Tow Dolly OR flat tow?? your opinions?

retiredchief · 03-19-2016, 10:02 AM

Hello,

I recently picked up a new toad for my diesel pusher. Now I'm faced with having the base plate and all the wiring installed.

I'm told some people desire the tow dolly over the flat tow.

What are your opinions in the pros and cons of each?

Thanks for your time!

Ford Idaho · 03-19-2016, 10:08 AM

Will all of the places you plan on staying at have room for the dolly when you are not using it?

Go flat, never worry about it.

Kenny kustom · 03-19-2016, 11:26 AM

What's the toad?

2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

**ependydad** · 03-19-2016, 12:56 PM

IMO, if the toad easily supports flat towing- that's the way to go from the simplicity of it.

(But, I'm just a lowly fifth wheel owner who considered a motorhome a couple of times now.)

AquaMan · 03-19-2016, 04:32 PM

I must agree with most, although I've yet to use either, (I have a dolly that I will use when I take my daughter's Civic, and I'm looking at getting a tow bar for my Jeep), that the tow bar is the simplest of methods.

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**Herk7769** · 03-19-2016, 04:39 PM

As folks have said, you need to contact the TOADs manufacturer to see if it can even be flat towed. Motor Home Magazine published a TOAD guide every year. This month's magazine had the insert in it, if you can find a copy at the book store or you can download it from their web site Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

I bought our 2012 Buick Lacrosse with the understanding it could be flat towed if we ever upgraded to a motorhome. Come to find out only the 6 cylinder automatic can be flat towed. The 4 cylinder automatic can not.

AquaMan · 03-19-2016, 04:54 PM

Ouch! That's a bummer Herk!

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cub22908 · 03-19-2016, 05:23 PM

Never used dolly but flat towed many years. I would never dolly. Have a friend who used a dolly and it works fine but a LOT more hassle than flat. Either way works but flat towing is a lot easier.

cub22908 · 03-19-2016, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herk7769

As folks have said, you need to contact the TOADs manufacturer to see if it can even be flat towed. Motor Home Magazine published a TOAD guide every year. This month's magazine had the insert in it, if you can find a copy at the book store or you can download it from their web site Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

I bought our 2012 Buick Lacrosse with the understanding it could be flat towed if we ever upgraded to a motorhome. Come to find out only the 6 cylinder automatic can be flat towed. The 4 cylinder automatic can not.

Anything can be flat towed! Just some (most) need a transmission pump installed. I wouldn't do it if the car was still under warranty but I had an RV buddy who installed one on his "untowable automatic transmission" car for 4 years and never had a problem. He installed it himself but he is very handy, the pumps do work!

OK. Just went to Remco site and "anything" is not correct. Looked up the above car and it says dolly only. But some people may be able to benefit from a pump. Sorry!

**Herk7769** · 03-19-2016, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cub22908

OK. Just went to Remco site and "anything" is not correct. Looked up the above car and it says dolly only. But some people may be able to benefit from a pump. Sorry!

Not my first rodeo. Pump won't work with the transmission used in this (and some others) car.

RudysWorld · 03-20-2016, 11:46 AM

I used a tow dolly for a couple of years because I was not sure which was I was going and I did not have a vehicle flat towable. Bought the DW a Chevy Equinox, because it is 4 wheel down capable and will never go back. It is so much easier! We keep vehicles a long time so I am not worried about the cost of fitting vehicles. If you have a back in site dollies are a major PITA! Tow dollies are less expensive and will work with almost any front wheel drive vehicle so if you change cars you can still pull the new vehicle. Good Luck!

Mark1 · 03-20-2016, 12:10 PM

I use a dolly.from Acme tow dollies.it's small enough that it all but fits under the rear of the motorhome when not being used. Yes it's a little more work to put car on.hook up the straps and chains. but I didn't need a brake controller,(Has surge brakes) and no actuator needed in the car for brakes.I did add a set of towing lights that I put in the rear car window as the dolly lights are at the front and I want to be SEEN.(cost for lights-$25.00) Now with the dolly I have already changed motorhomes and didn't have the extra expense of equipping the motorhome again.and I can tow just about anything.I now tow a Hyundai Azera.
Towed 2600 miles in January.didn't even know it was back there. A tow dolly from Acme tow dollies with surge brakes,a spare tire and shipped to my home was 2K.The only problem is people know I have one and want to use it too. As for back in sites.I bought a dolly for the dolly (59 bucks at harbour freight) disconnect the dolly,roll it back into the site and then back the motorhome up tight to it. has 10" tires and fenders all but fit under the home.

RubberNail · 03-20-2016, 12:11 PM

I flat tow, a Malibu behind a Sunseeker 2300. Would only consider a dolly if no other way to transport a car, and might then opt for renting at my destination. My suggestion, if in doubt, go to a larger campground (Casino campgrounds are good as they usually have an assortment of larger coaches) and WATCH folks hook up and unhook from their toads, load and unload their dollies. One time watching a guy and his wife belting down the front car tires to the dolly in a rain storm is all it took for me.

RandyLee · 03-20-2016, 12:45 PM

If you are snow birds traveling twice a year, a dolly would be ok. If you are traveling all over the country, I would suggest flat towing. The first time you get in a parking lot or run into a back road that is closed with the dolly and you have to back up, with all the time and effort involved in doing so. You'll wish you were flat towing. Much simpler to temporally hang all the cables and tow bar on the back of MH than deal with the dolly.

twiggw · 03-20-2016, 01:04 PM

I stewed over this question several years ago. In the end I purchased a Blue Ox tow bar and bracket for our HHR and are very pleased. There isn't always room for a dolly and vehicle at the camp site. Dollys can be a bear to move around. Tow bars cost more. The list goes on. IMHO buy the tow bar and be done with it.

Sand dog · 03-20-2016, 01:05 PM

I've have used both. I put my Chevy Captiva in an enclosed trailer. Stays clean, no road damage, and I can back up. I was tired or concerned that every time I started it it could be broke. Rock thru radiator etc. So forget Dolly, plates,wires,brakes, get a trailer and drive it on ,tie it down and go
.

Mark1 · 03-20-2016, 01:07 PM

Yeh there is pros and cons to each system.I have had occasions where I needed to back up a few hundred feet.I just run out put a clip on the dolly so the brakes don't engage and do my thing.as the cost to go to flat towing for me would be 20-30K Including Hitch, brake and light equipment and of course a vehicle that can be flat towed.

wjbeckett · 03-20-2016, 01:42 PM

I have been flat towing for years. Latest is a 2015 FR3 28DS pulling a 2015 Ford C-Max. Hitch, baseplate and wiring less than $750 as I did it myself. Camping World will charge about $1500 for total job.

Since the car is a hybrid, I chose not to hook into the wiring but put additional LED 1157 bulbs and sockets in the taillights.

I use a RV Brake since the car weighs over 3600 lbs. ($1100)

A32Deuce · 03-20-2016, 01:55 PM

I like to be able to back up anywhere, trailer for me. Home camp ground has long back in spots, no problem.

BobHanke · 03-20-2016, 02:01 PM

First consideration would be what your current passenger vehicle will allow. Second, how often will you trade or will you want to take other vehicles from time to time? A dolly works with most front will drive vehicles but not so much with all-wheel drive. 4-wheel down is usually much more convenient in time and effort but not so much in expense. A snow bird would probably love a dolly but if you move frequently, the 4-wheel down method might be better.

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