Considering a Dolly, Would Like Opinions/Experiences

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DeWat

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Feb 16, 2013
Posts
79
Hello all.  I am considering a dolly for my '13 Winnebago Vista 35B.  Please do not turn this into a dinghy -vs- dolly, because I am set on a dolly... at least for the next couple years.  The other thing that I am set on is that I want electric brakes because that is what is recommended by the manual (direct from the Vista 35B/F manual, "We do not recommend the usage of a ?surgestyle? braking device").  So now with that out of the way... not trying to sound harsh, I'm just set on an electric brake dolly for now... here's where I'm soliciting opinions/experiences.  I have pretty much narrowed my search-research down to either a Master Tow 80THD-EB or a RoadMaster 2000-1.  The biggest differences that I see are that the Master Tow has a steering carrying pan, and that the RoadMaster has steerable wheels.  The only other known "big" difference is that the RoadMaster is twice the cost of the Master Tow.  The hardest part for me to understand is what makes the RoadMaster "worth" or should I say cost twice the price of the Master Tow?  Can anyone comment on either of these models...  **or**... maybe another model electric brake tow dolly that I may have missed.  Thanks to all.
 
Used both, prefer towing 4 down.  Using Stehl tow dolly (electric brakes, steering carrying pan) because I can't tow my Jetta TDI 4 down AND I didn't want to spend $$$$ to replace car, then spend $$$ to install plate, then spend $$ for a new tow bar.  Too many $.  The tow dolly was only $$$.  Bought it locally new (with local warranty) because used ones looked like crap and/or were missing things (brakes, straps, chains, etc).  I didn't want any assembly required (!).

It comes in handy - besides a couple of "speed" runs to San Diego, I have used it to shuffle some of the family fleet to better places (AKA not my house!).


 
Thanks to all thus far... I am also thowing the Stehl into my considerations now.
 
BinaryBob said:
This is the one I have my eye on for my 2011 Toyota Corolla.
Seems to get good reviews and the price is right.

We have the American Tow Dolly.  It works well, but if I were to buy another tow dolly, I would get one with a tilt bed that has the the ramps mounted to the the dolly.

Paul
 
I also use the American Car Dolly and it works well for me to tow my Toyota Prius.  The detachable ramps can be a bit of a pain but with a small, low to the ground car, it prevents the ramps from contacting parts of the car underneath.  The American Car Dolly does have electric brakes, and the price is right.

Dan
 
Paul & Ann said:
We have the American Tow Dolly.  It works well, but if I were to buy another tow dolly, I would get one with a tilt bed that has the the ramps mounted to the the dolly.

Paul

Good to know. As I have not yet had any experience with a dolly could you please explain that further?
I imagine a tilt bed provides a bit smoother ramp up?

Also, in looking at the picture of the American, it appears the tire stop does not look very beefy. Perhaps there a potential to overshoot the ramp? What a mess that would be.
 
BinaryBob said:
Good to know. As I have not yet had any experience with a dolly could you please explain that further?
I imagine a tilt bed provides a bit smoother ramp up?

Also, in looking at the picture of the American, it appears the tire stop does not look very beefy. Perhaps there a potential to overshoot the ramp? What a mess that would be.

Here is a link to a tilt bed tow dolly:  http://www.mastertow.com/tow_dollies.html

So far I havent overshot the ramps, and I havent even worried about it.

Paul
 
I have never overshot the pan that the wheels sit in either.  You can feel the wheels fall down into the pan when loading. 

The tilt bed might well provide a smoother ramp up.  However, I think it would depend on the car being loaded.  My Prius is very low to the ground and there is not much clearance underneath.  I think the built in ramps might cause a problem with clearance on my car but may not on others.  Also, I have to store my ramps in one of my bays because the front of the Prius is so low the ramps will not fit on the mounting bracket in front of the car.

Dan
 
We had the same problem when we towed a Toyota Solara, but since then we have towed a Volvo S-40, and a Pontiac Grand-Am and are able to store the ramps on the tongue of the dolly.  However, the down side to that I lost my ramps somewhere between Quartzsite, AZ, and Des Moines, IA. The retaining bolt either came lose, and they fell off, or someone relieved me of them on one of my overnight stops on the way home.

