Tow dolly or not?

JRscooby wrote:

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:

JRscooby wrote:
I confess, I have never used a tow dolly, but when I read a statement like

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
and equip it with surge brakes (as opposed to electric -- although unlikely, electric can come undone, surge can't).

I have to think there is some real Harry Potter snot involved.
Pull up to a CMV check with surge brakes on your Bobcat trailer with surge brakes, the inspectors not likely to be happy. With E-brakes, he can hold is compass next to wheel while checking the brake lights and get a idea they work.
Now I understand, RVs will not be checked roadside. But what is the point of brakes if you don't know they work? E or S, worn shoes or out of adjustment need to lift or dismantle to be sure. But the E controller will tell you when not working electrically. And as you pull out, work the control, feel brakes.
The trailer, I could load, then back up hill before I left the yard. Not sure how well that would work with dolly. Also with the trailer, I could lube the linkage when doing the machine, daily. RVs From what I read once a year is hardship.

Surge brakes operate on momentum, not electricity (which may or may not be connected).

And, with a full trailer (I also owned a Featherlite tandem axle trailer), there's a huge inconvenience finding extra space in a resort or campground, whereas with the dolly, perhaps only a minor inconvenience, if any.

To each his own :C

Surge brakes operate on momentum, not electricity (which may or may not be connected).

I have a firm understanding how surge brakes work, I have owned couple trailers with them, and rebuilt others. When they work, they work off momentum. But, lack of lube on linkage, don't work, or more often do not release. Low fluid, don't work. Little air in system, don't work. Lots of things can go wrong, that average person will not understand.
E brake will not work if not hooked up, but the controller will tell you that it is not hooked up. Like I said before, E brake can be tested in driver seat, before you hit street. Surge brakes, unless you tow often, realize your stopping distance is off, unlikely to know not working.

OK, thanks for the education. I bought the dolly in 1999, sold it in 2015, and never an issue. Maybe the quality of the product I bought and my attention to maintenance had something to do with it --- who knows. Still, I'm a big fan of surge brakes.

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:


OK, thanks for the education. I bought the dolly in 1999, sold it in 2015, and never an issue. Maybe the quality of the product I bought and my attention to maintenance had something to do with it --- who knows. Still, I'm a big fan of surge brakes.

I'm also a fan of surge brakes, for some uses. If I was going to move skid loader with '55 F5, surge brakes work great. But I could, if had not used trailer for a while, chock the truck to be sure did not roll backward and push trailer with loader, see if tires slide. Also don't need to mess with anything if pulling MT trailer with loaded truck.
But for the average RVer, that will most always tow the same load behind the same vehicle, E-brakes is a better idea. The system will tell you something is wrong, and much easier to find somebody with tool and skillset to repair.
This, IMHO makes the statement

and equip it with surge brakes (as opposed to electric -- although unlikely, electric can come undone, surge can't).

mostly wrong.

JRscooby wrote:

RetiredRealtorRick wrote:


OK, thanks for the education. I bought the dolly in 1999, sold it in 2015, and never an issue. Maybe the quality of the product I bought and my attention to maintenance had something to do with it --- who knows. Still, I'm a big fan of surge brakes.

I'm also a fan of surge brakes, for some uses. If I was going to move skid loader with '55 F5, surge brakes work great. But I could, if had not used trailer for a while, chock the truck to be sure did not roll backward and push trailer with loader, see if tires slide. Also don't need to mess with anything if pulling MT trailer with loaded truck.
But for the average RVer, that will most always tow the same load behind the same vehicle, E-brakes is a better idea. The system will tell you something is wrong, and much easier to find somebody with tool and skillset to repair.
This, IMHO makes the statement

and equip it with surge brakes (as opposed to electric -- although unlikely, electric can come undone, surge can't).

mostly wrong.

So electric brakes cannot come undone or fail, eh? OK

And, not many RVers move skid loaders, at least not that I've seen, but when we start doing it, we'll refer to your comments.

Apples 'n' oranges.

Aww I understand, It will not be checked roadside. But what is the point of brakes if you don't know that how they work? E or S, worn shoes or out of adjustment need to lift or dismantle to be sure. But the E controller will tell you when not working electrically. And as you pull out, work the control, feel brakes.
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towservice wrote:
Aww I understand, It will not be checked roadside. But what is the point of brakes if you don't know that how they work? E or S, worn shoes or out of adjustment need to lift or dismantle to be sure. But the E controller will tell you when not working electrically. And as you pull out, work the control, feel brakes.
***Link Removed***

Thank You.
Somebody that sees the point. The time to learn your brakes are not working in not when a kid chasses a ball out in front of you.