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07-16-2016, 06:59 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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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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07-16-2016, 07:39 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 91
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Tow 4 down and never have to be concerned with where to stow the dolly. IMO.
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07-16-2016, 08:50 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 995
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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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Ken & Laurie
2022 Riverstone Legacy 39RKFB
2022 RAM 3500 Laramie Dually
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07-16-2016, 08:58 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 160
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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.
GOOD LUCK
AREA51
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07-16-2016, 09:51 AM
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#5
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Berkshire 390QS
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,489
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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.
__________________
2011: 54 days, 2012: 218 days, 2013: 175 days, 2014: 196 days
2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
2019: 156 days (2009 Berkshire, 390QS, and toad)
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07-16-2016, 10:32 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 277
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Used a dolly for 2 years the wheat 4 down and will never look back. Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
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Jc
2014 400BH-60
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07-16-2016, 04:17 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 627
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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..
__________________
2001 Coachmen Mirada (Ford F53 6.8L V10) - Toad 2003 Saturn Vue
It won't do MACH 2, but I can get a sandwich and take a pee.
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07-16-2016, 08:31 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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What kind of car do you have? Is it towable 4 wheels down?
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Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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07-16-2016, 10:27 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 522
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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.
__________________
2011 Berkshire 390-rb-40, upgraded tires and front axle airbags, 2012 Jeep Wrangler 2 door, Blue Ox baseplate and BlueOx aladdin tow bar, Blue Ox Patriot brake system, wiring run through right frame rail and homemade led taillight bar.FB.
Ham KG5LTL.
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07-17-2016, 09:09 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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Thank you all for your input...
I am still undecided..
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Joe & Debbie
2017 Dynamax DX3 37BH
Toad: 2020 Ford F-150
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07-18-2016, 07:50 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 1,024
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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.
Hank
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Gale & Hank- 2012 Berkshire 390BH
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07-18-2016, 12:58 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie
What kind of car do you have? Is it towable 4 wheels down?
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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..
__________________
Joe & Debbie
2017 Dynamax DX3 37BH
Toad: 2020 Ford F-150
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07-18-2016, 12:59 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by I-RV
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.
Hank
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Yes, Yes, you are correct I have seen.
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Joe & Debbie
2017 Dynamax DX3 37BH
Toad: 2020 Ford F-150
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07-18-2016, 02:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 1,675
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You do know that all cars cannot be towed four down correct?
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Dan
2014 Berkshire 390RB-60
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07-18-2016, 03:40 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dan-nickie
You do know that all cars cannot be towed four down correct?
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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..
__________________
Joe & Debbie
2017 Dynamax DX3 37BH
Toad: 2020 Ford F-150
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07-18-2016, 04:12 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Mount Laurel, NJ
Posts: 1,024
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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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Gale & Hank- 2012 Berkshire 390BH
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07-18-2016, 04:42 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,520
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Quote:
Originally Posted by I-RV
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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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???
__________________
Joe & Debbie
2017 Dynamax DX3 37BH
Toad: 2020 Ford F-150
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07-18-2016, 07:30 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Palm City, Florida
Posts: 10
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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.
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07-18-2016, 09:05 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 271
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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.
Mike & Amy + 3 and the dogs!
2014 berkshire 390bh-40
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07-18-2016, 09:13 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: West Michigan/Fort Myers
Posts: 3,927
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joet19711
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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Depends on your coach weight. You did weigh it right?
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