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03-27-2017, 11:27 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 4
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Towing a Car with a Dolly
I've recently purchased a 30' Class A and plan to tow a car using a Dolly so the 2 rear tires will be on the ground. The car is a front wheel drive Honda CRV and my question is: Do I need to purchase a Dolly with Brakes? If yes, would you recommend Electrical Brakes, Surge Drum Brakes, or Surge Disc Brakes?
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03-27-2017, 11:38 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 35,317
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Do you need brakes on the dolly ? That's up to you. It seems the law can be read many ways, as you'll soon see.
I would and do have dolly brakes, but my Class C brakes aren't as robust as Class As.
Surge, disk brakes, are simple, self actuating, self adjusting and work without any wiring or controllers. You could rip the trailer cord out and still have brakes.
Now get ready for the 4 down crowd to try and change your mind.
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03-27-2017, 12:23 PM
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#3
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Member
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Central Kentucky
Posts: 49
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We tow a Fiat 500L with a dolly on a 34' diesel pusher. We chose to buy one with surge brakes because the only thing we had to hook up was the lights. It is a self contained unit and works great. No special wireing and since you don't back one up with the car on it the surge brakes are no problem. Easier to sell if the need arises.
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03-27-2017, 01:53 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,519
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States that require brakes would still require them, but a vehicle on a tow dolly doesn't necessarily fall under the same laws as a trailer. Some states, e.g. Florida, have specific regulations for tow dollys.
The laws of physics aren't any different, though. whether dolly or flat-towed or trailers, you have a bunch of weight behind you that needs to get braked to a stop. The coach brakes are designed to stop the coach alone, i.e. the coach GVWR amount. Anything above that is supposed to have its own braking. So yes, you really should have brakes on the dolly. Surge is the easiest - no brake controller required in the coach. Electric brakes are perhaps better technically, but you really are just looking for some brute force brake assist with the extra weight.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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03-27-2017, 03:03 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 354
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Brakes for sure
__________________
George & Jerri
06 GT 340TSSE
USMC VET.
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03-27-2017, 04:54 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,754
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Surge disc brakes. You will notice the difference without.
__________________
2015 Tiffin Phaeton 40QBH
2018 Chevrolet Colorado Toad
Roadmaster Tow Setup
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03-27-2017, 05:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 665
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I use a tow dolly with electric box works great can even back it up
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Larry and Sheila 2008 Fleetwood Discovery 39R
Retired U.S. Air Force (SAC) Vietnam Veteran
2022 RAM 1500 5.7 HEMI
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03-27-2017, 05:55 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 354
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jergeod
Brakes for sure
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I use electric, no problems
__________________
George & Jerri
06 GT 340TSSE
USMC VET.
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03-30-2017, 04:15 AM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 13
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I would. You do notice a difference. We tow my Mazda 3 behind our 37' gasser. Our first tripe we rented a hauler and could feel the trailer pushing as we stopped. When we bought one with surge brakes, it was a world of difference. Some states require brakes on any trailer over 2500lb, so if you travel you will need to be aware of it. We found a new Towmaster with surge brakes and LED light upgrades on craigslist for just over $1000.
__________________
97 Pace Arrow Vision 37'
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