I'm looking at a new car, but it can't be towed 4 wheels down........so thinking of a tow dolly. I've never had one. So, I'm looking for any and all comments, pros and cons concerning the use of a tow dolly. ThanksBrianPS: I assume any front wheel car can be towed on a dolly, like a Ford Escape?

An FWD auto can be towed on a dolly. Where one gets into trouble is with AWD vehicles, many of those must be trailered. One of the big gripes I read about is where to stow the tow dolly while camped, this is kind of a silly argument as the dolly will remained hooked to the MH, so there is no storing it. Choosing between electric brakes and surge brakes, we went with surge brakes as we did not want to have to do any wiring to a brake controller. As for the many choices out there, they are all good, we chose the Master tow dolly because it was on Craig's list and it was the lowest cost of the ones offered. We are the 3rd owners of it and it still works like new. I am sure others will pipe in with things I have missed. Good Luck on your search.

I wouldn't say any car can be towed on a dolly. Check that the escape can be since I don't think it's just has front wheel drive. I believe it's an all wheel drive that normally applies most of the power to the front wheels. I haven't messed with an Escape newer than five years old though.Bill

I owned and used a dolly for 2 years to use for our civic which can't be towed 4 down.Pros:-It's pretty universal to a lot of vehicles-nothing permanent to do to the towed vehicle. Cons:-In the rain it's nearly impossible to load a car-in the snow it is impossible to load on a car-straps are a pain-takes much longer to hook, unhook-storage-another axle and wheels to maintain-heavy to move around-you have to find a spot for it at a CG - although ours fit under the rear of the mh, but I had to manually put it there since you can't back up. Fun if you have a hilly site or gravel. In a nutshell a dolly is an option to tow a car when you don't have a car that can be towed 4 down. But it's a HUGE hassle. HUGE. Some on here will tell you it takes no longer and it's just as easy. And I call BS. I've done both. We recently got rid of the civic for a CRV and 80% of the reason was to be able to tow 4 down. It is so much easier. Before it took me about 10-15 minutes to set up the dolly - this is contingent on how many times I have to line it up to center it on the dolly, put on the straps (dirty and cumbersome chore and super fun in the cold or rain). With my new setup it literally takes 3 minutes and that's only because I have to let the car idle that long. Hookup and disconnect takes about a minute. I don't have to line up perfectly because the arms articulate. Just 2 pins, chains and plug in the electric. I don't have to crawl on the ground and wrap my hands around the wheel to set up straps. Once I smashed the front of the civic on the dolly trying to load it in the snow and the car slid off the ramps and hit the front fascia. I could not wait to get rid of the dolly. I am loving life 4 down. There is no comparison. I would strongly urge you to consider a vehicle that can be towed 4 down. But like I said, a dolly is an option. But let's face it, if every car could be towed 4 down, dollys would cease to exist. And no, not all front wheel drive cars can be towed on a dolly. Check the manual.

I'm using a tow dolly. I've never towed 4-down. When you first use the dolly to can be intimidating and time consuming. However, after a few times it becomes easy.I rarely unhook the dolly from the MH... no real reason to unless the site you're pulling into is not long enough or not a true pull-thru. Where I'm at now, I had to unhook the dolly because they have only back-in sites. There is enough room to store the dolly and park my car. Getting ready to leave tomorrow, I hooked the dolly up this morning. Took me 10 minutes. You have to put the hitch on the ball, hook up 2 safety chains, 1 emergency brake cable and the light connection.I usually takes me 2 or 3 tries to get the car lined up, but once done, you have only to wrap the straps around each tire and connect the chains around the frame. Again, only about 10 minutes. I've never had to do any of this in rain or snow.I thought about 4-down, but it would have required that I trade in my almost new car (Kia Soul) and then pay someone to make the modifications needed to tow as well as buying a Brake Buddy or something similar, for braking. I'm very happy with my dolly.Mike

I have towed both ways (4 down and dolly) over the past 30 years of RVing. I think its a personal preference thing having done both. Now I am firmly in the dolly court as I have saved money on the set up and find the hooking- load out no different than my four down experiences.I tend to challenge myself each loading of the dolly and of late have been averaging right at 10 minutes. Always seemed to take me that long with 4 wheels down.I could be on the road that fast but then I goof off and tend to go back and check my loading to make sure I got it right and secured. I don't find loading in the rain much different as either way its no fun to me.I do stop and check my dolly straps after the first 5 miles or so as they will loosen. But usually after a couple more clicks on the ratchets I'm good with no adjustments from then on(I check every stop just to make sure.I can swap out to a new FWD car every week or so (no I really don't do that) as my wife is picky about the car. No sticks, clutches or 4 wd's allowed by the DW and she likes her compact cars. I went the swivel table route with electric brakes, spare dolly tire, and a break away switch. Mine has a controller built on to the dolly. Been running her for several thousand miles now and I really like the dolly set up.

Two Dolly Questions ??? | Good Sam Community

Toogreys
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015
Oldme wrote:
The OP said "I'm looking at a new car, but it can't be towed 4 wheels down".
That limits the OP to a dolly.

I see a lot of comments against his only option, by people that do not use a tow dolly. I fail to understand why.

We have had an Acme EZ dolly for 3+ years now.
All welded construction and American made.
Built in Surge Disk Breaks and LED lights.
There is NOTHING else to buy or install.
Tongue weight is under 50 lbs.
Total Weight is under 400 lbs and at age 67+ I can easily roll it around.

Setup is around 10 min and we are off and running.
I took reflective tape and marked where the ramp center need to be so
when I setup they are ready.

The unit tracks well and I have to remember to check that it is there.

Simple, easy and effective.
We are pleased with it.

