pdv
Arkansas
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Joined: 09/10/2007
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We are not new to RVing as we have owned everything from a pop-up to a travel trailer to a fifth wheel. But we recently bought a class A motorhome for the first time. Boy did we find out there is a big difference. My question is this: what should be buy...a tow bar for the toad or a tow dolly? We've never towed a auto before. I researched this on this website but didn't get and results. BTW...we will be using this as our full time home. All advice is welcome on any subject in regards to this purchase.
Also, we bought a 2005 Winnebago Voyager.
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COOLCHAS11
MONROE, CT
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Joined: 12/28/2005
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We use a tow bar as it seemed much easier to hook-up. There is also nothing to store when not being used. Prior to getting the tow bar we looked at cars which can be towed with all four wheels down. A Hyundai Tucson fit the bill.
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HarryWM
Wherever we are parked this time.
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Joined: 08/23/2004
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My personal preference would be to tow the toad 4 down IF the toad is capable of being towed in this manner. Main reason is cost of dolly and inconvenience of having to store it somewhere. If your toad is front wheel drive and not capable of 4 down towing, you will have to use dolly. Check the toad manual or talk to a dealer.
Harry
With wife Carole 12 yrs fulltiming
Retired U.S. Army
2002 Carriage LS 37' 5er; 2006 Lance 1181truck camper
2008 F-450 King Ranch 4x4 fully loaded 5,000 lb air springs
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
SKP # 54751
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Check the Dingy Towing forum. Lots of discussion on this topic. To catch up on older post, try the "search" at the top on the page. I think you will find most prefer 4 down, but many use a dolly to tow what they may already own that is not towable 4 down.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
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Art D
Louisiana
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Joined: 03/06/2004
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pdv wrote:I researched this on this website but didn't get and results.
Boy, that is suprising! That subject has been discussed over and over here. Try different search words.
I have a dolly because I have cars that can't be towed 4 down, and I don't want to spend the $$ for another car, the tow bar equipment, and the toad brake equipment. The dolly was $1150 new.
Yes, the dolly is more trouble than a tow bar, but what the heck, RVing isn't about efficiency, or being in a rush, or just having to have the very best equipment. I just take my time loading and unloading. I also look for pull thru sites so I don't have to unhook and park the dolly. But when I do, I park the dolly at the back of the site tucked under the MH.
Geaux LSU
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never_be_rich
Illiniois
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Joined: 06/28/2007
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A lot depends on your auto ... can it be towed 4 down. We have a dolly and what a pain ... sitting or laying on the ground to hookup safety chains, man handling the dolly if a back-in site, extra tires, etc. However, if you sit a lot like we do, it is not that much trouble. We purchased the dolly because our car was fairly new (already taken the big hit in depreciation)and could not be towed easily 4 down when we purchased the MH. Next car, we will go 4 down.
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pdv
Arkansas
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Okay, I get that just about everyone prefers the tow bar if you have a car that can be towed that way. Next question:
What is the best car to tow 4 down? In other words, what is the difference if its front wheel drive or rear wheel drive?
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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pdv wrote:Okay, I get that just about everyone prefers the tow bar if you have a car that can be towed that way. Next question:
What is the best car to tow 4 down? In other words, what is the difference if its front wheel drive or rear wheel drive?
I'd say no difference at all IF the owner's manual gives the go ahead to tow it 4 down.
bumpy
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UltraKen
Ohio
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brobox wrote:Check the Dingy Towing forum. Lots of discussion on this topic. To catch up on older post, try the "search" at the top on the page. I think you will find most prefer 4 down, but many use a dolly to tow what they may already own that is not towable 4 down.
If your vehicle CAN be safely towed 4-wheel down then I would recommend flat towing.
I have a tow dolly primarily because my Dodge GC is front-wheel drive and can't be towed flat. I'm stuck with it for two reasons - we have a 150lb dog and his crate fits in the middle of the mini-van with the center seats down, and because I have what my wife considers an "adequate supply" of other vehicles.  And with no storage space for more I either have to sell one to get another or make do with what I have.
The one advantage of the tow dolly is that I can tow my show car or my mini-van without any further expense for multiple base-plates or mini-van modification (which my dealer claims does not prevent transmission damage anyway).
The major disadvantage is that they really are a PITA to use. Getting the car properly placed on the dolly can be frustrating with the mini-van since you really can't lean out far enough to see the front tire. Secondly, the tow straps are a hassle. It's a dirty job, takes much more time than hooking up tow bars, and need to be re-tightened several times in a trip to be really secure.
Cost-wise, an electric brake dolly is cheaper than the tow-bar, base-plate, and braking system for flat towing.
Convenience-wise tow bar flat-towing is a no-brainer winner.
Check your owner's manual to make sure you can tow flat.
UltraKen
Ex -1968 Ultra Van
NOW - 1996 Safari Sahara 35' - Cat 300 - Model 3530
Pictures of my Coach
Used MH Checklist
Toad: Dodge Grand Caravan on Tow Dolly or 1981 Vespa on utility trailer
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bsinmich
Holland, MI
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My PT Cruiser has automatic transmission and says it can not be towed. Remco makes a transmission pump that allows many automatics to be towed. We have 7 years and over 35,000 miles of towing with no problem. We had a dolly for 11 years but when our daughter quit travelling with us I had to make a switch. My wife is not good at giving directions to get on the tow dolly and worse at following directions. By the time we got loaded we weren't speaking and if the weather was a little bad at least one of us would be soaking wet. I can hitch my car in about 2 minutes with no help. We will never go back to a dolly again. If you go to the Remco website they can tell you what is required for any vehicle.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, & 2002 PT Cruiser w/Remco lube pump, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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