Yikes! Think I've made a big mistake. Last week I got all, "I've got to do my part to save the planet!" and traded in my flat-tow Honda CRV for a Toyota Prius -- for which I will need a tow dolly. I was just watching some YouTube how-to videos on tow dollies, with the explanations being provided by hunky, strong men. My question is whether I will be strong enough to do all that. In theory it seems simple. But there is a lot of ground-crawling and cranking. Do any of you use tow dollies? Or will I need to buy a second vehicle to flat-tow?I'm a healthy, 5-foot-tall, 66-year-old woman. I've been motorhoming (is THAT a verb?) it solo for a dozen years, always flat-towing a CRV. But now I am in (impulsive) unknown territory. Any suggestions (or reassurance??) from those two-wheel tow-ers?

Instead of a dolly how about a trailer and load the car completely off the ground? Sure would be easier IMHO.

I tow with a tow dolly but will be modifying my Mini over the winter to flat tow.I'm 75 and can handle it alone for the most part but found it to be more of a pain in the ass than anything.The hardest part for you will be moving it when not attached to you mh.If you get one I would suggest making sure it has a GOOD castor on the jack. A poor castor(or one that has a too small wheel ) will make it difficult to maneuver when unhitched. As far as crawling around to cinch the car down I always make sure I have a big cardboard sheet to lay on. That part isn't difficult but is time consuming.All in all hooking up for flat towing is considerably less involved that using a tow dolly.

Just read the post about using a trailer and I totally DISSAGREE with that. Part of the problem with a tow dolly is what to do with it when not hooked up to MH-either at home or campsite. A tow dolly CAN be maneuvered by one person.A trailer capable of hauling a car would be almost impossible. OTH with flat towing you can put the tow bar in the trunk.

I admire you for wanting to do your part to "save the planet" and having the "spunk" to RV as a single woman but I think you made a big mistake. In my opinion, nothing is simpler than flat towing 4 down. I'd run back to the dealer and buy back that CRV.

TheLuvShack wrote:I admire you for wanting to do your part to "save the planet" and having the "spunk" to RV as a single woman but I think you made a big mistake. In my opinion, nothing is simpler than flat towing 4 down. I'd run back to the dealer and buy back that CRV.I gotta agree with Daryl!

Old Lady & tow dolly. Can this relationship work?

Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2018
I have towed CRVs and Elements for years. The fuse switch is all you need.

Also replace battery every 2-3 years.
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 06, 2018
Tell me more about this umbilical

Here's a link to a 7 pin which you should have on the coach end, at least... Wiring
Whether or not you have a spare on the toad end, I can't be sure, but an alternative is to just wire tie an extra run of #12, alongside the umbilical and attach a separate one pin connector on each end.
I did this once on a factory cable that I didn't want to change out and for running a dash indicator light, telling me when the toad brakes were being supplied.
In your case, the coach end would then run to the chassis battery with an inline fuse attached at the pos terminal and the same for the toad's battery.
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 06, 2018
OK, something went wrong here, so will have to start over
Getup_ngo
Explorer
Nov 06, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
Getup'ngo wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Getup'ngo wrote:
Yikes! Think I've made a big mistake.

Last week I got all, "I've got to do my part to save the planet!" and traded in my flat-tow Honda CRV for a Toyota Prius -- for which I will need a tow dolly. I was just watching some YouTube how-to videos on tow dollies, with the explanations being provided by hunky, strong men. My question is whether I will be strong enough to do all that. In theory it seems simple. But there is a lot of ground-crawling and cranking. Do any of you use tow dollies? Or will I need to buy a second vehicle to flat-tow?

I'm a healthy, 5-foot-tall, 66-year-old woman. I've been motorhoming (is THAT a verb?) it solo for a dozen years, always flat-towing a CRV. But now I am in (impulsive) unknown territory.

Any suggestions (or reassurance??) from those two-wheel tow-ers?

I've never heard of anyone going from flat towing to a dolly, that was happy, but one never know. As for what it takes, you'll become as good at it, as the the next person, I'm sure

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. After a few days of "turd shopping" trying to find a good older-model tow, I made an executive decision. I bought back my Honda CRV trade-in and will get a fuse switch to save the battery.

(Now, I need a garage stretcher ...) ;)

So I've scheduled my next trip, flat-towing again. Life is good. (And I don't have to change my rv.net signature)

Are you saying that you copped out on the deal or do you still have the Prius?
As for the battery, an extra wire in the umbilical cord, connecting both batteries and with a fuse on both ends, should keep your toad, well charged.

Yes, I kept the Prius. It's fun to drive and I got 480 miles on 8 gallons of gas. Tell me more about the umbilical. Is this a special one you can buy?
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
Getup'ngo wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
Getup'ngo wrote:
Yikes! Think I've made a big mistake.

Last week I got all, "I've got to do my part to save the planet!" and traded in my flat-tow Honda CRV for a Toyota Prius -- for which I will need a tow dolly. I was just watching some YouTube how-to videos on tow dollies, with the explanations being provided by hunky, strong men. My question is whether I will be strong enough to do all that. In theory it seems simple. But there is a lot of ground-crawling and cranking. Do any of you use tow dollies? Or will I need to buy a second vehicle to flat-tow?

