Dolly or 4 down? - Page 2

RudysWorld · 05-30-2016, 05:09 PM

We used a tow dolly the first couple of years. When i retired last year we bought a new Equinox for the DW and had it setup for 4 down. I will never go back to dolly towing. The advantage of a tow dolly is being able to tow most front wheel drive vehicles with no adjustments. The advantages of 4 down are everything else!!!!! We keep vehicles a long time and that is a not issue for us. Good luck!!!!!

gmacklem · 05-30-2016, 06:28 PM

I have done both and hope to never dolly tow again. I bought a tow dolly last year, used it a few times and hated it. Went to flat towing this year and love it. I hope to never have to deal with a dolly again. But there are fewer and fewer cars that can be flat towed. I have a 2013 Honda CR-V and it can be flat towed. The new models cannot as they went to a CVT transmission.

Tom48 · 05-31-2016, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SharpPI

Red .... Thanks for the links. I currently have a 2014 Ford Escape.

I think the last Escape that was flat towable was the 2011 or maybe even the early 2012, but pretty sure none after that. The Toad market is evidently too small to worry car companies as there seem to be fewer models you can tow every year model.

SharpPI · 06-02-2016, 05:52 AM

I am disappointed ... It would appear that my wife's 2011 Toyota Highlander also can't be towed 4 down.

GL1800Rider · 06-03-2016, 01:54 PM

The only towable Toyata's are the Corolla and the Yaris and they need to be manual transmission which was not a big deal for me as I prefer a manual anyway.

SkipnTerri · 06-03-2016, 02:02 PM

The Remco pump can be installed in many models. May want to check it out.
Remco : The Towing Experts

SkipnTerri · 06-03-2016, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom48

I think the last Escape that was flat towable was the 2011 or maybe even the early 2012, but pretty sure none after that. The Toad market is evidently too small to worry car companies as there seem to be fewer models you can tow every year model.

We had a 2010 Escape and had the transmission burn up. Ford replaced it and then we were told to lower the transmission fluid each time we towed and also not to tow above 55 mph. Too much hassle, so we got rid of it for the Focus.

BamaBob · 06-03-2016, 03:01 PM

IMHO, if you can afford to do it, trade your Escape for a TOAD that can be pulled 4 Down. It's about a 5 min job 4 down versus 15+ min with a dolly. Also dolly towing, you are limited in speed whereas 4 down you can do the speed limit (70/75MPH) with the right TOAD (Ex: Jeep 4x4)

SharpPI · 06-03-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BamaBob

IMHO, if you can afford to do it, trade your Escape for a TOAD that can be pulled 4 Down. It's about a 5 min job 4 down versus 15+ min with a dolly. Also dolly towing, you are limited in speed whereas 4 down you can do the speed limit (70/75MPH) with the right TOAD (Ex: Jeep 4x4)

As a Private Investigator a Jeep would not work for me. Hours in the car and I have to have a car that blends in. Looks like every other car on the road. The Escape has good room, is fuel efficient and I can spend hours sitting in. The year I have put 45K on it. Jeep is not practical for my line of work.

Gidyupgo · 06-04-2016, 07:17 AM

Good morning. We have two good cars that we enjoy driving and did not want to trade in either one. Also, when we take our grown children and grandchildren, there are 6 traveling so we want to take their van which seats all of us. We use a Stehl dolly and so far no issues with using it, including having to back straight back about 10 feet after getting boxed in at a gas station. No trouble keeping it straight if you go slow and watch the back-up cam. Just like backing a 4 wheel farm trailer where the front axle is steerable. We have the electric brake model. We watch the weather and so far have avoided loading in the rain, but I know that day will come. I keep a moving blanket from harbor freight in the basement with my bag containing the straps and magnetic lights and that's what I get down on to connect the safety chains.
I did have to replace the wheel nets/straps after a recent 3500 mile trip due to wear from rubbing the toad shock struts. When I did I added nylon sling protective sleeves over the inside strap to protect it.
I do not see us going to 4 down, but I am sure those that do have a sound reason.

Hoglou · 06-13-2016, 08:44 PM

Just my two pennies tossed in. For me blue ox plate and bars, patriot brake, JK wrangler 2 door w/ auto (and air). In the middle of the smoky mnts and just spent the day with the top down chasing trails. Sweet...... Harry toads just fine...

Fyi.. we are currently gear down at "Up the Creek" campground, no satt but xm works fine..

SharpPI · 07-17-2016, 10:46 AM

Ended up with a Roadmaster Dolly .... first trip was a success. It took 15 minutes to load the car .... I am sure it will get faster as I get more practice.

Gidyupgo · 07-17-2016, 03:31 PM

The Roadmaster looks like a good dolly. We went Stehl because there was a dealer nearby. I tuck it under the back of our MH up to the fenders after unloading it at sites and our storage lot. Since this style uses a swivel plate the steering has to stay straight. Neither of our FWD cars have locking steering so I simply loop the seat belt around the bottom of the steering wheel a couple of times at the bottom and then latch it. I read that here somewhere.

Gchpazi · 08-15-2016, 04:19 PM

ejw7213 · 08-15-2016, 09:09 PM

I bought a Roadmaster tow dolly and it works fine but I had difficulty because of the clearance on my 2012 Honda Civic. I am currently getting ready to go 4 down for the ease of use.

Hoglou · 08-16-2016, 12:24 PM

We were lucky (aka worked and saved) as when we got our C we also had toad funds ear marked. The only thing I would like (have said it before) would be to buy factory installed tow bar hooks and light wiring from jeep. To be easier Harry would have to jump on the coach rear bumper by itself as it got close...

Humm....

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