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03-17-2019, 08:01 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 20
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Help, pros and cons on tow dolly vs flatbed trailer?
Hello all,
I would really appreciate your feedback as to the pros and cons to make the correct purchase the first time.
I have a 2018 VW Beetle. Front wheel drive.
I am trying to decide between a tow dolly or a flat bed trailer to tow behind my 2004 Itasca 24 foot class C. I also have a large touring motorcycle Yamaha Venture, but don't know if we want to tow that as the beetle is a convertible.
I know your experiences, opinions will help with my decision.
Thanks
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03-17-2019, 08:28 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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I use a trailer. Saves wear and tear on the vehicle. Advantage, you can back up any time you want. In 7 years only a couple times did I have to drop the trailer at a camp ground. I'm a total 52 ft long and haven't had any problems finding/getting into any camp grounds. That's a lot of states and camp grounds, 92000 miles. Down side, where to keep trailer when home and you become friends with people that need you to move a vehicle.
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03-17-2019, 08:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Used a dolly to tow a '95 Honda Odyssey behind a Type C MH. Traded to a gas Type A and towed different cars. Traded to a new DP and towed various cars. Then traded the DP for a new one. Again dolly towing several different front wheel drive vehicles. So lots of experience dolly towing but no car trailer. If you aren't going to take the bike I'd get a dolly. There are also dollies that are extended that will carry a bike in front.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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03-17-2019, 03:24 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 420
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Trailer and take the bike too!
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03-17-2019, 07:21 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Payson
Posts: 597
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Take the bike... leave the VW
I tow my Indian Springfield in a 6 X 10' cargo trailer {14' overall} making my total length 38' 6". If you have, and bring, a nice bike you really don't have much need for a Toad. The cargo trailer also sucks up a bunch of gear from my 24' Class C which balances the overall load nicely.
__________________
2012 Nexus Phantom 23P Class C
Ford E-350 Chassis 6.8L V-10 w/5 speed trans w/tow haul mode, 55 gal fuel tank
USCG Licensed Master 100 Ton (Retired)
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03-17-2019, 07:29 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ocala, Florida
Posts: 109
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The tow dolly will cost less, weigh less, have negligible tongue weight on the hitch, and be easier to store when not in use. How about taking the motorcycle in a small enclosed trailer that you can also store other stuff in and leave the beetle home? I didn’t enjoy strapping the front tires to the dolly with my Hyundai Veloster, the Beetle May also be a snug fit under the fenders, you may get a little dirty. I put my Can Am Spyder (trike) inside a 12’ cargo trailer
__________________
2017 Winnebago Aspect 27K
2004 Pleasure Way Lexor TD
2022 Wrangler Rubicon JL
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03-17-2019, 07:53 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
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How about your max towing weight? might be creeping over by a bit. Get a dolly, and a bike trailer. Bike for shorter trips and nice weather. Dolly and VW for longer trips and possible wet weather.
I take the Ranger with bicycles or a bike on longer trips.
This Summer I plan to take my VW for some short trips.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
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03-17-2019, 08:13 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 599
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I use a dolly and feel it is very easy. There are dollies with a design to carry a bike too. A trailer would be fine but would put a bigger tongue weight on you Class C.
__________________
2016 Leprechaun 311 FS
Enjoying retirement
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03-18-2019, 02:01 PM
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#9
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 20
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Thank you for the replies and pointers of the different benefits.
I guess I will just have to make a decision then start the hunt for it.
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03-18-2019, 04:24 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,777
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We do the same thing, are the same overall length now, and have had the same campground experiences. We are on our 3rd trailer (in 41 years). If your budget allows, an Aluminum trailer is much better than a heavy steel trailer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce
I use a trailer. Saves wear and tear on the vehicle. Advantage, you can back up any time you want. In 7 years only a couple times did I have to drop the trailer at a camp ground. I'm a total 52 ft long and haven't had any problems finding/getting into any camp grounds. That's a lot of states and camp grounds, 92000 miles. Down side, where to keep trailer when home and you become friends with people that need you to move a vehicle.
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__________________
George Schweikle Lexington, KY
2005 Safari (Monaco)Trek 28RB2, Workhorse W20, 8.1, Allison 1000 5 spd, UltraPower engine & tranny, Track bars & sway bars, KONI FSD, FMCA 190830, Safari Int'l. chapter. 1999 Safari Trek 2830, 1995 Safari Trek 2430, 1983 Winnebago Chieftain, 1976 Midas Mini
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03-19-2019, 08:19 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by George Schweikle
We do the same thing, are the same overall length now, and have had the same campground experiences. We are on our 3rd trailer (in 41 years). If your budget allows, an Aluminum trailer is much better than a heavy steel trailer.
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My steel trailer is only 1700 lbs. I did some research before I bought. Could not believe the weight of UHaul car trailers. Twice the weight of the one I bought!
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03-19-2019, 10:49 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Nor'easters Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Freedom, NH
Posts: 1,520
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The curb weight of the Beetle is probably around 3,300 lbs. If the trailer, as stated above, is 1,700 lbs, then the total load is around 5K lbs. The tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of total weight, or about 500 to 750 lbs. This will get amplified at the rear axle. What is the rear axle load and capacity of your RV? Will it be overloaded with a trailer attached? All this needs to be considered when towing with an RV.
__________________
Fran, Mary & Zoey (silver Cocker)
2017 Thor Axis 25.5 "RUV", Ford E-450, V10, 6 speed
2016 Chevy Sonic LTZ Auto Hatchback 4-down
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03-21-2019, 02:02 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,042
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If you want to take a motorcycle and your car at the same time, take a look at Landgrebe dollies.
https://www.towtrailer.com/
Otherwise the ACME dolly is a great lightweight option for just towing a car.
http://www.cartowdolly.com
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03-21-2019, 02:16 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,565
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rockwood27
The curb weight of the Beetle is probably around 3,300 lbs. If the trailer, as stated above, is 1,700 lbs, then the total load is around 5K lbs. The tongue weight should be 10 - 15% of total weight, or about 500 to 750 lbs. This will get amplified at the rear axle. What is the rear axle load and capacity of your RV? Will it be overloaded with a trailer attached? All this needs to be considered when towing with an RV.
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Depends on how you load the car on the trailer.
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