Community Forums

Wayne-H · 11-13-2010, 06:07 PM

Which is better/safer - tow dolly or a tow bar. The tow bar is less expensive but the dolly appears safer.

AFChap · 11-13-2010, 06:19 PM

I have done both. I believe tow bar is safer as there are fewer wheels/tires to maintain, there is less weight, it is easier/safer to hookup and/or load unload (dollys and rain are a BAD combination), and the tow bar is MUCH more secure than the strap tie-downs over the car tires on a dolly. You need a braking system either way you go ...on the dolly, or auxilliary brakes for the car on a tow bar.

Wayne-H · 11-13-2010, 06:40 PM

Thanks Paul,

I have seen and heard the probs with disconnecting the towbar and thought this might avoid it - tks for your insight, I am just getting started -- will be full time rv'er soon and wanted to do this part right.

allynne · 11-13-2010, 07:41 PM

I agree with the AF Chap(how could you not agree with a preacher) I have towed 4 down with a tow bar for over 12 years and never had a problem. Keep it lubed. As for as I'm concerned it is safer, more confenient, easier and you don't have to worry about storing the dolly when parked.

Good luck with your choice.

Al Sawyer
'05 MADP

Meurigd · 11-13-2010, 07:42 PM

One advantage of a dolly over a towbar I found was that I was not restricted to towing just the one specific car. On occasion we towed my wife's car, instead of our regular car. Also one time I towed a small pickup. Any FWD or manual shift car can be towed on a dolly. With a towbar you can only tow the car that has the matching towbracket fitted to it. Also, my (Delco KarKaddy K66) dolly had a surge brake. Very simple to use and low maintenance, rather than the more complex (and expensive) brakes associated with a towbar. However, we do now tow with a towbar. The dolly is an extra little vehicle to store and maintain that I did not want to fool with any longer. But as a towing method a dolly does just fine.

Meurig Davies '07 Meridian 36G

Al, Michigan · 11-13-2010, 08:02 PM

When we first got our MH, we got a tow dolly, and went to Fla for the winter, when I got home I couldn't get rid of the damn thing quick enough, and got tow bars, MUCH BETTER AND QUICKER.
Al, Michigan.

Wayne-H · 11-13-2010, 09:33 PM

tks all, you have helped me make my decision, tow bar it is !!

JoeT · 11-14-2010, 08:19 AM

I prefer the tow bar. With the dolly, there is something else to main. Then there's the issue of where to put it when camped.
Besides, I tow a Jeep with Qudra-Drive. It can't be towed with a dolly without damaging the transfer case.

Wayne-H · 11-14-2010, 12:56 PM

i am thinking a top of the line blue ox with a air force one brake controller by smi to tow a ford standard shift ranger.

wa8yxm · 11-14-2010, 02:05 PM

Personally I think the tow bar, with a proper aux-brake system, is safer and here is why

When you are towing, if ALL WHEELS have working brakes, then the formula for skid distance on clean dry pavement has one, and only one variable.. SPEEED (Which is squared) For any given segment of road the size of the vehicle, weight, number of tires and such do not enter.. Only SPEED and one other factor.. (Coefficient of friction) which is the same for all vehicles on that hunk of road. Even the condition of the tires matters not less they blow.

BUT.. If you have any wheels NOT braking.. Then the math gets much, much more complex and the vehicle skids farther

With a 4-down system (Tow bar) and proper aux brakes (US Gear, M&G, Ready Brake, Air Force 1) you have all wheel braking

With a dolly.. Two wheels on teh car are NOT braking .... but that weight (mass) is still pushing you down the road and into the rear of whatever you are trying NOT to hit.

Vegasdan · 11-14-2010, 03:45 PM

The point about being able to tow more than one car using a dolly probably wouldn't apply to a fulltimer.

ronswank · 11-24-2010, 08:04 PM

I bought the ReadyBrake system with the surge brake and it works great once I got it adjusted. I pull a chevy cobalt and don't even know its back there. slo-mo

Wayne-H · 11-24-2010, 11:30 PM

I had another person tell me that even with a stick shift sometimes you must disconnect the drive shaft, anyone know if this is true -- I have a 2004 ford ranger standard shift 2 wheel drive.

Vegasdan · 11-25-2010, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne-H

I had another person tell me that even with a stick shift sometimes you must disconnect the drive shaft, anyone know if this is true -- I have a 2004 ford ranger standard shift 2 wheel drive.

The dingy guide at www.motorhomemagazine.com says you are ok to tow 4 down with the 2wd manual. It's recommended to tow at 55MPH.