Old me. I just purchased a used master pro dolly so haven't had the opertunity to use it yet. You mentioned you used reflective tape and marked where ramp center need to be. I am not sure what you are talking about. Can you explain so a dummy can understand?
Thanks!
brokeagainbutno
Explorer
Jun 10, 2015
After reading all the posts by dolly users, I must be the only dolly user that made a wrong turn and ended up someplace that I could not turn around. Had to drop the car, unhook the dolly, manhandle the dolly, turn the MH around, reconnect the dolly and load the car. AS someone said, you cannot back the dolly loaded or unloaded more than a few feet without it jackknifing.
BillMFl
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
Tow dolly is a little more work but gives you lots more choices of toads and costs less than 4 down gear. Seems every year there are fewer 4 down vehicles available.
bshpilot
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
a few months of storage fees (for a tow dolly) would make a set of base plates (for a 2nd vehicle) seem CHEAP !
JoeGrape71
Explorer
Jun 09, 2015
I looked at both options, Tow Dollies and Tow Bars. Both have pros and cons. I liked the Tow Bar for its simplicity, cost and storage option but the option of only being able to tow one vehicle behind my RV kept holding me up. The Tow Dolly offered more vehicle options and seemed less of a hassle but then storage was a bit of a concern as I only towed a couple times a year so it would just sit there with no use in my driveway. Then I came across the flatbed option which allowed the Tow Dolly to be easily converted into a utility trailer when not being used for towing. The option of two trailer options in one sealed the deal. Now I can haul my van behind my rv when needed with the Tow Dolly and any other time I just attach the flatbed, which takes about a minute and I can haul my motorcycle, lawn tractor or even run to Lowes and get lumber for the new deck I am building. Pretty great option and the cost was not that bad either.
Jbird
Explorer
May 15, 2015
Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I'd be ok on paved surface,but might need to hook up to whatever I tow for uneven surfaces. The Harbor Freight wheels sounds like I good idea. I'll Google it. Thanks again
mowermech
Explorer
May 15, 2015
Harbor Freight has a very handy little dolly for moving trailers. It consists of two wheels with a trailer ball mounted above them, and a handle for towing it. Just put the ball in the trailer hitch, pull down on the handle, and walk away. It works great for my tow dolly and my little flatbed ATV trailer. I even used it now and then for moving my 18 foot flatbed car hauler (it wasn't easy, but it worked).
I modified my little dolly to make it easy to break down and put in the basement compartment of our motorhome.
It is a great little gadget!
BillMFl
Explorer
May 15, 2015
Jbird wrote:
Having read through this thread,I think I understand most of the advantages and disadvantages to each system. I'm considering a tow dolly but Im concerned about moving it by hand on uneven surfaces. Any advice from folks using a tow dolly would be appreciated. One post refers to 400lbs with 50 lb hitch weight. That sounds like a problem to wheel around? I know I could add a hitch to the toad, but hitch/unhitch would get to be a real session.

If you buy a boat trailer style tilt wheel tongue jack (about $30) you can raise/lower the tongue without having to lift it manually. Makes hitching up very easy to any tow vehicle you want to use. The wheel on the tilt jack makes it easy to roll the dolly around on a relatively smooth surface. At home I move the dolly around with my riding mower. While traveling if I want to move it to store while staying somewhere for an extended visit I use my toad vehicle. The wheel on the jack makes it easy to shift the dolly a bit to hook up, but unless its on a paved surface I don't try to move it much by hand.
americanrascal
Explorer
May 14, 2015
Jbird wrote:
Having read through this thread,I think I understand most of the advantages and disadvantages to each system. I'm considering a tow dolly but Im concerned about moving it by hand on uneven surfaces. Any advice from folks using a tow dolly would be appreciated. One post refers to 400lbs with 50 lb hitch weight. That sounds like a problem to wheel around? I know I could add a hitch to the toad, but hitch/unhitch would get to be a real session.

I have an American Car Dolly- weighs about 400 and 50 lbs tongue sounds about right. I am not having any problems moving it around (I'm in my mid 60s' and not in too great a shape).

You can attach a swing up or drop down wheel stand on the tongue and move it even easier if concerned. I might do that some rainy day but that's not something I need to do at this time. As I age I might make that addition for a few bucks.

My driveway is uneven and a bit rough (plenty o' pesky pine cones), but I unhitch it after the vehicle is off and roll her about 50 yards back into its slot.(Most of it slides up under the rig when I want more room) I don't have any major slope to mess with so its relatively easy.

I could attach it to my pick up and move it as an option or leave it attached to the rig once the car is off- but I find it easier to maneuver around by hand in my case when the car is off.

I think I'd have to compare it to something like my Jon boat and motor. It is easier to move the dolly because its shorter and less mass. I move them both by hand (neither is fun to move when off pavement or compressed gravel)- the dolly is easier than the jon boat and trailer.
bshpilot
Explorer
May 14, 2015
Jbird wrote:
Having read through this thread,I think I understand most of the advantages and disadvantages to each system. I'm considering a tow dolly but Im concerned about moving it by hand on uneven surfaces. Any advice from folks using a tow dolly would be appreciated. One post refers to 400lbs with 50 lb hitch weight. That sounds like a problem to wheel around? I know I could add a hitch to the toad, but hitch/unhitch would get to be a real session.

i don't see how adding a hitch (aka base plates) to the toad is a "real session" -

When driving the toad, while traveling - I don't even bother removing the tow bar extensions.

The items only weigh a few lbs & it literally take no more than 60 seconds to connect or disconnect the toad to the tow bar.

To remove the base plate / tow bar extensions its a matter of pulling a pin & then removing the device....3-5 lbs at most.

The base plate / tow bar extensions insert into a 1 inch receiver (there are different styles but almost all work the same) & are easily stored (if you wish) when not in use.

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