| Author | Message | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
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OK, I'm not a car guy, but let's say I'm towing one on a special trip (an actual vacation with somebody not a biker, etc). Now let's say it's a front-drive automatic <bleah!>. Do those single-axle mini-trailers that hold up just the front two tires of the toad work OK? Esp. when we're not talking about a long-term situation? I ask because people talk about vehicles being "toad compatible" as if these weren't a viable solution...is that the case, or is it that people don't want to spend the extra grand or a bit more for a used mini-trailer? | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean)
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Jim, I've used one -- towed a Taurus over the Sierras with it behind a 32' Flair. No problems, but a bit "scary" at times, especially on the downhill run. One big problem with these is brakes -- some don't have any at all, which restricts how heavy a vehicle you can tow in many states. The ones that do use "surge" brakes, which have problems of their own. The other problem is that they are a pain to load and unload, at least compared to the whizzy quick-release stuff available now for four-down towing. For an occasional trip, I would not hesitate to use one. Just make sure you follow all the tie-down procedures rigorously. -Sean | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
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Yeah. Of course...toad braking would suck. <slapshead> OK...so...behind a fairly lightweight rig of 24,000lbs and 225hp, you're best off with a VERY small car in the 2000lb range...Miata, original VW, Mini Cooper or some econobox. BUT that's still doable. | ||
| CoryDaneRTS Rating: N/A |
I have towed a car with the dolly many times. I did not have any significant problems loading or unloading. In the campground, just pushed the dolly under the backside of the RV. If this is a once in a life time tow, just be cautious concerning brakes. If going up or down a bad hill, you can have the co-pilot drive the car to the other side. if you are going to do this a lot, there are brake systems that won't particularly break the bank, and you can take it out and put in another car. This link is from a fine gentleman who his into GMC Motorhomes and tows his toad all over. http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/gallery/showalbum.php?aid=19&uuid=arch This would give you braking and break-away protection. Hope this was helpful. cd | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A |
Well if using a tow dolly (the proper name of that single-axle mini-trailer whose name escaped me before), having the car do braking isn't going to help all that much. Only the car's rear brakes will be affected. It would be more useful for the tow dolly's two tires to do braking, as the car's engine would be right on top of it unless we're talking classic VW bug or something. I guess effectively braking the rear wheels might "stabilize things" a bit but it's also somewhat likely to just skid the rear tires. Hmmm. All said, I suspect just picking a really light toad (such as the aforementioned aircooled VW bug) is overall best and simplest... | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
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Jim - Pick up a mid-80's model VW Golf or Jetta diesel for a toad. Lightweight, easy 4-down towing (manual box only), good fuel mileage (about 45 mpg in town), large boot for "stuff", safer than a first-generation Bug and they're not a high theft target. Another good toad is the Honda CRV-4, either manual or automatic, with full-time AWD, if you want to do a little boonie-bouncin'. Decisions, decisions, decisions. . .  | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
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You misunderstand. I will *not* be buying a toad. I'm a biker. Period. Ain't owned a car in 15 years other than a few with a stick'n'staple RV ending maybe 8 years ago. And I had a bike then too as main daily transport. I'm asking for situations where I'm on a long trip with a travelling companion who has a car. What TYPE of car I can't possibly specify...other than maybe "make it a small one". And that in turn is why I'm asking about tow dollys...they may not be optimal, but they do allow towing a much broader range of toad because you don't have to worry about the automatic tranny, at least not if it's a front wheel drive. | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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also...another "worry"...where are you going to haul the tow dolly when not in use...they will beat themselves to death without a car on them | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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(imagine five foot wheelies at 60 mph) | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
Rating: N/A |
Hmmmm. *Might* have a solution there...or just store it near "home base", have "car person" come out to meet up with me and my rig, load up and go. | ||
| truthhunter@shaw.ca
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If it is only needed one a rare occasion and it is for your guest's car "they" can always rent a car dolly. Uhaul rents them, I have rented dollies from them and it was not to expensive (many years ago), thier rates seem to vary from time to time when they get to much equipment in one end of the continent, so it use to pay to shop. Doin't know if that is still true about price or shopping around. | ||
| Jim (Jim_in_california)
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That's a pretty good idea. It's not like they can track milage or anything . Still might be pricey for a two-week trip though... | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Nope, no breaks on price from U-haul. Dollys are now 39.95 and car haulers are 49.95 per day for local use. One way rates are quite a bit more. Last year they had a reduced rate on trucks going to California for a few months, but that is the only thing I have seen recently. For example, one way rates to WV from Denver is about 3-4 times higher than the rates going the other way. Richard |