Community Forums

Cobra1 · 07-18-2014, 04:59 AM

I purchased a dolly because my vehicle can not be towed 4 down. I am not going to buy a new vehicle for many years but I want the car with us. Which is better, I do not know, but at least I can pull the car. I will let you know after our next trip about what I think about the dolly.

tedgard01 · 07-18-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra1

I purchased a dolly because my vehicle can not be towed 4 down. I am not going to buy a new vehicle for many years but I want the car with us. Which is better, I do not know, but at least I can pull the car. I will let you know after our next trip about what I think about the dolly.

I agree with having the car along. In fact, I've had situations where the RV required service, nice to have the car, or where the car required service, nice to have the RV... Also, we use our base camp as where the RV is parked, and use the car to venture out to see all the sights and locations from there. Would not be without the car, even if that meant using a dolly.

I realize that your choice was made due to your specific circumstances, and that is fully understandable.

BTW, you need to take several trips, if not several more, to get the full picture of what it means to have a dolly. Then tag along with someone that has a tow bar and flat towes. Then report your thoughts on your choice.

I will just say, from my personal experience, please always check the tie straps after you have been on the road for a few miles. You may find that it will save you a lost car, as it is not uncommon for the straps to loosen up after a few miles. Then recheck at every stop.

jwmaustin · 07-18-2014, 11:38 PM

I'd agree with those that say it's all dependent on what's wanted. I find the dolly to be helpful because I can switch cars and take what I want and I also use it to haul scooters. For me, probably I'm unusual, the dolly is handy for taking my tractor to the shop or to a neighbor for use.

I can see where 4 down would be nice on occasion.

Of course when Google comes up with those driverless cars then we can all just tell our car to heel and it will follow us without attachments by voice command!

Scarab0088 · 07-19-2014, 12:23 AM

Here's an idea for the OP or anyone wondering about starting to tow with a dolly or flat towing...RENT A DOLLY from U-Haul.

The Dolly that U-Haul rents is from a top-line maker and will perform like most any privately owned dolly...except being as heavy as any other dolly.

If you hate it, get a car that can be flat towed...very little loss. But if it isn't too bad, you can buy a new or used dolly for less than the equivelant flat tow equipment, you can use any of hundreds of front wheel drive cars, and brakes will often be part of the dolly...no mods to the car

Best luck

docj · 07-19-2014, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra1

I purchased a dolly because my vehicle can not be towed 4 down. I am not going to buy a new vehicle for many years but I want the car with us. Which is better, I do not know, but at least I can pull the car. I will let you know after our next trip about what I think about the dolly.

Not that this is a criticism, but this post is written from the perspective of someone who is not a full-timer RVer. Many full-timers, including us, sell cars before they set out on the road in order to have one that can be towed 4-down.

Similarly, if we had a dolly we'd not have alternative uses for it, like taking the tractor to the shop!

What's "better" is always in the eye of the beholder.

Cobra1 · 07-19-2014, 05:43 AM

Agreed, not a full timer here. Never will be. Just a man still working that wants to take his motorcycle and car along for the trip.

I plan to tow my car around next weekend just to get the feel for it. Getting ready for a trip to Michigan for the daughter's wedding in Sept. Also thanks for the guidance to check the wheel straps often, I will. I got the Kar Kaddy SS and it was a job to assemble it but I do like the way it folds up for storage. It will take about as much space as a picnic table at the camp site and it is easy to move around. I will give an honest assessment once I use it. I have made many mistakes in the past and don't mind sharing them.

tedgard01 · 07-19-2014, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra1

Agreed, not a full timer here. Never will be. Just a man still working that wants to take his motorcycle and car along for the trip.

I plan to tow my car around next weekend just to get the feel for it. Getting ready for a trip to Michigan for the daughter's wedding in Sept. Also thanks for the guidance to check the wheel straps often, I will. I got the Kar Kaddy SS and it was a job to assemble it but I do like the way it folds up for storage. It will take about as much space as a picnic table at the camp site and it is easy to move around. I will give an honest assessment once I use it. I have made many mistakes in the past and don't mind sharing them.

