I am doing my research and wondering if I shouldnt go for a tow dolly instead of four down. I have been trying to compare the pros and cons of each. I have a 2005 Jeep Liberty (4wd) I am going to use as a toad.
It looks like it will be $500-$1000 cheaper to go with the tow dolly than the cost of the tow bar and supplimental brake system.
I am looking at the Ready Brute / Ready Brake system if I do 4 down, however if I go w/ a dolly instead, I wont have to install a new base plate and brake system in the event I get a new toad. (more $$$ savings)
It looks like hitching up may take a few more minutes with the dolly and there will be extra weight of the dolly (looks like 500-700 lbs). There is also the issue of 3 more tires to care for (yes three - two on the axels of the dolly + the spare)
Can anyone help me make up my mind? Is there anything out there that I have forgotten about that I should be considering when making this choice?
One beautiful wife, two brittney spaniels
2011 Dodge 3500 4x4 DRW Crew Cab 6.7 Cummins, 6 speed auto, 3.73 rear end
Torklift Stableloads, Superhitch, Torklift Tiedowns
2002 Alpenlite 1150
2005 Jeep Liberty toad w/ ReadyBrake/ReadyBrute Web Site
That's easy: Read the Owners Manual.
Towing your 4X4 Jeep Liberty on a dolly (or any other "2-down" towing) is strictly forbidden by the manufacturer!
Actually, you CAN tow it on a dolly, IF you are willing to get under it after you load it on the dolly and tie it down, and disconnect the rear drive shaft.
Check out the ReadyBrute towbar with integrated braking system from NSA (Night Shift Auto). Or, for less money, you can get the ReadyBrake system that works with ANY towbar (even the inexpensive fixed-arm ones that cost anywhere from $60 to $200).
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!"
This almost goes along the lines of the Ford/Chevy/Dodge debate....and most on here will say that the 4-down is the way to go...even with the reasons you mentioned.
Personally, we will probably go with a dolly too, because I may alternate toads, depending on who is on the trip. If it's just DW and I, we would bring out Honda Fit...if we bring along the kids and grandson, I'd probably want the Odyssey mini-van. The dolly would allow those options.
The prevailing reason for 4-down will become evident, when it's raining out, and you are trying to load the toad.....5 minutes (maybe less) with the 4-down and about 4-5 times that with the dolly.
Of course, you can go inside the RV and get dried off and change
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
My 2011 Wrangler owners manual says towing on a dolly is not allowed. I think it will grenade the transfer case. I took their word for it and sold the dolly. Bought the Ready Brake from NSA, installed it myself with a Blue Ox baseplate. Let us know if you try the dolly. I did not try it, so have no actual experience.
What if you pull in somewhere and can't turn around? I've had to unhook, move toad, move dollie, move motorhome, use toad to move dollie to motorhome, reload toad. A real pain... only 4down for me.
1996 HR Endeavor LE,Cummins 5.9 230hp, Allison 3060,
Front-Yamaha Enduro, Rear-Honda Helix Geeser Cruiser + 2 bikes,
22ft 1977 Cruiser in tow.
1 DW, 2 kids.
1 old dog, 1 fat cat.
I wasn't thinking this far ahead!
I know when we get our Coach it will definitely be 4 down, have watched to many times owners struggle to push there dolliy's to the back of the site, when they can't get pull throughs, have waited as long as 20 minutes watching folks getting ready to leave and hook up the dolly and the toad to the coach. While some may prefer a dolly, I definitely know I want 4 down,
The owner's manual says not to tow using a tow dolly, good enough reason for me not to. If you go ahead and use a dolly and do some damage to the vehicle the cost of the base plate looks better.
I used a tow dolly for over 25 years. Demco with surge brakes. During that time I had 3 different MHs and lots of different cars. When everyone came along we towed a station wagon, when just a few, a smaller car. Once on a short tow to San Diego I even towed the van (yes, way overweight). It was easy, never had a problem, other than a blowout, but that happens, and only once was I asked to park the dolly off site. Then, the park helped unhitch, and returned the dolly at checkout using a small tractor. Now I tow 4 down, it is easier to the back and knees. Happy Trails.
I've done both over the years.
Had a Blue Ox set up and towed a full sized ford handicap van with driveshaft disconnect system. Pretty pricey set up.
I later went with a Chev mini van, and went back to a tow dolly. Much cheaper for me. Yes it does take a tad longer to hook up, but not by much. I can now tow just about any toad that is front wheel drive without worry.
I personally found the tow bar,brake buddy system and driveshaft disconnect to be expensive and a pain in the butt. Now I drive on, ratchet down and off we go. I personally don't see that it takes me much longer at all to hook up.
Down side is that you do have the dolly to contend with when you unhook. Not that big of a deal to me. I usually get a big enough site that we have room to store it behind or beside the MH.
Again check your owners manual. Mine told me not to tow the Jeep with 2 wheels off the ground. Look on Craigs list and other places for used tow bars and Braking systems. When we need them found them both for less than half the price of new and they were very little used.
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) with the 4-down and about 4-5 times that with the dolly.
FMCA# F407293
