gouda
NW WI
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Joined: 02/04/2007
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Hi;
Need some advice about buying a car dolly. Our current auto cannot be pulled four down, so we decieded we want a dolly. Also gives us more freedom if and when we replace the current auto. We'll be purchasing over the winter so we have time to look into many. But there seems to be lots of varations and differences in price points. I do know I want one with surge brakes. Please explain your preferences so I have a good understanding of the pros and cons.
Thanks as always..
08 Tiffin Allegro bay 38TGB FRED.
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game1012
Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Joined: 09/24/2004
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We have a Master Tow with electric brakes and a spare tire. We bought it used for $900.00. We have trips from Baltimore to Florida and Baltimore to South Carolina on it in addition to many local weekend trips logged with the dolly in tow. We have not had any problems so far except I found the tire air pressure was a little low after one trip and I found that it caused some uneven tread wear. So I recommend checking air levels before each trip. Oh yeah, one additional item, we pull a Buick Lucerne that has low ground clearance. So that requires us to use some 2x6 wood blocks on the ramps when loading and unloading the vehicle. It is also important to ratchet tie downs tightly and check them often.
We found that the models that fold the tongue were quite a bit more money just to be able to fold the tongue for storage. We have always had enough room to stash it somewhere on our camp site, and I store it behind my garage at home.
* This post was
edited 09/30/08 08:56am by game1012 *
2007 Gulfstream Independence
2007 Buick Lucerne
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flrvman
Southeast
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IMO buy a 4 down toad. Used is OK for towing only. Dolly is nasty loading and unloading in bad weather. Sways more. I've had both. My vote, 4 down. Good luck.
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BrickBrain
Pearl River, La
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A lot may depend on the car to be towed.
The only manufacture I'm familiar with is Master Tow. They make small and large. They make light duty and heavy duty. My suggestion is to get the large, heavy duty. (Master Tow model number 80THDSB) This will give you more flexability. I would suggest you read the do's and don't of using a tow dolly.
http://www.mastertow.com/tow_dollies.html
Don't tow the dolly empty. It will rattle to pieces. Always carry a sprare tire, spare straps and a spare bearing kit.
Expect to pay $1600-1700 for the above mentioned model.
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Johng
Gilbert, AZ, USA
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I have had both, the best dolly I found was Demco KarKaddy, that folds. It takes up less room while in storage and it is the easiest to storage at the camp site. It is like all dollies a pain to hookup the tire straps in bad weather. Main reason I went towing 4 down.
Happy RVing
John and Judy 
US Air Force - Retired
05 Beaver Santiam 40DST
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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flapjack
wisconsin
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Joined: 05/04/2006
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i have a kar kaddie. there is no sway and easy to hookup. this unit
has surge brakes. around 2000 dollars. in bad weather there all a
pain
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Rocket_Heart
Waterville, Ohio
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Joined: 03/05/2005
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I have the Master Tow dolly and am very pleased. Really not that hard to use or store. The reason I chose the dolly over the tow bar was the cost and the modifications I needed to the tow vehicle. I can also use for any other car if I need to.
You can tow it empty if you lower the tire pressure down to 10lbs.I towed it new back from Pa to NW Ohio with no problems.
Thomas "Rocket Heart" Emahiser
Anna,DW
Matthew
Alaina
2007 Itasca Suncruiser 35L
8.1 Vortec - 6 speed Allison Trans.
Workhorse W24 Chassis
2001 PT Cruiser (Toad)
Waterville, Ohio
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derekf
Phoenix, Az
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Joined: 06/23/2007
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another one with used Master Tow with electric brakes. Biggest problem I've had is all those here who keep telling me that 4down is better. Well then how come none of them offered to buy me a car that can be towed 4down???? OH yea, I got dirty once hooking up the car. Guess what- my MH has sinks and I was able to wash off in 2 minutes. The guy in the next site got more dirty hooking up his 4down toad!!!! that one surprised me!!!!
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texasbaskets
Frisco, TX
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Joined: 10/06/2003
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Hi Gouda,
Are these guys in your area?
Johnson Trailer.
If you do go used, it takes $150 to redo the electric, straps and safety chains. I found the straps on Ebay, and bought the other things at a local big box retailer. Add $100 to that for new tires.
I tow with a Roadmaster Towmaster that I bought very slightly used for $900, but it took me months to find it.
Good luck  
Michael, Kay, Hans (our Mini-Schnauzer co-pilot) and Prissy (Hans' Malti-Poo co-pilot)
'05 Coachmen SportsCoach SE 372DS a.k.a. "Mana's Cabana"
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