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Old 03-10-2014, 12:25 PM   #1
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Towing Advice

I just purchased a pristine 2000 Dolphin 5373. My first motor home. I'm looking for advice: Tow 4-down or on a dolly?
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Old 03-10-2014, 12:35 PM   #2
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I got a dolly to use with our '05 Dolphin just after we bought the MH. The dolly has its own breaks and lights so all I need to do is drive the Toyota Yaris up on it, lash it down and away we go. If I needed to I could use the dolly with my pickup to tow another vehicle. (Haven't done this yet, but the possibility exists )
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:49 PM   #3
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Boy you're opening a can of worms!! People that like towing 4 down will swear it's the only way to go, no dolly to park, no loading/unloading, faster, etc.
People who love dollys will say it's cheaper than outfitting a vehicle with base plate, brakes, all the rest. A dolly can be used with any front wheel drive vehicle, etc.

Pick your method and ignore the rest. Just pick a method that includes brakes on the toad or dolly.
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Old 03-10-2014, 01:54 PM   #4
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Bob hit the nail on the head.

We've always towed four down but it was expensive to get set up. It can be done a bit cheaper but it can easily run >$2K to get a toad ready to tow.

Dollys are cheaper but you have the process of loading and unloading which many say is tougher than connecting a four down toad... and finding a place to put the dolly might sometimes be a challenge.

Best of luck.

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Old 03-10-2014, 02:04 PM   #5
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Bob and Rick summarize the topic well...

It has been beat to death on this Forum...so use the search function (right side of the top blue box) for hours and hours of light reading.

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I dolly tow despite owning an entire set-up to flat-tow (it's a long story).
- BUT - which ever way you pick, please consider getting brakes on the set-up. Often not required by law, but smarter and MUCH safer

Best luck
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Old 03-10-2014, 06:03 PM   #6
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I picked up the parts to tow 4 down for about $500.00. Much easier than a dolly. Check Craigslist.

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Old 03-10-2014, 07:23 PM   #7
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I picked up the parts to tow 4 down for about $500.00. Much easier than a dolly. Check Craigslist.

Regards, Howard
Agree. Bought complete, unused set up of EBay for about $900 plus a new base plate so around $1,200 total.
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Old 03-10-2014, 07:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamshog View Post
I picked up the parts to tow 4 down for about $500.00. Much easier than a dolly. Check Craigslist.

Regards, Howard
Quote:
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Agree. Bought complete, unused set up of EBay for about $900 plus a new base plate so around $1,200 total.
My local Craigslist has 6 dollys for sale, from $450 to $1000. Price isn't the factor that tops 4 down vs. dolly.
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Old 03-10-2014, 07:46 PM   #9
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Howdy and welcome aboard. Glad to have you with us. As far as towing we've unused both. First a Dolly and now 4 down. Everyone will have there own opinions. Ii like the 4 down. Quicker to get ready to go, don't have to lay on wet ground if it's raining to secure the auxiliary safety chains under the car or worry about a place to store the dolly if the park your in doesn't allow you to keep it at your site. Some advantages of the dolly is not having to modify the vehicle your towing, plus being able to tow different FWD vehicles if need be. As mentioned you'll get a lot of plus and minus opinions but it's going to boil down to what you really want in the end. Good luck with your decision and enjoy your travels.
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Old 03-11-2014, 06:52 AM   #10
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I towed with a dolly when I was towing and would go to 4 down if I was to tow again. Now I just rent!! As I got older this became easier!! Keep in mind that if you go 4 down you need to make sure the car or truck you are going to tow can be used to tow 4 down. Good luck and stay safe! Steve
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