Tow Dolly Vs. 4WD

The OP stated he has a Diesel. Assuming a DP, yeah I know about assuming, it should have at least 7500# and probably 10,000# towing capacity. A friend at the park we stay at in Florida had a cycle carrier mounting bracket installed on the back of his Winnebago Vectra for his Harley and tows a car behind that. He says it works great. One would have to verify hitch and towing capacity regardless.

6 grand? Yeah I'd pass and get a trailer for much less.

Hah, I've been trying to figure out this same question and it seems there is no good answer. Everyone tells me to get an enclosed trailer for the Harley, but again looking at dropping 4k+ and another thing to store in the driveway.

Tow Dolly seems like a good solution for a car though - one thing I read about towing with four down is that it requires more money to rig up the vehicle for towing, and is usually specific to that vehicle. I could be wrong though.

That Dolly+Motorcycle rig is nice, but for 6k forget it! :)

Yes, Grit, it does... but $6K+ is little over the top for my tastes... think I'll probably stick with one or the other... thanks for your post

Lwiddis wrote:
Coasting backwards on a motorbike is my hobby. You supply the beer, I’ll coast ‘em...

Sweet. My beer your bike, I’m in!

To the OP, that tow dolly/motorcycle trailer might be the easy answer that I said I couldn’t think of. That looks like it was made for your request!

"ALL WHEEL DRIVE (Full time 4wd) must be trailered however. no wheels down towing."

Wellll...
Actually, that is another blanket statement that is not quite true.
All Wheel drive older Subarus with manual transmissions are towable four down, but not on a dolly.
Jeep Libertys equipped with the combination (AWD/4WD) transfer case are towable four down, but not on a dolly.
Dodge trucks with the combination transfer case are towable four down.
As always, it pays to read the Owners Manual for the vehicle you wish to tow.

Ditto a flatbed trailer for a small toad and your Harley.

First: Most 4WD vehicles it is not recommended you dolly. Some 2018 JEEPS however it says you may dolly tow or trailer tow, or 4 wheel down tow (Which is how I tow my 2001 Dodge Neon FRONT WHEEL DRIVER Car

ALL WHEEL DRIVE (Full time 4wd) must be trailered however. no wheels down towing.

Now.. If you read the first paragraph you know I tow a Front Wheel Drive 4 down.

My First towed was also Front wheel drive towed 4 down
There are three ways to do this though I've never encountered the 4rd

On the 1992 Lumina APV there was decent ground clearance and I could easily reacy around behind the right front tire, So I had 'em install an AXLE LOCK (Remco Towing used to make them, Do not know if they still do or of they now just market them) This is a device that when "Unlocked" lets that wheel turn free, just like a rear wheel the differential spins but the transmission is in park so it does not turn.. Very nice.

On my 2001 Neon.. I don't have enough ground clearance so I use a LUBE PUMP, this circulates transmission fluid and keeps things lubricated and cool. it is powered by the motor home electrical (Chassis) system. and monitored to insure it is working. I tow in neutral.

Many Front Wheel (And rear) can be towed with the addition of one or the other or a drive shaft disconnect (For rear wheel drive) even though they are NOT designed for 4 down towing.

I have towed flat trailer, Dolly and 4 Down 4 dpwn is the way to go if you can.

Keep in mind that "manual transmission" does NOT automatically mean towable!
Many manual transmissions are splash lubricated. That "splash" comes from the cluster gear in the bottom of the transmission. That gear is turned by the input shaft ONLY. When the input shaft is not spinning, the cluster gear is just laying there. All of the bearing and seals on the upper part of the transmission are getting no lubrication. If the vehicle is towed, eventually something will self-destruct due to lack of lube. Yes, it may take a while, and you might only notice more noise than usual while driving the vehicle, but it WILL eventually break, and it WILL be expensive.
good luck.

Beware the dark side for they doubt too much and lead you down the wrong path.

www.tandem-tow.com

Combination tow dolly with motorcycle platform across front of toad.

https://itisallaboutbrian.wordpress.com

Scroll down web page to find picture of a motorhome pulling a pickup with motorcycle accross front of pickup.

May the force be with you Obiwancanoli.