Community Forums

Twodogs112 · 02-05-2023, 10:26 AM

Way confused, we have a new forrester 2861. Want to tow a 2002 mini cooper on a dolly. The car has an automatic transmission, so front wheels up no problem. Want to purchase a tow dolly. Local here in north fla. The car weighs only about 2200 lbs so weight is no problem. Question is, prices are all over the place, we don’t want to spend more than we have to. Mostly traveling short trips for now. Longer trips later. Any suggestions from more experienced travelers?
Currently, the dw follows me in our Subaru Outback. That’s ok, but she wants to ride in the rv. Surprise, surprise!!! Help, please. Thanks.

Cooperhawk · 02-05-2023, 10:44 AM

There are a lot of different types of dollies along with prices. The cheapest is usually just a rotating tray that your wheels set on. Then you need a Brake Buddy or something similar. You get what you pay for.
We towed for years with our VWs. We tow four down now with my Explorer which is a bit easier, but not a lot.
We started out with one that had the rotating deck and ended up with a Demco with rack and pinion steering and surge brakes.
The Demco was by far the highest quality of the mix.
Look around and compare. You'll be getting a lot of suggestions.

Onyrlef · 02-05-2023, 11:03 AM

You could easily get by with a fixed plate dolly, you’d just have to make sure the steering isn’t locked while on the dolly. I prefer surge brakes on the dolly which will keep you from having to install a brake controller on the TV. I have a Demco Kar Kaddy, swivel plate w/ surge brakes which I picked up used off Craig’s list. Expect to pay anywhere from a couple of thousand for a used without swivel to $3,500+ or so used for a top end dolly..

Flyer15015 · 02-05-2023, 11:20 AM

We switched from a Car Tow Dolly, with the little bitty wheels, which left skid marks at every sharp turn, to a Master Tow Dolly with a swiveling plate and car type wheels that tracks very well even in the sharpest of turns. Read gas stations.

Ours does not have brakes, but 3 trips to Florida which included several panic stops we've had no issues so far. And with the tilting ramps, she is very easy to load.

Picked this one up on "Craigs List" for $800.00 and she had brand new tires on her.

Mike in Colorado

J_Lambert · 02-05-2023, 01:08 PM

We tow a 2011 Mini Cooper on a master tow dolly, cost me $300.00 on Craigslist. Had to add ramps to work with the ground effects. No issues after 8000 miles. The ramps are removed once the car is loaded.