Community Forums

Willynojob · 10-08-2007, 04:40 AM

Is it better to tow a toad behind a Class A with tow bar or on a car trailer?

The cost of the trailer is about 1K less, however I am wondering about the hassle of parking the car trailer in RV camping area's, additional costs???

We will be towing a restored 1983 Toyota GTS 5-speed manual transmission.

Willynojob

Willynojob · 10-08-2007, 04:40 AM

Is it better to tow a toad behind a Class A with tow bar or on a car trailer?

The cost of the trailer is about 1K less, however I am wondering about the hassle of parking the car trailer in RV camping area's, additional costs???

We will be towing a restored 1983 Toyota GTS 5-speed manual transmission.

Willynojob

JIM Q · 10-08-2007, 09:14 AM

I was towing all wheels down, but then I traded off the car and was face with getting new tow plates and I did not want to put any tow stuff on front of new car. I decided to go with a tow dolly, I can take any car I want now and If say I had a rental car. Im sure it might be a little hassel with thr tow dolly.
Jim

Ken Roberts · 10-12-2007, 10:09 AM

Willy, we towed 4 down for 4 and 1/2 years. Bought 210' enclosed triler in Dec.'04 and have not used 4 down set-up since. Several talk of problems in campgrounds. This has been pretty much of anon-issue for us-we call ahead tell 'em what we got, if they can handle us fine if notr make another phone call.

To me the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages, i.e. can take any car I want,full electric brakes on trailer vs. Brake Buddy panic type, better visibility for other drivers on the road, with a little practice and patience you can back up trailer that is nigh to impossible with 4 down or dolly, when loading or unloading car I could care less about weather or night vs. day as I am inside the trailer and it has internal lights, no wear and tare on car and it arrives in same condition as loaded. I also like the additional security as no one knows what is in trailer.

Doubtful I will go back to 4 down again. Oh almost forgot, the trailer has good resale value-not so with my Falcon tow bar and Brake Buddy system, Ken,'04 DSDP...

Dsouthw524 · 10-16-2007, 03:19 AM

This issue has been discussed many times on this forum. I will add that everyone in our MH club that started out using a dolly or trailer for their towed has changed to towing 4 down. Some have had physical damage to their bodies loading and unloading the vehicles. Others have found that they had problems with the dolly storage at the places they wanted to go.

If you are interested into additional discussion on this subject use the find and you will get many opinions.

TXiceman · 10-16-2007, 06:34 AM

Having towed both 4-down and a dolly, I'd go back to a dolly if we were to go back to a motorhome. The dolly has a few short comings, but they have improved them since we used one. Be sure and get one with brakes.

Big advantage is you are not stuck with towing just one vehicle.

Ken

nhgeezer · 10-16-2007, 06:57 AM

We have tried em all and tow with an open car trailer. It has it's own wheels, suspension, lights, and brakes. The car gets no wear and I can put any car on it even my 4 wheel drive pick up truck. That is a plus when we go to Nags head to fish from the beach. I use a load leveling Reese hitch and sway control. The Explorer and the golf cart fit on the trailer as well. As far as storage goes, we clear that up on the telephone call for reservations. If that campground cannot handle us there are those that like our money and will accomidate us.

Brad & Lucy aka the Geezer & The Hedgehog
1990 Foretravel 38' DP
Kitty Kat: Earl
Whitey Ford the Explorer riding the car trailer
Navigation: CoPilot 9 on a lap top
ASE Master Technician
SAE

GeoSKlak · 10-25-2007, 04:52 PM

I am wanting to take a car on our trip to Arizona and was thinking of a Car Dolly or an or an alluminum open car hauler like a Featherlite 3110.
I think I will order the alluminum open car hauler this week and I can haul any car I own on it and also use it for some of my other toys like ski doo motorbike and quad.
My question is whether I should install a shield on the fromt end of the trailer??

Ken Roberts · 10-26-2007, 08:11 AM

GeoSklak, certainly a shield on the front will give you some protection from kick up debris. Another option would be installing an aluminum tool box like you see on pick up trucks. It would serve as a shield and also give you some secure storage. Ken, '04 DSDP....