when considering the type of toad what should one consider? rather on a dolly or not?

I have only had jeeps as toad vehicles, manual Cherokee and two Wranglers with automatic transmission. I'm not a fan of extra stuff like a dolly.

First, get a vehicle that YOU like, and second get one that does NOT require any modification (other than lights and braking) to be towed.I have used a dolly, and found that much of what is said against them is purely personal opinion. I didn't have much trouble at all with the dolly.I have towed Jeeps and a Dodge Ram 1500 four down. The Jeeps I towed with a fixed arm adjustable width 5000 lb. capacity towbar, which some people say is just too much trouble, and nearly impossible to hitch by oneself. I didn't have any problems.The Dodge was a little bit heavier than the Jeep, so I found a used Roadmaster Stowmaster telescoping towbar with 6000 lb. capacity. The telescoping arms were not much improvement over the fixed arm towbar, IMO.Yes, lube pumps are available for many automatic transmission vehicles. This is the type of modification I want nothing to do with, along with driveshaft disconnects. In fact, our PT Cruiser has a lube pump installed. I have never checked it for operation. It is too easy to put the car on a dolly, and I don't have to mess with the front end to install towbar mounts.I have also used a flatbed trailer to haul a vehicle. It works, and the trailer was very handy for hauling hay. A trailer can also be backed up, whereas backing a four down toad or a dolly is not recommended (some folks do it anyway).

This post comes up frequently. I would have suspected being a member since 2006 you may have seen a few. I have done both. Dolly is a good method when you have a vehicle that can't be towed 4 down - that's really it's only redeeming value. That and it can be used on different vehicles - maybe. Dolly's are a hassle to hook up, big and heavy and another item to maintain. I could not wait to get a vehicle to tow 4 down and get rid of my dolly. 4 down is soooooo much easier. I can hook up our CRV and get it ready to tow in about 1 minute - literally. According to CRV manual I have to let it idle for 3 minutes, usually I hook up while it's doing that and have to wait for a minute or so for the idle time to lapse because it takes me so little time and effort to hook up. People will tell you they love their dolly and it's not much hassle and I say they are making themselves feel better. If all vehicles were able to be towed 4 down, the dolly market would decline to close to nothing pretty fast. People who have a dolly only do so because their vehicle can't be towed 4 down. Unless you enjoy lugging the dolly to the hitch, hooking it up, hooking up the wires, trying to line up the ramps, drive up on them (good luck with that if the ramps are wet), put on the straps around the wheel (pretty dirty job), tightening the straps, and then driving for a while and stopping to tighten the straps again - and undoing it all when you get there. Add to that unhooking the dolly and lugging it to store it somewhere. With 4 down, drive up close to the bars, put in 2 pins, attach the cables, plug in the lights and done.

I have heard there are some vehicles you can tow with 4 down without modifications. and some you can.t

Dinghy guides. Tells you pretty much what you need to know. If it's not in here you would need to refer to the owner's manual of a vehicle. Do NOT rely on the dealer to tell if you a vehicle can be towed 4 down. They've been known to be wrong or will tell you what you want to hear to sell a vehicle. Dinghy guides

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down_home
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2017
I don't think I posted here before.
I may change my mind but we have a 2013 Edge and had a 2010 and a Saturn Ion before that. Like the Saturn a lot. maintained for pennies.
I stared to buy a HumVee but wife liked the Edge.
I may still buy a HumVee for the fact that it has a rack and a canoe or something can go on top. Practicality we will probably a F150 because the cabin is roomy, it will tow a boat etc easily,and with a cover handle a lot of antiques maybe.
Not interested in saving a few pennies in fuel in exchange for practicality.
Unless I can find another Ion in top shape, which will still leave a large hole in what is needed or desired.
hanko
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
gafidler wrote:
Honda CRV.. end of discussion

because that's
what I tow, and your only cool if you tow one of these
tropical36
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
machunt wrote:
when considering the type of toad what should one consider? rather on a dolly or not?

Four down period, unless you have a variety of them and need to tow them all, on occasion.
Best if it's your DD, of course, for max. use of your investment and there are many to choose from, that should suit your likes and needs.
Mile_High
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
hanko wrote:
gafidler wrote:
Honda CRV.. end of discussion

looks like it wasn't the end of the discussion.
:)
hanko
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
gafidler wrote:
Honda CRV.. end of discussion

looks like it wasn't the end of the discussion.
Mile_High
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:

FMCA has retracted that the Continental is towable.

Safe travels,
MM.
Oh Wow, that was an error! Bad form.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Mile High wrote:
Mr.Mark wrote:
Lanerd, don't know, I will find out.

Edit: Looking at the MSRP sticker, it says that final assembly was in OAKVILLE. No state mentioned. There is an Oakville, MI.

MM.
The Oakville plant is in Ontario. That is a nice Lincoln, we looked at those. I notice on the front page of the towing guide is the new Continental as a flat tow, which I would have never thought of.

Honestly, I didn't buy the car particular if it was American or not, Ford/Lincoln is an American Co. so that's good in that respect I guess. I bought it because it was towable and I liked it.

I have bought foreign cars over the years because I liked them.

FMCA has retracted that the Continental is towable.

Safe travels,
MM.
Mile_High
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Mr.Mark wrote:
Lanerd, don't know, I will find out.

Edit: Looking at the MSRP sticker, it says that final assembly was in OAKVILLE. No state mentioned. There is an Oakville, MI.

MM.
The Oakville plant is in Ontario. That is a nice Lincoln, we looked at those. I notice on the front page of the towing guide is the new Continental as a flat tow, which I would have never thought of.
hanko
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
I tow a Focus with a manual trans. One nice feature is that it does not have a steering column lock.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 10, 2017
Lanerd, don't know, I will find out.

Edit: Looking at the MSRP sticker, it says that final assembly was in OAKVILLE. No state mentioned. There is an Oakville, MI.

MM.

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