What features to look for when buying a tow dolly?

we have just bought our first motorhome and are going to trade off our Subaru for a Jeep Liberty within the near future. At 81 there is no way I am going to mess with a tow dolly. In addition to having to put the vehicle on it there is generally a problem on where to stow the dolly after you get to the RV park. 4 down is the only way we want to go.

willald wrote:
. . . Not really, because if the wires aren't already there, you still have to run wires from the back all the way up to the dash in the front where the brake controller unit itself is going to be located. . .

Good point!

Wayne

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
It looks like the MH is most likely to be a ~10-year-old DP. Does the engine in the rear simplify the wiring for adding a controller? Avoid having to run wires the length of the coach?

Not really, because if the wires aren't already there, you still have to run wires from the back all the way up to the dash in the front where the brake controller unit itself is going to be located. Engine location doesn't really affect that much, would be 'bout the same, I'd think.

..Surge brakes seem to cost more on the dolly side, but add purchase and install of the controller for electric brakes and the cost overall is probably about the same it seems.

Thats probably about right.

Will

On our motorhome (Ford F53 chassis) and my Ford truck it was less than a 10 minute job to install the controller. They were both prewired so it was a simple matter of finding a good location, installing the bracket and plugging it in. We use a Tekonsha Prodigy controller. The newer P2 version sells for about $150.00. We bought our Roadmaster dolly from Camping World. We waited for a sale and picked it up at the store to save shipping costs. They will ship to a residential address, but I'm sure it's not cheap.

As for electric vs surge brakes, I've had several equipment trailers over the years with surge brakes. They are by no means manitenance free. If you dont flush the system every couple of years or so the master cylinder and brake cylinders will fill with a brake fluid/water mix eventually remdering the brakes useless.

I switched to trailers with electric brakes for (in my opinion) less maintenance and more dependability. We've had the tow dolly with electric brakes over 12 years and the newest equipment trailer over 7 years (it's probably a little over 15 years old) and neither has given us any problems. To each their own, but I will never own another trailer with surge brakes again if I can avoid it.

willald wrote:

..Probably 'bout the same as with a pickup, assuming the wiring is already there (which I believe it is in most cases, although locating the wires could be a challenge). If its not, it will be a bit more work than the pickup, 'cause you'd have to run the wires the whole length of the MH, from the dash to the back end.
. . .
You may feel differently, but for us, after years of dealing with electric brakes when we towed a TT, I did not want to deal with electric brakes when we moved up to a MH. With surge brakes, its much more simple, don't have to deal with, maintain, worry about all that wiring and it possibly shorting out, etc. Not to mention the brake controller itself.

It looks like the MH is most likely to be a ~10-year-old DP. Does the engine in the rear simplify the wiring for adding a controller? Avoid having to run wires the length of the coach?

I'm comfortable with either type of brakes. Surge brakes do seem simpler. Surge brakes seem to cost more on the dolly side, but add purchase and install of the controller for electric brakes and the cost overall is probably about the same it seems.

Wayne

Empty Nest, Soon wrote:
I note that several people indicate a preference for electric brakes. I assume a motorhome won't have a brake controller unless a previous owner has added one? I've added one to a pickup truck for towing the TT. How much trouble and expense is it likely to be to add one to a MH?

..Probably 'bout the same as with a pickup, assuming the wiring is already there (which I believe it is in most cases, although locating the wires could be a challenge). If its not, it will be a bit more work than the pickup, 'cause you'd have to run the wires the whole length of the MH, from the dash to the back end.

You may feel differently, but for us, after years of dealing with electric brakes when we towed a TT, I did not want to deal with electric brakes when we moved up to a MH. With surge brakes, its much more simple, don't have to deal with, maintain, worry about all that wiring and it possibly shorting out, etc. Not to mention the brake controller itself.

One issue may be dealer availability, since I live in a fairly remote location. How much hassle is it to get one shipped, etc.? I assume they can be shipped only to commercial locations, so I would have to take that into account. That may steer me more toward brands I can find at relatively nearby locations.

Wayne, the one I mentioned in the previous post, the Acme EZE dolly, is built here in NC, near Greensboro. Probably would be just a couple hours drive for you to come down from West Virginia and pick one up in person (thats what I did). Or, they ship them anywhere you want, doesn't have to be a commercial address, I don't believe.

Will

Thanks for the input.

I can't bring myself to get comfortable with towing the Accord four-down because of warranty considerations. A dolly is looking better all the time.

I note that several people indicate a preference for electric brakes. I assume a motorhome won't have a brake controller unless a previous owner has added one? I've added one to a pickup truck for towing the TT. How much trouble and expense is it likely to be to add one to a MH?

I appreciate the comments about specific models of tow dollies. I've looked at a lot of the web sites and the comments here in many ways provide more, and more useful, information.

One issue may be dealer availability, since I live in a fairly remote location. How much hassle is it to get one shipped, etc.? I assume they can be shipped only to commercial locations, so I would have to take that into account. That may steer me more toward brands I can find at relatively nearby locations.

Wayne

The 3 most important things to me are:

1. Steerable wheels. With steerable wheels the dolly follows directly in the path of the rear wheels on the motorhome. It doesn't cut the corners like stationary wheels do, so you don't have to make extra wide turns to avoid running over the curb or other objects.

2. Electric brakes. The brakes can be set for the load you are carrying. Depending on the controller you use you can set the initial braking pressure, time when the brakes activate in relation to those on the motorhome, and keep them applied on an incline or decline. You can also manually activate them if necessary.
Check your manufacturers recommendations. Some manufacturers advise against the use of surge style brakes on a dolly or trailer especially if you use a drop hitch.

3. Self storing ramps. With self storing ramps there is no need to get under the vehicle to install or remove the ramps when unloading and loading. There is also no need to store them when traveling. They make the loading and unloading process much simpler and cleaner.

When we tow our Buick we use Roadmaster 2000-1 dolly. Along with the other features it has lockable storage compatrments for the wheel straps and other accessories when not in use. It has built in tie down ratchets, safety chains, and lights. It's not the cheapest dolly in the world, but it's well built. We've had ours over 12 years and used it over 25,000 miles without a problem.

We don't use it as much now as we did years ago primarily because we've gotten into off roading. It's sorta piontless to haul the Buick half way across the country and leave it at the campground when we rent a Jeep. Most of the time we take our Jeep Wrangler along, but when we go places that don't offer off roading we put the Buick on the dolly.

G7ARYM wrote:
One item I thought was important when I ordered the Demco Kar Kaddy SS was a spare tire mount and spare. In 7 years I have needed the spare 3 times.

A spare tire mount can be added to any tow dolly - http://accessories.etrailer.com/search?w=spare%20tire%20mount

dbates wrote:
I’ve pulled my Vibe with a Demco Kar Kaddy SS for 8 years and 47,000 miles over all kinds of terrain and have been well pleased. If you define “old man” as in their 70’s I guess I qualify at 74 and it is getting a little harder to wheel the dolly around and get on my knees to hook up the safety chains but still manageable.

The Kar Kaddy SS is fully galvanized so rust will never be a problem. It has surge brakes, the ramps can be folded up and the tongue back to reduce home storage by almost 50%. It comes with a “swivel jack” for moving around and if you park the dolly at the back of the pad drop the jack you can back the MH over the tongue to limit CG storage space. They cost a little more but if you Google for price they are available for substantially less that suggested retail. Besides that Demco will provide you with excellent customer service.

Dave

X 2 here also. Our Toad is a 99 Cadillac Concours our MH is a 82 Pace Arrow