Community Forums

Keitha · 05-24-2013, 05:59 PM

After our cross country adventure LATE last fall, we thought hard about
4 down v/s toad. Our tow is an '07 Buick Lucerene.
I found a 2003 tow master 80thd w/ elec brakes.
New tires and straps. Looks nice. Only things I'll be adding is a break away switch kit and a wiring kit and bracket so I can move my P3 from the truck to the MH when we travel.
Keith

Skip426 · 05-24-2013, 11:46 PM

Keith , I think you have a little confusion with the terms here.
Toad, towed, dingy all are terms that members use in the forums to discribe the vehicle they tow behind their M/Hs. In your case, your Buick.
4 down, dolly and car trailer are the methods they choose to tow them.
The various terms and the alphabet soup of acronyms used by some in the forums may speed up the typing, but quite often leave readers in the dust, myself included.
You've decided to pull your Buick, using a dolly, instead of 4 down.
Any reason in particular ? Or to many to list ?

Scarab0088 · 05-25-2013, 01:07 AM

Congrats on making the wise decision to dolly tow your Buick. It will be a happy car, riding high on the dolly, avoiding any rock strikes, and saving the miles on the driveline and bottom end of the transaxle.

I use a dolly for these and many other reasons...what are your reasons to use a dolly vs. Flat tow?

Safe travels

Keitha · 05-25-2013, 07:16 PM

Skip,
Dolly to me is a "cheaper" alternative. Under $1k.
Trans pump, base plate, tow bar, ect. all add up.
I even considered a trailer but... what do you do with it when your camped?
Time will tell.
Keith

Coaster1 · 05-25-2013, 07:28 PM

^^^^ Never saw a dolly with electric brakes. Most, like mine have surge brakes. To me, the dolly is a wise choice. I often haul a 2004 Buick Ultra or DW's Toyota Vensa.

Keitha · 05-30-2013, 09:16 PM

Electric brakes are a more expensive option than surge, as I'm told by the dealer. Wiring, controller and the cost of the brakes themselves makes sense.
It does "limit" the towing vehicle.
I've towed with electric brakes for a lot of years so set up/ use won't be hard.
If all I found was surge that would have been fine too.
Keith

Scarab0088 · 05-30-2013, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coaster1

^^^^ Never saw a dolly with electric brakes. Most, like mine have surge brakes. To me, the dolly is a wise choice. I often haul a 2004 Buick Ultra or DW's Toyota Vensa.

Roadmaster and Master Tow sell dolly's with electric brakes.

I think surge brakes are better being fully automatic and infinitely adjusted by weight...but that is just an opinion.
As far as cost, electric systems must be less expensive, just because there is no plumbing to the master cylinder and no master cylinder/controller on the tongue. Electrics only need the brakes and the wires to the tow rig...but I have no figures to prove this thesis.

Safe travels to all