Community Forums

advbus · 12-04-2013, 08:08 AM

I have a 2004 SouthWind 32V and have purchased a 2011 Chevrolet HHR. What is the best way to tow it? Owners manual says either way is ok. What do I do about the big drop from the hitch, isn't a 12 inch drop hitch going to hang on driveways and speed bumps? I would appreciate the inputs before I purchase the towing device.

Thanks,

Fred Shockley

Excell · 12-04-2013, 08:26 AM

I rented a dolly to bring my car back when I went to pick up my motor home.
I didn't like it much ,because it was to much trouble to unhook .It towed fine .I am now towing a Tribute ,Man trans ,I have towed that 12000 miles with no problems. This march we are going to Texas for five weeks .we are going to tow Honda Gold Wing ,on a trailer .No car .I should have bought the tow dolly that carries the Motor cycle and tows the car .So what ever you decide to do think about it long . Good luck .

TXiceman · 12-04-2013, 08:42 AM

Another thing to look at is the auxiliary brakes. Most states (and the chassis manufacturer) have a weight limit for a towed load without brakes. You have to abide by the laws of the state you are towing through, so you will need brakes. On a dolly, you can get one with either surge brakes or electric brakes. For the dinghy being towed four down, there are number of brake systems. Make sure on what ever you tow, you also get a break away braking system, in case the dingy breaks loose.

We have towed both 4 down as well as a dolly. With a 4 down dinghy, you will need to ass brackets and a tow bar to the vehicle as well as the braking system When you swap, trade or replace that vehicle, you will need to redo the brakes and brake system.

With a dolly, you can tow pretty much any front wheel drive vehicle.

If we were to go back to a motorhome and towing a dinghy, I'd go back with a nice dolly with brakes.

Ken

hooverbill · 12-05-2013, 11:32 AM

I prefer four down, however, my paperwork says the drop can be no greater than 4". 12" would be a big correction to have to make with a hitch.

PushedAround · 12-05-2013, 11:49 AM

Though I tow 4 down, I wouldn't go that way if your hitch needs a 12" drop down to get the right angle on the tow bar. You will rip it off somewhere (google broken hitches). Maybe you can get some custom base plates or an adapter to get the "back end" of the tow bar higher. On my Honda Element I flipped the base plates over to make up for a 4" fall to the car and now my bar is perfectly level straight out of the receiver.

spritz · 12-05-2013, 05:59 PM

Some web site I was on the other day showed a steel roller wheel, looked to be maybe 4 inches by 2 inches (not sure thought) that mounted under the receiver hitch. Where the ball is. So when you are going to bottom out @ the hitch the roller will take the hit not your receiver/Tow Dolly.
Tim

PushedAround · 12-05-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritz

Some web site I was on the other day showed a steel roller wheel, looked to be maybe 4 inches by 2 inches (not sure thought) that mounted under the receiver hitch. Where the ball is. So when you are going to bottom out @ the hitch the roller will take the hit not your receiver/Tow Dolly.
Tim

It's likely not the drag from the dropped hitch touching the road would bend the receiver, more the back end of the motorhome and all 15~30,000 pounds of it smacking the bottom of the dropped hitch against the tarmac. A roller ball won't change that.

Even a lighter vehicle with a minimal drop can hit the road and bend them. With a motorhome and a long overhang it's just too easy.