Hello all, new to the Forum!!

[JoeO]

Hello RV Community, very happy to be here!! I’m entering retirement, did a lot of camping with my family back in the day. Owned a Viking and more recent an Aliner pop up. I’m in the process of buying a 2015 Thor ACE 29.2 motorhome. My questions are towing related. Our main vehicles are AWD and not 4 down towable. I do have a vintage 2000 SAAB 9-3 Viggen that I think should be fine to tow using a Tow Dolly. I know this is a stretch, but has anyone Tow Dollied an older SAAB? It’s around 3200lbs, front wheel drive and I believe it is a solid axle rear end so I think it should be a good car to tow. If so, is there any distance limit to tow? Any speed limit you should adhere to? Not that I would be speeding, but are you OK up to 60 and downhills to 65 mph? Thanks for your help!!

 

[Larry N.]

I'd first check the car's user manual about towing, but it may well work OK.

 

[rvlifer]

Welcome to the forum. Never owned a saab so cant help with the towing questions

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

From your description it sounds like the Saab is dolly-towable. If so, with the drive wheels on the dolly rather than pavement, there would be no mileage or speed limits because the transmission is inactive, probably in Park. Miles/hours/speed restrictions are to minimize heat build-up in the tranny and that doesn't apply to dolly towing.

 

[8Muddypaws]

Welcome to the group.

My observation is that dolly towing seems to be an order of magnitude more difficult than 4 down.

I've seen multiple 'melt downs' of folks having problems getting their towed up on the dolly and ready to roll. Many more than those among the four down folks.

That Saab has to be a fairly rare bird these days.

 

[JoeO]

LOL, yes it is getting to be a rare bird, here's a pic! I will check the manual but with the front wheels on the dolly and rears rolling I should be OK. Thanks everyone for your quick responses!!

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

Man great looking car! Welcome to The Forum too.

You should have no problem towing with a dolly. If you have not bought one yet I would suggest a Master Tow Dolly with surge brakes. That is what I use, and before that, I had the same dolly only without brakes. Between both dollys, I have traveled virtually without issue for over 60K miles. And, the only issue I did experience was the dolly wiring ripping out at a toll booth lane at the Port Huron crossing into Canada where they had Jersey barriers set up that caused me to turn almost 90 degrees to exit the booth lane. We spent the night at a rest stop two miles from the border and I was able to fix the wiring there.

There are some good dolly companies out there no doubt. But, several times I've sat at my campsite enjoying a beer watching motorhomes pull up across from me with a dolly and toad. There have been times I wished I could have helped as I watched the guy(s) crawl on the ground to un-hook their ramps, and then to hook them to the dolly. Then they have to reach well under the car to unhook safety chains lying on their backs. Some models provide you with a huge wrench, size well over one inch, to tighten or loosen the tie-down straps. Man, a lot of work. By the time these guys would dis-mount their tow vehicle I would be finishing my second beer. I can load (actually the Fabulous Miss Barb drives it onto the dolly) our Kia onto the Master Tow and tie it down as fast or faster than anyone towing four down. And unloading takes maybe two or three minutes.

 

[Onyrlef]

It's front wheel drive so it's perfect for a tow dolly. No distance limit, 60-65 mph is perfectly fine.

 

[Adventurous Traveler]

I set my cruise at 65 while on the interstate and will surpass 70 mph if I have to pass some trucks or slow-moving vehicles. Another bonus with my Master Tow is it came with Goodyear Endurance ST tires, not cheap China bombs.

By the way, I have nothing to do with Master Tow Dollies. I am just super pleased with the two I have owned.

 

[ButchW1]

Just don't drive it 65-70 in CA... That may get you a ticket.. 55 is the speed limit for towing vehicles here...
Butch