towing an suv behind RV

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

englishfrank - 15 Jul 2007 20:13 GMT

finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)

So
Decided Tow Dolly was not best , but rather 4 down (dingy , toad for
my American Friends)

Next our Explorer Sport was not suitable. So getting shot of it and
gettin old saturn view(as this is OK to tow)

QUESTION

looking at these Blue OX and others tow bars I see on EBAY a real
cheap $20 type thing.

Anyone have any views.

QUESTION
I seem to remember in UK towing 4 down but not having to have a base
plate .
Is a base plate necessary
QUESTION
views on Braking systems. I cant see the above is safe to tow without
a system . What is cheapest and safest

Thanks for helping an old brit out

Reply to this Message

SnoMan - 16 Jul 2007 02:51 GMT

>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>Thanks for helping an old brit out

If you back the explorer on the tow dolly, lock the steering wheel and
have it is 2wd, there should be no issues towing it because the front
drive and axle disconnects and does not spin.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Reply to this Message

Don Myers - 19 Jul 2007 05:16 GMT

>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
>Thanks for helping an old brit out

The Blue Ox and Roadmaster towbars/baseplates are probably the most
popular. The $20 one on E-Bay is probably a rigid A-frame type. These
are OK, but require very precise positioning of the toad behind the
motorhome. The folding type come in either motorhome mount or toad
mount types. The toad mount has a regular 2" ball receptacle on it to
fit on a tow ball on the motorhome.

The motorhome mount fits into the square receiver on the motorhome and
the towbar stays on the motorhome rather than the toad. The towbar
attaches to a fitting on the front of the toad.

The baseplate is what connects to the frame of the towed vehicle. The
nice (expensive) ones from Blue Ox and Roadmaster are virtually
invisible when the tow fittings are not installed.

I personally tow a Saturn Vue with a Roadmaster motorhome mounted
towbar. It takes about ten minutes to hook up and disconnect when I
tow. Another ten minutes or so to put the tow fittings onto the
baseplate (also called tow brackets).

With a vehicle as heavy as the Vue, an auxiliary brake is legally
required in many localities and is an excellent to better than
excellent idea in any locality. I have used a Brake Buddy and
currently use a Roadmaster equivalent of the Brake Buddy. Both are a
bit of a PITA to install and remove, but nothing impossible -- just
unpleasant if it is raining cats and dogs like it was this morning
when I set the car up to tow home.

BTW, I have never personally towed with a dolly, but from what I have
observed, heard, and read, I would only use one as a last resort.

I hope all this is of some help.

Don Myers

Reply to this Message

JerryD(upstateNY) - 19 Jul 2007 09:24 GMT

englishfrank wrote...So Decided Tow Dolly was not best , but rather 4 down
(dingy , toad for my American Friends)<<<<<<<<

Don Myers" wrote in message ....BTW, I have never personally towed with a
dolly, but from what I have observed, heard, and read, I would only use one
as a last resort.<<<<<<

I have towed with a tow dolly and they aren't as bad as some people say they
are.
Both loading and unloading is a one person job.
Hooking the tow dolly to the RV only takes a few minutes.
Then (on mine) you trip 2 levers and drive the car onto the dolly.
Hooking up the straps only takes a few minutes and if it's raining and there
is a sheltered area nearby, you can drive over to it and then hook up the
straps.
Same with unloading.
Pop the straps, release the latches and back off the dolly.
No brake actuator to mess with because the brakes are on the dolly.
Backing up more than a few feet is all but impossible but I don't know if
you can back up a tow barred car.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

Reply to this Message

John Andrews - 20 Jul 2007 04:26 GMT

>> finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>>
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
>
> Don Myers

Seems to me that the Saturn Vue may be a little heavy for this
RV to pull. Might be worth checking on the hitch spec for the
RV to see if it is rated for more than 3000 lbs. The Vue weighs
from 3300 to 3700 lbs depending of transmission, drive and
engine. The tow bar adds more. A 97 4 Winds 5000 should weigh
about 14000 lbs and probably has a 460 Ford engine. These
chassis typically are rated at 3000 lbs I think.

