bet is to pull off measurements from an existing unit and work with a dolly expert such as Silver Eagle. Bonus -- if you spec Silver Eagle’s VA and you miscalculate by a couple of inches or your needs change, a simple procedure allows you to adjust the drawbar length without additional parts or welding. Again, only on Silver Eagle.

Converter Dolly FAQs www.silvereaglemfg.com 1-800-547-6792

Why is there so much valving required on a dolly? For the most part, regulation for converter dollies follows semi –trailers, and the dolly’s air braking system has to perform similarly under certain conditions but without spring brake chambers. Brake timing and air pressure loss through the length of a triples combination also play a role.

How long should a dolly last? Most fleets expect 15-20 years, although one customer’s analysis shows the costs outweighing the benefits after 8 years.

Can I rent/lease a dolly? Silver Eagle does neither, rather working with most of the major rental and leasing operations such as Ryder, Penske, and TIP.

My drivers could complain about the effort and the additional handling dollies require….? Fair enough – make it as easy as possible on them by specing a dolly that takes their needs into consideration. Balance, weight, handling, performance, reliability, staying clean….all factors in moving dollies around, and Silver Eagle advantages.