| Author | Message | ||
| Syd (Sy600)
Registered Member Username: Sy600 Post Number: 7 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 72.25.192.4 Rating: N/A |
Hey Guys, Here's one for you. I was all set to go out and install a Blue Ox Dinghy Tow system for my 2000 Suburban (3/4 ton) for my 88 Prevost XL. However, I considered the fact that a few 'toys' (ie atv, dirtbike, etc) may eventually add to the list in a few years. Would like to know if it would be better to forego the towbar system in favour for a longer car hauler (18 - 24 feet) or perhaps even an enclosed toy hauler that could handle the weight on my 6000 Suburban + 2 atvs? Do they make enclosed trailers for that kind of weight (10,000 lbs+)? If the trailer option is recommended by you guys, then is it a hassle to store at a 'kampground' or other rv facility? Basically, what would be better? Easier? Most economical? Anxious to hear a sounding from the board. As always, many thanks! Syd | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 426 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Easiest is to have rental car & local driver waiting where you stop  Really depends on your traveling style. Do you destination camp for weeks at a time? Or, are you a one night stand kind of camper? Or are you somewhere in between? Tow bar is usually easier to deal with & on the lower end of the cost scale. An enclosed trailer would require lots more effort at the ending location. Unload Suburban, unhook trailer from coach, re connect to 'burb. Park coach, park 'burb & trailer. disconnect trailer to run errands, etc. Not to mention the REALISTIC (not assumed) towing capacity of your coach. Start with the Blue Ox. If you have to use a trailer in the future, you can sell the Ox, or keep it as an alternative You may consider a 4door truck & haul the toys in the bed . . . | ||
| John and Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 74 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 24.197.246.104  Rating: N/A |
In answer to your question, yes they do make tandem axle towable trailers that have a gvw of over 10K. They also have triaxle trailers available with higher gvw. The advantage I can see of a trailer over a towbar is you can back a trailer and with a towbar your pretty limited. Just my opinion fwiw. | ||
| Tim Brandt (Timb)
Registered Member Username: Timb Post Number: 175 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 74.244.14.221  Rating: N/A |
I'm with Kyle on this one. I started adding up the cost to be able to tow my wife's explorer and discovered I can rent a lot of days for the cost of a tow setup | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 451 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
Syd, In my opinion, John's is worth a lot. You CAN back a tandem trailer, can't back a dolly, or a 4 down toad very well. Easy to put 24 V lights and electric brakes on a true trailer, making it easy and comfortable to tow. Electric breakaway protection is available. The bus and trailer could be equipped for air brakes... The trailer MUST be coupled to the bus while loading and unloading the Sub. Putting a Sub in a covered trailer will require you to crawl in and out of the back door(s), when the Sub is in the trailer. There is no free lunch, there will be a substantial mileage and performance penalty for towing a toy hauler loaded with a Sub and two quads, but it will reduce the chances of theft or vandalism. The answers to Kyle's questions give you the information you need to decide which way to go. George | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 294 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.213 Rating: N/A |
I'm with you George........and the MUST is, well....a MUST.... as you stated. RCB (Message edited by chuckllb on May 30, 2008) | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 455 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 76.91.197.153 Rating: N/A |
RC, Thanks for the support. I won't ask how you know, and you know how I know! Regards, George | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 295 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.80 Rating: N/A |
George...just another of life's sidetrips...BTDT.,,,awkward, isn't it? RCB | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 760 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.173.51  Rating: N/A |
Yeah! I experienced the MUST when I tried to load our golf cart on a 5 X 10 trailer that I though was latched onto the back of the bus. I still have a dent in what was at the time a brand new mirror finished louvered door panel from IPB. Ugh. Jack PS: here is a time saver Spend a couple minutes re-checking the hitch and save mucho time repairing the resulting damage when it is not properly latched. | ||
| Syd (Sy600)
Registered Member Username: Sy600 Post Number: 8 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 70.68.28.25 Rating: N/A |
Kyle, I think you're probably right. I should start with the Blue Ox and go from there. For some reason, I thought it was something like $5,000.00 for the entire 'assembly' vs a 22' car hauler (used) for $2500.00. Decisions, decisions. But, I'll probably lean with your suggestion that I can always upgrade later. I wonder if it is possible to 'stuff' a quad (minus handlebars) into one of the baggage bays... | ||
