tlecronier
Katy, TX
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Hello,
I am buying DP that I believe weighs 32,000 lbs. I have decided that I want to use a tow dolly to pull my Honda Odyssey. Is it safe to have tow dolly that does not have brakes or would i be ok without them.
Thanks for all of the advice,
Todd
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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I would suggest brakes. Suggest surge style brake system. Why? if you have to tow your dolly behind Odyssey it will help. I have suggested to those that use a tow dolly to put a little dduty hitch on the back of the toad so it is easier to move dolly around and in some case length becomes an issue with MH and dolly. By moving dolly to toad and driving both vehicles through an area length problem goes away.
Bud
USAF Retired
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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powderman426
ohio
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enblethen wrote:I would suggest brakes. Suggest surge style brake system. Why? if you have to tow your dolly behind Odyssey it will help. I have suggested to those that use a tow dolly to put a little dduty hitch on the back of the toad so it is easier to move dolly around and in some case length becomes an issue with MH and dolly. By moving dolly to toad and driving both vehicles through an area length problem goes away. what he said.
No muss no fuss and you meet safety requirements.
Ron & Charlotte
WD8CBT since 1976
28' Prowler & 05 Ram QC LB
I started with nothing and I still have most of it left
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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99.99% of the time, you will be fine without brakes.
However, there is always that .01% that just might jump out and bite you in the more delicate portions of your anatomy.
Yes, brakes would be safER, but you might never need them.
It is ultimately up to you!
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!"
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willald
NC
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mowermech wrote:99.99% of the time, you will be fine without brakes.
However, there is always that .01% that just might jump out and bite you in the more delicate portions of your anatomy.
Yes, brakes would be safER, but you might never need them.
It is ultimately up to you!
...And there is the fact that a few states require such. Check for the states you'll be traveling in to see if that is the case or not. With a dolly, IMO you're better off to just get one that has the brakes to begin with so you know you're covered regardless. There is the added safety margin for braking as well (although as mowermech points out, that may or may not ever matter).
If you're going the dolly route, I highly recommend the Acme EZE tow dolly. Comes with disc surge brakes, so thats already taken care of without you have to wire or do anything. Very low profile design allows you to store most of the dolly underneath back of your MH. It actually takes up less space behind your MH than the (obscenely more expensive) Demco Kar Kaddy that has the folding ramps.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis
Our Rig
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tlecronier
Katy, TX
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Thanks for all of the replies. Willald, is the Acme dolly only available online?
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willald
NC
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tlecronier wrote:Thanks for all of the replies. Willald, is the Acme dolly only available online?
Pretty much, yeah. I don't believe they have any dealers that sell their dollies like Demco or Roadmaster does.
You have to order/buy directly from them either online, or in person. They will ship anywhere in US for very reasonable $$, though, or you can pick up the dolly from them in person (thats what I did).
Will
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ArmySFCRet
Moving to Congress, AZ
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Brakes? Definitely!
Been pulling the Demco w/surge brakes for 8 years with no problem. Folds up and tucks under the coach when parked. Or, just fold the tongue and swing it out of the way without having to unhitch. Have done both depending on length of stay.
* This post was
edited 08/27/12 01:44pm by ArmySFCRet *
'04 Cross Country 35' w/300 Cummins
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Nomadac
Columbus, IN
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A dolly with brakes also has a breakaway system to stop the dolly and vehicle if it were ever to brake loose from the MH and stop before it collided with a person or other vehicle.
Arnie
2003 Travel Supreme MH
38KSO1 Cummins ISC 350HP
2004 Honda Pilot w/SMI Air Force One Brake Sys.
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 20' Enclosed Car Trailer
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joeprinter
Fayetteville, NC
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I towed 5k Miles without brakes on tow dolly, with full intention of adding surge brakes later. I never did have a problem, no big hills. 6 months later added surge brakes, I haven't noticed a big difference in the handling other than before I allowed more time to stop without them. As mentioned 99% no problem, but that 1% does happen. I feel better with my brakes. Better to be safe than sorry. Ask your tow dolly manufacture if they sell the add on,it was only a matter of changing out the hubs for me.
"2012 Forest River 360 DS"
"Ford V-10"
"2013 Toyota Corolla on Tow Dolly"
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