Community Forums

Theluckys · 05-12-2013, 03:40 PM

I need to purchase a car dolly in the next 2 weeks for a 3 week trip. Towing 4-down is not an option.

I've narrowed my choices down to the following:

A. Demco Kar Kaddy SS or B. Master Tow Dolly 80THD-EBL

The advantage of the Kar Kaddy is it's ability to fold up which the Master Tow Dolly cannot.

For anyone out there who has one now, or used either of these models in the past would you please provide some insight &/or recommendations?

PS The Master Tow is approximately 1800 while the Kar Kaddy is 3800. Both are 2013 and new. Thanks

IMDSailor · 05-12-2013, 03:50 PM

I personally have the Master Tow. It does what I need it to do. Don't know what else to say. Which ever you buy, check the Toe In on the alignment. It should be Zero. Mine went out of alignment, No idea how, but it's covered under warranty.

papaw.1 · 05-12-2013, 04:35 PM

Hi Lucky,
I have the Master Tow 80 THD .I have had it for 2 years and it was 2 yrs.old when I purchased it for 1200.00.The thing was like new and I haven't had one minutes trouble out of it.The tires still look new.The only thing is it has plastic fenders and they look like the clear coat paint is starting to crack but,I don't think that is a big deal,just something to keep an eye on.Good Luck and Many Safe and Happy Miles and Smiles.

jamesrxx951 · 05-12-2013, 04:37 PM

I was looking at a master tow dolly until I found stehl tow dollies. for the same price it is wider (sales guy said 82" but I did not measure) and seems to be a heavier unit. I have not heard any negative about either but the stehl seemed like a better deal for me.

ricknriver · 05-12-2013, 08:05 PM

Have Master Tow 80 and no probs with recent 1200mi trip & 3,400# toad. Tires running true, and like the now included LED lights. Did have dealer tell me he switched from Stehl to Master Tow for his rentals due maint probs with Stehl. Just FYI. R

Theluckys · 05-12-2013, 09:53 PM

It's always good to hear from actual owners; especially when they don't have any problems either!

Mr_D · 05-12-2013, 09:58 PM

Have a KK-460 that we got in about 2006, paid $2100 for it new. Only trouble I've had was the wiring inside the frame came unconnected. Had to partly disassemble it to put them together. Can't get too mad at it as it was a connection I made originally when assembling the unit. Heavy/big enough to haul our '05 Honda Odyssey with no trouble.

spritz · 05-12-2013, 10:02 PM

I have the karkatty SS I bought it a year old and was told the guy only used it once. I like it because of the folding tongue and the turning wheels or straight. I tow a 99 deville concourse. It also has hydrologic breaks.
The only thing that's a pain is you can't back them up so beware where your pulling into or you might have to unload toad and disconnect the karkatty get out and reload. Overall we like it.

chboone · 05-13-2013, 09:57 PM

I bought a used karkaddy ss last year, I am the third owner. I bought it because it folds down to 66". I like the way it follows and you don't have to leave the steering wheel unlocked. When I got mine both plastic fenders had cracks where the rivets fasten them to the metal supports. Called Demco, they sent me two new fender at no cost including shipping.

Chuck

Mr_D · 05-13-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chboone

When I got mine both plastic fenders had cracks where the rivets fasten them to the metal supports. Called Demco, they sent me two new fender at no cost including shipping.

Chuck

Ours did the same thing last year, some 4 years after the warranty was up. Got the same response and the new fenders were wider and covered the tires better.

DAN L · 05-14-2013, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesrxx951

I was looking at a master tow dolly until I found stehl tow dollies. for the same price it is wider (sales guy said 82" but I did not measure) and seems to be a heavier unit. I have not heard any negative about either but the stehl seemed like a better deal for me.

check the toe on any new or used dolly.
my new stehl came with 3/4'' toe in. i didn't use it for 1 1/2 years so when i found out about the alignment problem it was out or warranty and stehl would not talk to me or the 2 truck alignment shops that i took it to to correct the alignment. after 2 sets of tires, a shop in san jose ca. heated the square axle and bent it to correct the toe.

Mr_D · 05-14-2013, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L

check the toe on any new or used dolly.
my new stehl came with 3/4'' toe in. i didn't use it for 1 1/2 years so when i found out about the alignment problem it was out or warranty and stehl would not talk to me or the 2 truck alignment shops that i took it to to correct the alignment. after 2 sets of tires, a shop in san jose ca. heated the square axle and bent it to correct the toe.

The KK-460 is adjustable, owners manual shows how to do it.

jamesrxx951 · 05-14-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L

check the toe on any new or used dolly.
my new stehl came with 3/4'' toe in. i didn't use it for 1 1/2 years so when i found out about the alignment problem it was out or warranty and stehl would not talk to me or the 2 truck alignment shops that i took it to to correct the alignment. after 2 sets of tires, a shop in san jose ca. heated the square axle and bent it to correct the toe.

Thanks I will do that.