Would be best to check with the manufacturer and be sure before
pulling more than the rated load.

John Andrews, Knoxville, Tennessee

Reply to this Message

Arnold Ziffle - 20 Jul 2007 15:08 GMT

>>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>>
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
>
> Don Myers

As far as towing goes, there's no difference in a dolly or 4 down. You
can't tell the difference. I've towed with both. Four down is easier
to hook up, but not a lot.

Reply to this Message

Don Myers - 21 Jul 2007 00:58 GMT

>>>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)

>> BTW, I have never personally towed with a dolly, but from what I have
>> observed, heard, and read, I would only use one as a last resort.
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>can't tell the difference. I've towed with both. Four down is easier
>to hook up, but not a lot.

That may be true, but what do you do after you have unhooked and have
to (1) find someplace to stow the tow dolly; and (2) manhandle the
200+ pound device to the storage place and then move it back and
attach it to the motorhome when you are ready to hit the road again?

Don M

Reply to this Message

JerryD(upstateNY) - 21 Jul 2007 02:42 GMT

Don Myers wrote: That may be true, but what do you do after you have
unhooked and have to (1) find someplace to stow the tow dolly; and (2)
manhandle the 200+ pound device to the storage place and then move it back
and attach it to the motorhome when you are ready to hit the road
again?<<<<<

All you have to do is take the car off the dolly, hook the dolly to the back
of the car and tow it to any place you wish.
When you get ready to go you take the car and go get the dolly.
If you are there short term, you just leave the tow dolly hooked up to the
RV.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

Reply to this Message

Frank Tabor - 21 Jul 2007 03:01 GMT

>>>>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
>
> Don M

That's why it's got wheels on it. It's fairly easy to move around. It
will go under the back end of the RV when you are parked.

Signature

Frank Tabor
Monday, n.:
In Christian countries, the day after the baseball game.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"

Reply to this Message

Don Myers - 21 Jul 2007 15:19 GMT

>>>>>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>That's why it's got wheels on it. It's fairly easy to move around. It
>will go under the back end of the RV when you are parked.

OK, Frank and Jerry. You've convinced me that the PITA involved in
disconnecting and parking my towed vehicle when putting my rig into a
back-in spot is not significantly different whether towing with a
dolly or four-down. NOT!

My last on the subject unless to the OP.

Don M.

Reply to this Message

JerryD(upstateNY) - 21 Jul 2007 15:33 GMT

Don Myers wrote: OK, Frank and Jerry. You've convinced me that the PITA
involved in
disconnecting and parking my towed vehicle when putting my rig into a
back-in spot is not significantly different whether towing with a dolly or
four-down. NOT!<<<<

I am not saying it is as good as 4 down.
It's just that the way some people here talk, it is just barely better than
pulling the car by hand.
It is a little PITA sometimes, but not unworkable.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

Reply to this Message

Frank Tabor - 21 Jul 2007 17:47 GMT

>>>>>>finally decided to tow a car(suv) behind our RV (1997 4 winds 5000)
>>>>>>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
>Don M.

Considering you admit you have never towed with a dolly, you're the
last f.cking person I'd take advice from.

Reply to this Message

JerryD(upstateNY) - 21 Jul 2007 18:39 GMT

Frank Tabor wrote:....Considering you admit you have never towed with a
dolly, you're the last f.cking person I'd take advice from.

I thought of that after I sent that last post.
Hopefully he won't say any more about a subject he knows nothing about.
A tow dolly is also cheaper than a tow bar and brake actuator, if that
happens to be a factor in the decision.
I paid $700.00 for a used tow dolly, spent $200.00+ on tires, a new brake
actuator and some spray cans of blue paint.
For under a thousand dollars I am ready to go cross country.

Signature

JerryD(upstateNY)

Reply to this Message