Community Forums

efstewart · 10-17-2013, 11:07 PM

After reading several posts about towing a automatic Honda on all fours, I am finally ready to try it. My Honda is a 2007 Accord, automatic,and has 169K miles on it (it was a commuter car when I had a job-retired now). I have a great tow dolly (ACME), but I am tired of using it, and plan to sell it. I am assuming that towing on all fours is quicker and less work.

So I already know how to run the car through the gears, I just need to know what stuff I should buy to get the most secured towing on all fours with the least obtrusive gear for the Honda and my motorhome (2006 DSDP model 3817)
If it gets expensive I might try to buy the gear used. So what do I need? a tow bar, base plate, etc? Which system is the most user friendly and good for a small Honda? Thanks in advance for your imput. irv2 has the best advice for rookie motorhome owners like me.

Mr_D · 10-17-2013, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by efstewart

I am assuming that towing on all fours is quicker and less work.

Not really! I've towed our '05 Odyssey behind the same motorhome both on a dolly (Demco KK-460) and with a RoadMaster Sterling tow bar and RoadMaster Brakemaster 9160.
RoadMaster installed the brackets and I did the wiring and BrakeMaster install.
We had the Ody set up for four down towing when we first got it, then found that Honda had changed their stance and no longer allowed it. After some back and forth through the WA and CA AG's office Honda agreed to pay for the towbar and all the rest of the four down towing. Luckily we had it in writing on Honda letterhead that it was towable four down. Got that before we purchased the Ody.
Used the $2,200 to buy the dolly and used it till last year when I toewd the Ody four down the Phoenix and back. Had to add a charge line after we got back though.
Personally it's kind of a toss up. The towed gets less damage/wear to it when on the dolly but I can hook up and prepare either one in about the same time. The dolly folds up so it takes less space and only one place have I had to park it away from the RV.
Each has it's merits and demerits and it's own following.

efstewart · 10-18-2013, 08:55 AM

When my wife and I travel we tend to move to different locations to see new sights along the way. So the car is taken on and off the tow dolly a lot. Also making sharp turns in and out of parking lots tends to loosen the straps alot. It would be nice to know if there is a newer system for towing 4 down that is faster than a large dolly, ramps, tow straps, and the storage related to them. My dolly does not fold and takes time to maneuver at a site.

MSHappyCampers · 10-19-2013, 03:35 PM

We just bought a 2008 Honda Accord and set it up for towing. We used the Roadmaster baseplate with the ReadyBrute Elite towbars with built-in ReadyBrake. When it is off the car you have to look closely to tell that the car is set up for towing! I used the same setup on a 2001 Honda Accord and it looked great! We use the Protect-a-Tow shield and a full-width solid rubber flap for complete protection of the toad!

efstewart · 10-19-2013, 11:41 PM

Good post, I will look into the products that you mentioned. Did you buy them online or at a Rv store? Also, since you have used (I assume an automatic) Accord before, what routine did you use to keep the transmission lubricated after long trips?