Dollies not permitted?

[mjpachuta]

My wife and I are looking to purchase our first RV. As part of this discussion, we would like to tow our 2002 VW rabbit, which cannot be flat towed. So, now, we are checking into the possibility of a dolly. However, one RV dealer told us that dollies are not permitted in some states, and definately not allowed anywhere in Canada!

Looking through this forum, I have not seen any mention of such restrictions. Any truth to this limitation on the use of dollies?

Thanks and Regards,

The Real Old Navy

[JohnRR]

[Larry & Rita]

Never heard of such a law, or restriction. worth looking into.
I have had RV parks tell me to park my dolly in a special spot during our stay.
Gotta check this out.

Larry

[TonyDi]

Gald to jhave you with us.
I have seen dollys used in every state I've been in, and there never seems to be any problems. Some RV parks have restrictions on where you have to store your dolly when you are there, but it not a big issue for dolly users. I have not been to Canada so I can't sperak for them but it does not sound logical. Maybe some of our Canadian members can comment on this.

[FlyingDiver]

Originally Posted by mjpachuta

My wife and I are looking to purchase our first RV. As part of this discussion, we would like to tow our 2002 VW rabbit, which cannot be flat towed. So, now, we are checking into the possibility of a dolly. However, one RV dealer told us that dollies are not permitted in some states, and definately not allowed anywhere in Canada!

Looking through this forum, I have not seen any mention of such restrictions. Any truth to this limitation on the use of dollies?

Thanks and Regards,

The Real Old Navy

He may have meant that you can't have a simple dolly without a brake system. Maybe.

[gruelens]

If you are planning on only making a couple of trips, you can make out with a dolly. However, if you are going to use your new MH with any regularity, you will not regret the decision to tow a dinghy 4 down IMO.

[Skip426]

I'm, not aware of that restriction in Canada, I have seen dollies in use in B.C. and AB. Both by Canadian and US, vehicles . But I will check the B.C. DoT web site for info.
As mentioned in other posts, there may be a brakes requirement.

[mjpachuta]

Woe! So many great responses, and so quickly. Thanks to all for all the information. I shall continue to check this out with the Canadian DOT. Also, I may have to look at dumping the VW for a Jeep, or maybe just get a motorcycle lift for my Harley.

Cheers - OldNavy

[BFlinn181]

Tow dollys are legal in all of U.S. and Canada. They do need to be equipped with brakes, however. It's a cheaper solution than selling your VW and buying something else and outfitting it for towing 4 down. Enjoy!!

[wb7auk]

Many many years ago some of use called them mobile tow bars.

[Tom-NC]

Hi, I have been using a tow dolly since 1997 and have not had seen any restrictions. I even towed my Honda Civic on the dolly to Alaska and back with no problem.

If you are going to get a dolly I suggest a Roadmaster 2001 with electric brakes as the wheels on the dolly are steerable and they track where the rear tires on the motor home go.

As for parking them in campground I have never had a problem in any CG. I usually try to get a pull through site or if I have to have a back-in I simply unload the car, unhook the dolly and push it behind the coach and then hook it up . If I can't fit it behind the RV I can push it alongside it.

Two final points, you don't have to get i registered or put a plate on it and install a third wheel on the tongue so you can push it around.

Good Luck!

[BFlinn181]

You learned not only about the legality of dollys, but the honesty of at least one RV dealer. A good lesson to learn!!

[wa8yxm]

Originally Posted by Larry & Rita

Never heard of such a law, or restriction. worth looking into.
I have had RV parks tell me to park my dolly in a special spot during our stay.
Gotta check this out.

Larry

Far as I know.. Larry is quite correct. If you ever get to Quartsite AZ in the last half of Jan you will see RVs. many towing a car on a dolly, from just about every state and provience, and There is no problem.

HOWEVER: there is an "Issue".. on my motor home, given the weight of the motor home and the chassis max Combined Vehicle Weight Rating,, i can tow, safely, 4,000 pounds (My hitch is rated 5,000 but the chassis can not pull that much less I toss 1/2 tone of something out).. The car I used to tow, as it happened, tipped the scales at just exactly 4,000 pounds.

(The one I have now 2500)

For many GAS rigs, the Dolly plus the weight of the car puts you over limit. That said. I have a friend who used to have a class A with the same exact chassis I have... He towed an SUV (Over 4,ooo pounds) on a flat bed trailer.. WAY the blazes over weight for that rig.. Good thing his only accident was backing into a tree bob-tail.

That is the major danger with trailers of any kind.

IF you have the tow rating.. Consider an enclosed trailer for the rabbit... Advantages.

1: Instant garage
2: No damage to wabbit from rocks and stuff tossed up my MH.

And whatever you do not do like the poor Rabbit Driver I met one day on the freeway..

He got between my car and the out of control Taxi Cab.. Instant Wabbit Sandwich. (Not his fault.. Taxi Drivers) Did lead to a funny story some years later though.

I was telling my partner about it and mentioned that a very nice trooper (I was a state police dispatcher) rolled right up on it and took the report so I got to work on time... I am looking at my new Sgt.. And finally I said... That was you wasn't it? He confirmed, he was the trooper.

[Tony Lee]

Wouldn't using a dolly be pretty much the same as double-towing which isn't permitted in all states even when one part of it is a fiver.