Commander 11
Newcast,Ontario,Canada
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Joined: 11/27/2003
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Am Thinking of buying a new equinox and am also thinking of a tow dolly vs a tow bar( Roadmaster Demco)which I now use for trailering a Honda behind my M.H.Any adise on the good the bad and pros and cons?
Remember that everyone is influenced by kindness
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barnaclebill
Atlanta, Michigan or towards the sun
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Joined: 03/09/2005
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I had a dolly, now have a tow bar. The tow bar is much easier for me.
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Skip and Norine
Fulltiming since Oct 2006
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Joined: 05/07/2005
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barnaclebill wrote:I had a dolly, now have a tow bar. The tow bar is much easier for me.
Same here. I'd never go back to a dolly.
Traveling our country and seeing the sights, enjoying fun-filled days and campfire nights
See our travel pics
The rig: 2006 SportsCoach Cross Country SE
The toad: 2006 Saturn Vue
The Captain: Skip
The Co-Captain: Norine
Furry passengers: Penny & Biscuit
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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I think you will find most folks prefer the Tow Bar over the Dolly. If you car can't be towed four down, then you might have to go with a dolly. I know I went out bought a toad just for the Mo Home. Having towed with a dolly in the past. Of course there are those that will only use a dolly. The way I see it, I'm on the bar in under 10 Minuets on a bad day. takes 20 Minuets to get up on the dolly and tied down on a good day. A dolly will run about $2,500. to $3,500 depending on the deal you get. A Ready Brute tow bar system with brakes, plate and cables runs about $1,200.00 JM2Cents Bill
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kalynzoo
Los Angeles , California
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Joined: 12/30/2005
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I used a Demco towdolly for better than 25 years. My first Demco dolly did not have surge brakes, when I purchased my next coach I also purchased a new Demco dolly with brakes, as living in SoCal I usually cross mountains on every trip. During the time I used the dolly, my family grew in size, and then some grew old enough not to travel with us on every trip. We purchased and towed many different cars, even though we only used 3 MHs during that time. A drive to San Diego would see us towing a full size wagon, or even a van (sure that's overweight but it was a 120mile flat trip). A trip to Las Vegas without the kids would have us towing a smaller car. I have nothing bad to say about dolly towing, and only once did the trailer present a problem in an RV park, but we worked around that. Now it is usually just my wife and I on the road. My back is not what it used to be, neither are the knees (or anything else for that matter). Using the tow bar is much easier. I have the Demco Alumilite (or something like that) which weighs in at 25lbs.
My opinion, for what it's worth, if your going to keep the car for a long time as the toad, tow 4 down. If your going to keep the MH for a long time, but might change cars every 2 years or so, use the dolly.
Happy Trails.
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dbates
Marion, Indiana
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Joined: 02/05/2006
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I've towed with a Demco KarKaddy dolly for 5 years and 32,000 miles because the toad I had could not be pulled 4 down and I keep a car for a long time (100,000 miles on this one). The dolly has served me very well & I have no regrets.
kalynzoo's last paragraph hit the nail on the head though. If you plan to keep a toad for many years & it can be towed 4 down go 4 down. If you like to trade frequently a dolly is a cost friendly choice.
Dave
Plus New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island & Nova Scotia
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Todger
Newville, Pa., USA
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Joined: 08/18/2004
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A tow dolly is a royal pain in the A**. We have a tow dolly because our car can not be towed 4D. I'll give you a brief story. It's pouring down rain and you have to hookup to leave. Most sites you will have to pull the MH out to hookup the dolly. Then pull this several hundred pound dolly through slippery grass (if you were allowed to keep the dolly on site). Hook the TD up to the MH. Now you pull the car up onto the dolly. Apply the straps and cinch down. Just remember the car is dripping water while your strapping the car down. Now crawl under the front of the car and attach the safety chains. After about 20 minutes your ready to go but soaking wet. Or the day your leaving it is hot and humid again the same proceedure and when your finished your soaking wet with sweat. Now travel down the road a few miles and find a place to stop to make sure the straps are tight (This is stated in the owners manual and is very important). I've watched others hookup 4D and they are hooked and ready to go in a few minutes.
Both stories are from experience and I will be looking for another vehicle to tow 4D.
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Chuck_Sl
Custer, SD
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Joined: 12/06/2007
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Is the Equinox 2 or 4 wheel drive? You may not be able to tow a 4wd with a dolly. -- Chuck
Located it the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Proud owner of a 36' 1997 Country Coach Allure.
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blknomad
ferrum va
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Joined: 05/02/2008
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Well now my $0.02 worth. I just got back from an 8 week trip cross country with a toad on a demco dollie with surge brakes. It worked great. I did have to unhook one time in Oregon in a state park. When there were no pull threw I just unloaded the car and backed in. Yes you can back a dolly with a motor home. I can unload my car in 3 min. and load it in 5. I set and watch people hook and unhook 4 down and I can't see it any faster or easier. By the way I'm a 62 yr. old Diabetic.
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sailor_lou
Connecticut
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Joined: 04/01/2006
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There is no doubt four down is easier to hook and unhook, but I find the dolly isn't as bad as most people make it out to be. If we are not staying for a couple of days and are just passing through we always request a drive thru site and usually get it. The dolly gives us the flexibility to tow different vehicles, which we do from time to time. Also, there is a little less wear on the drive train because you are not spinning the axles, CV joints and transmission. Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to both methods and only you can decide which is best for you. Good luck.
Lou
05 Travel Supreme 38DS04
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