Happy travels. That is one of the nicest type tow dollies.

KAMPURR · 07-19-2014, 08:53 AM

Thanks for all of your help, we have decided to search for a vehicle that can be towed 4 wheels down.

tedgard01 · 07-19-2014, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yard Perfect

Thanks for all of your help, we have decided to search for a vehicle that can be towed 4 wheels down.

Honda CR-V is a popular choice, a Jeep is another. Just be sure to read the owners manual for that specific year and model, versus taking anyone's word for it. Even most dealers don't know. Read the section under "Recreational Towing (as behind an RV)". There is another section for towing it with a wrecker, so be careful.

The 2013 CR-V (AWD) requires you to follow a specified set up process, but it is very simple. The hardest step is to pull the accessory fuse if you are pulling for longer than 7 hours to prevent the battery from running down. It is located in the fuse box under the dash toward the left side, behind where the parking break is. Regardless, you can install a fuse bypass switch that you simply flip on and off to make that even easier.

As an example that dealers do not know, I had one sales person say he did not know if it could be flat towed, so he checked and then told me that no Honda could be flat towed. I thought it could, so when I picked out the model I wanted, I asked to see the owners manual. It clearly said that to tow it behind an RV, IT MUST BE FLAT TOWED (all four tires down), or on a trailer (no tires on the ground). It could not be towed on a dolly.

wlf00 · 07-19-2014, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobra1

Agreed, not a full timer here. Never will be. Just a man still working that wants to take his motorcycle and car along for the trip.

I plan to tow my car around next weekend just to get the feel for it. Getting ready for a trip to Michigan for the daughter's wedding in Sept. Also thanks for the guidance to check the wheel straps often, I will. I got the Kar Kaddy SS and it was a job to assemble it but I do like the way it folds up for storage. It will take about as much space as a picnic table at the camp site and it is easy to move around. I will give an honest assessment once I use it. I have made many mistakes in the past and don't mind sharing them.

I also used the Kar Kaddy for a number of years because my car could not be flat towed. I think it is a great dolly. I like the way it folded up as well.

When using it, I tightened the straps as much as I could. I then stopped 2 blocks from the house and re-tightened. I then repeated this a mile or so later. And then again at the first rest stop where I could sometimes tighten it another notch.

I have since switched to towing 4 down with a new toad. One of my requirements for the new toad was to be able to tow 4 down. With the Unified Tow Brake, hookup is a breeze. Gone are the days of crawling under the car in the rain to hook up the safety chains, etc.

The final decision is always yours. Every situation is different. For me, the best solution was to tow 4 down once I had a toad that I could do it with.

wlf00 · 07-19-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yard Perfect

Thanks for all of your help, we have decided to search for a vehicle that can be towed 4 wheels down.

Good luck on your search. Make sure you check with the manufacturer on whether the vehicle can be towed 4 down. And make note of any requirements such as removing fuses, etc.

When I purchased my 2012 Buick, there was much confusion over this. The manuals originally said that it could be towed 4 down. But an addendum was later added to the manual stating that it could not. The salespeople just skipped over this part. I eventually got confirmation from the factory that certain transmissions could be towed 4 down and others not. Just make sure you do your homework.

jwmaustin · 07-20-2014, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by docj

Not that this is a criticism, but this post is written from the perspective of someone who is not a full-timer RVer. Many full-timers, including us, sell cars before they set out on the road in order to have one that can be towed 4-down.

Similarly, if we had a dolly we'd not have alternative uses for it, like taking the tractor to the shop!

What's "better" is always in the eye of the beholder.

Agreed that the OP was looking for an open discussion and may or may not be full timing. Alternative uses for some of the "stuff" we all accumulate in this hobby is one way to justify the cost. Thanks for making the point.