I'm a healthy, 5-foot-tall, 66-year-old woman. I've been motorhoming (is THAT a verb?) it solo for a dozen years, always flat-towing a CRV. But now I am in (impulsive) unknown territory.

Any suggestions (or reassurance??) from those two-wheel tow-ers?

I've never heard of anyone going from flat towing to a dolly, that was happy, but one never know. As for what it takes, you'll become as good at it, as the the next person, I'm sure

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. After a few days of "turd shopping" trying to find a good older-model tow, I made an executive decision. I bought back my Honda CRV trade-in and will get a fuse switch to save the battery.

(Now, I need a garage stretcher ...) ;)

So I've scheduled my next trip, flat-towing again. Life is good. (And I don't have to change my rv.net signature)

Are you saying that you copped out on the deal or do you still have the Prius?
As for the battery, an extra wire in the umbilical cord, connecting both batteries and with a fuse on both ends, should keep your toad, well charged.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Nov 05, 2018
Getup'ngo wrote:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone. After a few days of "turd shopping" trying to find a good older-model tow, I made an executive decision. I bought back my Honda CRV trade-in and will get a fuse switch to save the battery.

(Now, I need a garage stretcher ...) ;)

So I've scheduled my next trip, flat-towing again. Life is good. (And I don't have to change my rv.net signature)
Good plan.

I did not need a charge line on my 04 CRV w/o a navigation system. In checking the voltage it was apparent there was some drain. So when the opportunity arose I upgraded from my 4 wire cable to 6. Wire #5 was the charge line and wire #6 lights a cab light when the toad aux brake is applied.

The Grand Cherokee (purchased used and was set up for towing) has the identical wiring but the charge line is not used nor needed. And the aux brake is air so no battery drain.
Getup_ngo
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
tropical36 wrote:
Getup'ngo wrote:
Yikes! Think I've made a big mistake.

Last week I got all, "I've got to do my part to save the planet!" and traded in my flat-tow Honda CRV for a Toyota Prius -- for which I will need a tow dolly. I was just watching some YouTube how-to videos on tow dollies, with the explanations being provided by hunky, strong men. My question is whether I will be strong enough to do all that. In theory it seems simple. But there is a lot of ground-crawling and cranking. Do any of you use tow dollies? Or will I need to buy a second vehicle to flat-tow?

I'm a healthy, 5-foot-tall, 66-year-old woman. I've been motorhoming (is THAT a verb?) it solo for a dozen years, always flat-towing a CRV. But now I am in (impulsive) unknown territory.

Any suggestions (or reassurance??) from those two-wheel tow-ers?

I've never heard of anyone going from flat towing to a dolly, that was happy, but one never know. As for what it takes, you'll become as good at it, as the the next person, I'm sure

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. After a few days of "turd shopping" trying to find a good older-model tow, I made an executive decision. I bought back my Honda CRV trade-in and will get a fuse switch to save the battery.

(Now, I need a garage stretcher ...) ;)

So I've scheduled my next trip, flat-towing again. Life is good. (And I don't have to change my rv.net signature)
tropical36
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
Getup'ngo wrote:
Yikes! Think I've made a big mistake.

Last week I got all, "I've got to do my part to save the planet!" and traded in my flat-tow Honda CRV for a Toyota Prius -- for which I will need a tow dolly. I was just watching some YouTube how-to videos on tow dollies, with the explanations being provided by hunky, strong men. My question is whether I will be strong enough to do all that. In theory it seems simple. But there is a lot of ground-crawling and cranking. Do any of you use tow dollies? Or will I need to buy a second vehicle to flat-tow?

I'm a healthy, 5-foot-tall, 66-year-old woman. I've been motorhoming (is THAT a verb?) it solo for a dozen years, always flat-towing a CRV. But now I am in (impulsive) unknown territory.

Any suggestions (or reassurance??) from those two-wheel tow-ers?

I've never heard of anyone going from flat towing to a dolly, that was happy, but one never know. As for what it takes, you'll become as good at it, as the the next person, I'm sure
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Nov 05, 2018
On my tracker the instructions stated to start it every 250 miles. Which for years I did just that and everything worked just fine on the Tracker.

Then on my last leg of a trip I thought what the heck I'm close so I didn't stop to start it at 250 miles.

Well the battery was dead upon arrival. So I guess the starting it every 250 miles also was also charging the battery back up.

To OP: That decision has to be yours and basically it seems you are committed since you already bought the car!
Groover
Explorer II
Nov 02, 2018
tropical_ron wrote:
I'm surprised no one has chimed in with the proven solution for flat towing later model used crv. We tow a 2010 crv. After several instances of dead bettery we bought a remote fuse switch that solved the problem. Note newest year Honda's cannot be flat towed because of different transmission now being used. Do a search for honda towing and you will find many posts.

It seems to me that running a battery charge circuit from the motorhome would be relatively easy too and you would not have to mess with the fuse.

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