Community Forums

bsinmich · 12-30-2006, 02:34 PM

I towed with a dolly while my daughter was always going with us. Once she got on her own and I only had my wife to help things got a lot worse. If I tried to get her to drive up the ramp onto the dolly she always had a hard time stopping at the top. It is very difficult to get the car back on the dolly once it over the end of the ramp. (I did install larger stops but that didn't work either). If I drove, it was difficult to tell where I was from her directions. For us it was a divorce or 4 down. After 45 years we went with 4 down. Now it takes us about 1-2 minutes to hitch up and be on the way and we speak to each other when we get back in the MH.

GaryKD · 12-30-2006, 04:41 PM

Steve,
The dolly I mentioned in my previous post has surge brakes. I am please with the dolly (Kar Kaddy) and surge brakes, I would buy them again.

georgetown350 · 01-04-2007, 02:18 PM

It seems there would be less hassle with surge brakes.

thanks guys

smlranger · 01-04-2007, 04:43 PM

Steve:

My 2 cents: we started with a dolly (Master Tow w/o brakes). You will need to lay on your back to put the straps on the wheels of the car. When the metal ramps on the dolly get wet, you may spin trying to get the car up the ramps. I installed a folding tongue jack (from a boat trailer) on the dolly so it was easy to move around if I needed to do so. I also did not have any problems 'storing' the dolly at any campground...usually left the dolly attached to the motorhome.

If I was to do the dolly thing again (and I would not), I would certainly get one with surge brakes.

For me, 4 down is much more easy. Once the hardware is installed on the TOAD, hookup/unhooking is easy and quick. Neither method is cheap...a good dolly with surge brakes will likely cost about the same as a base plate, tow bar, and braking system for your TOAD. I installed my own towing hardware so saved on labor costs. If you are fairly handy with tools, you can install a baseplate yourself.

I'd say the primary advantage of the dolly is you can change TOADS or have the option to tow whatever you have, as long as it is front drive.

georgetown350 · 01-05-2007, 06:35 PM

I suppose I should consider the fact that 9 out of 10 Mhs running down the highway pull there toads 4 down.

DeanLinAZ · 01-05-2007, 07:56 PM

We towed a Miata six-speed, 4-down for three years using Blue-Ox and Brake Buddy gear. The Miata became a PT Cruiser with an automatic, and we were faced with either installing a Remco pump or towing the PT on a dolly. I read too many horror stories about the reliability of the Remco pumps, so we went with the Demco Kar-Kaddy SS with surge brakes for the last two years.

Honestly, I don't see much difference in the hookup/unhook time or hassle. Getting a Brake Buddy adjusted right is no snap (at least not for me). I've only had to hook up once inwet weather and have a dedicated old rug to use when needed.

I think it's like blondes/brunettes, chocolate/vanilla, Ford/Chevy, Cat/Cummins, etc.

I agree that most setups we meet are 4-down, but bothsystems work well if you follow the directions.

Honestly

Ted III · 01-06-2007, 02:51 AM

We are using a Demco dolly for towing. It truly is not any big deal. Probably the worst part of it is throwing the safety chains around the chassis of the car which is totally redundant. I have never had to disconnect the dolly at any campground The Demco unit I purchased has the ramps that fold up, the trailer tongue folds back but must be disconnected. The dolly pretty much eliminates any debris getting tossed at the car due to elevation, along with the total mudflap. The dolly also gives you the ability to tow any vehicle. The dolly included surge brakes

TXiceman · 01-06-2007, 07:00 AM

When we had a motorhome, we started wih a dolly and switched to 4 down on a standard transmission car.

Even if the vehicel is "designated" as suitable for 4-down towing, there will be wear and tear on the driveline. In additon, the vehicel will get more road debris thrown up on it if 4-down.

If I were to go back to a MoHo, I'd get a good dolly with surge brakes. You will have to unlook and store the dolly if you use a back-in site. The dolly also gives you the ability to tow alternate vehicles without set up for a tow bar and brakes.

Ken

Dr. Goodwrench · 03-08-2007, 04:57 PM

We tow our 1990 Miata 4 down, take it on those trips where we have many short overnight stays. Also have a new Kar-Kaddy SS from Demco www.demco-products.com we will use this when we take our new 07 VW EOS Retractable for long stay trips. Going to Arizona in a month and will hook it up once and then unload for 2 months. The SS folds for easy storage on the pad behind the motorhome. I like the idea that my new car will get less drive-line wear, the Miata can be rebuilt/replaced for a few thousand.

Colt45 · 03-09-2007, 11:05 AM

I your csr permits go for a 4 down setup and never look back so to speak

peekay · 03-20-2007, 03:28 PM

i have done both dolly and tow bar with two top of the line setups.

tow bar=blue ox alexus with smi brakes.
dolly=mastertow 80hd w/ electric brakes.

for me, dolly all the way. with the tow bar, i always had to worry about whether the vehicle was tracking properly, especially on tight turns. more than once, my tires went the wrong way. it was more likely my toad's fault, but for me, it made me lose faith in the tow bar.

also, when i got the tow bar, i was surprised to learn that it wasn't nearly as easy to connect as i believed. sure it was easier than the tow dolly, but not THAT MUCH easier. you still have to connect the break away, tail lights, brake control lines, safety chains, and the tow bar itself.

with my dolly, i never have to worry about whether the vehicle is tracking properly. i can make u-turns without abandon. i purchased upgraded straps on ebay. they never work themselves loose whereas my stock straps did. once you get the straps set up right, it takes about 6-7 minutes for me to tie everything down.

i do have to acknowledge though, a truck on a dolly is much easier than a car on a dolly bc of the clearance and getting on the ramp.

Barbara S. · 03-20-2007, 06:08 PM

I have used both, but when I had the car dolly I also had a husband to do the hooking and unhooking. Now that I am a single female I prefer the tow bar. I asked my RV repair shop for the best one and they installed the Falcon 2. I can hook and unhook by myself - it is great! Yes, I did have to purchase an additional vehicle to use as a tow vehicle, but I did not want to part with my 4X4 Explorer and I could not tow it 4 down. I am very happy with my current tow bar.