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werni9's avatar
werni9
Explorer
Jun 28, 2014

Towing with a car caddy

First timer here.......... I have a Class A and I purchased the best item to tow our Camry. It is a Demco Kar Kaddy II. 450 lb. and the wheels turn with the motor home. They can be locked in a straight forward position also. It has no spring, shock, strut suspension. Just drive front wheels on and hook it up. PROBLEM: Recent oil change, I had a mechanic tell me that towing a car on a car caddy has began to wear out the rear struts. Fronts are getting worn also. He said hitting bumps does not allow the car to flex and the back axle of the car is getting the full effect of the bumps. I, unfortunately, left two front small hoops of chain on the car. For easier hooking up of the safety chains from under the car, I have these loops around the frame to run the caddy chain through. Anyway, he saw those and away we went with his diagnosis. Anyone heard of this wear on the car as he is claiming. Thank you. Looking forward to being a part of RV. Net.

Moved to Dinghy Towing forum from Towing.

11 Replies

  • wbwood's avatar
    wbwood
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    The surge brakes are awesome. We have an acme tow dolly and it has the surge brakes. Has worked great for us and was only $1300 brand new.

    I agree with others about the mechanic. I would get a second opinion. If he didn't know you had the kar kaddy, what would of been the reason for new struts then?
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Aug 14, 2014
    No. If it's "Surge" the KK3 will react to the RV slowing down in front of it by applying its own brakes hydraulically. Surge Brakes had an Actuator which is a trailer coupler combined with a brake master cylinder.
  • klebs's avatar
    klebs
    Explorer
    Aug 14, 2014
    we're working up to buying our first MOHO and I have 0 experience towing with a kar kaddy. My wife is not a stick shift person, so our automatic Honda Civic will need a kar kaddy if I don't want to go through the arcane rules for towing 4-down in the user's manual.

    The KK3 has a hydraulic surge braking system standard on it. Would that require me to make a modification to the RV in order to use it?
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Jun 29, 2014
    Some of the Tow Dolly Advocates claim that the Dolly is actually easier on the toad's suspension than towing it Four-Down.
  • Passin_Thru's avatar
    Passin_Thru
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2014
    If you can keep both oars in the water, keep driving it. That's a famous Toyota sales gimmick. Go into a Firestone dealer and have the alignment checked and they will tell you the truth also.
  • dbates's avatar
    dbates
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2014
    In the last 9 years I've pulled my 2004 Vibe almost 50,000 miles on my KarKaddy dolly and the Vibe still has its original front & rear struts and has over 170,000 mile on it. I also think you need to find another mechanic.

    Dave
  • werni9's avatar
    werni9
    Explorer
    Jun 29, 2014
    I thank you all for your response to the mechanic (no friend of mine) claiming my struts were getting damaged towing with a Kar Kaddy. Last thing he said to me that day was "sorry you fell for the Demco salesman's lies about their tow dolly. Ya just can't trust people. Now, when can we get ya in to replace all 4 struts?" :)
  • blknomad's avatar
    blknomad
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2014
    Ditto what 911 said, run away from that con artist. I've towed on my car katty for years and never had a problem. Am towing a Rav 4 2wd now with no problems and I use a steel cable hung from the frame to loosly hook my safety chains.
  • kalynzoo's avatar
    kalynzoo
    Explorer
    Jun 28, 2014
    I used a KarKaddy II for over 25 years without a problem, towing a variety of cars, large and small. The Kaddy does not have a suspension since the vehicle being transported uses it's suspension for stability. I would hook the safety chains over the frame when the car did not have tow rings. But the safety chains are loose, meant for a break-away situation, not as a tie-down. The tire tie-downs are tight, allowing the car to bounce freely during travel. Not that I question your mechanic, especial if he is a friend but; I have been told that dirt on the shocks means I need new shocks, I need brakes since I only have 20% left, and corrosion on the battery cable is a sign I need a new battery. Some of these guys work on commission. Get a second opinion.
    As for the back getting the full affect of the bumps....guess you better not drive the streets of Los Angeles, Some of the potholes are so big you could park a Smart Car in them.

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