Flat Tow or Dolly Tow

lanerd wrote:
Less than $1500, complete and all new? Can you elaborate a little on your individual parts and prices? This sounds way too good to be true. I'm assuming when you say complete that it includes base plate, tow bar, cables (chains), umbilical cable w/both 7/6 pin connectors, toad lights, breakaway device, and aux braking system (can be included in a ReadyBrute Elite tow bar).

I have a friend who needs to set up his new toad, and $1500 is a lot less than what we have been able to estimate.

Thanks,

Ron

The ReadyBrute Elte tow bar/auxilliary brake system including a ReadyStop breakaway, safety cables, and dash brake monitor costs about $1310. A Blue Ox base plate will run about $350, and the lighting setup/umbilical will run from around $50 to $100, depending on which wiring method is used. Even less using a couple of magnetic tow lights. The total $1710-$1760 price does not include shipping, taxes, or installation labor. Self installed, the whole 4-down package shouldn't exceed about $2000 at today's prices.

The two couples we know that tried dolly towing got rid of the dolly after using it a few times. Both found it to be a PITA - and lots of disadvantages.
Buying a vehicle that can be towed 4 wheels down is much more convenient.

I have done both flat tow and dolly tow.
Flat tow with Jeeps. Oh, yeah, speaking of an informal survey of motorhomes towing vehicles, most of the ones I see around here are towing.....
JEEPS, mostly Wranglers!
I do see a few towing other types of vehicles on dollys, though. Mostly front wheel drive vehicles, to be sure.
I did a really dumb thing a while back: Sold the dolly that I used to tow the PT Cruiser. Now I need another one, since my Ram 2500 is too heavy to tow.
In spite of what some say ("they are everywhere to be found"), they are pretty rare around here, especially ones with brakes. There is one on CL that has been for sale for months, maybe he will be willing to come down off the $1250 asking price. IMO, that's too much for a used former U-Haul dolly with no brakes!
Yes, flat towing a Jeep is very easy, just hook up and go.
However, hooking up the dolly and loading the PT is no more difficult than hooking up the little flatbed trailer and loading (and tieing down) the ATV, and a lot easier than hooking up the big enclosed trailer, loading both ATVs and tieing them down.
Actually, one of the double deck trailers so I could take the PT and both ATVs would be perfect!
I have also used a large flatbed (car hauler) trailer. The advantages: ALL such trailers have brakes, as required by state law; With practice, you can back up anywhere, any distance, even around corners; No modification to the vehicle to be towed is necessary; The trailer can be used for many other things (I used mine for hauling hay, when we had horses).

Less than $1500, complete and all new? Can you elaborate a little on your individual parts and prices? This sounds way too good to be true. I'm assuming when you say complete that it includes base plate, tow bar, cables (chains), umbilical cable w/both 7/6 pin connectors, toad lights, breakaway device, and aux braking system (can be included in a ReadyBrute Elite tow bar).

I have a friend who needs to set up his new toad, and $1500 is a lot less than what we have been able to estimate.

Thanks,

Ron

done both, dolly is a pain in the butt. never go back

drwwicks wrote:
To properly set up for a flat tow will cost much more than dolly tow. I said properly with good tow bar, base plate , auxiliary braking, break away breaking and lighting. That said flat tow is easier and cleaner to hook up. Not familiar with the Traverse but it may or may not be flat or dolly towable. I have used both methods and yes when flat towing you are locked into the towed vehicle unless more expense is made for new base plate, wiring, etc. Good used dolly such as Demco Kar Kaddy SS can be found for much less that a flat tow set up.

Not so much different when doing it yourself.
We have less than $1500 in ours, complete and all brand new.
This probably compares with a dolly used and yes they're everywhere to be found, like new.

What does your owners manual say for your vehicle? And your drivetrain.
2wd, fwd, Awd, 4wd (and type of transfer case, and type of transmission.
Most front wheel drive vehicles can be towed on a dolly. Flat towing (4down) is possible for some vehicles.
Ours (CRV awd) is only towable 4down, until they changed the transmission in 2015, now it requires a trailer, all wheels off the road.

Ken

To properly set up for a flat tow will cost much more than dolly tow. I said properly with good tow bar, base plate , auxiliary braking, break away breaking and lighting. That said flat tow is easier and cleaner to hook up. Not familiar with the Traverse but it may or may not be flat or dolly towable. I have used both methods and yes when flat towing you are locked into the towed vehicle unless more expense is made for new base plate, wiring, etc. Good used dolly such as Demco Kar Kaddy SS can be found for much less that a flat tow set up.

Captain Ray wrote:
Bought a 2017 Chevy Traverse and trying to decide if I will Flat tow or purchase a tow dolly as prices are almost the same. Help

As long as it can be flat towed, it's a no brainer.
The good news is and if you decide to go with a dolly, they're for sale everywhere, still like new and for give away prices. Wonder why?
Just look at what you see the most of, going down the highway these days and you'll have your answer.

Option One, Flat tow, this essentially ties you to that car
Option Two, Dolly, this allows for some versatility, but not all cars can be put on a Dolly. Also you have to deal with the Dolly.

Flat towing with an internal brake system you are up and ready to go in maybe 5 minutes, if you take your time. With a Dolly you may have to go to the storage area to retrieve it and once connected to the MH you now have to load it and secure your vehicle. Neither choice is wrong, they are both valid for different reasons. Personally we chose to Flat Tow, bought a Jeep Liberty at the end of 2007 and have not looked back. I just replaced my car with a Grand Cherokee that is also flat towable and am considering setting it up to tow.

Good luck and safe travels