New to Class C ownership. We now want to tow one of our vehicles which is a 2012 Scion XB automatic. I will be contacting Toyota to verify it can be dolly towed but I believe it can. Weight of Scion is about 3000#. It sits low to ground like other small cars in this category.My rig is in my sig.I've read about Demco, American Tow Dolly, Tow Master, Kar Kaddy, and ACME. They all vary widely in pricing and brakes. From $1495 to over $3K. Some with electric drum/shoe brakes and some with surge disk brakes. Weight of dolly is important as I do not want too add additional towing weight if not necessary.Cost is also a factor, but not if it means low quality (i.e., you get what you pay for).What type of brakes....disc surge or electric drum?Anything else I should consider in my decision?Thanks

I towed a Corolla on the Master Tow dolly for 2 years with no problems. You definitely want a dolly with surge brakes, no electrical connections to give problems and surge brakes give proportional braking as needed. Also your Scion x/B is towable on a dolly but not 4 down with a automatic. It's the same drivetrain as a Corolla Sport. The Master Tow is a fairly heavy dolly as opposed to the Demco Kar Kaddy which would have been my choice if there had been a dealer near me at the time.

I was happy towing with my Demco KarKaddy II, which I used for 25 years. I now tow 4 down. Never had a problem, other than a blown tire. The tire was a standard size, easy to replace, Demco rapidly supplied paint and a new light so I could make the dolly good as new.

Get the dolly with surge brakes

I was happy with my Stehl Tow Dolly for the 3 years we used it. It had electric brakes. After 3 years, we replaced our car with one we can tow 4 down.

I recommend the DEMCO Kar Kaddy. surge brakes or electric, your choice. Both work.I had an older one, without brakes. I sold it because it did not have brakes, hoping to get one that had brakes.Stupid move!I wish I still had it!

Newbie to Dinghy towing....which dolly? | Good Sam Community

lryrob9301
Explorer
Sep 26, 2016
I towed a Corolla on the Master Tow dolly for 2 years with no problems. You definitely want a dolly with surge brakes, no electrical connections to give problems and surge brakes give proportional braking as needed. Also your Scion x/B is towable on a dolly but not 4 down with a automatic. It's the same drivetrain as a Corolla Sport. The Master Tow is a fairly heavy dolly as opposed to the Demco Kar Kaddy which would have been my choice if there had been a dealer near me at the time.
kalynzoo
Explorer
Sep 26, 2016
I was happy towing with my Demco KarKaddy II, which I used for 25 years. I now tow 4 down. Never had a problem, other than a blown tire. The tire was a standard size, easy to replace, Demco rapidly supplied paint and a new light so I could make the dolly good as new.
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Sep 27, 2016
Get the dolly with surge brakes
Bobbo
Explorer II
Sep 27, 2016
I was happy with my Stehl Tow Dolly for the 3 years we used it. It had electric brakes. After 3 years, we replaced our car with one we can tow 4 down.
mowermech
Explorer
Sep 27, 2016
I recommend the DEMCO Kar Kaddy. surge brakes or electric, your choice. Both work.
I had an older one, without brakes. I sold it because it did not have brakes, hoping to get one that had brakes.
Stupid move!
I wish I still had it!
Baja_Man
Explorer
Sep 30, 2016
any comments, real world advice, on the ACME tow dolly?
mowermech
Explorer
Sep 30, 2016
The ACME? Isn't that the one that they say the vehicle front wheels steer it?
Yes, they even show a video of the vehicle steering wheel turning, although the wheels are tightly strapped down. I wonder what is being twisted under there to make the steering wheel turn.
Personally, I would not buy one. I would get the American tow dolly (http://www.americancardolly.com/) that has turntable steering, or the DEMCO that has king pin steering.
I would not buy ANY dolly that does not steer itself!
Baja_Man
Explorer
Oct 17, 2016
I've watched some of the videos but can't see to fully understand teh difference between:

1. The ACME type of dolly that has the rigid wheel carriers and the vehicle wheels turn as RV turns....

2. The swiveling platform or turning axles used by (American Dolly and Demco Kar Kaddy)

Which is preferred and why?

NOTE: Demco is twice the price of ACME and American Dolly is a little less than ACME but has electric brakes
Snowman9000
Explorer
Oct 18, 2016
... deleted due to wrong info ...
RJsfishin
Explorer
Oct 19, 2016
Any rigid frame dolly puts more strain on the towed vehicle's suspension, and on the dolly's frame, and the tires are forced to slip somewhat in the turns, but that don't mean it don't work, because it does.

But I would want a Demco anyday. It is the Caddy of all dollies. How do I know,....I had one !