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03-10-2014, 12:25 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
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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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03-10-2014, 12:35 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Covington, GA
Posts: 784
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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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J.J. Hayden (KN4SH)
Covington, GA
2005 National Dolphin 5342
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03-10-2014, 01:49 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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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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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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03-10-2014, 01:54 PM
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#4
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Litchfield Park, Arizona
Posts: 10,530
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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.
rick
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Rick, Nancy, Peanut & Lola our Westie Dogs & Bailey the Sheltie.
2007 Itasca Ellipse 40FD
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03-10-2014, 02:04 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Lone Star State
Posts: 19,203
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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.
Click to enlarge:
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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03-10-2014, 06:03 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Palm Springs, CA.
Posts: 124
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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
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'10 Carri-Lite 36XTRM5, '05 H/D Road King Classic, '05 Jeep Wrangler LJ, '02 Dolphin 5355 W/H 8.1L/Alli, Fulltime since 5/2010
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03-10-2014, 07:23 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Graham, WA
Posts: 772
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamshog
I picked up the parts to tow 4 down for about $500.00. Much easier than a dolly. Check Craigslist.
Regards, Howard
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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.
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2006 Gulfstream Friendship G7, Cat C7 and Allison 6 spd
Honda VTX and Cruiser Lift on the back
Blue Ox Aladdin, Brake Buddy, 2019 Chevy Blazer RS toad
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03-10-2014, 07:34 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hamshog
I picked up the parts to tow 4 down for about $500.00. Much easier than a dolly. Check Craigslist.
Regards, Howard
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis4809
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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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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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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03-10-2014, 07:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,692
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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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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)
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03-11-2014, 06:52 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Forest City, NC
Posts: 67
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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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Semper Fi, Steve
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