Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 10, 2025 ...

Tow Dolly

October 22, 2010, 12:37:47 pm

As I have mentioned before, we are seriously thinking about getting a tow dolly so we can tow our car.  We cannot tow it 4 down.

It appears a tow dolly with surge brakes is legal in all 48 states.  I don't know about Canada. 

1. Do you have any comments/suggestions concerning which type of brakes to get on the tow dolly, electric or surge brakes?

2. If electric brakes are used, what is involved in installing the controller and running the wiring back to the hitch area?

Thank you very much.

Morris

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Re: Tow Dolly

Reply #1 – October 22, 2010, 03:11:18 pm

I like the surge brakes because they are so easy. Electric is more tuneable. The factory runs extra wires from the dash to the back of the coach. You have to locate each end of the bundle. You mount the controller level, wire up power, a brake switch signal and then one control wire to the back. Having done one I could install a controller now in 30 - 45 minutes... Controller runs about $100. I prefer the Prodigy. The best part about surge is any vehicle can tow the dolly, no issue.

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Re: Tow Dolly

Reply #2 – November 21, 2010, 05:19:13 am

                   I agree 100%  on surge brakes . I sold thousands of boats in my business years . Only problem ever had was the salt water bath they got , and all that goes with salt water . On a dolly they simply have to be the best choice , no adjustment ,no wires for brakes, simple  , just  hook up and go . I never saw a failure from regular use .

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Reply #3 – November 22, 2010, 08:07:26 am

I agree on the surge brakes. Also, I STRONGLY recommend getting a dolly with a steering axle. It eliminates fenders into the side of your car, etc.. We now tow 4-down, but I honestly don't think the tow dolly was that much more hassle, and it made it possible to choose which vehicle to bring. Just a note: IF you let your wife drive the car up on the dolly, and the coach seems a little sluggish, don't go 10 or 15 feet before figuring out she set the parking brake, AND, be sure to set the brake on the coach before going back and releasing the brake on the toad, AND if you release the brake on the toad, and the whole rig starts moving, just reset the brake on the toad. DO NOT jump out of the moving toad and run up to the moving coach and hit the brakes. Don't ask me how I know these things!!!

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Re: Tow Dolly

Reply #4 – November 22, 2010, 08:34:43 am

Steve, That is what you call PRACTICAL education...
When you drive over the dolly you can spend a lot of time figuring out how to get the dolly out from under the frame of the car.  Yeah, don't ask. 

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Re: Tow Dolly

Reply #5 – November 22, 2010, 08:43:16 am

You're so right, Gary. I always did tend to learn things "the hard way".

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