bigred1cav wrote: Depends on your ability to bend and squat to place chains and straps on the vehicle. Takes about 10 minutes and is nasty in the rain and mud.
Hooking up a towbar, safety chains, electrical umbilical, etc. in the rain and mud is not picnic, either. It is amazing how long it can take when you are wet and cold and slogging in the muck!
Been there, did that, didn't bother to buy the T-shirt!
As previously stated, there is no "right" or "wrong", there is only personal preference. Trailer, dolly, or 4 down, they each work for somebody, and they are each unwanted by somebody. Having done all three, I personally like the trailer best!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
bigred1cav wrote: Depends on your ability to bend and squat to place chains and straps on the vehicle. Takes about 10 minutes and is nasty in the rain and mud.
Hooking up a towbar, safety chains, electrical umbilical, etc. in the rain and mud is not picnic, either. It is amazing how long it can take when you are wet and cold and slogging in the muck!
Been there, did that, didn't bother to buy the T-shirt!
It is on mine. Never touch ground with anything but feet. Plug i electrical and attach break away cable I put rings low on the plates so I only hook chains. 3 minutes to hook up.
As previously stated, there is no "right" or "wrong", there is only personal preference. Trailer, dolly, or 4 down, they each work for somebody, and they are each unwanted by somebody. Having done all three, I personally like the trailer best!
Regarding backing with a dolly... I have done it, once or twice. short distance. Very slow, Lots of re-tries. But I was towing a car, on a dolly, with another car, NOT a motor home.
I would not want to try it with a motor home as the tow vehicle.
It is way easier to drop a towed than to try to back one up.
I'm not sure I'd care to back up a full trailer (4 wheels up tow). with the motor home.. However that said. I have lots of practice doing that with differnt tow vehicles.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Although several responders are quick to claim that "license" is an issue with tow dollies (leaving the impression that many states require that a tow dolly have a vehicle license) but don't bother saying which states are applicable I decided to google the issue.
I could only find definitive information on Florida. If you LIVE in Florida you would have to license your tow dolly. But if you live where there is no license requirement (the vast majority of states) you don't have to have a license even when you drive in Florida.
JTHarley wrote: I've owned both.....can 't say I was a big fan of the tow dolly.
1. Straps came loose and had to be checked at every stop.
2. Once in a campground you have to put it "somewhere" and many sites just aren't that big.
3. Hooking up takes about 5+ minutes and in the rain it was a pain.
4. Another set of tires to replace and check pressure.
5. Purchase another license plate for it.
4 Down.....hooked up in 3 minutes, low to no maintenance.
Like someone said, it just depends on IF your car can be towed 4 down.
1. Can be towed by any capable vehicle with an appropriate trailer hitch and standard electrical socket;
2. Can tow virtually any front-wheel-drive car as well as most cars with manual transmissions (even if rear wheel drive) which give you versatility to choose which vehicle to take depending upon your requirements (you can buy a new toad without ponying-up a grand for special fittings - just drive it on and fasten the straps);
3. No license plate required unless you make Florida your home state (and even then it's only required while you are actually IN Florida);
4. Saves wear-and-tear on the moving parts of a FWD car;
5. Saves wear-and-tear on some of the moving parts of a rear-wheel-drive car with a manual transmission;
5. Straps don't come loose unless you're too stupid to tighten them properly the first time.
"...as well as most cars with manual transmissions (even if rear wheel drive)..."
Not QUITE true! MANY rear wheel drive manual transmission cars can not be towed, whether on a dolly or four down, according to the manufacturer. I have never seen an AWD or 4WD vehicle approved for two down towing, regardless of transmission type.
"No license plate required unless you make Florida your home state (and even then it's only required while you are actually IN Florida)"
Again, not QUITE true. some states require that the dolly be licensed if it is towed without a vehicle on board. Also, if Florida requires a license plate on a dolly, a Florida resident will have to have that plate when driving in any state which has entered into a Reciprocity Agreement with Florida.
"Saves wear-and-tear on some of the moving parts of a rear-wheel-drive car with a manual transmission;"
How can that be, unless the car is on the dolly backwards, or the driveshaft is disconnected?
You've obviously done lots more research on this than anyone else. However you have inexplicably left out critical details in your post:
"Not QUITE true! MANY rear wheel drive manual transmission cars can not be towed, whether on a dolly or four down, according to the manufacturer."
So.... how many would there be? Which vehicles? Specifically?
"I have never seen an AWD or 4WD vehicle approved for two down towing, regardless of transmission type."
Why would a vehicle that can be towed 4-down not be approved to be towed on a dolly? Why wouldn't a Jeep, with the ability to shift its transfer case into neutral, be appropriate for 4-down but not 2-down?
"Again, not QUITE true. some states require that the dolly be licensed if it is towed without a vehicle on board."
Which states would these be? It would be more helpful for details rather than statements with no supporting evidence. Otherwise we might think it's just your opinion.
"Also, if Florida requires a license plate on a dolly, a Florida resident will have to have that plate when driving in any state which has entered into a Reciprocity Agreement with Florida."
I suppose there is a chance that a FL resident might not have a license plate on the dolly... but it seems pretty slim to me. Doyou have any evidence that other states are enforcing the FL laws which contradict their own?
"How can that be, unless the car is on the dolly backwards, or the driveshaft is disconnected?"
Well this is how a dolly works... the two front wheels of the toad are not in contact with the ground and do not rotate so the parts that would be affected by the rotation are not going to wear as much as if they were rotating. These parts would be steering components, support items, bearings, bushings, etc.
Why would a vehicle that can be towed 4-down not be approved to be towed on a dolly? Why wouldn't a Jeep, with the ability to shift its transfer case into neutral, be appropriate for 4-down but not 2-down?
.
The JEEP Wrangler can not be towed on a dolly. I've owned two. The transfer case does not get properly lubricated if only one axle is spinning at 65 mph and the other is stationary. Most other awd / 4wd vehicles have similar restrictions due to lubrication and/or viscous coupling restrictions. That is why they must be flat bedded by a tow truck as well. One axle spinning and the other stationary is not approved with any awd/4wd that I am familiar with.
08 FW Providence 40X
FL-XCS chassis
46"LED,Blu-ray 5.1
Ready Brute tow bar/braking/break away system & wireless light bar
'11 Ford Edge AWD toad
2 Honda 2000s for 30 amp dry camp
&300 watts of solar
Beware of those who point their finger the LOUDEST !
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