flat towing or tow dolly

[charlestown]

im leaning toward towing with a tow dolly but im reading where I have to get out and recheck my straps,once I get going I hate to stop . wouldn't it be easier to tow a car all four down if so where can I find alist of cars that can be towed with auto trans that dont weight much over 3000 lbs

[wbwood]

RJsfishin wrote:
Quote:
I have to get out and recheck my straps, once I get going I hate to stop.
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There are a lot of reasons for not using a dolly, but this has to top them all !!

Did they say it had to be done in the 1st mile ??
In reality, the 1st.....maybe 2nd,.....maybe even 3rd rest stop would be fine.

What some should realize, is that the toad is not really trying to get off of that dolly. Except in a very unusual circumstance, it would much rather stay on it, w/ or w/o straps 🙂

LOL


The instructions we received on the tow dolly we had before and would highly recommend (ACME), said to check it after about 50 miles. We did just that, maybe a little further. But as you mentioned, at another rest and etc. This was our first time towing like that. We even stopped and pulled the car off and back on a couple of times. After that first day, I didn't worry about and just checked the straps whenever we stopped (break/gas/etc).

[RJsfishin]

Quote:
I have to get out and recheck my straps, once I get going I hate to stop.
------------------------------------------------------------
There are a lot of reasons for not using a dolly, but this has to top them all !!

Did they say it had to be done in the 1st mile ??
In reality, the 1st.....maybe 2nd,.....maybe even 3rd rest stop would be fine.

What some should realize, is that the toad is not really trying to get off of that dolly. Except in a very unusual circumstance, it would much rather stay on it, w/ or w/o straps 🙂

[wbwood]

charlestown wrote:
im leaning toward towing with a tow dolly but im reading where I have to get out and recheck my straps,once I get going I hate to stop . wouldn't it be easier to tow a car all four down if so where can I find alist of cars that can be towed with auto trans that dont weight much over 3000 lbs

Have you gotten quotes for getting a car and your RV set up for flat towing? I just did. 2 quotes. One from Camping World and another from another RV dealership. Both quoted me over $4000 to setup our 2016 Ford Focus manual shift. That is for base plate, tow bar, braking system, wiring and etc. CW's labor was just under $800 alone. The other place, just under $1000. They are also charging for the shipping costs of the parts at over $100. I can save anywhere between $500-1000 on parts and then the shipping cost by ordering myself off amazon and get free shipping. Which I may do. But the point is, that setting up for flat towing is expensive (unless you can do it yourself and/or you are skipping breaks which is a bad idea in my opinion). We've had a tow dolly in the past and it was no issue and we may consider one again.

[dbates]

j-d has stated it right!

I've been towing my Vibe on a Demco KarKaddy SS dolly for 60,000 mile, 10+ years and have had no problems with it. If strapped down right (not the way manufacturers suggest) you'll never have a strap come loose.

That said, now that I'm approaching 77 it is getting a little harder to move the dolly around and getting down on my knees to hook up but I love my Vibe and it can't be pulled 4 down. If you're getting up in years, your toad can be pulled 4 down and you plan to keep it for a long long time 4 down might be the better way to go.

Dave

[RJsfishin]

I've done it both ways too, and except for the hassle of the dolly itself, storage etc, I'd rather dolly tow any day. Besides others, an added feature is that I can back up a dolly toad a city block if I have to. Try more than 10 feet 4 down.

[j-d]

Yes! I like Four-Down, Flat, FROG (Four Rolling On Ground) whatever you call it. BUT BUT BUT

1. We keep our towed vehicles a long time so changeover doesn't happen all that often, and
2. I've been able to avoid much of the expense by:
a. Buying used or closeout equipment
b. Doing my own installations

So read Brian's "Holy Fruitcake" thread below. If you:
1. Want to tow more than one vehicle
2. Change towed vehicles often
3. Need to use Retail for
a. Parts
b. Labor
4. Don't have a big budget
Then I'd honestly say "used tow dolly with brakes."

