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Old 01-11-2019, 04:14 PM   #1
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Toad talk: VW Golf GTI, Ford Focus ST, Hyundai Velostar Turbo

Hi,

I have settled on getting a sporty hatch back as a toad. I have narrowed it down to the 3 in the subject line.

Only the Hyundai can be flat towed and the other two have to be dolly towed.

My question is would folk dolly tow if you much preferred a non flat tow car, or would you go with the flat tow capable one?

I am not a full timer and the car will be towed twice a month from the start April to the end of October (live and work in MI).

Thanks,
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Old 01-11-2019, 04:27 PM   #2
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For me.. I'd lean towards going with the flat tow -

I only say this as I have dolly towed, and to be honest, it's a bit of a pain the a$$. While I have never personally flat towed a car.. last summer on vacation with friends, I watched at the easy of flat towing. They had just gotten their set up done and it was their first experience.. it was so easy, it really cemented my thoughts..

Also.. it was nice not to have to find a place for the dolly once we got to the campgrounds..
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Old 01-11-2019, 04:30 PM   #3
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I can give you some feedback on the ST, as I had a 2013. First, I have read on this forum that "new" Focus ST are towable 4-down. My 2013 explicitly stated in the ST supplemental owner's manual that the ST was not towable 4-down. Second, I towed my ST on a Master Tow dolly. I had several recurring problems with the dolly towing. The tires are very wide and the hold down straps would barely fit over the tires. I had a strap come off twice, while towing. The front fascia is very low to the ground. The tires drop down into the dolly pan, which lowers the fascia over the leading edge of the dolly. It's not a problem loading on the dolly as the fascia deflects backwards. However, the fascia hooks onto the dolly's leading edge and rips the whole front plastic bumper off of the car, while backing up. This happened twice over many times towing the ST. My solution was to sell the dolly and car and get a 4-down towable car.
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Old 01-11-2019, 04:48 PM   #4
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Thanks both,

This is the kind of feedback I need before committing to whichever of these cars.

I am all about ease of use while on trips, that's why I changed my old coach for one with auto leveling and awning. :-)
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:03 AM   #5
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Hi Fran,

That was a shame about the ST. Catching the bumper is my big concern on a dolly with a golf also.
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:18 AM   #6
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Look into Chevy Equinox. Flat tow ours and love it.
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:20 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hydro45640 View Post
Look into Chevy Equinox. Flat tow ours and love it.
Thanks for the recommendation.

I am not looking for an SUV though :-)
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:49 AM   #8
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Blue Ox sells a baseplate for the GTI (manual transmission) which means someone must be towing them. You might want to research further before assuming you must dolly it
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:50 AM   #9
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Thanks Jerome, good catch :@)

I have read someone here was flat towing a mid 2000's one.
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Old 01-12-2019, 08:47 AM   #10
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The 2005/2006 1.8L 5 speed manual golf can be flat towed.

Within 500 miles of me there was 1 for 2005 for sale for 4700$. Trying to find one already setup for flat towing will be next to impossible. There is no point flying somewhere to get one.

I was aiming for something about 5-6 years old as if I setup for flat tow I will want to keep it at least 5 years.

So choices are a 2013+ Velostar Turbo to flat tow or similar year GTI to dolly tow.

I would have no hassles dolly towing an older car as it's easily changed in 2-3 years.
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Old 01-12-2019, 09:02 AM   #11
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A 2013 manual Velostar Turbo with 75k miles is about 9,000$

That's doable for me.
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Old 01-12-2019, 04:52 PM   #12
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You should also check out Subaru WRX and STI. The "older" manual transmission cars can be flat towed (but not dolly towed). They come in 4 door sedan and hatchback.
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Old 01-12-2019, 04:53 PM   #13
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Thanks Rockwood,

I will check those out.
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Old 01-12-2019, 05:23 PM   #14
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Hi Khocke,

I have read the Fiesta ST is a hoot.
I checked Remco and they say the new ones are not flat towable.
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