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Old 07-16-2016, 06:59 AM   #1
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Towing

Trying to decide: Tow dolly or all on the ground. I could sure use some advice..
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Old 07-16-2016, 07:39 AM   #2
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Tow 4 down and never have to be concerned with where to stow the dolly. IMO.
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Old 07-16-2016, 08:50 AM   #3
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I had both and prefer 4 down all the way. I did not like getting on the ground to attach the safety chains to the vehicle. Multiply the dislike several times when it's raining.
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Old 07-16-2016, 08:58 AM   #4
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When we first started towing 12 years ago we bought a standard shift, front wheel drive Honda Element. Added tow plate and drilled holes in tail light housings to install bulbs similar to a boat trailer, added a 4 pin to 7 pin connector (4 to 6 is also available) and have been happy for all these years. Towed the Honda at least 65,000 miles and no problem. Takes 5 minutes to hook up and 5 minutes to unhook.
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Old 07-16-2016, 09:51 AM   #5
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4 wheels down is our perfered method, 45,000 miles no issues just make sure you have a TPMS for the toad.
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Old 07-16-2016, 10:32 AM   #6
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Used a dolly for 2 years the wheat 4 down and will never look back. Good luck!


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Old 07-16-2016, 04:17 PM   #7
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IMHO - If I don't use the car while traveling, but am towing the the car mainly so I'll have it at my destination, then dolly may be a better option.

If I like to use the car every night, at every stop, then flat tow would be the better option.

Dolly tow


Advantage - Lower cost, almost any vehicle can be towed with no special additional equipment required. Having a dolly makes more towing options available. (Dad's automotive repair and broken vehicle towing)

Disadvantage - A little more time consuming to load / unload vehicle, its a pain in the butt compared to flat towing. (With that statement, watch the discussion pick up)

Flat towing

Advantage - quick and easy to load / unload

Disadvantage - Initial cost is substantially higher. Tow bar, base plate, brakes. Some of this special equipment is dedicated to vehicle and cannot be used on other vehicles - i.e. base plate.


I do both, flat tow and dolly tow. The decision is usually based on the question: "Do we plan on using the car while traveling?" If the answer is no, then we dolly and usually take our daily driver. If the answer is yes, then we flat tow and take our Saturn or Civic.

While traveling, we'll pull in for an overnight stop and might like to drive into town or something with the car. Usually with the dolly the answer is " I don't fell like unloading the car, maybe next time". With the 4 down, we just unhook and go.

Sometimes, if we think we need both cars, we'll tow one and drive the other..
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Old 07-16-2016, 08:31 PM   #8
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What kind of car do you have? Is it towable 4 wheels down?
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Old 07-16-2016, 10:27 PM   #9
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My blue ox base plate, tow bar, patriot brake were way less than a quality tow dolly. We tow a jeep and it takes less than 5 minutes to hook or unhook and I don't have find a place to park the dolly or to backup with it on.
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Old 07-17-2016, 09:09 PM   #10
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Thank you all for your input...

I am still undecided..
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Old 07-18-2016, 07:50 AM   #11
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This subject has been covered many times on the forum and 4-down is over whelming the winner. Just ask the highways with your eyes and see for yourself how few dollies you see.
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Old 07-18-2016, 12:58 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by dan-nickie View Post
What kind of car do you have? Is it towable 4 wheels down?
Do not have one yet, but can see that it is needed, rented one on the last trip. But I will sort it out soon..

thanks for your input..
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Old 07-18-2016, 12:59 PM   #13
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This subject has been covered many times on the forum and 4-down is over whelming the winner. Just ask the highways with your eyes and see for yourself how few dollies you see.
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Yes, Yes, you are correct I have seen.
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Old 07-18-2016, 02:52 PM   #14
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You do know that all cars cannot be towed four down correct?
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Old 07-18-2016, 03:40 PM   #15
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You do know that all cars cannot be towed four down correct?
Yes, I have the 2016 Guide to Dinghy Towing and the 2016 Ford Towing Guide.

Wife has Ford Escape (4wd) that is leased and being turned back in at the beging of next month. If dinghy tow she wants to get a Exployer 3.5l Ecoboost (awd) that can be towed four down, or another Escape FWD which will have to be towed with Dolly.. Master Tow Dolly here cost $1,100... Tow Bar, Plate, install and brake controller costs a lot more??? and seems like a whole lot of stuff to do..Also is it true that if you make a mistake you can not back up with a tow bar?? they tell me that you can back a dolly a little bit, and a tow bar not at all..But it is true most gone down the road are four down, very few tow dollies..

We have to decide in the next two weeks (making another trip, and car has to be turned back in soon)

Thanks for all of your input..
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Old 07-18-2016, 04:12 PM   #16
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Joe; be advised that your RV should not be over 33,000 lbs. That is your toad and fully loaded motorhome. That is an Allison tranny limitation from the 2500MH. You need to be considerate about the weight of the toad.
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Old 07-18-2016, 04:42 PM   #17
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Joe; be advised that your RV should not be over 33,000 lbs. That is your toad and fully loaded motorhome. That is an Allison tranny limitation from the 2500MH. You need to be considerate about the weight of the toad.
Now I am really confused....Ford Explorer with a 3.5L
fwd/awd comes in at 4,633 lbs. Will that keep me under 33,000???
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Old 07-18-2016, 07:30 PM   #18
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I pull a fiat. Super easy. Only weighs 2100 pounds and ignition does not need to be on for steering wheel to turn. That is very rare. Super easy Blueox setup. Click image for larger version

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Old 07-18-2016, 09:05 PM   #19
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Do not let everyone scare you regarding the 2500 transmission. I have put 18,000 miles on mine, and I am 27,600 lbs without gear and family of 5 and tow a 4 door jeep wrangler. Have been over smoke mountains, rockies, Sierras, cascades, and have no issues. It has a 5000 Lb towing capacity and I am sure I am maxed out in total weight.


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Old 07-18-2016, 09:13 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Now I am really confused....Ford Explorer with a 3.5L
fwd/awd comes in at 4,633 lbs. Will that keep me under 33,000???

Depends on your coach weight. You did weigh it right?



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