Towing
Moderator: bfadmin
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Ray
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larihack
I think so. The local Mazda dealer is worthless, but UHaul tells me I can go either way.Ray wrote:Car hauler is harder to find a place to park some times when stopped and using the car. Dolly can usually be on site with RV and not cost extra to store. You can back up with a car hauler, you cant with a dolly.
Are you sure you can pull the Mazda with a dolly?
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larihack
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Ray
I have used a dolly towing a Chrysler mini van. That worked well except when I didnt see any signs saying "dead end" or "no exit" on a street in Florida. 
I am switching to towing 4 wheel down and a Ford Explorer. Still cant back up but think it will be easier.
I have only towed the Explorer a few times on short hauls so far, and so far its been fine.
I am also thinking about getting a car hauler so I could take a car and other toys - but I am concerned with weight and where to put it when I pull into some places - it may limit my options. So I am not sure about that.
The cheap way to go is the dolly I suppose.
I am switching to towing 4 wheel down and a Ford Explorer. Still cant back up but think it will be easier.I have only towed the Explorer a few times on short hauls so far, and so far its been fine.
I am also thinking about getting a car hauler so I could take a car and other toys - but I am concerned with weight and where to put it when I pull into some places - it may limit my options. So I am not sure about that.
The cheap way to go is the dolly I suppose.
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Ray
6K wouldn't bother me. I think my explorer is just under 5K and may be a little over 5K loaded - I need to get that on a scale. I think BF was going with 5K for some time and the newer ones are higher. Somebody can jump in and correct me if I am off on that. May want to check with Kim at BF cause I believe my 2001 is not class rated.
I also kinda go with what ford truck told me, a frame specialist told me, and a hitch guy told me.
Make sure you have brakes on what ever you tow.
But everyone has to be comfortable with what they have.
And also remember there may be a liability issue if in fact there is a problem and you are exceeding recommended limitations.
I also kinda go with what ford truck told me, a frame specialist told me, and a hitch guy told me.
Make sure you have brakes on what ever you tow.
But everyone has to be comfortable with what they have.
And also remember there may be a liability issue if in fact there is a problem and you are exceeding recommended limitations.
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larihack
You guys aren't making me feel very comfortable with this. I think I will go with the tow dolly for weight purposes. I am planning a route that will hopefully not involve any backing up. This is my last trip with my soon to be college grad and I want him in the camper to keep me laughing. He is so funny and such a good kid. Also want to savor every last moment before I drop him in OK to be a real grown up.
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Ray
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Ray
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Ray
Hi, larihack
Depending on the trailer the 3500 could put you at the top or over the tow weight recommendation for the BF. I believe that is 5K - but like I said I think after a certain year that was raised, a call to Kim at BF would clarify that.
If you have never spoke to Kim you will find him most helpful and certainly a wealth of information. In fact if you have never had any connection with the factory I will tell you that you will probably never find a company and group of people that are so customer centric and go out of their way to assist.
Try to make it to the upcoming factory homecoming if you can - If you have never been to one it is a great experience.
A tow dolly may well be the best way for you to go, in my mind they are a little bit of a hassle but not bad, they have there advantages also.
Kinda like whats better ---- Class A, Class B, Class C, 5th wheel, trailer, etc ---- everyone has a different preference.
Make sure you are 100% sure that your Mazda can be towed with a dolly. You said it was a 4 wheel drive. Some people think all 4 wheel drives can be towed 4 down or on a dolly. This is absolutely wrong.
It is not recommended that I tow my 4x4 Explorer with a dolly because when I put it in tow mode all 4 wheels are free wheeling - on a dolly they recommend that the front wheels which are on the dolly are in a locked position. At least the manufacturer of my dolly recommends that, but then they did say if you had to tow like that you should check the straps frequently. (confusing)
Also when I was looking at vehicles I was told that the 4x4 Explorer with the AWD option was not towable and towing it in any configuration would damage the transmission.
I assume you have checked into renting a dolly? There are a couple places around here that wont rent a dolly unless you rent a truck also, or have gotten completely out of the dolly rental business because of liability reasons.
It can be a confusing and frustrating decision. The important part is that it is safe, legal, and you are comfortable with it.
