Community Forums

sw20td06 · 11-05-2019, 10:06 AM

I was hoping someone dolly towing a 2008 Toyota Sienna or similar vehicle can assist. I currently use the ACME dolly with built in lights, but also use magnetic tow lights. Are the ACME tow dolly lights sufficient? They are right near the front tire, so I don't know how visible they look from the back of the van. Are tow lights even necessary? If so, I am wanting to utilize the Sienna's factory tail lights to illuminate when the motorhome does. How do I go about this?

52Tele · 11-05-2019, 11:06 AM

I used to tow a Toyota Prius on a dolly (Kar Kaddy SS) for 5 years and never put a light bar on the back of it. The dolly lights are visible unless you are literally at the rear bumper of the toad.
I believe legally a light bar is required, at least in CA, but much like a front license plate, it is rarely enforced.

twinboat · 11-05-2019, 11:19 AM

You will need a flat tow wiring kit to get your toad lights working. The kit comes with diodes and adaptors to give you brake and signal on one bulb. That's what the dolly has.

I don't know if your car is flat towable, so a kit may not be available.

I have been towing for 6 years with just the dolly lights. No issues so far.

sw20td06 · 11-05-2019, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 52Tele

I used to tow a Toyota Prius on a dolly (Kar Kaddy SS) for 5 years and never put a light bar on the back of it. The dolly lights are visible unless you are literally at the rear bumper of the toad.
I believe legally a light bar is required, at least in CA, but much like a front license plate, it is rarely enforced.

Thank you for the info. I am in CA as well. But I think my magnetic LED tow lights have better visibility than the van lights. They are mounted high on the roof and the van is titled slightly due to the dolly. I don't mind too much putting the tow lights, just trying to eliminate a step for setup before I tow.

sw20td06 · 11-05-2019, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinboat

You will need a flat tow wiring kit to get your toad lights working. The kit comes with diodes and adaptors to give you brake and signal on one bulb. That's what the dolly has.

I don't know if your car is flat towable, so a kit may not be available.

I have been towing for 6 years with just the dolly lights. No issues so far.

Thanks. My van cannot be flat towed unless I get a REMCO pump I believe. I looked online and there is no wiring kit available for my vehicle. Good to know about just using the dolly lights.

Charles L · 11-05-2019, 11:27 AM

My Camry was hit by an 18 wheeler. Totaled the car and damaged the hitch and RV. I had only the acme dolly lights. The truck driver said he could not see during the quick downpour. He was cited for failure to maintain distance. I use magnetic lights on the trunk now.

sw20td06 · 11-05-2019, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles L

My Camry was hit by an 18 wheeler. Totaled the car and damaged the hitch and RV. I had only the acme dolly lights. The truck driver said he could not see during the quick downpour. He was cited for failure to maintain distance. I use magnetic lights on the trunk now.

Wow sorry to hear that happened to you. That's why I was using the magnetic lights because I figured the dolly lights were too low to the ground and may not be completely visible by all vehicles.

BillJinOR · 11-05-2019, 11:37 AM

I believe you’ll find Towing a car is different than the rules for a trailer. A car on a dolly is not a trailer The dolly lights are all that is required in every state I’ve looked at. The above story proved that in that the truck driver was ticketed not the car using only dolly lights. Remember you do have red reflectors on the rear of the car ( the unlit taillights)
All that true but there is nothing against using the additional light bar or car taillights. The few times I have driven at night with a dolly we’re in calif getting to a family member on Vacation time.
I’ve driven behind many a car on dolly and had no issue issue seeing the lights. The above truck driver was clearly at fault , who follows that closely ?

twinboat · 11-05-2019, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles L

My Camry was hit by an 18 wheeler. Totaled the car and damaged the hitch and RV. I had only the acme dolly lights. The truck driver said he could not see during the quick downpour. He was cited for failure to maintain distance. I use magnetic lights on the trunk now.

So he didn't see the BIG RV and its lights either ?

He was just defending his mistake.