|
|
03-15-2014, 05:45 PM
|
#15
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,919
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Peddler
I roll the dolly in first and then back the MH over it. Only 3 feet or so sticks out.
Don't know of a park where that doesn't solve the storage problem.
|
+1 same here. My wife will move it sometimes to.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
03-15-2014, 05:52 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Titusville
Posts: 249
|
I have done both ways but I sure do like 4 down the best. Less hassle and no tow dolly to store at home. Easier on my back also
__________________
Tim & Paula - Titusville, Florida
2015 Jayco Pinnacle 36FTBS
2011 Chevy 3500 Duramax with Air Ride Hitch
|
|
|
03-15-2014, 05:54 PM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 2,721
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wyorancher
Basically your preference or choice. Probably both do a good job. I tow 4 down and it works for me.
There is a section in the vehicle code about how far an item can stick out past tail lights before it must also have tail and brake lights. Therefore a dolly doesn't rid you of the tail and brake lights installation if you want to be legal.
|
Sorry to differ but that is not correct. A tow dolly with lights does not require additional lighting in the States. Pretty sure Canada is the same but won't bet on it.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]2008 Bounder 38P F53 24/30K V10, 2013 Kia Soul Basic 6 speed manual, Ready Brake Elite tow system (previous equipment 1996 Pace Arrow Vision w/Acme Dolly)
|
|
|
03-15-2014, 06:02 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 2,721
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish Reb
After looking into toad vehicles and systems I am wondering about considering a tow dolly. Cost is the main factor but I am sure there are pros and cons for each. Would appreciate your feedback and experiences.
|
Love it! Car Tow Dolly -The Lightest and Toughest Tow Dolly For All Car Towing Needs - Acme Car Tow Dolly Company
No hassle and no mods required to your car. I have a trailer hitch on my toad in the event I need to move or park the dolly somewhere.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]2008 Bounder 38P F53 24/30K V10, 2013 Kia Soul Basic 6 speed manual, Ready Brake Elite tow system (previous equipment 1996 Pace Arrow Vision w/Acme Dolly)
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 12:53 AM
|
#19
|
Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brockx
Sorry to differ but that is not correct. A tow dolly with lights does not require additional lighting in the States. Pretty sure Canada is the same but won't bet on it.
|
Brockx,
First, you know I am a dolly supporter...but I gotta say that there is no arguing this one. I have searched and searched CA laws (cuz that is where I live and tow most often) and could not find any allowance for the dolly lights being the only lights required on a dolly tow after dark. These laws differ state to state.
For me, CA vehicle code specifically requires lights of at least 6 lumens to be mounted within 3 feet of the corner of any moving vehicle after dark...that puts the back end of my car outside the limits for only using dolly lights.
NO PROBLEM, I SAY! So, now when towing on my dolly after dark, I turn-on the toad's parking lights...easy as pie, as legal as anyone could ask, and pretty safe too.
After a couple hours driving after dark, I usually take a break. So, I have not needed to charge the toad's system because of the lights...but the parking lights will usually run with the toad's engine off for many hours with no problem.
Better safe than sorry, I say. Because you might just run into "that cop" having a bad day, who wants to take their issues out on an easy target in a RV
And, I agree...go EZE-Tow!!!!
Safe travels
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 02:29 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,079
|
AS the poster above me stated all states in the US have different laws. I actually would be surprised if there were states that did not require the vehicle on the tow dolly to not have lights.
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 05:43 AM
|
#21
|
Senior Member
Carolina Campers
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Winston Salem, NC
Posts: 3,452
|
What is amazing to me is all the miss information on both sides of this issue.
Those that use a tow dolly and never tried to flat tow, make up all kinds of reasons why they think flat towing is not good, and many comments are simply incorrect. On the other hand, people that flat tow say some things that are not correct about a tow dolly.
Both solutions can be the best solution for your individual needs.
I started with a tow dolly, mainly because I was towing a car that could not be flat towed (2007 Honda Accord). I then switched to flat towing my 2005 Ford Escape as it was able to be flat towed.
When I traded in the Ford Escape, I made sure that I purchased a car that could be flat towed, a 2013 Honda CR-V. I prefer to flat tow for these reasons;
1) Far easier to hook up and disconnect,
2) I never liked having to muscle the tow dolly around when parked,
3) I found flat towing much safer for me because I no longer have the strength to tie down the wheels on the tow dolly. Therefore, after towing the car for a while, the straps would be lose.
4) The tow dolly is another set of tires to replace and another axel to maintain. I never liked having to grease the wheel bearings, etc.
For my needs, "EASY" was far more important than cost. And with the extra cost of maintaining the tow dolly, I found cost to be a non factor.
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 05:53 AM
|
#22
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,692
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeryan59
I also have used a Roadmaster Tow Dolly in the past, how did you hook up the safety chains without getting on the ground? I carried old throw rug to throw on the ground and a piece of plastic for when it was wet. That was the only thing I hated about the dolly, having to get on the ground to hook up the safety chains. Otherwise, it was a great dolly.
|
As stated you have to get on the ground to hook up the safety chains. I know some dolly mfr don't come with the safety chains and if not I would recommed installing them. We always woud hope for dry days when we had to pull out but that doesn't always happen. Don't get me wrong about the KarKaddy SS we had it was a great dolly with all it's features and I recommend it to anyone. I don't know if I mentioned it before but it also had the track steering system.
