Need help with towing with a dolly and car

[kevinapple]

Just bought a 2018 Thor Quantum 31WS and will need to purchase a dolly to tow a 2004 VW Beetle convertible automatic transmission. Looking at Master Tow with and without surge brakes. Beetle weighs 3200#. How important is it to buy the one with surge brakes since the VW is relatively light? New at this...so THANKS A MILLION FOR YOUR REPLIES

[twinboat]

I would and did get the surge brakes on my dolly.

Unless your driving a big diesel pusher, the brakes are built to stop the RV, not almost 2 tons of stuff pushing behind you.

[Wrapped]

I think most states require dolly brakes,we use American Car Dolly very happy 3500miles it has the brake controller mounted on the dolly so I didn't have to install one in motorhome, and I can use behind any vehicle with trailer lights plug,and has an off switch for when nothing on dolly

[arcaguy]

Lawyer to OP - "Mr. or Ms. OP your Master Tow tow dolly was available with a surge brake. Why is it that you decided to purchase the unit without the surge brake?" If you can come up with an acceptable answer to that question buy the unit without the surge brake. Personally I can't come up with that answer. Best of luck.

[HowieB]

We started dolly towing our 2013 turbo beetle convertible on an Acme Eze Tow dolly in May. After the second trip, from Northern Illinois to Branson and back, we noticed the passenger door closed as usual, but there was a significant gap that had not been there before. We just returned from Kentucky, dolly towing the beetle, and now have the opposite issue with the drivers door. It is inset from the body panel and has no gap between. I think dolly towing has flexed the unibody and left use with a $10,000 parts car. There is also a noticable rumble from the rear if the car at highway speeds.

[Americanrascal]

We've had our American Car Dolly for about 5 years now- Towed three different cars over time; to AK from GA and back, cross country in every direction several times over 60,000 miles and not one glitch (except a new set of shoes).

Good adjustable electric brakes. Works fantastic. As Wrapped says - the controller is on the dolly so no wiring needed for the tow vehicle. Its a very easy dolly to use and manage. Great price that's hard to beat with Free delivery!!!

[Podivin]

Originally Posted by HowieB

We started dolly towing our 2013 turbo beetle convertible on an Acme Eze Tow dolly in May. After the second trip, from Northern Illinois to Branson and back, we noticed the passenger door closed as usual, but there was a significant gap that had not been there before. We just returned from Kentucky, dolly towing the beetle, and now have the opposite issue with the drivers door. It is inset from the body panel and has no gap between. I think dolly towing has flexed the unibody and left use with a $10,000 parts car. There is also a noticable rumble from the rear if the car at highway speeds.

That seems odd to me. Maybe I'm missing something, but how is sitting on all four wheels on a dolly put more stress on the frame than sitting on all four wheels while driving down the road? I realize it's at an angle, but so are mountain roads...

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by HowieB

We started dolly towing our 2013 turbo beetle convertible on an Acme Eze Tow dolly in May. After the second trip, from Northern Illinois to Branson and back, we noticed the passenger door closed as usual, but there was a significant gap that had not been there before. We just returned from Kentucky, dolly towing the beetle, and now have the opposite issue with the drivers door. It is inset from the body panel and has no gap between. I think dolly towing has flexed the unibody and left use with a $10,000 parts car. There is also a noticable rumble from the rear if the car at highway speeds.

Did you unlock the steering ?

Only Acme requires it.

That will pull hard on the front of the car in turns and side stress the rear tires causing them to cup and get noisey.

[kevinapple]

If we go with Master Tow with surge brakes, is it a good idea to ALWAYS unlock the steering wheel or is that just with Acme?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by kevinapple

If we go with Master Tow with surge brakes, is it a good idea to ALWAYS unlock the steering wheel or is that just with Acme?

Just the Acme.

[Charles L]

Originally Posted by HowieB

We started dolly towing our 2013 turbo beetle convertible on an Acme Eze Tow dolly in May. After the second trip, from Northern Illinois to Branson and back, we noticed the passenger door closed as usual, but there was a significant gap that had not been there before. We just returned from Kentucky, dolly towing the beetle, and now have the opposite issue with the drivers door. It is inset from the body panel and has no gap between. I think dolly towing has flexed the unibody and left use with a $10,000 parts car. There is also a noticable rumble from the rear if the car at highway speeds.

I use an acme dolly with no problems. Leave the steering unlocked. I tow an Avalon and previously a Camry.

[boomersooner]

Originally Posted by Americanrascal

We've had our American Car Dolly for about 5 years now- Towed three different cars over time; to AK from GA and back, cross country in every direction several times over 60,000 miles and not one glitch (except a new set of shoes).

Good adjustable electric brakes. Works fantastic. As Wrapped says - the controller is on the dolly so no wiring needed for the tow vehicle. Its a very easy dolly to use and manage. Great price that's hard to beat with Free delivery!!!

I spoke with Gary at American Car Dolly a few weeks ago and he seemed to imply that he may not deliver to the east coast anymore unless he had several deliveries. He was on his way back to Colorado and sounded very tired. After talking to him I started searching for something else (Master or Stehl Tow) although if I knew for certain he would deliver in the time frame I wish to purchase I would probably buy from him. I am in Georgia.

[Americanrascal]

Originally Posted by boomersooner

I spoke with Gary at American Car Dolly a few weeks ago and he seemed to imply that he may not deliver to the east coast anymore unless he had several deliveries. He was on his way back to Colorado and sounded very tired. After talking to him I started searching for something else (Master or Stehl Tow) although if I knew for certain he would deliver in the time frame I wish to purchase I would probably buy from him. I am in Georgia.

Boomer- I decided to run from where we are in LaGrange northwest to Clarksville (about 6 hours) to meet up with Gary who was returning home but he had an extra unit or 2 on board. He left it for me at an agreed location as I could not meet him at the same time he was there. Worked great. Towed it home (brakes turned off and no load) and had no problems. Glad I did it was worth it!

Joe

[HowieB]

The steering was unlocked. I don't understand it myself. I chalked it up to rough roads and the car being a convertible, which doesn't have the structural integrity of a non-convertible. I have no issues with the Eze tow dolly, it worked great. We bought the VW used. It may have had previous damage. Either way, we were fortunate to trade the VW in on a CRV. In going 4 down.

Originally Posted by Charles L

I use an acme dolly with no problems. Leave the steering unlocked. I tow an Avalon and previously a Camry.