Towed Vehicles

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leroy1937

Post by leroy1937 »

Different stocks for different folks
When I started out in 1990 I had a carrier for the back of my motorhome for a Vespa 125cc. Could back up when ever I wanted to can't do that with car.
Now I can tow Kmyco 250cc also my MINI at same time
Good Luck
BOB& KATHY GELLER

Post by BOB& KATHY GELLER »

I CAN.T BELIEVE NO ONE HAS SUGGESTED A JEEP. OURS IS 4-WHEEL DRIVE DRIVE-AUTOMATIC-HARD TOP,WEIGHING LESS THAN 3500 POUNDS. THIS TOAD ALLOWS ADVENTURESOME TRAVEL AT DESTINATION SITES,A TRASMISSION DESIGNED FOR TOWING, EASY HOOKUPNO NEED TO STOP AND RUN ENGINE ETC. WE HAVE A STOWMASTER TOW BAR DESIGNED FOR ONE MAN HOOKUP WHICH WE HAVE USED ON TWO JEEPS AND TWO RVS. WE USED AN AUXILLARY BRAKE MADE BY M&R SYSTEMS WHICH IS A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE BUT ONLY REQUIRES A AIR PRESSURE HOSE CONNECT FROM RV TO JEEP CAN HOOK UP ENTIRE SYSTEN AND BE READY TO GO IN LESS THAN 5 MINUTES
User avatar
Roger H
Posts: 653
Joined: Sat May 26, 2007 7:48 pm

Tow Dolly for me!

Post by Roger H »

This is an old thread, but I'm going to resurrect it. Towing with a motorhome is always a current topic. I have gone the tow dolly route...

After much consideration, shopping, and comparison I bought a Master Tow 80THDEB tow dolly. Here's why: I have both an '02 Toyota Tundra pickup and an '06 Honda Civic sedan that are candidates for towing. I have need of towing both at times, choice differing by destination.

The Master Tow dolly has electric brakes and cost me $1200. I can tow either the Tundra or the Civic on it without modifying either vehicle, or having had to take either vehicle to have plates installed. A Brake Buddy braking system alone costs close to what I paid for the tow dolly, and each vehicle would still need to be appropriately wired and both would have to have the appropriate tow bar plates installed (about $450 each installed) and wiring, and then I'd need a heavy duty tow bar apparatus (another $450 or so) and then a Brake Buddy (at $1200 or so).

By using the tow dolly with brakes, I've saved at least $1200 and can have either vehicle ready to tow in minutes, and don't have to worry about whether or not the Brake Buddy is set up properly.

Are dollies a hassle? They can be. Do they have a place in towing a toad? Sometimes they're the best way to tow. I like my '06 dolly so well, I'm going to sell it and buy the '08 model with the LED lights! :D

Roger
'06 Born Free 32 RQ Kodiak Chassis
(Former: '01 Born Free 23 RK)
Dinghy: '16 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar.
Traveling with Sir Winston and Lady Rae (Cavalier King Charles Spaniels)
Trisha

Post by Trisha »

I will second what some others have said here. Tow the car you'll need when you get to your destination. Your choice of toad, plus your choice of how you'll tow it depends on YOUR unique needs.

My 'toad' is an 06 jeep liberty. Automatic tranny, 4wd. It's a 5 minute operation to hook up. It is also my every-day car when I'm not RVing. I use the jeep for everything. It can go nearly anywhere, it's good in any weather, it can be towed by the BF (I wish I had a 2nd driver for steep grades). I tow into the mountains (usually) and all over the country. I use the 4wd frequently, both here and at my destinations when traveling.

Yes, it was more $ than a tow dolly to put the plate on the jeep, get it wired up, etc. I did not use a brake buddy this time, but a Tow Brake Int'l Tow brake cylinder. I carry it in the back all the time.

You have to decide what you need your car for. Do you visit mainly cities where you'd rather have a good 'commuter' type car that handles well in traffic? Do you camp in the wilderness and need 4WD? Do you want to use your primary car as your toad? How often do you go? Do you carry passengers?

See what I mean? I slapped a tow plate on my Jeep when it had less than 100 miles on it. I bought it on the road, I knew what I wanted, I'd done the research, asked the questions, and once I knew, I got it. I also use Demco bars, they are a little more 'robust' than the others. Since the jeep is awful close to the 5,000 lbs, I got bars that can handle a little more. They can take the stress if something that momentarily makes the toad seem heavier happens. I can also unhook in nearly any condition, uneven ground, etc...because of the way these bars were made. They're better for offroad conditions. Oddly enough, I seem to have difficulty staying on the paved parts of the country...either that, or I just don't like those parts as much.

So, as others have also counseled, you have to decide for yourself based on your NEEDS for a vehicle at your destination. It really depends on what you do when you RV. What kind of activities you enjoy. Although I think I'd enjoy driving the BMW's mentioned by Len, I doubt Len would enjoy taking those Beemers where I take the jeep. I think he'd probably be looking for a place to turn around, just about the time I reach down and pull the handle up for 4WD. Mud, Muck, snow, slush....fun. When I got back from my property in CO (sorry I missed the rally this time guys)... I couldn't even tell what color my jeep was from the door handles down. I think I left many pounds of dirt at the wash station afterward. And I keep finding more.

So...it's really your call. We can point you to the resources to tell you how to find the info, but you are one who knows best what you want to do once you get where you're going.

Trish
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