Towing behind an RV question

[pstandiford]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

It might be a bit easier for Gritz if someone who tows 4-down listed out the items that are needed without recommending a product. Something like this:

What you need to tow 4-down:

• Tow bar from coach to car
• Baseplate to connect tow bar to car
• Brake system in the car to actuate the car's brakes
• Brakelight wiring/setup to light the brakelights on the car or additional lights
• etc.

Then given that list differing products can be discussed for each piece of the puzzle.

Just a thought...

I think you just did that Jamie.

[scubes3]

We went through the same dilemma and analysis. Ended up also buying a used 2015 Fiat 500 manual ($8500), along with someone's used Blue Ox tow bar and RVi2 brake system ($500 off of Craig's List). Couldn't be happier! The Fiat is a ball to drive and tows like nothing is back there. The hook/unhook is super quick and effortless. I watch other forms of towing at the campgrounds and truly wonder why people would bother with any other way....

[The Gritz Carlton]

I will look into it and do research and will start looking at other's systems as we travel and wear them out with questions. If you see someone crawling all over your toad at rest area...just holler..."what's up Gritz??"

[jpmihalk]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

In contrast we dolly tow:

• Brakes are on the dolly
• Just about any FWD car can be towed (I've even towed one that said not to and it was fine LOL)
• No modifications to the car
• Only cost is the dolly (if you want you can add some brake lights to the rear of the car)
• "Finding a place to store the dolly" is a non-issue: It slides under the rear of the coach (in Bob's case it can hide under the ramp)

For all that I get a 15-20 minute hook up instead of the easy two pins and a plug. I'm sure at some point I'll get tired of the dolly as I won't be as barely limber as I am now; at that point I may start towing 4-down or I won't be camping anymore so...I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

That is us today, we dolly tow (with surge brakes on the dolly.) Having done both, a dolly isn't THAT much more work and there are many more vehicles that can be towed. We are relatively young and don't mind the dolly. As you said, it stores under the rear of the RV when not in use. Nothing else to add to either the car being towed or the dolly itself.

If I was going to tow 4 down, it would be a Jeep Wrangler.

[The Gritz Carlton]

Scubes3...did I meet you briefly at the rest area south of Dothan, AL about a month or so ago??? We discussed your turn signal cameras??? If not you, there was a guy with identical setup!!!

[scubes3]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Scubes3...did I meet you briefly at the rest area south of Dothan, AL about a month or so ago??? We discussed your turn signal cameras??? If not you, there was a guy with identical setup!!!

Must be someone else (good minds think alike?). BTW, that pic was at a reststop in SC if I recall, enroute from FL to NJ via the I81 Western loop around D. C.

[KCook]

What does the Manual say for each one, second how much can you tow? Not what the RV hitch is rated for. Combined Gross Vehicle weight minus Gross Vehicle Weight. So get your rig weights with everything your going to travel with do the math.

KC

[Bob Denman]

Scubes3,
I'll bet that little Fiat is working hard: pushing you up the hills!

[The Gritz Carlton]

I can tow the fire out of hell...I just need to get familiar and comfortable with the toad systems to see if that's my cup of tea.

[Bob Denman]

I'm looking at a 2015 Smart, that only has about 20,000 miles on it...
It's cheap enough...

[The Gritz Carlton]

I would have already had that...already got the small trailer for it...but wife said she wouldn't be caught dead in it and there's no room for the dogs...none. It's like you and the bride sitting in the bathtub sideways. I laughed at myself picturing that!!!

[Bob Denman]

I can dig the idea of sharing the bathtub: just not with the dog, and definitely not sitting sideways!

Di you ever see what happens when you fart in a Smart?


http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1534788630

[JamieGeek]

You could go a little bigger than the Smart and get a 500; might have room for a small dog then

[Bob Denman]

Can you tow the automatic transmission (if they make one...) equipped models with four down?

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Can you tow the automatic transmission (if they make one...) equipped models with four down?

Guess not, need a manual:
https://www.etrailer.com/question-265553.html

[Bob Denman]

Thanks!
The "Slushbox Tranny" lets the Missus help out with the driving.

[Digger]

We tow a 2014 Chevrolet Sonic. It is an automatic and can be flat-towed by simply turning the key on and leaving it in neutral. No modification to drive train needed. I installed a kill switch to disable all electrical when towing, so no dead battery upon arrival. And a bonus...because electric is disabled, no mileage is added to car.

[MENEE24]

Will I need any type of braking system on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, that I plan on flat towing?

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by MENEE24

Will I need any type of braking system on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, that I plan on flat towing?

Yes. Absolutely essential. For safety’s sake and to be legal in most states. The good news it’s easy. The bad news is that it’s somewhat expensive.

[Mustang46555]

"Will I need any type of braking system on a 2013 Jeep Wrangler, that I plan on flat towing?"


Absolutely!
And the first time someone slams on the brakes ahead of you to stop for a yellow light you will be very very glad you have them. Yes, a good system can be expensive, so was your coach. Don't cheap out and put it, and others, at risk.