| George M. Todd (George_mc6)
Registered Member Username: George_mc6 Post Number: 458 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 207.231.75.253 Rating: N/A |
Don't drive a forklift onto a 3 axle trailer coupled to a C-60 truck parked on a hill either! (The weight of the forklift coming on the trailer took enough weight off the rear axle of the truck that the whole thing took off down the hill, with me still on the forklift.) G | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 2049 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.85.14 Rating: N/A |
It really is a scary thing to have happen. I was driving a small Kubota tractor onto a two axle trailer (rated at 7,000 pounds) hitched to a Suburban On a small downhill grade. The trailer lifted the rear wheels enough to lift the wheels slightly off the ground. The Suburban started down the hill and I was lucky enough to back off the trailer before it went over the edge of the hill. One front wheel of the Suburban actually was hanging in the air when it stopped. I also saw a similar situation in a campground. The camper was on an uphill grade when the owner started to back his toad off the trailer. The whole combination rolled backward at lest 30 feet before it stopped at the bottom of the grade. In my case the parking brake was set, but I was on a gravel road. The camper was on a grassy area that was damp from the morning dew and both wheels started sliding. Very scary and dangerous situations so be extremely careful and make sure the wheels are blocked if you have to do this on a grade. Richard | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 611 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.36  Rating: N/A |
hmmmm.... More money yearly for insurance, more money yearly for plates/registration fees, and more money for extra rental space at campgrounds for a trailer....... (plus the initial cost of a trailer) Or..... Couple hundred one-time outlay for a tow bar; a couple hundred one-time outlay for a transmission oiler (or driveshaft disconnect), and about a $30 one-time outlay for a tail light kit.... to flat tow.... yeah... it's a tough decision!! (Message edited by john_mc9 on June 02, 2008) | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 612 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.100.113 Rating: N/A |
Syd - I'm going to try to say this without being insulting to -anyone- (never seems to work out that way, tho...) Soooo.... Sorry in advance, to all those with tight panties... Now then: It would serve your best interests to do some serious RV type camping for a year or so, prior to making any costly decisions! Or..... At the very least.... spend some time on the RV boards, reading at their forums.... You'll get the average camper's experience of all the things you will find whilst travelling.... The bus boards are great for everything you need to know about buses..... but.... It may not be what you'll find "in real life", unless you will be following exactly in the footsteps of the writers.... Ya'll know what I'm trying to say? --Most campgrounds will charge you for a spot for the big trailer.... If/when they don't have a separate storage area, they will charge you the full price for a campsite for the trailer alone. (most are now charging a full day's rate, just to "off-road" dump, btw). --Time and conditions have changed. The campground owners have skillfully lobbied to close down any "free overnight parking", leaving the camper with little or no choice, than to pay whatever rate they feel is practical to the campground owners... --If you manage to be in an area with few campgrounds, or during some sort of an unusually busy period (storm evacuation, holiday, etc), you may be turned away due to the large amount of space you will be needing for the bus and trailer.. --It may (or may not) be easier to back up a trailer (vs a four-down), but it's a whole helluvalot easier to disco the four-down, and reconnect it when ready. --You more than likely will use less fuel towing four-down, than towing the extra weight of the trailer with enclosed vehicle... And one should also consider the wind drag of the trailer, vs the design of the vehicle you're carrying in it. I've only towed four-down. My decision to do so, was based on the opinions of full-time RVers that had many, many years of experience. I do not regret one second of that decision..... Cheers! (Message edited by john_mc9 on June 02, 2008) | ||
| Syd (Sy600)
Registered Member Username: Sy600 Post Number: 9 Registered: 3-2008 Posted From: 70.68.28.25 Rating: N/A |
John, I appreciate your insight. I'm probably thinking two or three steps down the road (toad+quads+dirtbike - how am I going to bring everything). I initially just looked a full towing 'system' from BlueOx and ended up looking at something like 5 grand. When I looked around for heavy-duty car trailers (20'+), they were around half-price. You make a few great points with the pros and cons. I suppose it just makes sense to go with the toad...only. As for the rest of the toys, I'll have to figure something out - one day. Thanks! |