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bsheet2's avatar
bsheet2
Explorer
Jul 30, 2019

Toad on a Dolly

Hi all. 1st Class A motor home coming soon. Need to get my car set up to tow on a dolly with surge brakes. I think I would rather flat tow. But the wife is suddenly getting frugal and wants try towing with a dolly. Easy for her to say!

RV >> Thor Challenger 37YT
Car >> 2014 Honda CRV
Tow dolly has surge brakes.

So, I want to pre-wire the CRV to use brake lights, turn signals, etc and not use the lights on the dolly when towing.

Also I want to charge the CRV battery from the RV power when towing.

Would like to use the RV 7 pin connector with a cable that plugs in to a socket on the front of the CRV. Only 1 cable if possible. I was told that the RV 7 pin connector is prewired with a 12 volt hot wire that could be used to charge the car battery.

So, what parts do I need?

Can this be done?

Is this posted in the right place???

Thanks!
  • crawford's avatar
    crawford
    Explorer
    Aug 01, 2019
    I have done it both way never again with a tow dolly 4 wheels down for me also. Also with a tow dolly you only get the dolly's brakes with 4 wheels down you get all 4 wheel brakes. And with stupid people cutting you off taking up you stopping distances you have then don't it helps believe me.
  • Scottiemom's avatar
    Scottiemom
    Nomad
    Aug 01, 2019
    According to the FMCA dinghy guide, your CRV is flat=towable. Never would I do otherwise. We have fulltimed for 15 years and RV'd towing flat for probably 30 years. We bought a tow dolly one time. . . took it back the next day. Borrowed a different one, tried it, and decided not to do that. Regardless of the cost, the ease of setup with flat=towable is worth towing flat. It's easier and it's quick. We have towed a variety of vehicles. . . my favorites were the Aerostar vans (2), a Dodge colt, a Mazda GLC, a Ford Sportrac and now a Ford Flex. Normally my DH sets the vehicles up for towing, but this last time we paid to have it done on the Flex. It was $1300 for the base plate including installation and wiring. Works like a charm.

    Dale
  • lane_hog's avatar
    lane_hog
    Explorer II
    Aug 01, 2019
    Probably a moot point since the OP has canceled their purchase, but....

    I've dolly towed for over ten years, and never installed lights other than what was already on the dolly...
  • bsheet2's avatar
    bsheet2
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    I was able to cancel purchase of the dolly. Will now investigate flat towing.

    Thanks for all your good advise and wisdom!
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Another thing to keep in mind is the laws of the state you are driving in concerning the lights. In some states, the dolly lights must be used, because of the distance between the side of the car and the dolly fenders. The car must have lights or reflectors on the rear because of the distance between the end of the car and the dolly lights. Reciprocity probably does not apply; just because you are legal in your state does not mean you will be legal in all states!
    We towed our PT cruiser from Billings to Chattanooga and back, on an old Demco dolly. In all RV parks except one we got a pull-through site. No problems.
    The Jeep, of course, is towed four down.
  • bsheet2's avatar
    bsheet2
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    lryrob9301 wrote:
    Suggest you tell the wife that she is responsible for loading and unloading the car on the dolly, securing it, hooking up the lights and safety chains. You'll be flat towing after the first trip.


    LOL. Well after she saw all your responses she changed her mind. I am trying to cancel the order for the tow dolly.
  • lryrob9301's avatar
    lryrob9301
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Suggest you tell the wife that she is responsible for loading and unloading the car on the dolly, securing it, hooking up the lights and safety chains. You'll be flat towing after the first trip.
  • Ava's avatar
    Ava
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    I put a base plate on my 03 CRV myself. It was about $600. ( always more in Canada). Was not that hard. There are company videos on how to do it. I also installed a Roadmaster Invisibrake system, about $800-$1000. Lighting kit another $100. My motorhome came with a Roadmaster tow bar so did not have to buy it. Run a fused line from the Honda battery to your front connector to keep it charged.
  • bsheet2's avatar
    bsheet2
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    crawford wrote:
    E bay listed yours for 390 to 450.00 you do the math and all name brand company's.


    Ok. I think that is for the baseplate? I looked on ebay. Also sent message to cancel the dolly order if possible.

    Still need tow bar and braking system.

    May be able to do it for closer to the cost of a dolly.

    Will see if dolly order can be cancelled.
  • crawford's avatar
    crawford
    Explorer
    Jul 31, 2019
    Demco tow dolly is the one with a steering system only one. I know of the others like the one I had says keep the wheel in locked position. That one is a 1,500 more over most others.Most tow dolly's have there own lights on fenders so getting it wire can't understand that part.

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