Are tow Dolly's a Hassle?

[supercub]

I've always tow'd 4 down. I've been looking for a new car............I like SUV's and the choices that can be towed 4 down are very limited.
So, I was just thinking, maybe buy a SUV that I like, just buy a tow dolly. Having never used one..........I'm looking for input...............the pros and cons. Thanks
Brian

[msmith1199]

I'm actually in a similar position Effy. My current toad is a Dodge Dakota 4x4 and it tows four down real easy. But I just bought a Jetta TDI Sportwagon and I just love that car. 50 miles per gallon is nice. So I would like to take it along with me on occasion, but after I looked at the cost of the dolly and all the other hassles associated with having the dolly just so I can take the Jetta when I don't need the 4x4 truck, I decided it wasn't worth it. Maybe if we go full time someday I'll look into again, but for now I'll just stick with the Dodge and tow it four down.

[Effy]

msmith1199 wrote:

ronfisherman wrote:
Towed with a dolly for 6 years. Bought 3 different vehicles during that time. No expense needed to change vehicles. Changed because DW and I were finding it harder to move the dolly around. If I was still in the same physical shape as I was when I bought dolly it would still be used. Hooking up the car to dolly was not harder than towbar is. You get what you pay for in a dolly. The more expensive ones are easier to hook up the car. A dolly does added up to 600lbs to the towed weight.

You wrote in here "hooking up the car to dolly was not harder than towbar is." Was that a typo? I've never hooked up a tow dolly, but I've done the research and it sure looks harder. If I was going for a speed record, I'm sure I could install my tow bar on the toad and have it hooked to the motorhome in about a minute and a half. If the tow bar is already on the toad (as it always is when were out on the road) it's simply a matter of pulling the toad into position, attaching the tow bar to the motorhome, plugging in the lights, and clipping on the safety cables. Not even a minute's worth of work. It does add about 20 seconds to put the transfer case into neutral, but most of that time is getting in and out of the toad.

I agree. Those that downplay the time and effort it takes to load a dolly have convinced themselves it's not as time consuming or difficult as it is compared to 4 down. I've seen folks take their time hooking and unhooking cars 4 down and it's not even close to the amount of time and effort it takes to load a car on a dolly. Totally apples and oranges. The only reason Dolly's exist is to tow cars that can't be towed 4 down and dolly's aren't specific to a vehicle. If all cars could be towed 4 down dolly's would dissapear. I hate my dolly, I only have it because my car requires it. I am looking for a vehicle to replace it that can bve towed 4 down. Can't wait to get rid of my dolly.

[msmith1199]

dbates wrote:
Yes, 4 down is easier but a dolly is not as bad as those above say.
I’ve used my Demco Karkaddy SS for 9.5 years and 51,000 miles.

1. Loading and unloading time takes about 5 minutes longer than 4 down.
2. After a little practice you can do it by yourself without much problem.
3. At 75 it is getting a little harder to move it around but still doable and with a trailer dolly even easier.
4. 99% of the time it can be stored with the tongue down under the rear of the MH.
5. As my knees get older it’s getting a little harder to get down & up to fasten the straps and chains but I use a piece of plastic to kneel on and it is still doable.
6. After I figured out how to strap the toad down (not the way the Mfg. recommends) I’ve NEVER had a problem with a loose strap.

If you’re in good health & patient during the learning curve you’ll get along fine with a dolly.

Dave

PS I too recommend the Demco Karkaddy SS dolly. It may cost a little more but it is so well built, will never rust and can be folded to home store in half its traveling length.

If you go check your local hardware or gardening store, you can probably find these little foam rubber mats with a handle that is designed for gardeners to use for their knees when tending the garden. That would probably be more comfortable then your piece of plastic.

[msmith1199]

ronfisherman wrote:
Towed with a dolly for 6 years. Bought 3 different vehicles during that time. No expense needed to change vehicles. Changed because DW and I were finding it harder to move the dolly around. If I was still in the same physical shape as I was when I bought dolly it would still be used. Hooking up the car to dolly was not harder than towbar is. You get what you pay for in a dolly. The more expensive ones are easier to hook up the car. A dolly does added up to 600lbs to the towed weight.

