Community Forums

sallisawfire · 03-19-2016, 12:51 AM

Why are rv'ers getting away from dollies and flat trailers and going to flat towing , we're wanting get into having a car along but haven't decided which way to gon

Mr_D · 03-19-2016, 12:55 AM

Easier and I don't have to find a place to put the dolly. I haven't used out dolly in about 4 years now. Keep it parked in front of the MH though.

bobioknight · 03-19-2016, 01:31 AM

I liked the dolly because we can travel with any car in tow. It is a little easier to flat tow, but once you get the steps down, dollies are not much trouble. Also, the dolly was less expensive than buying a flat tow specific car. We have used pots a lot and have never had a problem.

C-PHartley · 03-19-2016, 03:39 AM

Our dolly has worked well for 4 years and over 35,000 miles.

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Americanrascal · 03-19-2016, 05:01 AM

I've been down both roads. Towed flat first for many years. Wife then wanted a front wheel drive that could not be towed flat so went with an American Car Dolly.

I can't tell any measurable difference in hook up time once proficient in loading the dolly. Dolly less expensive and keeps nose of car upward avoiding more flying debris on the grill area. Seems easier on wear and tear on the car. Dolly only weighs 400 lbs. Dolly just seems like a lot less headache and no braking mods to the car and tow bar set ups.

Towed from Alaska to Fla and back with the car on the dolly with no problems and great peace of mind.

Our dolly slides up under the moho and does not present a storage problem when not in use.

I can't see any reason I'd ever want to go back to a four down flat tow. But many folks swear by 4 down. I just can't see going 4 down again having done it both ways. Many folks see it different though.

mrfix · 03-19-2016, 05:15 AM

I also dolly and would never consider flat tow, I have a master tow with electric brakes, easy on, easy off, no mods or tow plates on the car and on wear on the car drive trane when towing.
Mrfix

steamyb · 03-19-2016, 05:20 AM

My wife loves her Accord, so I found a Master Tow dolly on craigslist. The dolly needs brakes because I'm not sure where I am going and I really don't want the Honda to push me while braking. So the dolly is in the shop for surge brakes and rewiring and I want a spare tire for the dolly (just in case). This will allow the Mrs. to ride with me in the MH and she will keep the Accord. Happy Wife, Happy Life!

vsheetz · 03-19-2016, 05:33 AM

4 down here. Don't want to have to handle, stow, maintain a tow dolly. Tow bar takes just a minute to connect/disconnect. I have about $750 in used equipment setup - Blue Ox tow bar, brake system, etc.

sallisawfire · 03-19-2016, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

4 down here. Don't want to have to handle, stow, maintain a tow dolly. Tow bar takes just a minute to connect/disconnect. I have about $750 in used equipment setup - Blue Ox tow bar, brake system, etc.

How and where did you find used blue ox?

vettenuts · 03-19-2016, 10:59 AM

My car will flat tow but I went with a dolly. First, don't have to cut the radiator baffles from the radiator to install the tow plate. Second, I didn't want to alter the GM design of the crush members that the tow plate bolts to. Third, I don't have to run the car at each stop or in the morning prior to towing. Fourth, no wear on the drive train. Fifth, don't affect resale of the car. Finally, I can easily tow another front wheel drive car should I buy another. I am happy to use the dolly and am pretty quick at putting the car on and off.

vsheetz · 03-19-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sallisawfire

How and where did you find used blue ox?

Craigslist. Tow bars and such can often be found there.

harleyjt · 03-19-2016, 11:57 AM

Interesting thread. I've been trying to decide which way to go myself, and am leaning towards a dolly. Have never towed either way, but want to start taking the Jeep along (its not flat towable). Interesting how many here are in favor of the dolly. I like the idea of not having to modify my Jeep at all.

One question for those of you with dollies, is how hard is the dolly to move around after unloading the toad and unhooking from the coach? I would think you would probably want to roll the dolly to the rear of the campsite and back the coach in front of it to keep the dolly more secure. Not sure how hard it is to move that 400 lb dolly. I guess one could store it in front of the coach and use a cable to lock it to the front axle or to some fixed object.

Curious too, when do you unload the toad? Do you pull up at the site and unload and unhook there? Or do you unload somewhere else on the way in and have the DW drive the toad in behind you? I'm sure no one is backing the dolly into the site hooked up to the coach. I know I wouldn't attempt it.
jt

RVThere · 03-19-2016, 12:04 PM

I used a tow dolly for 10 years and would NEVER go back.

I have a Jeep GC now that flat tows like a dream. Pop the transfer case into neutral, hook up and away we go. No need to stop to run it like some other cars.

Tow dolly problems that I've encountered:
- lights never work or stop working with miles of leaving on your trip
- straps work themselves off your tires
- when making tight turns, tow dolly fenders will dent the sides of your car (think turning in gas stations)
- low clearance in back if you are carrying bikes on your toad - will bottom out on bumps
- in small RV campsites, no place to put the dolly - or you have to try to roll it up hill by your picnic table

twinboat · 03-19-2016, 01:23 PM

I have backed my dolly in many times. I have a 30 ft class C.

If I end up long, I drop it off the hitch and back over it until the fenders touch the back of the MH.

I put a 4" caster wheel behind the coupling. Then we push on the fenders to move it. It moves easy.

Best part. If the toad dies, I can push the dolly under it and tow it away.

Seen it on U Tube