[wbwood]

We had a dolly and had no issues with it. WE are now looking at having a car set up for flat towing. Two dealers gave us initial quotes for over $4000 to set up for flat towing. You can buy the parts for cheaper than what they are going to charge you. But you are still looking at $700 + depending on the dealer in just labor costs. So if you spend $400 for a baseplate, $500 for a tow bar, you are already closing in on $2000 and that's not including the cost of the braking system, depending on what you get. You can count on close to $1000 or so for that. It's not cheap to flat tow. You can tow with a dolly for nearly half the price. And it's not that bad. I won't hesitate to go back to a dolly. Although my wife is holding out. And the only reason is that she thinks its cooler or more elite to flat tow. But she will be cringing in another few years when she decides to trade in the car and pay another $400 for a new baseplate and other $350+ for the install of it...lol And not to include the lighting...unless you go with magnetic lights..

[WyoTraveler]

I tow 4 down and it works out for me. When I was taking my training for a commercial license my trainer told me stopping and walking around your vehicle is part of being a safe driver and more explicit told me "If you are too @#@$@ lazy to stop and get off that soft warm seat to check out your vehicle you are an accident just waiting to happen". That comment from my trainer has helped me be a better driver. Just thought I would pass it along. Every time I stop I walk around my my MH, check lights, connection to my toad, and anything else that may cause problems. JMHO

[WyoTraveler]

I tow 4 down and it works out for me. When I was taking my training for a commercial license my trainer told me stopping and walking around your vehicle is part of being a safe driver and more explicit told me "If you are too @#@$@ lazy to stop and get off that soft warm seat to check out your vehicle you are an accident just waiting to happen". That comment from my trainer has helped me be a better driver. Just thought I would pass it along.

[haydoracin]

I agree with mowermech. I have towed both ways and prefer 4 down, however, I stop after 25-50 miles and double check regardless of how I am towing.

[mowermech]

I have done both, and I have put a vehicle on a flatbed trailer.
My truck is set up to tow four down. My PT Cruiser can be dolly towed, or I could install a lube pump and the baseplate for four down towing
There are pros and cons to each method. A search on this forum will likely turn up many discussions.
Most front wheel drive cars can be towed on a dolly.
Many vehicles can not be towed four down without expensive (yes, IMO, $700 to $1000 is expensive) modifications (lube pump, etc.). Then add in the cost of the towbar, braking system, lighting, etc.
A good dolly can be delivered to your door for about $1500 (http://www.americancardolly.com/). Or, you can buy a Demco for about $1700 (T1210) to $4000 (Kar Kaddy II) new or $2000 (more or less) used.
4X4 and AWD vehicles can not be towed on a dolly.
Most 4X4,s and some AWD vehicles can be towed four down.
Many rear wheel drive vehicles can not be dolly towed or towed four down. However, by disconnecting the driveshaft, they can be towed either way.
Whether you are dolly towing, towing four down, or on a trailer, you should stop after no more than 50 miles and inspect the tow to ensure that nothing has gone wrong. It is simply a good safety practice.
The best source of towing information about a vehicle is the Owner's Manual.
One can also check the REMCO website for information.
Motorhome Magazine has a pretty good list of towables.
It all boils down to personal choice. What do YOU want to tow, and what are you willing to do or willing to spend to accomplish it?

[K_Charles]

We traded the TT for a class A and wanted to go away right then. The wife said we need a car with us. We had a pickup an SUV and a car and none could be towed on a dolly. I traded in the car and put a hitch on the new(used) one and we tow 4 down.
The three we had could not be towed 4 down ether.

[blknomad]

Once you learn how to use the straps properly, you can just keep gettin it! I have never heard of a car falling off a dolly because of loose straps. If you follow this forum you will see the number of people who have problems with towing 4 down verses dolly towing. Very few people have, once mastered, have any problems with a dolly. Get a good Demco and forget it.
Seven years, 75K miles, 2 cars 2 mohos one dolly.

[gbopp]

I believe the general consensus is, towing 4 down is easier than a dolly.
However, there are pros and cons to each. With a dolly you can easily change toads. Most (if not all) front wheel drive cars can be dolly towed.
Do your research and decide what is best for you.