You wrote in here "hooking up the car to dolly was not harder than towbar is." Was that a typo? I've never hooked up a tow dolly, but I've done the research and it sure looks harder. If I was going for a speed record, I'm sure I could install my tow bar on the toad and have it hooked to the motorhome in about a minute and a half. If the tow bar is already on the toad (as it always is when were out on the road) it's simply a matter of pulling the toad into position, attaching the tow bar to the motorhome, plugging in the lights, and clipping on the safety cables. Not even a minute's worth of work. It does add about 20 seconds to put the transfer case into neutral, but most of that time is getting in and out of the toad.

[bigred1cav]

Depends on how good your back and knees are. Both require bending to attach/detach. Dolly requires getting straps around tires in addition to safety chains and lights hookups. 4 down requires a brake buddy which sometimes are pain in anal orifice to get set in.

[mowermech]

Heisenberg wrote:
"Are tow Dolly's a Hassle?" yes

They are a hassle only if YOU think they are.
Some people (like me) use one with no problems.
I also tow four down.
I have also been known to use a flatbed trailer.
There is good and bad in each method.

[mc_cc]

Yes, the tow dolly is a hassel. I have had one. I purchased a 2012 jeep wrangler to replace my car and dolly. The tow dolly has to be placed somewhere while at a campground and at home. With limited space at campgrounds, this can be challenging. The tow straps have to be checked shortly after you start your trip. Never trust how tight you have your straps. I was driving through downtown Atlanta with both straps blowing in the wind thinking they were as tight as I could get them. Hated the tow dolly. Being able to tow 4 down is a dream.

[subford]

"Are tow Dolly's a Hassle?" yes
I used one for 10 years and now it is out behind the barn unused.
I had drum brakes installed on it and brake away wiring.
The main tube under it broke with only the Ford Bronco II on it on the interstate.

I tow my Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo WJ 4X4 SUV four down or my Ford Bronco II with no problems.

[Donna_and_Rob]

Love my Kar Kaddy. How many people write in here and ask about dolly brakes not working? What about tire problems from not tracking correctly. I bought mine used from a Marine, he dragged it from Ca. to Nc. no problems and that's with a full sized pick-up truck, riding not pulling. I've towed it from NC. to Ca. to Wa. to Tx. everywhere. With our front wheel drive car it doesn't register miles on the odometer, sweet. DW and I can push or pull it anywhere and it fits snuggly under the rear of the Motorhome, not completely but up to the wheels. I have done nothing to it but grease the fittings and add a little brake fluid every once in awhile. Hooking up is a breeze. I have no adaptors on the brake petal, no cables drilled thru the dash. I've dragged it 7000 miles and the tires still look new. Yeah, I like my Dolly. Rob

[WILDEBILL308]

Oldme wrote:
We have the Acme EZ tow dolly to tow the
FWD Honda CRV.

We like the all welded construction as well as
the built in LED lights and Surge Disk Brakes.
Nothing else to buy.

Shipping weight is 400 lbs, so you do not even know it's there.

Once you mark where to put the ramps and use the
new straps a couple of times, you are ready to go
in 10min.

Hope you don't have the all wheel drive CR-V.
Bill

[Oldme]

We have the Acme EZ tow dolly to tow the
FWD Honda CRV.

We like the all welded construction as well as
the built in LED lights and Surge Disk Brakes.
Nothing else to buy.

Shipping weight is 400 lbs, so you do not even know it's there.

Once you mark where to put the ramps and use the
new straps a couple of times, you are ready to go
in 10min.

[Heisenberg]

"Are tow Dolly's a Hassle?" yes

[rdthompson1]

After 4 down for 13 years we switched to dolly last summer. A little more hassle, but we don't move so much anymore and dolly has so many more options for vehicle. I heard Honda CRV will no longer be towable next year. Something to do with a variable transmission. Others may have same story.

[kjburns]

I'm a recent convert to dolly towing due to necessity. I bought a FWD car (Ford Fiesta ST) and found later that it isn't flat towable. All Fiestas except the ST are towable and the manual isn't correct. I've always towed Jeeps, so there was much wailing and gnashing of teeth when I first started using the dolly.

I prefer flat towing, but there is a lot to be said for a dolly. It makes more sense economically since it's a one time purchase and you can tow almost any FWD car. Setup for flat towing is pricey and goes with the vehicle. I've only used the dolly a few times and it's not difficult to load. I did it alone on the last trip. I store mine under the back of the motorhome, so it doesn't take up much space.

I plan to continue to tow with the dolly. Once you get a system down, it doesn't take much more time to load. If I change cars, I don't need anything to make it towable. But...I've been eyeing the new aluminum F-150 4x4 and if I buy one, the dolly is toast 🙂