Paul
 
Paul,

Sorry you had that trouble.  When I got mine I saw that there might be an issue with keeping the ramps on and had figured out a way to put a padlock through one of the grills to keep the hold down bolt from working it's way out (either by itself or with some help).  Then I figured out that I couldn't leave them on there anyway because of the clearance issue.  Did you get some new ramps?

Dan
 
Dan Walters said:
Paul,

Sorry you had that trouble.  When I got mine I saw that there might be an issue with keeping the ramps on and had figured out a way to put a padlock through one of the grills to keep the hold down bolt from working it's way out (either by itself or with some help).  Then I figured out that I couldn't leave them on there anyway because of the clearance issue.  Did you get some new ramps?

Dan

The last two years we have been able to store the ramps on the dolly without the retaining bolt coming lose, so I never thought to check it.  I still dont know of the bolt came lose which could have happened, especially between Dodge City, and Great Bend Kansas, where I drove on rutted snow packed roads, or if someone relieved me of the ramps, but in the future, I will secure the ramps better.

I havent got a new set yet.  I talked to Gary at American Tow Dolly, and he said that if I didnt need the new ramps right away, he would deliver some to me on his upcoming trip to Ohio.

Paul
 
Paul,

Glad Gary is able to deliver the new ramps to you.  He really does try to provide good customer service.  When you get your new ramps, try running a padlock through the grills on the ramp so that the bolt will not turn.  I did that on mine and the retaining bolt could not be turned accidentally or on purpose.  I think Gary may have told me to try that when I was trying to figure out a way to secure them.

Dan
 
Dan Walters said:
Paul,

Glad Gary is able to deliver the new ramps to you.  He really does try to provide good customer service.  When you get your new ramps, try running a padlock through the grills on the ramp so that the bolt will not turn.  I did that on mine and the retaining bolt could not be turned accidentally or on purpose.  I think Gary may have told me to try that when I was trying to figure out a way to secure them.

Dan

I will definitely do that!

Paul
 
Sorry for reviving an old thread, but this is completely related.  Well, I'm now settled and ready to get the Master Tow with electric brakes.  While I have driven motorhomes with toads attached, that was always for others and I was never involved in the prep.  So what will I need to go with the dolly for my very own dolly toad (the dolly is a given)?  Here's what I know that I need:
- 2" ball to go into hitch (this might need to have a drop due to the height of my rear end)
- safety chains
- tire straps
- electric brake controller
My Vista already has the 5,000 pound rated hitch with a 500 pound rated tongue weight, and a 7-pin connector that came with the round large bullet looking thingy with the two ears to the side at the end (cable connector for 7-pin plug).  Am I missing anything else?  I'm hoping to pick this dolly up next week, and since I'll be bringing it back empty, I'm not too worried about learning on the run as I bring it back.  As always, thanks to all.
 
Warning on towing an empty dolly. Make sure that the bolt or nut securing the ball to the hitch is torqued down wicked tight and use medium lock tite. An empty dolly can get to flailing around back there. I had one loosen up that way, nut was gone when I got home. I was dropping the dolly, loosened the hitch, lifted the tongue and the ball came with it! Imagine my dismay. How the heck did that stay on, how long had it been gone?

Bill.
 
Thanks.  I knew about the bouncy bouncy issue of towing an empty dolly, and have heard about folk who drop their air pressure to try to absorb some of the bounce.  I just want to make sure that when I arrive to pick up the dolly, that I will at least have enough knowledge to bring it back home where I can learn more.  However, I didn't think about vibrating the ball loose, but it sure makes a lot of sense... thanks!
 
We have been towing a Tandem Tow Dolly made by RaceCityRVProducts.com in Mooresville, NC. It has a platform that allows me to haul my Harley Ultra Classic, 2 bicycles, and a 2012 Ford Fiesta Hatchback. Tandem Tow Dollies fit the bill perfectly for RVer's in a weight restricted situation. I have a 500 lb tongue weight and 5000 lb. load capacity so I am right on the line with my weight. I believe that they offer electric or hydraulic brakes as an option but am not sure. Check out their web site. It sounds like you know what you want but if you need more info on the advantages and disadvantages of pulling a tow dolly I have pulled this one over 25,000 miles.
 

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