Trailer or deck over dolly

[rick.rutel]

I’d like opinions on two towing options we are considering in the immediate future.
We have a Monaco Camelot 42pdq DP with a tag axle and 400hp Cummins. For the past four years, we pulled a 24’ enclosed trailer that held a 2013 VW Beetle and various motorcycles as well as a full size mounted spare for the coach.
We’re careful with weight and balance, adhering to maximum gross combined vehicle weight ratings and other that steep inclines, the coach pulls well.
70’ combined length is in some states illegal, but really the most pressing issue is finding a park with 70’ plus sites. We’ve had success to be sure, but it takes much more research and aggravation to secure these, vs., say a 45’ back in.
We have a Tow Master dolly with surge brakes as well. It does the job for the car only and is certainly easy to disconnect and move, but, car only.
I have always had a concern over damage that could to the car by debris, careless drivers and the really expensive one, a flat tire on the VW (we do attach TPMS to the VW and dolly), where replacement high performance low profile tires can cost upwards of $150.00 each, not to mention possible rim damage if we can’t stop immediately.
A deck over dolly with a six foot bed would easily handle the car, motorcycle and full size 22.5 spare. Although much heavier than a standard tow dolly, it is still fairly easy to unhook and move. They are absurdly expensive, with used units selling in the upper five to over six thousand dollars!
Now, an 18’ dual axle steel car trailer with a shield will hold what we need, keep everything off the road, protects the bike and car from minor hits, costs somewhere in the mid to upper three thousand dollar range new, but, is tougher to move and likely will have to be kept in an area separate from our site if it’s a basic back in.
What are your opinions on the two? Like I said, keeping the car essentially damage free is a priority.
That and I’m not to keen on laying on the ground hooking up the safety chains on the dolly.

[GCSuper]

If you're already towing an enclosed trailer, it doesn't make much sense to just convert to an open trailer ?

When we had a gas coach we wanted to tow a car and motorcycle and bought a Deck over Dolly trailer. We were able to keep the weight under our 5K limit, but not by much.

When we bought a Diesel, we switched to our truck and using a Rampage lift to load the motorcycle.

The Deck over Dolly trailer is a great product. The rock shield does a great job of protecting the cargo, but it's not light. 1500 lbs if I remember correctly. Compared to an enclosed trailer, the DOD will not keep things clean in rainy weather. We towed a Ford Fiesta to keep the weight light. It was hard to get the tire straps on due to limited space in the wheel well. A different vehicle would solve that.

Anyway, to try to answer your question, for us, the truck/MC loader is a better option for us than any type of trailer since it's so easy to move the truck. We can now accept back in spaces which you can't do with a trailer.

[rick.rutel]

Makes sense. I guess what we were looking for was ease of off hitch movement. We looked at the hydra lift (?) but it’s a tad too expensive at this point. I agree with your advice. We’ll buy the trailer.