KarKaddy SS by Demco

[BobMontgomer]

What has your experience been, and what type of car did you tow with it?

The more input, the better!

Thanks!

[BobMontgomer]

Also, any problems?

[Mr_D]

We've had the KK-460 for several years now. Used it to tow a '05 Honda Odyssey (dry weight of 4,400#'s). Never had any trouble even though the van is pretty much maxing the dolly out plus we loaded another 500#'s of goods in it. In fact the van tire sidewalls ride on the outside of the tire pans but never damaged a tire. Follows the MH better than towing four down. The only "trouble" we had was the first time out using it and I didn't get one of the ramps secured and it let the nose of the van scrape the ramp.
Went back to towing the Ody four down now but am keeping the dolly in case the next vehicle we buy can't be towed on all it's wheels.
Well the original fenders did break around the mounting holes. Took pictures and forwarded them to Demco and they shipped me new ones at no charge. It was also missing a spring and plunger unit that was needed with a DP to keep the surge brake from activating when the exhaust/engine brake is in use. Again, no charge.

[JohnH12]

Originally Posted by BobMontgomer

What has your experience been, and what type of car did you tow with it?

The more input, the better!

Thanks!

We have the Kar-Kaddy 3 which is the same as the SS but without the folding features.
We towed a 2007 Toyota Highlander with it until I configured the F-150 for flat tow. Even without the folding features it was easy enough to put at the rear of the RV park pads and back the RV in place since most of the length ended up uder the rear of the RV.
The dolly worked just fine when we used it. It's probably one of the best rated dollys out there but the price holds most back.
[moderator edit]

[AnBfromDE]

I bought a Kar Kaddy 3 this year to tow the DW's Prius C behind our new Motorhome. (The KK3 is the non-folding version of the SS). These Demco dollys are the only brand I found that will load the low ground clearance Priuses without modification to the dolly or car. These dollys are also well designed and well made.

We just got back from a 6000+ mile trip from Delaware to NM, AZ, Utah and Wyoming and are very happy with the KK3. It tracks well and is fairly easy to load/unload taking about 10 minutes to load and tie down the car and 5 minutes or less to unstrap and unload the car.

I use a rubber mat to lay on the ground for hooking/unhooking and I highly recommend using something similar. The solid rubber cushions the gravel and protects from ground moisture. I use one designed to go under a stationary bike since I had one on hand but a floor mat designed to reduce standing fatigue should work as well.

[BobMontgomer]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

We've had the KK-460 for several years now. Used it to tow a '05 Honda Odyssey (dry weight of 4,400#'s). Never had any trouble even though the van is pretty much maxing the dolly out plus we loaded another 500#'s of goods in it. In fact the van tire sidewalls ride on the outside of the tire pans but never damaged a tire. Follows the MH better than towing four down. The only "trouble" we had was the first time out using it and I didn't get one of the ramps secured and it let the nose of the van scrape the ramp.
Went back to towing the Ody four down now but am keeping the dolly in case the next vehicle we buy can't be towed on all it's wheels.
Well the original fenders did break around the mounting holes. Took pictures and forwarded them to Demco and they shipped me new ones at no charge. It was also missing a spring and plunger unit that was needed with a DP to keep the surge brake from activating when the exhaust/engine brake is in use. Again, no charge.

By not getting one of the ramps secured do you mean it wasn't locked forward? Did it hurt your van?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by BobMontgomer

By not getting one of the ramps secured do you mean it wasn't locked forward? Did it hurt your van?

Yep, and yes, it made some pretty nasty gouges in the plastic bumper cover. Never had it repaired either.

[BobMontgomer]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Yep, and yes, it made some pretty nasty gouges in the plastic bumper cover. Never had it repaired either.

About how many inches between the bottom of the bumper and the ground?

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by BobMontgomer

About how many inches between the bottom of the bumper and the ground?

I'd have to go measure it and I'm at work now.

[vettenuts]

Even though I have a different dolly, one suggestion. I put a small hitch on the car I tow. This allows me to move the dolly around when necessary. At some campgrounds, they have you store the dolly off your site in a separate parking area. Even though they will get the dolly for you, if you want an early start I always go grab it myself using the hitch on the car. Then just remove the ball mount part of the hitch prior to putting on the car on the dolly.

[BobMontgomer]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Even though I have a different dolly, one suggestion. I put a small hitch on the car I tow. This allows me to move the dolly around when necessary. At some campgrounds, they have you store the dolly off your site in a separate parking area. Even though they will get the dolly for you, if you want an early start I always go grab it myself using the hitch on the car. Then just remove the ball mount part of the hitch prior to putting on the car on the dolly.

Nice idea.

[LynnD]

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Even though I have a different dolly, one suggestion. I put a small hitch on the car I tow. This allows me to move the dolly around when necessary. At some campgrounds, they have you store the dolly off your site in a separate parking area. Even though they will get the dolly for you, if you want an early start I always go grab it myself using the hitch on the car. Then just remove the ball mount part of the hitch prior to putting on the car on the dolly.

OMG this is a great idea!!!!! We never worried with it but age has changed that to the point that sometimes we just rent a car!

We tow our Mini Cooper and we had a steep learning curve at first! It took us up to 30 minutes to load and unload...now we're much more efficient, it only takes 28 minutes! Just kidding!!

[BobMontgomer]

Originally Posted by LynnD

OMG this is a great idea!!!!! We never worried with it but age has changed that to the point that sometimes we just rent a car!

We tow our Mini Cooper and we had a steep learning curve at first! It took us up to 30 minutes to load and unload...now we're much more efficient, it only takes 28 minutes! Just kidding!!

What kind of dolly are you using for the mini cooper?

[BobMontgomer]

Originally Posted by AnBfromDE

I bought a Kar Kaddy 3 this year to tow the DW's Prius C behind our new Motorhome. (The KK3 is the non-folding version of the SS). These Demco dollys are the only brand I found that will load the low ground clearance Priuses without modification to the dolly or car. These dollys are also well designed and well made.

We just got back from a 6000+ mile trip from Delaware to NM, AZ, Utah and Wyoming and are very happy with the KK3. It tracks well and is fairly easy to load/unload taking about 10 minutes to load and tie down the car and 5 minutes or less to unstrap and unload the car.

I use a rubber mat to lay on the ground for hooking/unhooking and I highly recommend using something similar. The solid rubber cushions the gravel and protects from ground moisture. I use one designed to go under a stationary bike since I had one on hand but a floor mat designed to reduce standing fatigue should work as well.

We have a VW New Beetle and I think the front bumper is about 5 inches from the ground...similar to the prius. Have you had any issues loading or unloading your prius because of ground clearance?