Community Forums

Ducksquasher · 02-15-2019, 08:53 PM

Hi,

Is there a benefit as far as flat towing vs. Dolly Towing behind my motorhome? Weight, strain on the motorhome, etc.?

I have a gasser...

Thanks in advance!

ThePowells · 02-15-2019, 10:38 PM

Welcome to the forum!!

Here is a link to some of the previous discussions on this topics.

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22F...=12&gws_rd=ssl

Rockwood27 · 02-16-2019, 06:57 AM

A dolly could add about 500 pounds to the tow weight and flat towing about 100 lbs (baseplate, tow bar, brakes). You can use a tow dolly on multiple cars, without adaptation, whereas flat towing requires a vehicle specific baseplate (around $450 plus installation labor costs). You may need to store the dolly offsite, when not being used to tow.

Robmat · 02-16-2019, 09:54 AM

I would first look at your current vehicle to see if it could be flat towed or do you need to use a dolly. I prefer a flat tow as it is simply easier for me. As far as the towing goes I don't see an advantage of one over another unless you have two front wheel drive cars and want to switch them out for different trips. Otherwise between the dolly and magnetic lights and the tow bar, installed towed mounts and lighting kit you might be close in cost.

twinboat · 02-16-2019, 03:50 PM

You don't have to alter the front of the car with a dolly.

4 down involves cutting holes in the front trim. The added baseplate may also effect the safety airbag system.

Oldman5145 · 02-16-2019, 04:30 PM

I started out using a dolly. I stored the dolly on the lower side of my drive. I had to pull and tug to get it hooked up. By the time I got the car loaded I needed a shower again. I did lower body damage to my car with the dolly. I do not like a tow dolly!

lwmcguire · 02-17-2019, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldman5145

I started out using a dolly. I stored the dolly on the lower side of my drive. I had to pull and tug to get it hooked up. By the time I got the car loaded I needed a shower again. I did lower body damage to my car with the dolly. I do not like a tow dolly!

If you go the Dolly route, check the width

Narrow units definitely can contact the vehicle on tight turns

I can turn with the escape and Stehl at 60 degrees

pushtrk99 · 02-17-2019, 02:32 PM

If you have one newer car and plan on keeping it for a while maybe 4 down is OK for you BUT if you have more than one front wheel and/or are planning to get a new car every other year, you will have an added expense mounting the tow bar on each new car--all this being said everyone has different needs and you have to figure what fits you-- we have 2 different cars that go on a tow dolly-we prefer the Demco tow dolly with surge brakes and the added front wheel so I can move it around at our campsites, we have never had a problem storing it at campsites, we just disconnect and roll it onto the site then back the MH in

pushtrk99 · 02-17-2019, 02:40 PM

If you have one newer car and plan on keeping it for a while maybe 4 down is OK for you BUT if you have more than one front wheel and/or are planning to get a new car every other year, you will have an added expense mounting the tow bar on each new car--all this being said everyone has different needs and you have to figure what fits you-- we have 2 different cars that go on a tow dolly-we prefer the Demco tow dolly with surge brakes and the added front wheel so I can move it around at our campsites, we have never had a problem storing it at campsites, we just disconnect and roll it onto the site then back the MH in

dix39 · 02-17-2019, 03:38 PM

Here is a link to a similar thread that may provide some information also, and there are others.

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/dolly...ng-430237.html

We have a dolly, but I have more confidence in 4 down and nearly always tow that way, just my personal preference.

Our current toad is a Geo Tracker. We towed it with a diesel TC for years, and with a 26' 454 powered Flair for the last 3 years without any problems. We tow around 8-10k miles per year coast to coast.

Best of luck with whatever you do.

Steve

powerboatr · 02-17-2019, 08:18 PM

we have been using a hauler trailer since 2009..this week we purchased a another car that is 4 down towable, our current one is as well, but we wanted a smaller setup.
so in coming months i plan to document the heck out of it, because we can load the trailer in 20 minutes ready to go all loaded up
so flat towing...can we do 20 mins safely?

still keeping the trailer, and the big suv (expedition)

wear and tear on towed on ground versus up on a trailer.
so its a new learning experience, i look forward to

dix39 · 02-18-2019, 11:16 AM

It's just my opinion, but I would think I could connect a tow bar to a ball hitch faster than anyone could retrieve a trailer and connect it to a ball hitch, place ramps to load a car, run the car onto the trailer, secure the car on the trailer, and store the ramps. Of course if the tow bar isn't already attached to the car, as many are, using a 4 down approach would also require retrieving it and making those connections too. I can't imagine how a car on a trailer would be a faster system to connect.

On the other hand, and another opinion, trailering provides the most versatility of all because none of the toad wheels are on the ground, and a trailer has many other uses. They are handy things to have, if there is room to store them. Years ago I trailered a car from OR to WV for my mom behind our TC using a friends trailer. It was pretty simple, just run it up on the trailer and lash it down.

Steve

Mr_D · 02-18-2019, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr

so flat towing...can we do 20 mins safely?

No, you can easily do it in 5 min.

Satch46 · 02-18-2019, 12:10 PM

Well we started with small Honda Civic, worked great. Than transmission went. Its not cheep to put it on another vehical. I wont do that again. Dolly for me next time