Four Down or Tow Dolly

[PCronin68]

I just bought a 2014 Bounder Classic 34b this past November and rented a car on my last two vacations. I haven't invested in any tow package and was wondering +/- to four down vs tow dolly

[WILDEBILL308]

I started with a dolly but now tow 4 down. I like 4 down better. But as some have stated you may want to tow with a dolly if your car can't be towed 4 down.
Bill

[Bumpyroad]

4 down if you have a vehicle capable of being towed 4 down. check the owner's manual, which is the only valid source of information. you can get "hints" from various other sources however.
bumpy

[2chiefsRus]

I'm with the four down crowd if possible. If you end up going with the tow dolly for whatever reason, at least get a hitch on the car so you can use it to move the dolly around if you have to park it separately from the rv. You can also use the hitch for bike racks too.

[dbates]

mowermoch covered the choices very well. I've been towing my Vibe on a Demco Karkaddy dolly for 10 years and 50,000+ miles with no problems what so ever. Since I can't afford a different toad I'll probably continue with the dolly but I'm the same age as steve407 and have to agree with him. It's getting harder to hook up and manually move the empty dolly around so if you can afford a 4 down toad and you plan to keep it for many years I'd suggest you go 4 down.

Dave

[steve407]

HI. Four down is the way to go if you can tow your vehicle that way. I bought my first Class A last year and purchased a tow dolly for my FWD Lincoln MKZ. I did this because to go 4 down the cost was roughly $4k since I don't do that kind of work myself. The tow dolly (Acme EZ tow) cost me $1800 with spare tire and shipping. But - at 67 years old, I've found that getting it loaded and unloaded, safety chains on, etc is just too much for me. I'm getting ready to sell the dolly and plunk down the bucks to 4 down my 2012 GMC Terrain which can be dinghy towed. If you're young, don't mind getting down on the ground to do the safety chains under the chasis of the car, then it's cheaper to tow dolly, but if not ...:(

Steve

[Ivylog]

If you do not have a toad, then make sure what you buy can be towed 4 down as that is where most end up. Yes, backing up can be a problem unless you lock the steering wheel or try and go too far. Over the years I've used every method plus a new one as now I actually tow 2 wheels down making it possible to back up.
Click on my two towing methods below but without a tag axle most MHs cannot handle that much weight that far back.

[JR45]

4 down, we have a 98 Honda Accord with 200k on it and it tows great. I would like to get a 2013 or newer Ford Edge AWD but I don't want to spend that kind of money.
JR

[dubdub07]

4 down.

[2gypsies1]

4 Down but make sure your vehicle is capable of doing it.

[mfox20]

Four down if you have a car or buying a car that can be towed four down. I you already own something that can't be towed four down, I guess dolly might be a better option.

I like four down because I don't have to find parking for the car and the dolly.

BTW....I just set my 2013 Honda CR-V up last week and will be doing my first four down tow next week.

[mowermech]

I have done all three methods (four down, tow dolly, and car hauler trailer).
four down is nice, IF your vehicle can be towed that way. Some vehicles can be, some can't without expensive modifications. I towed Jeeps, a Corvair, and a dodge 4X4 four down.
A dolly is great for front wheel drive vehicles that can not be towed four down. I towed a Chrysler PT Cruiser from Montana to Georgia and back. No problems.
A trailer is great for any vehicle up to the size/weight limits of the trailer. I have towed AMC Eagles on a trailer. I have also towed Jeeps on a trailer, when I didn't want the wear and tear of long distances on the tires and drive train.
As far as cost, it is pretty much a wash. A good used dolly can be purchased for 500 to 1000 dollars. A new one for 1500 to 4000, depending on brand.
A towbar and all the gimcracks and gadgets can be had for less that 500 dollars used, or several thousand new, installed.
A 16 foot trailer with 2 foot "beavertail" can be purchased for less than 2500 dollars new, ready to go. Four tie down straps or chains can be anywhere from 15 to 50 dollars. Used trailers can be anywhere from 500 to 2000 dollars.
Then there is backing up to consider. NO towbar or dolly manufacturer that I am aware of recommends backing. Some people say they do it all the time. I tried it once with a Jeep on a towbar; made it back about 5 feet when the front wheels SLAMMED violently over against the stops in a full left turn! I will never try it again!
A trailer can be backed anywhere, anytime, any distance, depending only on the skill level of the driver. A trailer can also be used for other things when needed. I used mine to haul hay for the horses. When I had horses.
Now, what is best for YOU? That is a question that only YOU can answer.
Good luck.

[BTPO1]

I presently tow on a dolly but if I purchase another vehicle it will be 4 down. As I get older it is getting harder to put the car on and strap it down. It is also getting harder to move the dolly around. I have towed my CJ-5 4 down and for me it is a lot easier. JMO