Community Forums

Gary RVRoamer · 01-18-2019, 09:43 AM

I don't think you can disconnect and reconnect in 5 minutes with a dolly, but it's readily done with a flat tow. One of the big pluses for flat towing.

Have I ever had to disconnect? Most definitely. Several situations come to mind:

1. At a friend's house where we visit for a few days at a time, it's strictly drive in and back out. No options.

2. Got onto a dead end road by mistake once

3. Encountered a 5-ton limit bridge on a side road once, and no place to turn around except via 3-point turn.

4. Tried to exit a fuel station by going around the rear of the building and out. Had done that before, but one time the way was blocked by construction.

Overnight campground spots where the only available site was a a pull-in or back-in. Had to disconnect even though we had no plans to use the car while there.

RI Expat · 01-20-2019, 08:39 AM

My first post.
My starter MH was an old Pace Arrow that I used to learn the ropes and discover if this was something I wanted to do. It was, and I have a new coach that is still getting outfitted and loaded before my first trip. A tow dolly was one thing I picked up as I like the ability to switch out cars without investing in each one for modifications. But I quickly learned that you have to drive like a chess player and not commit to tight radius gas stations while towing. I had to disconnect, do a 23-point turn with the coach, drag the dolly, reload and make the mandatory stop a few miles later to check the straps. And it was raining.

Pigman1 · 01-20-2019, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RI Expat

My first post.
My starter MH was an old Pace Arrow that I used to learn the ropes and discover if this was something I wanted to do. It was, and I have a new coach that is still getting outfitted and loaded before my first trip. A tow dolly was one thing I picked up as I like the ability to switch out cars without investing in each one for modifications. But I quickly learned that you have to drive like a chess player and not commit to tight radius gas stations while towing. I had to disconnect, do a 23-point turn with the coach, drag the dolly, reload and make the mandatory stop a few miles later to check the straps. And it was raining.

And I bet it took a bit more than 5 minutes.

Thanks for sharing a real world problem. I'd say your experience is probably typical for folks having to do this chore. Of course not everyone is lucky enough to to have it raining too. Your lucky day, no doubt. LOL We've all been in situations we'd rather never happened.

Tigger6887 · 01-21-2019, 11:14 AM

Backing up is hard while towing anything but we found a swivel wheel trailer makes towing an ATV or golf cart so easy! It never will jackknife and is an extension of your motorhome.

Mr.Goodbar · 01-29-2019, 08:22 PM

You will more than likely damage the towbar. It is designed for pulling, not pushing. If you backup, you damage the extension locks and risk bending one or both sliding bars.

Knowing the risks and the physics involved, I have done it only once. We were on an incline facing straight uphill on asphalt pavement. Since the CRV tows in Neutral, I shifted the MH into Neutral, let off the brake pedal and let the CRV back it self down the hill the few feet that was needed. Only reason, I took the risk was, that I figured the weight of the CRV pulling backward down hill would keep tension on the towbar and locks. Otherwise, I just disconnect the toad, DW drives the MH, I drive the toad, to get out of places that we accidentally got into.

Lessons learned:

Always use the truck fuel lanes at truck stops. (Diesel needed, anyway)
If can't do that, check ahead of time by using Google Maps satellite view to check out the station.
Don't pull into fast food or other parking lots without taking a good look at the layout from the street.

BrianGlenn · 01-29-2019, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar;

You will more than likely damage the towbar. It is designed for pulling, not pushing. If you backup, you damage the extension locks and risk bending one or both sliding bars.

Need to clarify. Do you mean pushing forces? Or binding and bending forces due to "jamming the tow bar" while reversing?

More (pushing) forces on the tow bar while braking than reversing and pushing the toad. Most people do not set toad braking systems to "brake harder than the towing vehicle" keeping the tow bar in a "pulling" state.