I will be towing our 2014 toyota 4 runner behind my MH.. in your experiences will I be better off to use a tow bar, a dolly, or a trailer? thanks!

We bought a used MH, privately, and the tow dolly was thrown in with the deal.When we are camping, I am not crazy about the dolly sitting there. DH could probably push in under the back of the MH, but he doesn't.On the other hand, the tow dolly comes in handy when the one of the grandkids' cars breaks down. My son uses the tow dolly to get the cars home to work on them.There are some places you cannot go with a tow dolly. On NJ Turnpike a MH may only tow a vehicle with all 4 down - No tow dollies or piggybacks.Personally I think I'd rather have the tow bar. But then again, if you change vehicles, there is added expense of having the components installed on the car.Probably 6 of one, and half a dozen of the other.

Go to Remco Indutries or Blue Ox websites to see if your rig can be towed 4 down/find an RV dealership that sells those products. Some model years of certain makes are not towable 4 down. Also, check your owner's manual...it should tell you if it is towable and the recommended method/what you have to do to make that possible. Do that 1st and you'll know which method is possible rather that decide which you want to do.

No Yoto to my knowledge is towable 4 down without voiding the warranty maybe a manual tranny. My first and last experience with a tow dolly wasn't good. Towed a small truck behind a std Chev pickup. Driving around 60 on an interstate and the dolly lost it started jerking side to side and I almost lost the big truck, I was able to coast to a stop, no brakes. Checked everything nothing was out of place. Drove the remainder of the trip at 45. Never again. We tow four down now for thousands of miles over 5 years and no problems at all.

nbargolf wrote:No Yoto to my knowledge is towable 4 down without voiding the warranty maybe a manual tranny. My first and last experience with a tow dolly wasn't good. Towed a small truck behind a std Chev pickup. Driving around 60 on an interstate and the dolly lost it started jerking side to side and I almost lost the big truck, I was able to coast to a stop, no brakes. Checked everything nothing was out of place. Drove the remainder of the trip at 45. Never again. We tow four down now for thousands of miles over 5 years and no problems at all.Did you have the truck on the dolly rear wheels first? People tow all over the country on a dolly as well with no issues. I guess there are some combinations that just will not work.

I personally think that a car hauler trailer is the best solution. No modifications to the toad are required and you can back it up if necessary. You can also throw things on it that you'd rather not put in the MH such as a fire pit, gasoline can, etc. If your MH is marginal in its ability to tackle long grades, however, you may want as light a tow package as possible and then 4 down is the way to go (you should always consider dropping the toad and having the DW drive it up separately anyway). I think the dolly is the least viable option. It adds weight like the trailer does, puts mileage on the toad rear suspension and cannot be backed.

Dolly,trailer or tow? | Good Sam Community

J-Rooster
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
sowego wrote:
Go to Remco Indutries or Blue Ox websites to see if your rig can be towed 4 down/find an RV dealership that sells those products. Some model years of certain makes are not towable 4 down. Also, check your owner's manual...it should tell you if it is towable and the recommended method/what you have to do to make that possible.

Do that 1st and you'll know which method is possible rather that decide which you want to do.
X-2, Remco will be your only way to tow 4 down if it's applicable unless your Toyota is a stick shift.
nwrandski
Explorer
Apr 19, 2014
My wife drives a 2013 Toyota 4-Runner. The owners manual states that it is not towable behind a motorhome. In this case, you would need to trailer it. Hers is a 4WD version.
DutchStar38
Explorer
Apr 18, 2014
I have used a tow dolly for years and load/unload with ease. I also travel up the East Coast and have used the NJ Turnpike with no problem. My tow dolly has electric brakes and all lights function. I also carry a set of magnetic tow lights if for some reason some trooper decides the dolly lights are insufficient. Concerning travel on the NJTP the following is from the NJTP regulations;
Vehicles in tow:
i. With an axle or combination of axles raised off the ground and supported by cable, chains, rope, dollies or other devices, except that Class 1 vehicles in tow with front axle off the ground and supported by dollies with safety chains are permitted to enter and use the Turnpike provided that the brake lights and turn signals of the tow dolly trailering system or towed vehicle are connected to and operating in conjunction with the towing vehicle's lights;
John_S_
Explorer II
Apr 18, 2014
For me, I tow four down. If I was a full timer I would pull a trailer.
Sez_Hoo_
Explorer
Apr 18, 2014
I've been using a tow dolly for the last four years now. I would say its not my first choice. Due to the ease of hooking and unhooking over loading and un loading on the tow dolly I would prefer to tow 4 down. With that said I have had no problems at all with the tow dolly. If you do get a tow dolly I strongly suggest you get one with surge brakes. With electric brakes you will be required to install a break controller in you MH. With surge brakes nothing needs to be added to your MH and they are for the most part worry free. I've been across this great country 4 times now with my tow dolly and have no complaints on its performance. Its made by Stehl.
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2014
crasster wrote:
My faviorite combo is a tow dolly with a SMALL car. You typically just load it up there and stick on some magnetic lights. Often with a car that is 2k (ish) pounds that is FWD, you won't even have to setup a brake system or anything. I like to keep it simple.

I wouldn't have a tow dolly with out brakes. Mine has hydraulic disk surge brakes. When you really really have to stop isn't the time to find out you should have had some kind of supplemental braking.
Bill
WILDEBILL308
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2014
OhhWell wrote:
WILDEBILL308 wrote:
You better read the owners manual I don't think you can tow that 2014 toyota 4 runner 4 down. Before we get off into how to use a dolly check and see what the manual says. OK I was curious so I looked on page 191 it states "Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home." On page 413 it talks about how the wrecker should tow.
It looks like you can't tow with a dolly with the front tiers on the dolly perhaps you could turn it around if it isn't 4 wheel drive. and put the rear wheels on the dolly.
You just might want to look at other vehicles to tow. Having a dolly was not to bad but if you have a trailer it would be a big pain.
I just bought a 2014 Honda CRV for just that reason I couldn't tow the other car 4 down.
Bill

Depending on the weight distribution, towing backwards on a dolly can be quite a pain.

You are right but I did include it because if it isn't a 4 wheel drive it is possible. I wouldn't do it.
Bill
crasster
Explorer II
Apr 17, 2014
My faviorite combo is a tow dolly with a SMALL car. You typically just load it up there and stick on some magnetic lights. Often with a car that is 2k (ish) pounds that is FWD, you won't even have to setup a brake system or anything. I like to keep it simple.
OhhWell
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
WILDEBILL308 wrote:
You better read the owners manual I don't think you can tow that 2014 toyota 4 runner 4 down. Before we get off into how to use a dolly check and see what the manual says. OK I was curious so I looked on page 191 it states "Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels on the ground) behind a motor home." On page 413 it talks about how the wrecker should tow.
It looks like you can't tow with a dolly with the front tiers on the dolly perhaps you could turn it around if it isn't 4 wheel drive. and put the rear wheels on the dolly.
You just might want to look at other vehicles to tow. Having a dolly was not to bad but if you have a trailer it would be a big pain.
I just bought a 2014 Honda CRV for just that reason I couldn't tow the other car 4 down.
Bill

Depending on the weight distribution, towing backwards on a dolly can be quite a pain.
DougE
Explorer
Apr 17, 2014
If you go with a trailer, be sure to have a hitch on your toad so you can use it to spot the trailer when you want to separate it from the MH.