And make sure it has brakes - I am not a big fan of trailer surge brakes, but electric brakes require a controller in the tow vehicle. Towing 4 down is a expensive setup once you get the tow bar/brake system bought and installed.
Hope your not getting confused or frustrated - This is suppose to to be fun
Depending on the trailer the 3500 could put you at the top or over the tow weight recommendation for the BF. I believe that is 5K - but like I said I think after a certain year that was raised, a call to Kim at BF would clarify that.
If you have never spoke to Kim you will find him most helpful and certainly a wealth of information. In fact if you have never had any connection with the factory I will tell you that you will probably never find a company and group of people that are so customer centric and go out of their way to assist.
Try to make it to the upcoming factory homecoming if you can - If you have never been to one it is a great experience.
A tow dolly may well be the best way for you to go, in my mind they are a little bit of a hassle but not bad, they have there advantages also.
Kinda like whats better ---- Class A, Class B, Class C, 5th wheel, trailer, etc ---- everyone has a different preference.
Make sure you are 100% sure that your Mazda can be towed with a dolly. You said it was a 4 wheel drive. Some people think all 4 wheel drives can be towed 4 down or on a dolly. This is absolutely wrong.
It is not recommended that I tow my 4x4 Explorer with a dolly because when I put it in tow mode all 4 wheels are free wheeling - on a dolly they recommend that the front wheels which are on the dolly are in a locked position. At least the manufacturer of my dolly recommends that, but then they did say if you had to tow like that you should check the straps frequently. (confusing)
Also when I was looking at vehicles I was told that the 4x4 Explorer with the AWD option was not towable and towing it in any configuration would damage the transmission.
I assume you have checked into renting a dolly? There are a couple places around here that wont rent a dolly unless you rent a truck also, or have gotten completely out of the dolly rental business because of liability reasons.
It can be a confusing and frustrating decision. The important part is that it is safe, legal, and you are comfortable with it.
And make sure it has brakes - I am not a big fan of trailer surge brakes, but electric brakes require a controller in the tow vehicle. Towing 4 down is a expensive setup once you get the tow bar/brake system bought and installed.
Hope your not getting confused or frustrated - This is suppose to to be fun
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Ray
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Ray
Sam
We were talking about tow capacity not down shifting. When you referenced the units manual I thought you were referring to the BF manual not the chassis manual.
My E450 V-10 will pull plenty, the 5K limitation everyone references is supposedly the BF recommendation. My unit manual (BF) does not reference any weight, it states the hitch is not class rated.
I was wondering if your manual said something different than mine.
We were talking about tow capacity not down shifting. When you referenced the units manual I thought you were referring to the BF manual not the chassis manual.
My E450 V-10 will pull plenty, the 5K limitation everyone references is supposedly the BF recommendation. My unit manual (BF) does not reference any weight, it states the hitch is not class rated.
I was wondering if your manual said something different than mine.
[quote="Ray"]Sam
We were talking about tow capacity not down shifting. When you referenced the units manual I thought you were referring to the BF manual not the chassis manual.
My E450 V-10 will pull plenty, the 5K limitation everyone references is supposedly the BF recommendation. My unit manual (BF) does not reference any weight, it states the hitch is not class rated.
I was wondering if your manual said something different than mine.[/quote]
WHOA!
Plenty or not none of the gas engined E series can tow more than 5K and usually less than that because of the gross weight of the loaded van. The LWB diesels can tow up to 10K as long as the combined weight does not exceed 20K. I tow with a 7.3 psd at these levels and its an iffy process because the tires are at max and the are LRG on 17.5 inch rims.
We were talking about tow capacity not down shifting. When you referenced the units manual I thought you were referring to the BF manual not the chassis manual.
My E450 V-10 will pull plenty, the 5K limitation everyone references is supposedly the BF recommendation. My unit manual (BF) does not reference any weight, it states the hitch is not class rated.
I was wondering if your manual said something different than mine.[/quote]
WHOA!
Plenty or not none of the gas engined E series can tow more than 5K and usually less than that because of the gross weight of the loaded van. The LWB diesels can tow up to 10K as long as the combined weight does not exceed 20K. I tow with a 7.3 psd at these levels and its an iffy process because the tires are at max and the are LRG on 17.5 inch rims.
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Ray