Tow All Dolly

The video is no longer available but this link will show it connected to various vehicles.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=%22tow+all%22+dolly+%22&id=2D4AE6AA258025DF2AD7E12456856CD07678D22B&FORM=IQFRBA

My take after 30 years as an owner operator is its dangerous. Not only because you have a heavy trailer pushing the dolly but also because the smaller trailer (dolly) should be the last attachment. Also the argument re the CDL pup verses the dolly, the dolly is connected to the tow vehicle with one hook up point as is the RV on the dolly. So the question of sway and stability is higher with the dolly than a commercial Pup..

I also have problems with people connecting trailers of any kind to the back of another trailer. I see many 3/4 tons towing a 5th wheel with a trailer carrying quads.. How the hell they stop is beyond me!! Plus it urks me that I have to have a medical and follow all the rules and can be fined for anything the enforcement official decides. Now when you take into account the age of most RV'ers I ask should a annual medical be required and a RV lisense showing compitance to operate the vehicle ??

At least they have taken the YouTube video down.

kimberlysmoore wrote:
Im sort of confused by all the responses.
First off, keep it in little girl terms for me, all the technical s..t just mucks up the point for me. Weve been in a 34 foot rig for years full time, I pulled an mpv for the first year then gave it away to a vet because I wasnt using it enough for the hassle, so 54' of tow length. Up and down mountains, all over the coast...whatever the road we didnt have any issues.Our rig and generator got totally smashed up by a drunk driver last year and it left us essentially homeless while we (continue to) battle this out in court. In this time Ive realized how much better it might be to have vehicle separate from live-in rig.
But we have a big family if you count the pets too so a heavy heavy heavy duty van or a massive king cab truck is our only option for hitting the road. 4 adults (sometimes 5) and a 6 month old. Now add 3 kayakes, 3 bikes, 1 recumbent trike, and a wheelchair. Several items of which need to be easily accessible to me (handicapped) without assistance to get them "on and off" the rig.
We have been looking at this tow dolly as an option for a few things.
? Is it a good option if we go a 5th wheel and a massively heavy duty van or truck or are we asking for full time trouble? I like the idea of the bed of the truck having space for a few things like my recumbent.
? How about a massivley heavy duty van or truck and a trailer. Does this tow-all thing make towing a trailer more stable than usual or less?
When I first saw it I thought "cool! Our options are a little broader now" But with all the talk Im starting to wonder.
?plus does anyone know the prices of these things? Every time I call the company I get a recording or a call back with a sales pitch. I just want an estimate so I can sudo budget.

(You) Resurrected a thread that is/was over a year old.
No big deal - but it's already been sufficiently "beat-up"

Suggest you forget the Tow All - and visit the Escapees HDT forum.
An HDT -either tandem or "singled" - will do everything you want AND genuinely ...Tow *ALL* !!

Many of the HDT folks carry a Smart Car behind the sleeper, while towing VERY long/heavy 5th wheels.

Whistles and bells can't be beat - and can be licensed as a MH in most states. *NO* CDL required (as a MH).
Prices vary with the age of the rig, but a fairly new HDT can be had for less than a new pickup.
It will "outlast" you - and has excellent re-sale. :C

While the "Tow All Dolly" might be "cool" to some folks, think anyone who purchases one will have a tough time selling - when/if he decides to part with it..:(

Good luck solving your dilemma.

.

WTP-GC wrote:
This device pops up every so often on this forum...and each time, I have the same thought. My '14 DRW Ram in my sig has a 14K max bumper pool capacity. I've had other trucks that range from 6K to 10K max bumper pull. So while any other vehicle may now be able to tow a 5er from a configuration standpoint, it doesnt mean it can do so from an equipment or capability standpoint.

So I think it's a neat idea that can serve a purpose, but it's purpose is a bit more limited than their advertising suggests.

These attach at 3 points; receiver and both truck frame rails. Spreads the load out a =lot= and will tow a lot more than 10k. I still think they're a neat setup...if you've got the money.

Lyle

This device pops up every so often on this forum...and each time, I have the same thought. My '14 DRW Ram in my sig has a 14K max bumper pool capacity. I've had other trucks that range from 6K to 10K max bumper pull. So while any other vehicle may now be able to tow a 5er from a configuration standpoint, it doesnt mean it can do so from an equipment or capability standpoint.

So I think it's a neat idea that can serve a purpose, but it's purpose is a bit more limited than their advertising suggests.

Just buy a tow-behind! Full of sound and fury; signifying nothing!

