Best Way to Tow

[PaulO]

I am at the point where I would like to tow a small car behind my diesel Dutch Star. I would love to know what is the setup that people are happy with and where is the required equipment purchased with good results?

Thanks in advance,
Paul

[DandS]

Paul - the best source for towing info I've found is the Dinghy Guide put out by Motorhome Magazine: http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=2450071

I tow a small car, Hyundai Accent, with a Roadmaster tow bar and bracket set-up and utilize a Brake Buddy for toad brakes. Much info can be gleaned on the forum as to preferences, I'm sure others will chime in.

[bigskymt]

The most popular way seems to be 4 down. Motorhome Magazine's Dinghy towing guide will outline towable vehicles. Remco.com will list most vehicles with a breakdown and cost of required/recommended equipment.

[Luv2go]

We tow a 1994 Acura Integra (with manual transmission) 4 down with a SMI Stay-In-Play aux brake and Blue Ox Aventa LX towbar. We've had no trouble with either SMI or Blue Ox and would recommend both.

This thread has lots of inputs as far as vehicles are concerned, there are similar threads debating 4 down vs dolly vs trailer, what kind of aux brake to use when towing 4 down (or even if to use one at all), towbars, etc in the Towing Issues and Toads section of the forum.

[dajudge]

Paulo
I have always towed four down. The best toad is the one I have now. It is a 09 Chevy HHR. Just leave the ignition on, trans in neutral and tow. I use blue ox tail light kit with diodes and blue ox aventa tow bar. I have a six conducter coiled cord to connect mh to toad. This allows me to run a hot wire from mh to toad positive battery cable to prevent discharge. The HHR is light and easy to tow. It also drives well and is comfortable. (I am 6ft2in, sort of large and am very comfortable when driving) The mileage on HHR is between 24 in town to 30 on the highway and it is very peppy.

[Romeo]

When looking for towing equipment dont overlook CraigsList. I bought my Roadmaster Sterling for $250 from a CL listing. I later wanted a toad brake and found a like new EvenBrake, a Falcon All Terrain, Jeep brackets and all the inter-connections for $500. Since I had the Sterling, I sold the Falcon for $450, the Jeep brackets for $150. I then had to buy NEW jeep brackets to fit my model Jeep and had to pay list of about $400. But, all-in-all I got great prices buying used... saved several hundred.

Check http:\\:: Hitch Trader - Pre-Owned Towing Equipment in addition to CraigsList. It is a site with free listings or Pre-Owned towing equipment.

[LindyT]

Personally, if I bought a used tow bar, I would send it in to the factory to have it checked out and re-certified. You don't really know if it was properly maintained, bent (not always visible), weakened, etc. I think that's a risky venture.

I tow a 2007 Silverado and a 2010 Ford Flex -- both use the Blue Ox towbar and baseplates and the BrakeBuddy Vantage braking system.

[Romeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindyT Personally, if I bought a used tow bar, I would send it in to the factory to have it checked out and re-certified. You don't really know if it was properly maintained, bent (not always visible), weakened, etc. I think that's a risky venture.

Now that I know a little more about tow bars, I think that is a good idea. However I wouldnt send it in to have it checked.

Roadmaster checked mine out last summer at a regional FMCA rally. They do this at no charge during rallies. They told me they go through all the parked motorhomes and look for any coaches with Roadmaster tow bars. When they find one they lube them and check them out.

It just happened that I was parked across from their maintenace trailer during the rally, and I noticed replaced tow bars piling up. So it looked like their free service paid for them... they must have found tow bars that were defective and needed to be replaced.

[PFMCDM]

We tow a Jeep Liberty 4 down. I would not tow with a dolly...I would just rent a car before I would hassle with a dolly. We use Roadmaster Sterling tow bar and Brake Buddy and I use the magnetic lights because I don't want to tie the motorhome lighting circuit into the Jeep's 12 volt circuit.

[ktm500mx]

i use a dolly to tow my vibe gt behind my dutchstar with no problems
later mike

[Keys Girl]

Just bought a Canyon Star 3640 and want to know what we will need to tow a Mini Cooper behind it. Any suggestions?

[Romeo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keys Girl Just bought a Canyon Star 3640 and want to know what we will need to tow a Mini Cooper behind it. Any suggestions?

I can't give you any, but I can tell you I am jealous because that is what I wanted for a towed, but ended up with Jeep!

[DandS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keys Girl Just bought a Canyon Star 3640 and want to know what we will need to tow a Mini Cooper behind it. Any suggestions?

First, you have to decide how you want to tow-----4 down, dolly, or trailer. Once you decide suggest you review the Dinghy Guide referred to in my post above (#2). This guide will explain in more detail towing equipment and various options.

[Route 66]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keys Girl Just bought a Canyon Star 3640 and want to know what we will need to tow a Mini Cooper behind it. Any suggestions?

I suggest contacting Remco Towing as they are the towing experts.