willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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..We're about to pull the trigger on a new MH (Georgetown 351DS), and have been debating how we will tow our '07 Kia Sedona minivan behind it. We've pretty well decided towing 4 down is just not practical for us - would cost somewhere north of $3000 to set up, and require adding things to the van I'd just prefer not to do to it (lube pump, etc).
Soooo, its a tow dolly for us. Given that the MH's receiver is limited to 5,000 lbs, and the van weighs around 4500 lbs (empty), that limits our dolly choices significantly. Most are either not stout enough to handle a 78" wide, 4500 lb minivan, or the dolly weighs so much it'd put us too far over that 5,000 lb limit of the MH receiver. Beacuse of that, and the fact I don't want to spend much more than $2k (might as well go 4 down if I spend that much!), we have ruled out Demco, Master Tow, Stehl, as well as several others.
The only 2 choices I'm left with are:
1. ACME EZE-Tow
- Pros: Very lightweight (450 lbs), considerably less expensive, better brakes (surge hydraulic disc brakes), can be picked up locally here in NC (no shipping, can see/test it in person before buying), looks like it'd be easier to stow at campgrounds (most of it would fit under MH due to the way its designed).
- Cons: Not as good tires (10" bias ply 205-65-10), non-steering axle, plastic, removeable ramps that will be a bit less convenient
2. Landgrebe TD 40 101
- Pros: Better tires (14" radials), steerable axle (wheels steer, but fenders don't move..very cool), ramps built into the unit, not removable plastic ones like ACME unit
- Cons: Considerably more expensive, will have to be shipped from Indiana and bought 'site-unseen', slightly heavier (555 lbs) and larger A frame will make it harder to stow and move around, not as good brakes (electric drum vs surge hydraulic disk)
..Thoughts? Anyone thats used either of these two dollies that might could provide their personal experience with such? Are there any other tow dollies that weigh around 500 lbs, that can handle a 4500 lb 78" wide minivan, that cost $2k or less that I overlooked?
As always, any and all thoughts, suggestions, etc. are welcome and appreciated. 
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis ("No Taxpayers were harmed by the makers of this MH's chassis")
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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I don't believe you add the total weight of the van and the dolly to figure that weight limit on the tow receiver. After all, you aren't putting that kind of weight on the hitch....probably only a few hundred pounds at best.
That said, you do need to calculate the weight to your MH limits, but not the hitch weight....or so I understand it.
You will want something that has brakes.
Both your choices are good......but you may find others out there too......since the weight isn't the issue you thought.
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ
Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau
RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293
The Pets
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willald
NC
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PapPappy wrote:I don't believe you add the total weight of the van and the dolly to figure that weight limit on the tow receiver. After all, you aren't putting that kind of weight on the hitch....probably only a few hundred pounds at best.
That said, you do need to calculate the weight to your MH limits, but not the hitch weight....or so I understand it.
You will want something that has brakes.
Both your choices are good......but you may find others out there too......since the weight isn't the issue you thought.
PapPappy, I'm not talking about tongue weight/hitch weight resting on the receiver, I know I'm fine there regardless.
I was talking about total weight being towed. In that respect, you do have to take into account the weight of your towed vehicle plus the weight of a dolly for that. Hence the challenge I have with dolly towing a 4500 lb van behind a MH with a 5000 lb receiver limitation.
Now, one might could argue that using an 800 lb tow dolly with a 4500 lb vehicle and having a total of 5300 lbs back there will not be an issue, and 300 lbs over will not rip the receiver off or cause any problems. I'm sure many do that, but I personally could not. It would drive me nuts, and I'd always be paranoid something would break, haha. I need to stay as close to 5,000 lbs as possible, for my own sanity.
I agree 110%, about brakes. Thats actually one reason I'm leaning more toward the EZE tow unit. Really like the idea of disc brakes on the dolly, disc brakes work so much better, and are much easier to maintain.
Will
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c_liner
Union Mills, NC
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I have one and the only problems are
1--Make sure the tie down straps are clear of the front suspension so they don't chafe
2--Mine wears the inside edge of both tires and even reversing the tires on the rims will only get 4000 miles before needing new tires.
