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Question on toad towing [message #234445] Mon, 30 December 2013 10:24 Go to next message
tgeiger is currently offline  tgeiger   United States
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Registered: February 2006
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Have a question for all. I'm looking into settiing myself up to tow a toad this next season. I know some like all four tires down with a tow bar...others tow with a tow dolly. I am thinking of the tow dolly to allow for more flexibility of vehicle being towed. Is the tow dolly really that big of a pain for towing?

Tom Geiger 76 Eleganza II KCMO

[Updated on: Mon, 30 December 2013 10:26]

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Re: Question on toad towing [message #234452 is a reply to message #234445] Mon, 30 December 2013 11:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jknezek is currently offline  jknezek   United States
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Cons of a tow dolly is another item on which to perform maintenance, extra weight, another item to store, and extra time spent hooking up and unloading.

Pros include a larger vehicle selection for towing, less "installation" costs (tow plate, braking components), maybe less wear on the tow vehicle (tires primarily), no mileage on the odometer (only some vehicles have this problem).

I've never used a tow dolly, so I can't tell you if it is worth it. I find flat towing irritating enough and avoid it whenever possible. Depending on your plans for the tow vehicle, renting a vehicle at arrival can be cost effective in limited uses.


Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
Re: Question on toad towing [message #234458 is a reply to message #234445] Mon, 30 December 2013 12:05 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
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Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
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I have never used a tow dolly but I do have some thoughts.

It costs "about" the same to tow any of the three ways: Flat, Dolly or trailer. In general terms... there are wide variations to the expense with the quality of the equipment.

If you can't or do not want to flat tow, my advice is just to go all the way with a trailer. Other than being a little larger to store than a dolly, it doesn't have any additional down sides but it has the same advantages and more. It is the only towing method that you can back-up with and you can use the trailer for other uses.

Less wear and tear on the towd also. Very Happy


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Question on toad towing [message #234463 is a reply to message #234445] Mon, 30 December 2013 12:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Berry is currently offline  Gary Berry   United States
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Registered: May 2005
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Hey Tom;

When we tow our Scion xB I use a Kar Kaddy tow dolly. It has the surge
brakes on it and steerable wheels. I've never had a problem towing it until
last year when I blew a tire (it was 10 years old (I know, I know)) and it
took out the driver's side fender. Didn't harm the car at all. It's easy to
hookup and load. I have backed up with it, but not very far and not very
fast. The ONLY think I don't like is when it's raining (or the ground is
wet) as I have to get on my side (left and right) on the ground in order to
hookup the safety chains to the car. Here's a picture...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b304/fulsgld/GMC%20Stuff/102_1576Small.jpg


On Mon, Dec 30, 2013 at 8:24 AM, tom geiger <tgeiger@burnsmcd.com> wrote:
>
> Have a question for all. I'm looking into settiing myself up to tow a
> toad this next season.

--
Gary and Diana Berry
73 CL Stretch in Wa.
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Re: Question on toad towing [message #234514 is a reply to message #234445] Mon, 30 December 2013 21:32 Go to previous message
tgeiger is currently offline  tgeiger   United States
Messages: 518
Registered: February 2006
Location: kansas city
Karma: -1
Senior Member
Yes I thought of the rental possibility. Some areas I'll be traveling to won't have a rental car available though. I'll check into what is available for dolly's here in my area.

Tom Geiger 76 Eleganza II KCMO
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