TC newbie, can I get some input please?

languiduck wrote:

Reddog1 wrote:
I seriously considered a tow dolly, but after much research I have pretty much decided against them. I don't see the braking to be an improvement over the tow bar braking systems. I am considering the Ready Brake system. I have been flat towing my Samurai since 2004, without a tow brake.

Wayne

I've done it both ways, I didn't like how the tow bar felt compared to the dolly. But looking at the Ready Brake system I might reconsider. What kind of tow bar are you using if I might ask? I have just a basic $100 adjustable tow bar. Think that would be compatible with the Ready Brake?

I bought my tow bar off Craigs list in about 2003, for $150. About three years ago, I found one at a Flea Market (for a friend) for $50. Neither had the Tow Brackets. I fabricated the Tow Bar to bumper Tow mounting. I used the Hitch Reciever concept for attaching the Tow Bar to my Samurai front bumper. This is the Tow Bar I have; Roadmaster Stowmaster Tow Bar, but mine has the 2-inch ball and not the pintel.

Although I only have 30-inch tires on my Samurai, I do have a spring over with YJ Springs, which gives me about a 6-1/2-inch lift.The stock tires are 26", so as you can see I am at least 8-1/2-inches taller than stock. I have towed my Samurai up to 80 MPH with no issues. I will say, the Tow-in on a Samurai is very important on a Samurai to have good road manors.

I entertained the tow dolly to allow mishaps on the trail that would not allow me to flat tow my Zuk home. I do take spare parts, all four axles included, and one leaf spring. Depending on how far I am fgoing, I even have a spare third member. What I discovered, is that to tow my Zuk with the rear axle on the dolly, created issues with the front axle, and it effects the towing in a very negative way. Bottom line was to simply flat tow, and take those parts that would prevent me from towing was my best option. The parts I take depend on how far I am towing.

Keep an open mind when looking for solutions to problems. There are usually many ways to solve a problem, and sometimes we fail simply because we did not fully understand what we were doing.

Wayne