Toad 4 down or car on trailer? Need advice
I am lurking at taking a toad on my next trip, I have a scooter but it is not allways the best way to go around. I am looking at a Suzuki X90 automatique and from what I have read I can pull it 4 down...
Forum Discussion
Over the years, I have done all three methods of towing a vehicle:
1. four down. Very easy, IF your vehicle can be towed that way. However, if expensive modifications are required (lube pump, driveshaft disconnect) IMO the advantage is lost. the braking system, if you want one, is also fairly expensive. while some people say you can back up, I tried it once, and failed, I will not do it again.
2. On a dolly. fairly easy, great for front wheel drive vehicles, not so great for rear wheel drive vehicles, no good at all for 4X4 or AWD vehicles. Backing up is NOT recommended. the dolly may or may not have brakes, and if brakes are installed they may be surge or electric.
3. On a trailer. Fairly easy to load, IMO. Can be backed up any distance anywhere, depending only on the skill of the driver. Brakes and lights are no problem, any trailer that weighs 1500 lbs. or more unladen or 3000 lbs or more GVW (depending on your state of residence) are required by law to have them. ANY vehicle up to the weight and size limits of the trailer can be loaded. Many campgrounds have a parking area where the trailer can be dropped. A trailer can be used for other things, when necessary. I used mine to haul hay for the horses, when we had horses. IF (heaven forbid) one should break an axle or some such thing, the rig can be loaded on the trailer and taken home, instead of having to fix it so it can be towed.
the choice is, of course, purely personal preference. I tow my truck four down. I tow the PT Cruiser on a dolly. I used to have a 16 foot flatbed trailer to haul the Jeep on long trips (those big off-road tires are EXPENSIVE!!).
1. four down. Very easy, IF your vehicle can be towed that way. However, if expensive modifications are required (lube pump, driveshaft disconnect) IMO the advantage is lost. the braking system, if you want one, is also fairly expensive. while some people say you can back up, I tried it once, and failed, I will not do it again.
2. On a dolly. fairly easy, great for front wheel drive vehicles, not so great for rear wheel drive vehicles, no good at all for 4X4 or AWD vehicles. Backing up is NOT recommended. the dolly may or may not have brakes, and if brakes are installed they may be surge or electric.
3. On a trailer. Fairly easy to load, IMO. Can be backed up any distance anywhere, depending only on the skill of the driver. Brakes and lights are no problem, any trailer that weighs 1500 lbs. or more unladen or 3000 lbs or more GVW (depending on your state of residence) are required by law to have them. ANY vehicle up to the weight and size limits of the trailer can be loaded. Many campgrounds have a parking area where the trailer can be dropped. A trailer can be used for other things, when necessary. I used mine to haul hay for the horses, when we had horses. IF (heaven forbid) one should break an axle or some such thing, the rig can be loaded on the trailer and taken home, instead of having to fix it so it can be towed.
the choice is, of course, purely personal preference. I tow my truck four down. I tow the PT Cruiser on a dolly. I used to have a 16 foot flatbed trailer to haul the Jeep on long trips (those big off-road tires are EXPENSIVE!!).
