Forum Discussion

treeview's avatar
treeview
Explorer
Apr 11, 2019

Dolly/towbar/trailer

Until a week ago I had an Aluminum Trailex tow dolly that was going to haul my '96 Tracker...4wd...5spd...2 door... that weighs around 2,600#

The dolly was locked up but someone snipped the cable and stole it.

Now I'm back on the market.

I started researching dolly's and towbars with brake systems. I've got some rough costs.

Then I thought about getting a flat deck trailer. Simpler and multipurpose too. I can find one cheaper used than trying to find towbar/brake setups.

Am I missing something? Why wouldn't I go with a trailer?

I did my homework and looked back 12 months on this forum but didn't see this being discussed

Thanks

Tom
  • treeview's avatar
    treeview
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2019
    Yup..in my head I had the complete info but the thought didn't make it to my finger tips.

    On another thread I found the Ready Brake:

    http://www.readybrake.com/

    Now onto base plates and tow bars

    Four down does simplify life a lot!
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2019
    OP edited his original post to give more information. Original post did not state whether it was 2 or 4 wheel drive.
    Defintely tow four down!
  • PNW_Steve's avatar
    PNW_Steve
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2019
    I have towed 4 down, dolly and trailer.

    I found 4 down to be, by far, the east and most convenient.

    If I were in your shoes I would be looking for a toad that supports 4down towing.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2019
    My 2003 has the same specification for towing. 2 wheel drive rear end first.
  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2019
    enblethen wrote:
    Is the Tracker 2 or 4 wheel drive. If 2 wheel drive it cannot be towed four down. Using a dolly needs to be rear end on dolly.
    Trailers are heavier for total weight then dolly.
    Only option if 2 wheel drive seems to be dolly. I would suggest a light hitch to move dolly around.


    You are right the '96 & '97 c without 4X4 cannot be towed four down. I just looked at the towing guide and it didn't mention that, just info on 4X4's.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Apr 12, 2019
    Is the Tracker 2 or 4 wheel drive. If 2 wheel drive it cannot be towed four down. Using a dolly needs to be rear end on dolly.
    Trailers are heavier for total weight then dolly.
    Only option if 2 wheel drive seems to be dolly. I would suggest a light hitch to move dolly around.
  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2019
    If I were to tow a car that was not towable four-down like your's is, I'd use a dolly. But with a vehicle like yours that can can be towed four-down, that's what I would do. Hubs and a brake system less than an new trailer or dolly. An aux brake system can be bought used on CL for a lot less than new.
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2019
    Trailers are great, they have their own brake system and lights plus they tow easy.

    The draw back is they require space in the camp ground.
    We've often left our trailer in a parking lot before we camped. Most times we could get the whole rig in a pull thru space.
    We only needed a 16' trailer for all we carried.
    Other thoughts, you still must have tie downs to keep the load on the trailer
    But you can back up.

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