wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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One thing I will say about towing 4 down.. Someone said they like their dolly cause they don't have to wrangle a brake buddy in and out of their car
I would not use a brake buddy, apollo brake, even brake or the like....
I choose the US-Gear, Unified brake decelerator. This system is installed in my towed, (and motor home) and gives me full control of the towed brakes from the cockpit of the coach.. I can set the brakes, fully or partially, I can turn them off, or I can set the degree to which they engage (Proportional braking)
And the harder I brake the coach, the harder it brakes the towed.
As for the "Hook up" I plug in one cable right next the the light cable (in fact I asked them to use a single 7-pin but they did not) and the break-away cable and I'm done
My hook up
Park car fairly close to where I want it,, Hook up two arms, pin 'em and lock 'em (two pins) hook up 2 safety cables, break-away, light and brake controller cable, Optional hook up RV-Underskirt(It came off the motor home last trip and I've not re-attached it) Turn wheels hard right and reach being right front tire and twist the collar on the Axle lock, return wheels to forward, set trans in NEUTRAL to verify axle disconnect (Speedo shows 10mph at idle) turn off car ,move shifter to park IN THAT ORDER, leave key in "unlocked" position, lock doors (I have a 2nd set of keys) and go
With dolly. Hook dolly to ball and lock down,, Hook up safety chains (2) and light and brake wires, hook up break away That's about the same as my Hook up.
Drive car onto dolly BE SQUARE or at least very very close to it. Strap wheels to t dolly, hook up second set of safety chains (many forget this step) Drive a short distance and re-check tire straps and safety chains
NOTE that you only have TWO wheels breaking when you panic stop. on the dolly (I have all 4 breaking on the towed) so your stopping distance will increase.
Any questions as to why I tow 4-down?
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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DakotaD
Kodak, Tennessee
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Joined: 01/13/2007
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Have a dolly now but CW is installing my Falcon 2 next Monday.
The dolly works fine it's just such a hassle.
My big problem now is deciding which auxiliary brake system to use.
Leaning toward Even Brake from Roadmaster. It's proportional and not simply on/off.
Sure will be glad to get the towbar. I realize it is a little more wear and tear on the vehicle but the dolly is more wear and tear on me. I can replace the toad.
GT (DW says I can be replaced too.)
...by His grace...
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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wa8yxm wrote:One thing I will say about towing 4 down.. Someone said they like their dolly cause they don't have to wrangle a brake buddy in and out of their car
I would not use a brake buddy, apollo brake, even brake or the like....
I choose the US-Gear, Unified brake decelerator. This system is installed in my towed, (and motor home) and gives me full control of the towed brakes from the cockpit of the coach.. I can set the brakes, fully or partially, I can turn them off, or I can set the degree to which they engage (Proportional braking)
And the harder I brake the coach, the harder it brakes the towed.
As for the "Hook up" I plug in one cable right next the the light cable (in fact I asked them to use a single 7-pin but they did not) and the break-away cable and I'm done
My hook up
Park car fairly close to where I want it,, Hook up two arms, pin 'em and lock 'em (two pins) hook up 2 safety cables, break-away, light and brake controller cable, Optional hook up RV-Underskirt(It came off the motor home last trip and I've not re-attached it) Turn wheels hard right and reach being right front tire and twist the collar on the Axle lock, return wheels to forward, set trans in NEUTRAL to verify axle disconnect (Speedo shows 10mph at idle) turn off car ,move shifter to park IN THAT ORDER, leave key in "unlocked" position, lock doors (I have a 2nd set of keys) and go
With dolly. Hook dolly to ball and lock down,, Hook up safety chains (2) and light and brake wires, hook up break away That's about the same as my Hook up.
Drive car onto dolly BE SQUARE or at least very very close to it. Strap wheels to t dolly, hook up second set of safety chains (many forget this step) Drive a short distance and re-check tire straps and safety chains
NOTE that you only have TWO wheels breaking when you panic stop. on the dolly (I have all 4 breaking on the towed) so your stopping distance will increase.
Any questions as to why I tow 4-down?
Flatbed trailer: Hook it up, plug it in, load the vehicle, tie it down, and go. FOUR wheel BRAKING, controllable from the driver's seat, WITH a breakaway system.
Just that quick, just that easy.
Every campground I have ever patronized has had dolly/trailer parking available, no extra charge.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited
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Triker33
Homestead, FL
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Joined: 11/30/2002
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4 wheel down you only pull the weight of the Toad.
Tow Dolly will give you a extra 700 0r 800 lb. to pull.
Flatbed trailer you have more extra weight to pull, even more weight with a dual axle. It could even put your MH over its GCWR.
More weight to pull can cause more HP used & less MPG on the MH.
Larry Full Time Since 99
1999 34Q Discovery DP ISB 275HP 6 Speed Allison
Banks Powerpack
DataStorm SatMax5 | CoPilot Live 10 | VMSpc | Pressure Pro
14' Chariot Trailer
2001 FXSTI HD
08 HHR LT2
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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Triker33 wrote:4 wheel down you only pull the weight of the Toad.
Tow Dolly will give you a extra 700 0r 800 lb. to pull.
Flatbed trailer you have more extra weight to pull, even more weight with a dual axle. It could even put your MH over its GCWR.
More weight to pull can cause more HP used & less MPG on the MH.
IIRC, an adequate trailer would weigh 1,700 lbs. which could easily put a gasser over the limit.
bumpy
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