Forum Discussion

FrankWNY's avatar
FrankWNY
Explorer
Aug 24, 2016

Adding Blue Ox Patriot to Toad on a dolly

I'm new to RV life, bought a great older Hurricane and a tow dolly without brakes. I want to tow a med size truck Nissan Frontier with manual trans on the dolly. I'm thinking I would like supplemental braking on the toad. I'm looking at the Blue Ox Patriot system in the Nissan. I realize only the rear brakes would deploy. Does anyone else use proportional braking with dollies? Is this overkill? I just don't want the tow rig to reduce my stopping time any more than it is. Appreciate any input.
Class A
  • Wrong_Lane's avatar
    Wrong_Lane
    Explorer
    Aug 26, 2016
    You might find all the gear you need, except the baseplate on Craigs List or a similar site.

    I sold my dolly and was able to buy a new baseplate and installed it myself. I found a towbar, accesories and braking system for sale in perfect condition from someone that got out of the RV life. My total cost was almost exactly what I got for the dolly.
  • FrankWNY's avatar
    FrankWNY
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    Thanks for the responses, I learned a few things. My first thought was to use the dolly that the previous owner used to pull a smaller car. I had not considered the rear brake load on my Nissan or the Combined Vehicle weight. I would actually prefer towing four down. I'll sell the dolly and save up for the right baseplate and tow bar, then a proportional brake assist. Thanks again!!
  • Yankee_Clipper's avatar
    Yankee_Clipper
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    Wait! Weight! Better check to see how much that dolly weighs and bounce the whole rig in your proposed configuration against your Combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The numbers may surprise you, as the Nissan probably tips the scales at 4000 pounds, and dolly another 700 or so. With the hitch, tow bar and plate, a few gallons of fuel in the toad, you may not have the hitch capacity or weight rating on the rig as a whole. Good luck!
  • hipower's avatar
    hipower
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    FrankWNY, I would look first to selling the dolly and towing four down. I would even think that electric brakes could be added to your dolly at less cost than purchasing a Blue Ox Patriot. Certainly a consideration if you decide the dolly is the way you go.
  • JayGee's avatar
    JayGee
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    Remco tow info

    Don't know what year your truck is but check it it here to insure you can tow four down. Looks like you can. I would sell the dolly and setup to tow four down.

    I would not want to have the truck brakes working like that.
  • wilanddij's avatar
    wilanddij
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    Why do the front brakes on a vehicle always have bigger calipers and rotors than the rears? Because of weight shift toward the front when braking, the fronts always provide more stopping power than the rears. Adding brakes to only the rear wheels of your toad will probably add no stopping power to your setup. If you need the stopping power of the toad, you will need brakes on your dolly.
  • BTPO1's avatar
    BTPO1
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    When towing on a dolly, you do not want brakes on the toad you want them on the dolly. If the brakes were on the toad you would be pulling against the dolly when you stop. At least that is what I have been told. JMO
  • Ava's avatar
    Ava
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2016
    If the toad has a manual trans, why not just tow it four down with the braking system. The dolly is just another item to deal with when staying somewhere.

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