Tow Dolly-Good to Know???

[Milton R Scherotter]

Getting our first motorhome and wondering what you should know about tow dollies before you buy one.  I'm guess not all are alike. Weights/brakes/maneuvering out of the way and so on.  Any insights greatly appreciated!

 

[WILDEBILL308]

Getting our first motorhome and wondering what you should know about tow dollies before you buy one.  I'm guess not all are alike. Weights/brakes/maneuvering out of the way and so on.  Any insights greatly appreciated!

The first thing I would check, is my car towable on a dolly? If you have a "all wheel" drive or rear wheel drive it most likely can't be towed with a dolly. For example my 2014 CR-V.
I have used Acme dolly for a couple of years. I liked the hydraulic disk brakes. This is probably one of the lighter easier to maneuver ones.
https://cartowdolly.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMImau9mf274QIVg7bACh2sowm4EAAYASAAEgI8IvD_BwE
Let me know what you are looking at and I will give you an opinin. and tips
Bill

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Differences among tow dollys:

1. Brakes: None vs Surge (drum or disc) vs electric drum

2. Pivoting wheel rest vs fixed.

3. Max vehicle width

4. Max weight capacity (but remember only the front of the car is on the dolly)

I strongly recommend some type of dolly brakes, but don't think the type is a significant factor. However, any surge type has the advantage of not requiring an electric brake controller installed on the motorhome.

I'm a fan of the pivoting wheel table (where the car wheels rest) but its probably not a big deal.  With a pivoting table, the car steering must be immobilized (locked); with a fixed table the car steering must be free to turn as needed.  There is a small difference in convenience if the car you tow has or does not have a locking steering column.

Obviously the width has to be sufficient for the vehicles you tow. And the weight capacity as well.

 

[ArdraF]

You don't say why you think you need a dolly.  Most of us prefer towing four-down if we can.  Some cars can be towed, others require a dolly and still others require a trailer with all wheels off the ground.  How you tow depends on the car and you determine that by checking the car's manual.  Be sure it's for the specific car, model, and year because manufacturers change things like transmissions.  An example is Acura's MDX.  Prior to 2005 it could be towed four-down; the 2005 and later models shouldn't be towed.

ArdraF