Considering a tow dolly...... Info needed
We just bought a new motorhome and need to pull our 2013 Ford Escape, front wheel drive. Our last toad was pulled with a tow bar setup, so I'm not familiar with tow dollies. I've seen some have auto...
Forum Discussion
...One rather 'controversial' way that almost ANY automatic tranny vehicle can be towed 4 down, although you will need to do a lot of research and testing before you do this:
Leave the engine on, idling on the toad, tranny in neutral, when towing. This will insure tranny stays lubricated and you won't hurt it. I admit I personally haven't done this, but I know some that have done it successfully, and I seriously considered it at one point.
Obviously several downsides to this: Mileage will be logged on the toad, and you will be using a little gas in the toad idling it all the time when towing. Not to mention, there is the risk of the toad engine shutting off, overheating, or having other problems you won't see until its too late. You can 'mitigate' that risk some by getting you a wireless camera of some kind, aiming it at the dashboard of the toad, and putting monitor for it up on MH dashboard so you can watch dashboard of the toad.
I know, sounds like a crazy idea, and I'll probably get 'flamed' for even mentioning it, haha. Its definitely not something I'd want to do for a long term, permanent solution.
However, for a temporary solution to use for maybe a year or two until you can purchase a new vehicle that can be flat towed...Knowing what I know now, and if I had it to do over again, I just might take this 'idling' approach instead of fooling with a tow dolly or lube pump like we did. A small, wireless camera is much, MUCH cheaper than a dolly or lube pump, even when you add in the cost of the little bit of extra fuel you'd be using.
Leave the engine on, idling on the toad, tranny in neutral, when towing. This will insure tranny stays lubricated and you won't hurt it. I admit I personally haven't done this, but I know some that have done it successfully, and I seriously considered it at one point.
Obviously several downsides to this: Mileage will be logged on the toad, and you will be using a little gas in the toad idling it all the time when towing. Not to mention, there is the risk of the toad engine shutting off, overheating, or having other problems you won't see until its too late. You can 'mitigate' that risk some by getting you a wireless camera of some kind, aiming it at the dashboard of the toad, and putting monitor for it up on MH dashboard so you can watch dashboard of the toad.
I know, sounds like a crazy idea, and I'll probably get 'flamed' for even mentioning it, haha. Its definitely not something I'd want to do for a long term, permanent solution.
However, for a temporary solution to use for maybe a year or two until you can purchase a new vehicle that can be flat towed...Knowing what I know now, and if I had it to do over again, I just might take this 'idling' approach instead of fooling with a tow dolly or lube pump like we did. A small, wireless camera is much, MUCH cheaper than a dolly or lube pump, even when you add in the cost of the little bit of extra fuel you'd be using.