To those who are worried about the wiggle of a fiver sitting on a steering axle, the steering mechanism locks over 20 mph.
The one unit I looked at uses an F450 front axle with hubs, brakes, etc. for the dolly axle.
Also, you replace your hitch with their Class 5, three receiver hitch.
The unit I looked at can be found here: http://www.automatedsafetyhitch.com/
I have no idea the exact cost, as there are several options, and their website only has a few prices. I would guess you would be looking at $2,000 to $2,500 easily.

laknox wrote:

rhagfo wrote:

laknox wrote:

cbshoestring wrote:
I read a couple comments under the video. My favorite:

"Sweet! Now I can finally haul my 40' fifth wheel with my Chevy Cavalier! I just need a hitch, then a 1-1/4" to 2" adapter and then the tow all and I'll be set! I'm just kidding everyone, obviously I would use a Geo Metro as the tow vehicle. You know, better MPG and all..." Backwoods223

As a person who is licensed to pull double/triples, this concept scares the ---- out of me. One more wiggle point, hooked to a vehicle that is too small to handle the weight, driven by someone that is trying to cut corners....just buy the correct truck.

It's actually =less= "wiggle point" than your doubles dolly, as the Tow All Dolly is attached to the TV's frame via the receiver hitch and chains, so there's no wiggle there, whereas your doubles dolly is attached via a pintle hitch and allows for 2 points of "wiggle". Given that a proper towing setup means that the TV stops itself and the trailer stops =itself=, you've now got 2 more brakes for the whole thing, making stopping safer. Given that the same basic engines and transmissions are used in 3/4 to 2 ton trucks, how is the hill-handling power any different? You are, or should be, still constrained by your GCVW anyway. As for length, these dollies actually allow the FW to turn =shorter= than a TT, because the hitch point swings to the outside of the turn, pulling the FW with it.

Lyle

So my question is now that the hitch point is moved several FEET back of the rear axles of the TV, how does it react in a high speed evasive maneuver??
I know there is an axle directly under the hitch point, BUT the wheels are designed to swivel, so as not to drag when the TV turns.
It would interesting to know how it would deal with that type of situation.

So, how do dump trucks and cement trucks, with tag axles, handle in an evasive maneuver?

Personally, I think they're an interesting idea for people who might want to use an SUV to tow a FW or someone who wants to tow a FW an not lose their pickup bed.

Lyle

Well tag axles on dump trucks and cement mixers, only provide additional support, they don't have the load centered over them.

With this device the point at which the 5er acts on the TV is now several feet back of fixed wheels of the TV rear axle.
The wheels on the dolly are self steering. Going straight down the road not an road not an issue, but when the TV turns this extension to the frame will swing out, and not the 5er is starting to push it sideways, which could result in an over-steer condition in the TV.

Im sort of confused by all the responses.
First off, keep it in little girl terms for me, all the technical s..t just mucks up the point for me. Weve been in a 34 foot rig for years full time, I pulled an mpv for the first year then gave it away to a vet because I wasnt using it enough for the hassle, so 54' of tow length. Up and down mountains, all over the coast...whatever the road we didnt have any issues.Our rig and generator got totally smashed up by a drunk driver last year and it left us essentially homeless while we (continue to) battle this out in court. In this time Ive realized how much better it might be to have vehicle separate from live-in rig.
But we have a big family if you count the pets too so a heavy heavy heavy duty van or a massive king cab truck is our only option for hitting the road. 4 adults (sometimes 5) and a 6 month old. Now add 3 kayakes, 3 bikes, 1 recumbent trike, and a wheelchair. Several items of which need to be easily accessible to me (handicapped) without assistance to get them "on and off" the rig.
We have been looking at this tow dolly as an option for a few things.
? Is it a good option if we go a 5th wheel and a massively heavy duty van or truck or are we asking for full time trouble? I like the idea of the bed of the truck having space for a few things like my recumbent.
? How about a massivley heavy duty van or truck and a trailer. Does this tow-all thing make towing a trailer more stable than usual or less?
When I first saw it I thought "cool! Our options are a little broader now" But with all the talk Im starting to wonder.
?plus does anyone know the prices of these things? Every time I call the company I get a recording or a call back with a sales pitch. I just want an estimate so I can sudo budget.

JIMNLIN wrote:
I see these types of dollys at rodeo/horse show/equestrian events/etc.
Tow vehicles range mostly from a caddy Escalade/Tahoe's/burbs/Excursions on up to a one ton DRW crew cab vehicles.
Most trailers are tandem axle GN horse trailers however one event had several triaxle LEQ units. The newer GN trailers can have a GN ball hitch or a goose pin/regular 5th wheel hitch set up.

My only issue with the set up in the youtube is how beefy is the two chain set up to the truck and what class receiver is required.

IIRC, the chains are hooked to brackets that are attached directly to the frame. I know that the one I saw, had 3 hard-point connections; center receiver hitch and 2 "hard" (not chain) connections to the frame. You can see the yellow brackets in the pics I posted.

Lyle