Newbie to Dinghy towing....which dolly?

As for lights, although the dolly has bright LED tail/brake lights, I added a LED tail light below the license plate on the bug and routed the wires up into the truck. I have a rechargeable 12v battery in the truck with a connector. I just plug the light in when we are traveling. When the battery needs charging, about every two weeks, I plug it into a small charger we keep in the RV.

Gary

I've mentioned this numerous times before, here and elsewhere. But one of the things that those who are "anti-dolly" keep mentioning as a negative about dolly's, is storing them. Below is a picture of our ACME tow dolly stored on our campsite. Our motorhome backs up over at least 2/3rds of it. Making use only need less than 18-24" of additional length to our motorhome.

JumboJet wrote:


Does anyone that uses a tow dolly add extra lights to the car, or hook into the car lights?

I haven't added lights, but many have done so. I imagine something like this would work nicely on a lot of vehicles.
E Z mount tow light kit

I did a lot of research today of various tow dollies. I purchased the Acme Tow Dolly with the surge brakes. Two reasons - 1) disk brakes that need no adjustment. 2) oil bath hubs: "Hubs and bearings never need lubrication or service."

Instructions say to check the brake fluid as the disk pads wear.

I have never towed a car with my Motor Home, but have needed a car several times when I have made a trip.

Several years ago I bought a Stehl that had NO brakes. I sold it because I did not want to tow without brakes.

I am looking forward to towing my Honda Accord or my daughter's Hyundai Sante Fe.

Does anyone that uses a tow dolly add extra lights to the car, or hook into the car lights?

Looks like I will have some good options before we get a dolly for the MINI.

We got home Sunday from our second mini trip using our tow dolly. We spent 3 nights in Melbourne, Fl. which was about a 320 something mile round trip. My wife went to a Price is Right show last Fri. night (I opted out :B)

All went fine again with the dolly. Those adjustable straps can be a pain. I had for some reason, been putting the hooks on first and then laying them over the tires. That was stupid. I realized if you lay them out first as they should go over the tires, then drape them over the wheels, it will go much easier.

The chains through the wheels seems a much better idea than trying to secure the chains to some other point on the car - no laying down required. I think I'll get some type of quick disconnect for the innner connection, and eliminate having to thread the shackle. The clear plastic hose on the chain helps keep things from getting scratched.

Campinghoss@51 wrote:
We have well over 10 k on our Acme. The straps stretch the first few times you use it and you do need to stop and check them a couple of time at least. That is true for all dolly straps when new. I have the older straps for my primary and the newer adjustable straps for my back ups just in case.
I pull my jeep four down and I do agree it is easier than the dolly but by using the dolly I can tow whatever I want and do not have to worry about which car to buy as a tow. As long as I can unlock the steering wheel and it is FWD I don't care. I primarily use our Toyota when we are not going to the beach but I can also tow the Lincoln if we desire. I just like the freedom of the dolly.

I liked the old straps over these newer adjustable ones. Our 2016 Ford Focus steering wheel doesn't lock, so we don't need to use the key on it. That's nice. I'm amazed in the differences in the ACME dolly's just over a couple years (from the other one we had)

Mich F wrote:
I used my Acme tow dolly last weekend, for the first time. It was only 140 miles or so round trip, but most of that was on I 95. I was pleasantly surprised at how well my first tow dolly experience went. I used their safety chains,running them through the wheels and I secured them to the front angled cross piece. I used their hook on one end and a quick connect and shackle on the other end. I needed the shackle because the quick connect was too thick to go through the chain links.

When I got to the campground to unload, one of the tie down straps had loosened considerably, and the chain on that side was actually holding the wheel on We had to move the car forward a few inches, to allow me to get the ramps on.

On the way home I stopped after about 5 miles and then after another 3 miles or so to check/tighten the straps. Didn't have any issues with either strap loosening, for the rest of the trip. On the trip to the campground, I had only made one stop to check the straps, and that was after about 5 miles. These straps are obviously brand new, and had never been used before. They probably stretched some ?

Putting the chains through the wheels didn't require laying on the ground. I thought my biggest issue was dealing with those adjustable straps and getting them on properly. I assume it will get better/easier with more practice, although I must admit, I was thinking it would most likely be a lot easier towing 4 down.

Yes they will stretch when new. They advise to stop after the first 50 miles to retighten.

We have well over 10 k on our Acme. The straps stretch the first few times you use it and you do need to stop and check them a couple of time at least. That is true for all dolly straps when new. I have the older straps for my primary and the newer adjustable straps for my back ups just in case.
I pull my jeep four down and I do agree it is easier than the dolly but by using the dolly I can tow whatever I want and do not have to worry about which car to buy as a tow. As long as I can unlock the steering wheel and it is FWD I don't care. I primarily use our Toyota when we are not going to the beach but I can also tow the Lincoln if we desire. I just like the freedom of the dolly.

I used my Acme tow dolly last weekend, for the first time. It was only 140 miles or so round trip, but most of that was on I 95. I was pleasantly surprised at how well my first tow dolly experience went. I used their safety chains,running them through the wheels and I secured them to the front angled cross piece. I used their hook on one end and a quick connect and shackle on the other end. I needed the shackle because the quick connect was too thick to go through the chain links.

When I got to the campground to unload, one of the tie down straps had loosened considerably, and the chain on that side was actually holding the wheel on We had to move the car forward a few inches, to allow me to get the ramps on.

On the way home I stopped after about 5 miles and then after another 3 miles or so to check/tighten the straps. Didn't have any issues with either strap loosening, for the rest of the trip. On the trip to the campground, I had only made one stop to check the straps, and that was after about 5 miles. These straps are obviously brand new, and had never been used before. They probably stretched some ?

Putting the chains through the wheels didn't require laying on the ground. I thought my biggest issue was dealing with those adjustable straps and getting them on properly. I assume it will get better/easier with more practice, although I must admit, I was thinking it would most likely be a lot easier towing 4 down.