towing? dolly or all 4

[helibob]

hello all,
need some help with towing, picked up a motorhome today and it also had a dolly that went with it. my question is, is it easier to tow with a dolly or flat on all 4? the dolly does not have brakes on it.
i`ve heard most states require brakes on anything being towed.also
if i go on all 4 is there a site whick will list what cars can be flat towed? THANKS, BOB

 

[turnipbwc]

towing? dolly or all 4

helibob,
you will be geting lots of replys from the guys out there that know about these things more than I do. I personaly would not tow a dolly that did NOT have brakes. Just asking for trouble if you do. Now there will be people who will disagree with that but I can only speak for myself.
What about that little girl that just came out of nowhere on her bike right smack in front of you. Now do you want brakes on your trailer or dolly ?
turnip42

 

[C Nash]

towing? dolly or all 4

Agree with turnip42 on the dolly and brakes. The dolly is nice if you are towing different vehicles or vehicles that can't be towed 4 down. I like the 4 down and think it's easier to hook up JMO. Like the tow bar that folds and remains on the Motorhome. Braking system should also be used for safety. Brake away system saved out toad when it came loose while traveling 55 mph on the interstate. Would never tow without a breaking system again. Lots of dirfferent opinions on wheather they are required by law. Some mh manuals will tell you to use breaking system if toad weight is over 1000 lb. Most vehicles can be towed 4 down with modifacations such as axle disconnect, trans pump. Remco is a good place to ck for these. Do a search on Motor magazine and they list vehicles that can be towed 4 down w/o modifacations. The dolly requires storing at some campgrounds because of campsite size. I see a lot of dolly's in this area so a lot of rvers must like them.

 

[turnipbwc]

towing? dolly or all 4

Helibob,
Back in 2000 when I was on my way to Jacksonville, Florida to visit my son I seen a Class A towing a full size van on a dolly. He was pulled over to the side of the interstate and I seen the dolly was split in half and a flat tire on the dolly. I don't know what that man was thinking by pulling a load that size on a dolly. It looked as if the van was loaded with stuff to boot. He was sure lucky he didn't kill someone. Dollies may be alright to pull something light but not a full size van.
Just wanted to share that little story with you.
turnip42

 

[ARCHER]

towing? dolly or all 4

Here comes my two cents again. When I bought my used Class A, 454 gas, I had to decide what to do to get my old Honda Accord to the same place we were going, so I talked to Honda and they said I could pull the Accord all four down, however, I would have to stop every 100 miles or less and start the Accord and put the gears through each to circulate the transmission fluid, plus buy some kind of braking system for the accord.......or......I could pull it on a tow dolly and not have to worry about the transmission. I chose to buy the tow dolly and no, it does not have brakes on it (I just could not afford the extra bucks for the top of the line dolly). So far, I have driven it from home to Florida and back three times with no problems. I don't drive like a maniac and I always drive well under the speed limit if I am in city traffic. If I could afford it, I'd pull four down because it looks a lot easier to hook up and disconnect. I check my straps on the tires and the hitch EVERY time I stop. That guy pulling the full size van was just a plain idiot I think. My post won't help you much on what to do, but if you can afford it...go four down,.

 

[helibob]

towing? dolly or all 4

thanks everyone,
i guess i`ll do some more research on this. mabye i can refit the dolly with brakes.mabye just go it alone for a while to get used to driving the rig. thanks again. bob

 

[Plant]

towing? dolly or all 4

HELIBOB, Welcome! For what it is worth we tow a 2001 Ford Escort it is automatic front wheel drive so it can't be towed other than a tow dolly. It works quite well we have been from MO to South Texas twice and once to WI, with no mishaps. We do check it everytime we stop, we do not have brakes on the tow dolly it is not required. The one we have is designed for small cars there are different sizes for larger cars, BUT they should not be overloaded by filling the car up. Lots of luck and fun with your new rig.

 

[janicenlarry]

towing? dolly or all 4

Lotta good info here from those with experience. Have you considered just what a pain it is finding a place to put that dolly in many campgrounds after you have removed the toad? Another good reason to tow 4 down.


:laugh:

 

[helibob]

towing? dolly or all 4

well it looks like the way to go is 4 down, i`ll just have to find a vehicle to tow which does not need an aux pump for the trans. then sell the tow dolly.
you sure can learn a lot here, thanks everyone bob

 

[C Nash]

towing? dolly or all 4

Bob, What do you have that you will be towing on the dolly? If it's a small toad I would try it since you already have the dolly. I have the Chevy Tracker automatic 4 door 4x4 which is towable 4 down. Put the trans in park, transfer case in neutral, key one notch from on and it's ready. Crank the engine ever 200 miles and let run for 2 or 3 min.

 

[ARCHER]

towing? dolly or all 4

Hey Chelse,
Do you think a Honda Accord is a "small" toad? It seems to pull pretty good behind the ole gal so far. Doesn't seem to be there on reasonably flat ground and only slows me down to around 45-50 MPH on long grades. Remember, I have the 454 on the ole 89 Chieftain 31 ft.
We are heading home around the 23rd of this month. Dog, Brandy, has been diag with cancer and only has weeks to be here. She is 12 so been with us for a long time. Somebody dumped her in our yard 12 years ago and I found her almost dead then. Nursed her back to health and she has been a wonderful addition to the family. We will, of course, miss her greatly, but want her to have some time back "home" in "her" yard.

 

[C Nash]

towing? dolly or all 4

Yep Archer, I would call the Accord a small frog :laugh: Will you be coming back up 65? Let me know when you will be in Al. Might still be around. Going north to Morristown today for the grandkids BMX races.

 

[ARCHER]

towing? dolly or all 4

Chelse,
Have a great time at the races and especially watching the kids. We will be heading out the early part of 23 April and driving about 400 miles and then spend the night and then another 400 spend the night and then on to home. We will go 95, 10, 331, 65 on to home. It is about time to get home...been gone since late Oct so got to make sure the house is still there and things are still standing after all th ecold and snow of this past winter. Got a summer do list that will keep me off the streets and busy all summer. Heading up towards Gary B's area the end of May for two weeks....got to meet him and Sharon on the way home last year from Minn (met at a breakfast place) and had a good short visit. Sure would be nice to meet you on the way. :laugh:

 

[helibob]

towing? dolly or all 4

c nash,
will try it this weekend. have a small gran am, just want to get a feel for it.
i`m probably only going to need a car on 2 trips this year,everything elce i`ll was the bikes. bob