New to towing. Jeep on a dolly or Odyssey?

[Bondad]

We're going to Yellowstone in late June and want to take a toad along for better sight seeing and just plain getting around easier.

I have an old 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Full Time 4WD that would be ideal for any rough road areas we decide to explore. I don't want the cost of fitting this with a tow bar because I don't anticipate having it for much longer. So I'm wondering if there's any way to use a tow dolly.

If not, I suppose we could bring the '03 Odyssey which I understand is towable on a dolly. Just not too keen on taking the Honda as it limits our rough road options but may be our only option when using a dolly.

Thoughts??

[rgvtexan]

Why not flat tow the Odyssey?

[Bondad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgvtexan Why not flat tow the Odyssey?

We don't plan to need a TOAD very often. We plan to mostly boondock and stay put once we arrive. We live in Colorado so there's lots of places to boondock relatively close to home (within 2-3 hours max). With that in mind, I don't want the expense of adding a tow bar to any vehicle. My neighbor has a dolly that he used for a trip to spring training last year that I can borrow for the cost of a 12 pack.

Perhaps one day our needs will change and we'll get a Wrangler and use it as a TOAD. But for now, we just need a vehicle for 9 days in Yellowstone.

[Hikerdogs]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bondad We're going to Yellowstone in late June and want to take a toad along for better sight seeing and just plain getting around easier. I have an old 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Full Time 4WD that would be ideal for any rough road areas we decide to explore. I don't want the cost of fitting this with a tow bar because I don't anticipate having it for much longer. So I'm wondering if there's any way to use a tow dolly. If not, I suppose we could bring the '03 Odyssey which I understand is towable on a dolly. Just not too keen on taking the Honda as it limits our rough road options but may be our only option when using a dolly. Thoughts??

Check your owners manual about towing a Jeep on a dolly. I am not aware of ANY Jeep that can be towed on a dolly without disconnecting the driveshaft. In the Recreational Towing section of our owners manual there is a warning against trying to tow on a dolly. It cautions that it will cause transmission and transfer case damage.

[Mr_D]

We towed a '97 Jeep GC after we found that the '05 Ody we bought couldn't be towed four down.
The Jeep CAN NOT be towed on a dolly unless you disconnect the rear driveshaft. It'll ruin the transfer case. Four down was great, we had the full time AWD and the transfer case had a true neutral as required.
The '03 Ody can be towed four down or on a dolly, if the dolly is wide enough. We have a Demco KK-460 and the ODY is almost too wide for it as the tire sidewalls ride right on the side of the pan. No tire damage yet but....
Our Ody is also set up to tow four down but Honda says it can't be done. However I see some people towing them and I've talked to owners that report no trouble as long as you follow the CR-V towing requirements exactly.
In your case towing the Ody would be the cheapest and easiest if it'll fit on the dolly.