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txhandgunner's avatar
txhandgunner
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013

This or this....and why?

I've asked this before, but not sure I got my point across.

Why should I buy this for almost $1000...



When this should work just as well for only about $200?



Both are completely safe for 'over-the-road' travel and both would work...
  • F1bNorm wrote:
    admiral0647 wrote:
    The photo is from 2007 when I was still using the Reese fixed a-frame to hook up my car.
    As you can see, the hitch (ball socket) was not easy to see from the driver's seat. Also there was no way to support the hitch in a horizontal positiion at the correct height, while trying to hook up alone. The 'get out and look" method doesn't work since the socket of the a frame must be higher than the hitch ball and there is no way to hold it up while also driving the car. I tried cords and chains but the angle back to the car was too shallow to support the weight.



    I hope this helps explain the difficulty in hooking up an a-frame towbar.


    Two thoughts:
    I would get a box or step to set the A frame on. You need a box anyway to store the safety cables, cord, bits and pieces, right?

    Your towd is small enough, get close and pull or push it by hand (make sure you're on level ground). I do this with my CRV, no problem.

    Norm


    or option B, just stop being cheap and get a decent tow bar to begin with.
    bumpy
  • txhandgunner wrote:
    I've used a tow-dolly before and I cannot see the Reese version being any more complicated than that....

    Yes, it is.

    I'm having trouble understanding why? If I've got a bar on the front of the dinghy, I can't see it being "THAT" much of an issue getting lined-up. Granted, it won't be a one-man job, but I can't see it being a complete mess, either.

    Maybe it's just me...
  • You can shop around and often find deals on used hardware I have purchased road master sterling's for as little at $150 and falcon 2's for $50. And seen readybrakes for $300, its just timing. I have 2 jeeps and a chevy cruze setup for towing. Yes it is expensive but doing it this way is easy.
  • txhandgunner wrote:
    txhandgunner wrote:
    I've used a tow-dolly before and I cannot see the Reese version being any more complicated than that....

    Yes, it is.

    I'm having trouble understanding why? If I've got a bar on the front of the dinghy, I can't see it being "THAT" much of an issue getting lined-up. Granted, it won't be a one-man job, but I can't see it being a complete mess, either.

    Maybe it's just me...

    You just answered your own question. You said "Granted, it won't be a one-man job." The tow dolly IS a one man job. I did it solo for 3 years. If you go from a one man job to a job that REQUIRES more than 1 person, it is by definition, more complicated.

    Just my opinion, of course.
  • Bobbo wrote:
    txhandgunner wrote:
    txhandgunner wrote:
    I've used a tow-dolly before and I cannot see the Reese version being any more complicated than that....

    Yes, it is.

    I'm having trouble understanding why? If I've got a bar on the front of the dinghy, I can't see it being "THAT" much of an issue getting lined-up. Granted, it won't be a one-man job, but I can't see it being a complete mess, either.

    Maybe it's just me...

    You just answered your own question. You said "Granted, it won't be a one-man job." The tow dolly IS a one man job. I did it solo for 3 years. If you go from a one man job to a job that REQUIRES more than 1 person, it is by definition, more complicated.

    Just my opinion, of course.


    and with a good towbar, not the fixed triangle one, it can be a one man job to hook up.
    bumpy
  • and with the fixed arm triangle towbar, along with the correct front bumper on a Jeep, it can be (and IS) a one man job to hook up and unhook.
    I do it frequently.
    It is worthy of note that custom bumpers are one of the more common after-market accessories purchased for Jeeps, especially Wranglers. Some of them work great for holding the towbar at the correct height for hooking up. Mine does.
  • mowermech wrote:
    and with the fixed arm triangle towbar, along with the correct front bumper on a Jeep, it can be (and IS) a one man job to hook up and unhook.
    I do it frequently.
    It is worthy of note that custom bumpers are one of the more common after-market accessories purchased for Jeeps, especially Wranglers. Some of them work great for holding the towbar at the correct height for hooking up. Mine does.

    So rather than spend $750 for a good tow bar, spend $200 for a cheap tow bar and $800 for a new bumper?
  • "So rather than spend $750 for a good tow bar, spend $200 for a cheap tow bar and $800 for a new bumper?"

    well, yeah, I would have purchased the custom bumper anyway, and I already had the towbar, so I saved $750!
    I don't know about the budgets of other people, but my budget says that is a HECK of a lot of money!
  • mowermech wrote:
    "So rather than spend $750 for a good tow bar, spend $200 for a cheap tow bar and $800 for a new bumper?"

    well, yeah, I would have purchased the custom bumper anyway, and I already had the towbar, so I saved $750!
    I don't know about the budgets of other people, but my budget says that is a HECK of a lot of money!

    Which is a HECK of a lot of money, the $750 for the good tow bar, or the $200 cheap tow bar and the $800 bumper that you didn't have to buy, but the OP will?