Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine

[willald]

We are planning a trip up to Maine in a few months, up to the in-law's place up in Maine. We want to tow their 2018 Honda CRV vehicle with us, from North Carolina to Maine.

We normally tow our Jeep 4 down behind our Motorhome (see signature). Have been flat towing one vehicle or another behind our Motorhome for years, so we are very used to and comfortable towing with it. The CRV is not one that can be flat towed, nor would it make sense to spend all the $$ to set it up for such just for one tow. Sooo, we are looking at renting a tow dolly or flatbed trailer one way, to tow it behind the RV.

Here is the dilemma we are facing:

U-Haul’s tow dollies have no brakes on them. Although U-Haul says no problem towing this vehicle behind our RV, I'm not sure I like towing over 3,500 lbs. this far with no braking back there. Also, they limit speed with their tow dollies to 55 mph. There is NO WAY anybody could go that slow on the interstates we would have to take going up to Maine. You would absolutely be run over or cause a huge accident, hahaha.

Have checked with Penske and Budget rentals. Both of them do rent tow dollies, but only if you rent one of their trucks also to tow it. Not doing that. Sunbelt rents them also, but theirs do not have brakes. Cannot find anyone else that rents tow dollies that have brakes.

Am I being too paranoid about the braking thing, and should just rent the U-Haul dolly, and (cautiously) tow the CRV on up to Maine on the tow dolly and stop worrying? This is just a one-time thing, we most certainly would not be making a habit of this.

Does anyone know of any other company that might rent a tow dolly, that has brakes?

Tempted to just buy the one tow dolly I've owned before and really like (cartowdolly.com), use it and plan on selling it after we get back. But, that seems pretty foolish, and would be afraid we'd end up losing a ton of $$, or getting stuck with a $1600 dolly we have no use for.

Looked into renting a flatbed trailer from U-Haul. That resolves concerns about the braking and speed limitations, but creates a much bigger issue, in that it would almost certainly put me way over the Motorhome's hitch receiver limitations (500lb max tongue weight, 5k towing weight).

Ideas, thoughts?

[way2roll]

How long is the drive? Granted it's a long day in the saddle but certainly do-able in one day. Seems like you have a few drivers. And if you are driving the MH why would you need to stay in hotels if you decided to break the trick up?

[willald]

Y-Guy wrote:
Are you towing it up and leaving it there, or will it come back with you?

We are towing it up there and leaving it there for them. Its a case where they want to drive as little as possible due to their age, health issues, but really want to get up to their Maine place. We are trying to provide a way to keep them from having to drive, at least from here (NC) to Maine.

How about driving it up? Maybe pay for an airline ticket for them to come down... might be cheaper.

Driving it up is the other option, but that would mean driving two vehicles - me and father in law would be in their CRV (I'd be driving), wife and mother in law would follow in our other vehicle (Ford Taurus). However, that would mean having to stay in motels on the way up (we absolutely HATE hotels, is part of why we own an RV), and we could not all ride together like we could in the RV.

Flying is not very realistic, either, since their place in Maine is way out in the boonies, a good 3-4 hour drive from nearest airport (Portland). None of us are crazy about flying, either.

[way2roll]

Y-Guy wrote:
How about driving it up?

Good point. Even if someone drove it following the MH. Then it costs nothing other than Gas and mitigates any concern you have.

[willald]

way2roll wrote:
A few opinions; tow dollies can go faster than 55 and that restriction is likely due to some insurance mandate from Uhaul as a company to rent them. I doubt 90% of the people that rent a tow dolly from U haul maintain under 55. I have personally seen them go much faster. Secondly, while I am always in favor of a supplemental braking system, I think you can get by with this one-time, one way trip. I mean, no one else has a supplemental braking system when renting a uhaul dolly and I've seen some towed with vehicles that would probably really need it. Your MH is big enough I doubt it will matter significantly provided you drive safe and with enough cushion.

Thanks, these are all very valid points, and is what I was thinking as well. I'm just not sure my father in law will feel the same way about us towing his CRV (that car is his baby, he very protective of it, haha).

....are you sure about the tongue weight? If the towed car is centered over the axles of the trailer I would guess it's designed to minimize tongue weight. Uhaul should know the specs.

No, I don't know for certain on tongue weight, but pretty certain on total weight: Trailer weighs around 2k empty according to Uhaul, add 3500 for the CRV, and we are at 5500, before they even begin to load that car with all their luggage, haha.

For tongue weight, I was going off the fact you want at least 10% tongue weight for stability, 10% of 5500 is 550 lbs. I suppose with the car positioned right over axles, you could get by with less than 10% tongue weight, but total weight would certainly be over.

Lastly, if you decided to buy a tow dolly, I doubt you'd be stuck with it for long. When we sold ours people were falling over themselves to buy it.

Thats cool, but I've had not quite as good luck in the past when selling various things. Is a good point, though.

[Y-Guy]

Tough one. You're in a bit of a no win situation. Since it's not your CRV I'd ask them how they feel about it being towed without brakes. Like you not sure I'd feel great about that. Check places like Sunbelt Rentals or some more local rental shops, I know a few around me have a couple - though unsure if they have brakes or not.

Are you towing it up and leaving it there, or will it come back with you? I'm not sure I'd want to spend all that $$$ to purchase a trailer for a one time use. How about driving it up? Maybe pay for an airline ticket for them to come down... might be cheaper.

[way2roll]

A few opinions; tow dollies can go faster than 55 and that restriction is likely due to some insurance mandate from Uhaul as a company to rent them. I doubt 90% of the people that rent a tow dolly from U haul maintain under 55. I have personally seen them go much faster. Secondly, while I am always in favor of a supplemental braking system, I think you can get by with this one-time, one way trip. I mean, no one else has a supplemental braking system when renting a uhaul dolly and I've seen some towed with vehicles that would probably really need it. Your MH is big enough I doubt it will matter significantly provided you drive safe and with enough cushion. Does the flatbed trailer rental have brakes? and are you sure about the tongue weight? If the towed car is centered over the axles of the trailer I would guess it's designed to minimize tongue weight. Uhaul should know the specs.
Lastly, if you decided to buy a tow dolly, I doubt you'd be stuck with it for long. When we sold ours people were falling over themselves to buy it.