__________________
Steve & Sally / Hudson Our Little Pom / Heidi, Houston & HiTee Forever in our Hearts
04 NEWMAR MACA 3778 W22 / 05 PT Vert
Michigan (Summer) Michigan (Winter For Now)
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 06:12 AM
|
#23
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 2,721
|
Hmmm!! My Alligator mouth may have overloaded my Humming Bird butt on this one.
I was under the impression extra lighting was not required if the dolly was equipped properly. Before I go on, let me say I certainly think the extra lights are a good idea regardless of the details. I built a "light bar" that mounts in the TOAD's hitch receiver and provides tail, turn, brake from the dolly system.
I did find this on U-Hauls web site "Even though the tow dolly has operating lights the law requires that a vehicle-in-tow rear-end be equipped with functioning stop, turn and running lights. Detachable vehicle-in-tow towing lights can be purchased at your U-Haul Center or dealer. Disconnect the tow dolly wires from the tow vehicle and plug in the vehicle-in-tow lights when the tow dolly is loaded."
I also asked Richard of EZE Tow Dolly to offer any detail he may have on this matter.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]2008 Bounder 38P F53 24/30K V10, 2013 Kia Soul Basic 6 speed manual, Ready Brake Elite tow system (previous equipment 1996 Pace Arrow Vision w/Acme Dolly)
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 07:01 AM
|
#24
|
Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 447
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve N Sal
Other then that one thing I liked about dolly towing is not having to modify the front of the car. (cutting any holes to accomodate base plate). .
|
Yes I agree, I recently done our Edge that has less than 1000 miles on it. Took 2 hrs to remove the front and install the base plate frame. Took more than 2 hours to double and triple check and get the gonads to cut the holes in the fascia.
__________________
Neal, Tam, & JR
Elmo & Rosie (Cavaliers) Aggie (White Lab)
2014 Anthem 44DLQ
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 07:18 AM
|
#25
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Spring Valley AZ
Posts: 1,226
|
FWIW, I run the safety chains through a piece of MC inner tube, then through the wheel's slot and around the dolly frame. Do it while bent over, no kneeling or on the ground for me.
__________________
Don, Mary and Spooky
'00 Bluebird Skoolie Conversion
Geo Tracker/Dodge Neon/Aprilia Scooter towed
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 07:48 AM
|
#26
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,328
|
Four down: much easier. Let me say that again, much easier. Can be a bit more expensive depending on braking system. Cannot back up. No storage problems.
Tow dolly: can tow most any front wheel drive. Can back up if necessary. Much more difficult to connect up. Your toad should have a hitch so you can use it to move the dolly to a separate storage area if needed.
I tow four down because my DW and myself can be completely connected or disconnected in five minutes including storing the cables and such.
__________________
Paul, Kathy, and Tux the Mini Schnauzer
2014 Tiffin Phaeton 42 LH, 2013 Honda CRV
"When the time comes to look back, make sure you'll like what you see"
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 08:45 AM
|
#27
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,965
|
We have a Roadmaster 2000-1 dolly we used to tow our Buick for several years. We purchased a Jeep for off roading and found it couldn't be towed on a dolly so it gets towed 4 down. To us it's six of one half a dozen of the other. They both take about the same time to hook up and unhook.
The advantage of the dolly is that you can tow almost any front wheel drive car without modifications. The disadvantage is you have to store a fairly large piece of equipment.
The advantage of 4 down towing is very little to store when not towing. The disadvantage is the vehicle has to be modified by adding baseplates and a braking system.
The Jeep is currently in the shop having some repairs done. If we go camping before it's finished we'll take the Buick on the dolly.
__________________
Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
|
|
|
03-16-2014, 01:51 PM
|
#28
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club American Coach Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 667
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scarab0088
Brockx,
First, you know I am a dolly supporter...but I gotta say that there is no arguing this one. I have searched and searched CA laws (cuz that is where I live and tow most often) and could not find any allowance for the dolly lights being the only lights required on a dolly tow after dark. These laws differ state to state.
For me, CA vehicle code specifically requires lights of at least 6 lumens to be mounted within 3 feet of the corner of any moving vehicle after dark...that puts the back end of my car outside the limits for only using dolly lights.
NO PROBLEM, I SAY! So, now when towing on my dolly after dark, I turn-on the toad's parking lights...easy as pie, as legal as anyone could ask, and pretty safe too.
After a couple hours driving after dark, I usually take a break. So, I have not needed to charge the toad's system because of the lights...but the parking lights will usually run with the toad's engine off for many hours with no problem.
Better safe than sorry, I say. Because you might just run into "that cop" having a bad day, who wants to take their issues out on an easy target in a RV
And, I agree...go EZE-Tow!!!!
Safe travels
|
I agree, after dark it is important mainly for safety reasons. Tow Dolly lights are too far forward to be seen adequately at night in particular but also during the day. For safety reasons I would want lights on the back of my tow vehicle on the dolly.
__________________
Johnny Rotten
2009 American Eagle 42'
Trailering HD Road Glide and Saab 9.3 or Cadillac Escalade ESV
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|