Other than this it tows great and the brakes work as advertised. I also belive the instructions tell you to leave the steering wheel unlocked when towing. I have the steel ramps and have a clearance problem with the front apron on the car (Toyota Solara convertible). Solved this by using 2X6 boards to extend ramp length. You may not find this a problem with the van.
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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You not only have to consider the towing capacity of your mh, you also have to consider the GCVWR...meaning the total weight of both the mh and the toad. Of course to figure this you will need to weigh your motor home as it is loaded for traveling. Subtract that amount from your GCVWR and you'll have the amount you can tow providing it's not more than the tow rating you're currently considering.
Good luck..
Ron
Ron & Sandie
Maggie May, Rescued Wonder Dog
'08 Safari Simba SBD35
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Brakes: Unified U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
RETIRED!! How sweet it is....
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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c_liner wrote:I have one and the only problems are
1--Make sure the tie down straps are clear of the front suspension so they don't chafe
2--Mine wears the inside edge of both tires and even reversing the tires on the rims will only get 4000 miles before needing new tires.
Other than this it tows great and the brakes work as advertised. I also belive the instructions tell you to leave the steering wheel unlocked when towing. I have the steel ramps and have a clearance problem with the front apron on the car (Toyota Solara convertible). Solved this by using 2X6 boards to extend ramp length. You may not find this a problem with the van.
Thanks, c_liner. Inside edge wearing? That sounds like maybe an alignment issue. The EZE has a 5 year warranty, if yours is still under that, maybe you might want to see if they would be willing to help fix that for you?
Even so, for us, after 4000 miles the tires would be 'aged' out anyway, and would be due to be replaced, regardless of tread.
I've read where some folks have had clearance issues with the ramps. Like you said, though, thats easy to solve with a pair of 2x6 boards.
Will
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willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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lanerd wrote:You not only have to consider the towing capacity of your mh, you also have to consider the GCVWR...meaning the total weight of both the mh and the toad. Of course to figure this you will need to weigh your motor home as it is loaded for traveling. Subtract that amount from your GCVWR and you'll have the amount you can tow providing it's not more than the tow rating you're currently considering.
Yep, already considered that, Ron.
MH's GVWR is 20,500, GCWR is 26000. Door jam label indicates MH weights 16,396 empty, and has around 4000 lbs payload capacity.
Sooo, unless we put more than 4,000 lbs in the MH (NOT gonna happen we are only 'long weekend' campers), we still have plenty of room to stay within GCWR, even with around 5,000 lbs hitched behind the MH.
Will
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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Good for you to be aware of this...you'd be surprised at the number of people who do not. Of course, it really wouldn't hurt for you to get the mh weighed at a CAT scale to know for certain. This will also help in determining your correct tire pressure. But it does sound like you are well within your limits.
FWIW... yesterday I was in Bakersfield and saw a large dp pulling a car that was setting backwards on a dolly. I'm not saying it was a good (or bad) thing... just mentioning the fact of what I saw.
Good luck.
Ron
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Just on tire wear along, I would steer very far away from the Acme with its tiny 10" tires. Expecially considering your are towing a minivan!
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willald
NC
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wny_pat wrote:Just on tire wear along, I would steer very far away from the Acme with its tiny 10" tires. Expecially considering your are towing a minivan!
Believe me, I've thought of that. Thats why I listed the tire as one of the 'cons' to the Acme dolly. I am not crazy about a 10" bias ply tire going 60-65mph with that much weight on it.
However, they rate the dolly to handle up to 5000 lbs of vehicle on it, and our van is well below that. Best I can tell it'd be within the load rating of the tiny 10" tires as well (even though they're only on 10" wheels, they still are 20.5" in diameter, have 90 psi in them, and are load range E 10 ply tires).
That kind of brings me to another point: The total diameter of the tires on the Acme is 20.5". Is there ANY LT tire made, that I could replace the tires/wheels with on the Acme, that would be 20.5" in diameter, and have a load rating of at least 1700 lbs or so? I realize I'd have to buy new wheels as well, and would be OK with that..
Will
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