dolly vs flat

It was a simple solution for me.
I just did what DW wanted.

Me - I wanted to tow the Jeep Wrangler 4 down for all the reasons already stated previously so that we could take advantage of sight seeing and a little, sedate off-roading when possible.

DW - Well, she's a bit more insistent on having her Lexus SUV along on weekend jaunts so she doesn't have to "rough it" too much and, in the interest of marital bliss, I've managed to accommodate her with the tow dolly.

That works for us but it's certainly not the most economical approach. That said - The Demco Kar Kaddy SS is undoubtedly the best way to go (and the more expensive) simply because it reduces or eliminates a number of the problems associated with the tow dollies.

A lot depends on your physical ability and patience. I had a dolly when younger and 4 down for the last 13 years. When DW & I would load the car on the dolly she could not give proper directions to centering the car. When she was driving the car she drove over the end stop. I had increased the size of the stop because I knew her driving skill. It took us 2 hr. to get the car off the stop. Normally we would not speak for the first hour or so. We did stay married for almost 55 years until she passed away last May. I went 1 time since with the Mountain Aire and did have a slight problem hooking up alone but was able to do it. I bought a RoadTrek from my neighbor and have taken that out once so far. No need for a toad now. At age 76, and using a walker to help me get around, a dolly would mean I would give up RVing.

There is another option,depending on the size of the vehicle. We opted for a trailer with electric breaks to tow our Smart Car. one advantage is that you can back it up when you have to. The cost was almost tit for tat with the cost of the tow fittings,car modification, and breaking system for 4 down towing. It also saves ware & tare on the car/toad being towed.

trikepilot wrote:
I find myself in the position of having to choose a towing method right now. The Demco folding dolly with surge brakes is $2500 from dealers. I see no cost savings there. My front wheel drive Lexus has 130,000 miles on it and I want a new car anyway to tow behind my motor home. Since I am going to sell the house and become a full timer with only one other auto besides the MH, I might as well buy something that I can tow flat four and hook up a braking system in thee new toad.

A top quality Mastertow dolly new with all the bells and whistles is less than $1800 4 years ago. But a full timer with a single toad is better off 4 down. Just like shoes one size doesn't fit all.

I find myself in the position of having to choose a towing method right now. The Demco folding dolly with surge brakes is $2500 from dealers. I see no cost savings there. My front wheel drive Lexus has 130,000 miles on it and I want a new car anyway to tow behind my motor home. Since I am going to sell the house and become a full timer with only one other auto besides the MH, I might as well buy something that I can tow flat four and hook up a braking system in thee new toad.

..This is another of those topics thats been debated over and over since the dawn of time, basically, with the same basic arguments, pros/cons being mentioned every time.

I sometimes wonder if folks just ask this question for the entertainment of watching folks 'debate' the issue. :)

Naturally, those that use a dolly will highlight how versatile the dolly is and how it allows them to tow almost any FWD vehicle without modification, and saves them a bunch of $$. They will downplay how much more effort it requires to hitch up and unhitch, and how much more of a pain it is to store, maintain that dolly.

And, of course those that tow flat will highlight how much quicker, easier and simpler it is to hitch up and unhitch, and that they don't have any additional large hardware (dolly) to have to store, maintain. They will downplay how much extra $$ they spent setting the vehicle up for such, and the modifications (base plates, wiring, brake system, etc) they had to do.

The debate goes on and on. Bottom line is, like so many have said: There is no one size fits all. You have to decide for YOU, which 'pros' you must have, and which 'cons' you don't want to deal with.

Used both and much prefer 4 down. I traded to the HHR for that reason.

BTPO1 wrote:
I tow my Corolla on a dolly and the more I tow the easier it gets. At first it took a little longer, but with practice it gets easier. I have towed my CJ-5 four down and hook-up is a lot simpler. If and when I purchase another car I will be looking for one that can be towed four down, since I already have most of the required equipment. JMO

I totally agree. With practice hook up time is much the same. 4 down is physically easier for an older person or somebody with physical limitations. I use a dolly because I have multiple front wheel cars. Both systems work fine. Neither are cheap. My dolly has 4 years and almost 30k miles use with zero problems.

As most have stated, four down is easier but more expensive (+/-$2500) and not as flexible as you won;t have base plates on all of your vehicles (if you did the costs go up). If you don't have a car capable of being towed four-down then you have to add the cost of purchasing one. I did it both ways and the biggest issue I had was moving and storing the dolly as it's bigger than you would expect and heavy.

Effy wrote:

Trackrig wrote:
It seems that most people who are using a dolly are using it because they have to - their toad can't be towed four down; they're not using it because they want to.

And the dolly is one more thing to maintain. Tires, lights, tire straps and maybe brakes. And you have to store it someplace. Why make your life more complicated?

Bill

X2 - If all cars could be towed 4 down dolly's would cease to exist. I am actually looking for a car to tow 4 down and get rid of the car I have to dolly. Getting the car on is a pain, moving the dolly is a pain, straps are a pain. Try getting a car on the dolly in the rain or snow. I can't wait to get rid of the dreadful thing. If anyone tells you dollys are just as easy, they are kidding themselves. I watch folks unhook 4 down cars and it's MUCH easier and quicker than a dolly. But if you have no choice at least it's an option.

My sentiments exactly. When we got our first motorhome, I was in a hurry to get going so we got a dolly. After 6 months of using it, I could not wait to get rid of it. Have towed Ford Explorers and now a Honda CRV four down with no problems. I think if a tow dolly was now my only option, I would get rid of the motorhome.