Towing Question

[kelpie]

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Ladies, I need expert opinions. I have a 29 ft MH and have not towed but would like to be able to stay longer in one place and have another vehicle. I can get my car equipped for towing for cost of $2500 or get dolly for abut the same amount. Does anyone know how I can figure out the mileage/costs of each option? I know the dolly is sometimes a problem once you arrive but right now I'm just trying to compare costs. Another option I am considering is trading in the MH for a TT bt the I have to get a truck to haul it so this is my least favorite option. But I would also like to know how to figure the mileage for this one. Any ideas?


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Kellie and Eddie 2000 Four Winds Class C

[carold]

Kelpie, we towed our Toyota Corolla (5 speed) behind our 29 Ft Class C (all four wheels down) and didn't find that it changed our mileage much at all as when we didn't tow. The car only weighs about 3,000 lbs so that might make a difference. Karen tows behind hers so she might have different info. Good luck. carold

[Bethers]

I don't recommend using a tow dollie. And you didn't mention the option of replacing your car with one that you don't have to spend that much to tow. That might be something to look at also. Of course, no matter which you do, you'll have to get the setup to tow, with the brakes, etc. And if you went truck, tt, you'll spend that same amount to get the stuff to tow, including stabilizers, etc.

[retiredhappy]

As I said before, I think its safer with a MH when you're by yourself. If you get uncomfortable you can just drive off without going outside your rig.

I've towed a Saturn and I now tow a Chevrolet Cobalt. Both were automatics and you had to pull a fuse to tow either one (keeps the car from racking up mileage while being towed.) You need to be sure the car CAN be towed with its wheels down. Check the manual - DON'T TRUST SALESMAN. I would not want a tow dolly cause first you have to hook up the dolly and they can be heavy and hard to maneuver and then you have to secure your car on the dolly - twice the work in my opinion. There is the initial expense of a tow bar, getting the car equipped with a tow plate and brackets (Cobalt ran me about $1300). I bought the tow bar from a private owner but you can also get good deals on Ebay (ask Birdie). Hooking up the car is pretty easy once you've done it a couple of times. You also need to get the car lights set up to hook up to the MH for turn signals and brake lights. You also need a Brake Buddy for your tow car (Check Ebay) to assist in braking the tow vehicle. I get about the same mileage towing or not towing but I also keep my speed between 55 and 65. The Cobalt manual says not to tow over 65 mph. The slower you go, the better your mileage. I've gotten up to 10 mpg but probably average around 8.5 to 9. When I bought my rig I said I'd never tow. Took first trip and found that in order to do any sightseeing I had to rent a car or unhook and drive the MH. Got home and bought my 1974 VW Bug to tow. After a couple of years I got tired of the stick shift and no AC but it was so much fun to drive (had hippy flowers and peace signs painted all over it). I also had to lay on the ground to hook up the tow bar because it was a rigid type with no adjustable arms. Got down real well - it was the getting up that was a problem.

[Pooker]

Kelpie - We had a tow dolly for quite a few years. Would not recommend that at all. Most of the time you have to back into campsites and that means taking the dolly off the MH and manhandling it around. Even with two of us it was a heavy chore and sometimes hard to find a place to park the darn thing. Getting the vehicle on the dolly properly and securing it is a bugger, too - not for the "getting older" body (I hear you, Karen)!

We changed to towing Saturns 4 wheels down always using a Blue Ox tow bar setup. Two of them we had to remove one or two fuses - the other two we didn't. Each time we bought a new Saturn, we had to also equip it with a new base plate, etc. Don't believe a salesman who says you can move it from car to car - you never can. A lot of publications put out a towing guide each year (FMCA, Good Sam) and you can access that information on their Web sites to see which model cars are towable.

Pooker

[Getupngo]

I did one trip in my MH without a tow car ... and said "NO MORE!"

I tow a Honda CRV with a Blue Ox tow bar/braking setup. I honestly think the mileage question has more to do with the weight of the toad than the method of towing. The tow bars now are SO cool ... most are articulated so you can hook up the car even if it isn't perfectly centered behind the rig, straight, or the ground is uneven. Easy to do.

I know this all feels so complicated while you are trying to make a decision. What I've found is best is to do the EASIEST thing. When I got my MH I had a Subaru Forester, which could not be towed on anything but a trailer. I actually was considering getting an 18-FOOT TRAILER because I liked the Subie. Then I got ahold of myself.

Look at the MHs going down the road. You'll see very few dollies. Most tow four-down for a reason. If you'll notice, most tow dollies are usually behind MOVING VANS for one-time tows.

[kelpie]

i have looked at the toad guide put out by Motorhome magazine and there are very few cars that i'd want to own on their list but I hve paid attention and seen lots and lots of OTHER cars being towed 4 down so started to look into that option for my current car. I love that car and it gets fantastic mileage and is paid for so I'm leaning toward that option. Not only is it most economical, it is the EASIEST! and i'm all for that. I got hired by the census bureau for a few weeks but that money is already allocated so now all I need to do is earn some more to pay for the modifications. Has anyone else modified acar that is NOT on one of the lists for being towable 4-down?

[BirdbyBird]

Okay, I can't remember the name of the organization but someone else probably has heard of them...starts with a Remco or something. They know what can be adapted and sell the equipment to adapt them. Many cars CAN be adapted for towing just takes another step and costs more money.... Just not all cars.....

[Getupngo]

Yes, it's Remco at http://www.remcotowing.com. They have some kind of modification for certain cars.

Apart from any modifications, I would NOT try to tow anything that isn't on the dinghy towing guide. They work with the manufacturers to find out whether a vehicle is designed to be towed and under what conditions.