Tow Dolly - newbie recommendations

[PCronin68]

I have a 2014 Bounder 34B with towing capacity of 5,000lbs. I have a small front wheel drive Volkswagen CC (3,300lbs) that I intend to tow on a tow dolly. What are some of the suggested brands, not necessary the best, that I can use for a few trips a year. I am not a full timer or retired so I don't see the justification to spend a lot. Also, what about electric brakes vs disk brakes. Is the vehicle light enough for a dolly w/out brakes....by guess is no.

opinions on Stehl Tow Model ST80TD or other model?

Thanks

[Jim_Norman]

If you are not going often and you still want to get around when you get there there are two options. Tow or rent. I have some friends that rented and they were good with it. Me, not so much, we bought a new Jeep Liberty that is now 10 years old. we have towed it well over 50,000 miles. We flat tow and have a built in brake, we have moved up in RVs 3 times since we bought the jeep. We rarely go anywhere without it. As for a dolly, no thank you. It has all the issues of towing plus it adds to the complexity. You have to load and unload the dolly AFTER you have reconnected it to the RV. With our flat tow system we can be hooked or unhooked in under 4 minutes. even faster if on really flat ground.

[PCronin68]

Thanks for responses. Like many things with RVing everybody has their preferences. I will do some more homework.

[ferndaleflyer]

I have used one for many years with never a problem---you can get used ones around here all the time and new ones are less than $1000. Never saw any reason to have brakes. I also sometimes tow a trailer but that's another story.

[GGoodsell]

I towed a Stehl dolly with my 2009 Bounder 32W, carrying our Toyota Camry. It was OK but I have since gone to four-down towing a Honda CRV...much better arrangement. The dolly will get the job done but do insist on brakes of some kind. Be prepared for tire slippage when loading in the rain.

[C_Ref]

Another vote here for American Car Dolly. It's easy to move around without the fixed ramps like the masterTow and the Stehl. I prefer electric brakes vs the surge.
The other thing I like about the ACD is the ratchet position and design.

[zigzagrv]

Master Tow with swivel pan and surge brakes. Around $1800.

[Hikerdogs]

craig7h wrote:
I have a Roadmaster tow dolly, that I got at CW. I dolly a KIA without much problem. The dolly is light weight, easy to move around by hand. Has electric brakes and the platform does the turning.

We also used a Roadmaster (purchased from Camping World in 2001) for several years when we towed our Buick LeSabre. It wasn't the cheapest on the market, but it did a good job. I sold it to a friend about 6 years ago. They still use it to this day.

This is the one we purchased:

https://www.etrailer.com/Carts-and-Dollies/Roadmaster/RM-2000-1.html

They also have another one that's about half the price of this one.

https://www.etrailer.com/Carts-and-Dollies/Roadmaster/RM-2050-1.html

[blknomad]

I have owned a Demco for 9 years and learned a lot about tow dollies. They are not nearly as much trouble as people claim. In all this time I have had to in hook in a camp ground twice. Most campgrounds have a pull through. As said before get one with turn table plate or one that steers. Get surge brakes so you can use it behind other vehicles. They do not need to be licensed and your vehicle does not need extra lights. I currently toe a Rav 4 with a 36ft gasser so you will be OK.

[craig7h]

I have a Roadmaster tow dolly, that I got at CW. I dolly a KIA without much problem. The dolly is light weight, easy to move around by hand. Has electric brakes and the platform does the turning.

[garyemunson]

I wanted a dolly for several years, finally got one, kept it 6 months and got rid of it. Made it so much more difficult finding parking spots and just getting around in general. Went back to Ubering or renting a car at the destination. I can wheel the 'bare' RV just about anywhere. Having the toad was so much trouble. Example: Most Cracker Barrels have RV parking..but it's just a double length spot behind the restaurant. Enough for a coach but not the toad, too. Even Walmart can be a challenge towing. You need to find a spot on the perimeter. Then there's the rainy morning you have to get the car hooked up on..

[mowermech]

American Tow Dolly (google it)
Any dolly with steering, either turntable or kingpin. Kingpin steering (DEMCO Kar Kaddy) is pricey, but quite possibly the best there is.
Personally, and just my opinion, but I would never buy a dolly that didn't have some type of steering. As I indicated, either turntable or kingpin. I would never buy a fixed frame dolly. I know, some people have them and swear by them.
I don't care, I would never buy one!
Electric brakes, surge brakes, or no brakes is pretty much up to you.