Towing with Vegas

[srolfe]

Anybody towing a car with a Vegas?

[JamieGeek]

Not yet: Over winter I picked up the Acme tow dolly:

We're planning on towing our 2013 Escape.

As soon as I can I'll be doing some "test tows" with it.

[Bruce]

I am in the process of outfitting a Jeep Patriot to tow with my Axis.

Bruce

Originally Posted by srolfe

Anybody towing a car with a Vegas?

[Happily Retired]

We tow a Ford C-Max Energi with our Axis. Does great! Bought the C-Max because it is so easy to tow 4 down. Has become our favorite daily driver while the minivan and truck sit in the driveway! Doesn't hurt that we have averaged 115 mpg in the winter months and 140 mpg in the summer months either!!

[MWL]

We tow a Honda CRV with our Axis.

[davidgebo]

tow a PT Cruiser with Vegas, Tows great. Plenty of power, handles well.

[ddav@swbell.net]

We tow a Honda Fit with our Axis.

[evergreen49]

Why is towing "four down" different than using a dolly? Less drag? Do you have to leave it in neutral and does it run the odometer?

You can tell this is not my field!!

[evergreen49]

Jamie, and why have you chosen a dolly instead? Do certain cars need a tow dolly and others don't?

[JamieGeek]

I went with a dolly because I wanted the option of towing either of our cars whatever they may be (at the moment one of which is a lease).

[thor293]

Originally Posted by evergreen49

Jamie, and why have you chosen a dolly instead? Do certain cars need a tow dolly and others don't?

Some cars can't be towed because of the type of transmission. So the easiest way is on a dolly, put the drive wheels on dolly and the other wheels just freewheel along. We bought a 2015 Fit with auto transmission. And we have to use a dolly. If you are considering flat to wings make sure your car car be done that way. Flat towing involves a mp nice layout of cash if you have to buy all new. Depending on the tow bar with the base plate, wiring car for lights and a tow brake you could easily drop $2000.

I prefer to flat tow but it is not an option now so a dolly is the next best choice.

[thor293]

Originally Posted by evergreen49

Why is towing "four down" different than using a dolly? Less drag? Do you have to leave it in neutral and does it run the odometer?

You can tell this is not my field!!

Yes you would leave it in neutral and no with the modern cars I have not seen one that racks up miles. Sometimes you have to pull a fuse.

[FW28z]

Originally Posted by thor293

Depending on the tow bar with the base plate, wiring car for lights and a tow brake you could easily drop $2000.

I spent closer to $3k and I installed the work myself (I installed the baseplate, tail-light wiring, break-away switch, tow switch and battery charger).

But I did buy a rather deluxe braking system (RViBrake2), which cost over $1k... just for the brake.

I could have went cheaper with a budget tow bar and cheaper braking system, but I wanted something I didn't have to buy again if/when we change towed vehicle.

[Beacher]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

I went with a dolly because I wanted the option of towing either of our cars whatever they may be (at the moment one of which is a lease).

Enjoy your ACME! I purchased one last July for a trip into the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California. I don't feel the Toyota Prius that I pull behind me.

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by Beacher

Enjoy your ACME!

Thanks. I'm chomping at the bit to even do some test tows with it (when I get a chance I'm planning on towing one of our cars just a few miles to get used to loading/unloading/white zone only.. and the feel on the camper).

The interesting thing here: Us Vegas/Axis and the Class C owners of the Ford chassis (E-350/E-450) have the same engine/trans combination as the larger Class A's using the F53 chassis. Given that the F53 has a larger weight rating us smaller guys should have no problems towing anything (at least within the GVWR and GCWR of the chassis).

I know my old F-250 and F-350 with the V-10 were a bit of a hotrod (given that they were less than 8000 lbs and had the same engine/trans as well). The F-350 was more so since I had a custom tune in it...wheeeeee!

[thor293]

Prior to buying the ACE we towed a car behind us with a 22' Coachmen. No problems other than going around corners it would sway and that could have been cured but it wasnt horrible. The Axis should have no problem towing a car.

[Beacher]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Thanks. I'm chomping at the bit to even do some test tows with it (when I get a chance I'm planning on towing one of our cars just a few miles to get used to loading/unloading/white zone only.. and the feel on the camper).!

Sorry OP, I don't mean to hijack this thread!

The Acme is easy to use and light to move around. The safety chains were the only complexity, but I mounted some safety extensions permanently to the car, so now they just clip on.

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

....us smaller guys should have no problems towing anything (at least within the GVWR and GCWR of the chassis).!

Absolutely! With the v10 on the smaller chassis, you might have to check your rear camera more often just to make sure your toad is still back there.

[evergreen49]

What model Acme model are you using? And what is the approximate cost with all necessary attachments, cables etc?

[thor293]

Originally Posted by evergreen49

What model Acme model are you using? And what is the approximate cost with all necessary attachments, cables etc?

Here is their website with prices for options you may want Car Tow Dolly -The Lightest and Toughest Tow Dolly For All Car Towing Needs - Acme Car Tow Dolly Company

[FW28z]

One thing I like about that Acme Dolly is the smaller diameter tires, which keeps the angle of the vehicle low.