Toad on Trailer vs 4 Down

[DougE]

Class B (TBD - probably just a simple cargo van conversion) with 1988 GMC S15.
S15 (2700#) is short wheelbase, automatic, 2wd (V8 conversion).
Trailer (1560#) is 16' car hauler, wood deck.
Question: Haul on trailer or tow 4 down?
With the trailer I have to deal with ramps, tie downs and the additional weight, but I can back it.
Towing 4 down I have to pull the rear wheels up on ramps, crawl under, disconnect the driveshaft at the rear (4 nuts) and tie it up. (Nope, don't want to get a drive disconnect).
Overall length difference is probably only about 2' to 3'. Should get better gas mileage doing 4 down. Tow bar hooks up easier than trailer tongue.
(Wish I knew how to set up a poll on this!)

[Grit_dog]

JRscooby wrote:

phil-t wrote:
Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.

And lifting the rear to get it on the dolly makes that worse...

Wait, wut??

[Grit_dog]

capacitor wrote:
How about a tow dolly? Back on to it, no driveshaft issues.

Not a sustainable idea.

[DougE]

The clearance on those steering wheel locks is pretty minimal. I somewhat doubt that a rope would be rigid enough to matter unless the lock broke. Maybe just for peace of mind?

[JRscooby]

DougE wrote:
Any real world experience for rearward dolly towing?
Caster on an S15 is about 3*. If you raise the rear 12" with a 108" wheelbase, that's a 6* rise and changes the caster to -3*. If you tow backwards then the caster is back at the original 3* positive. So no issue?
Is the steering column lock sufficient to hold the wheels in the straight ahead configuration?
By the way, I appreciate all the comments as its giving me additional things to consider.

Decades back I owned/drove tow trucks. Always more stable when hooked to front.
I always used a rope to hold the wheel, was afraid of damage if trusted the lock.

[DougE]

Any real world experience for rearward dolly towing?
Caster on an S15 is about 3*. If you raise the rear 12" with a 108" wheelbase, that's a 6* rise and changes the caster to -3*. If you tow backwards then the caster is back at the original 3* positive. So no issue?
Is the steering column lock sufficient to hold the wheels in the straight ahead configuration?
By the way, I appreciate all the comments as its giving me additional things to consider.

[JRscooby]

phil-t wrote:
Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.

And lifting the rear to get it on the dolly makes that worse...

[phil-t]

Towing backwards is problematic for the front end, steering. Alignment not setup for rearward travel. I would trailer it.

[Beverley_Ken]

From your figures S25 and trailer combined weight of 4260lb equals a tongue weight of 425 to approx 500 lbs, you are within the specs you listed 500/5000. As long as you are not exceeding (drastically) the 'Bs' rear axle, I would say GO WITH THE TRAILER.
4 down = driveshaft disconnect , tow dolly front wheels up = drive shaft disconnect. tow dolly rear wheels up, rear over hang of bed and step bumper may put it too close to MH, turning. Some will say that in can be down, some with say that it can't be done.

Ken

[capacitor]

How about a tow dolly? Back on to it, no driveshaft issues.

[Bumpyroad]

no drive shaft disconnect IMHO had one, hated it.
bumpy

[DougE]

Per my signature I currently have a Class B Sprinter. (Sold the motorcycle thus going to a S15 toad). I may sell the Sprinter and just fix up a van for camping. I generally expect cargo vans to be good for 500#/5000# but will ensure whatever my tow vehicle is, is capable. (I've traveled in every class but a 5th wheel for ~60 years.)

[Lwiddis]

rk, weight...total and tongue...is always important. Never exceed manufacturer’s specs.

[rk911]

Lwiddis wrote:
Use the trailer. No rolling around in the dirt, mud, gravel, grease etc. disconnecting drive shaft.

given those options...use the trailer but only if you can safely tow the combined weight of the trailer and vehicle. what is the combined weight of the trailer/vehicle? how much can the Class B rated to tow? what is the GCWR of the Class B?

[Lwiddis]

Absolutely, Doug. That’s why I pull a TT with new or fairly new vehicle. Reliability.