Campinfan
Washtenaw County, Michigan
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Joined: 05/18/2005
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So I am new to the Motorhome world. Just went from a fiver to a Class A. I am thinking of a tow dolly instead of flat towing--one reason is why spend that money on a vehicle that I will only be towing a few times a year. But with all that said, there are tow dollies that offer the option of surge brakes or electric. My new to me MH has a Prodigy brake controller already installed. So wouldn't that be the best option? I heard you cannot back up with a surge brake because it will activate, but shouldn't I be able to back up a little with the electric? I also heard you cannot back up with flat towing---hear that a lot, but do not know why.
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2016 F 350 FX4 4WD,Lariat, 6.7 Diesel
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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Some surge brakes have a lever to allow backing up. Solenoid wired into MH back up lights.
Example
Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow
2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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The main advantage to surge brakes is no need for brake wiring on TV. You say MH already has that, so a wash. Another advantage is when working, the braking is automatically proportional.
To me, (I have had both on trailers at same time) a major disadvantage is it is harder to check for function before you pull out.
And if the electric brakes are working when you park the trailer, nothing is likely to go wrong while it sets. The hydraulics can develop leaks, or the mechanical parts that work master cylinder can rust/corrode so no longer work smoothly.
And if you care about dumping oil products around, repairing electric brakes, much less mess.
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fyrflie
Martinez, CA. USA
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You can backup while flat towing. But only a few feet. Any further, you would need to lock or hold the steering wheel of the towd in the straight position, and even then it’s a sketchy operation. Your toad wheels are aligned to keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line while traveling forward. While backing, the wheels will want to turn left or right.
I have been caught a handful of times needing to backup while flat towing. I find it easier to disconnect rather than the other method I mentioned above.
Others have reported that backing places some extreme pressures on the tow bar.
I’m sure others will chime in soon enough.
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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fyrflie wrote:You can backup while flat towing. But only a few feet. Any further, you would need to lock or hold the steering wheel of the towd in the straight position, and even then it’s a sketchy operation. Your toad wheels are aligned to keep the vehicle tracking in a straight line while traveling forward. While backing, the wheels will want to turn left or right.
I have been caught a handful of times needing to backup while flat towing. I find it easier to disconnect rather than the other method I mentioned above.
Others have reported that backing places some extreme pressures on the tow bar.
I’m sure others will chime in soon enough.
I have wondered about starting the Toad, and have it supply power for a straight back up. Corners would be hard, have to follow path the rear of MH would go, but straight back to clear fuel island should not be a issue.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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Flat towing requires the steering wheel to be unlocked so the front tires can turn to follow the mh without dragging the tires. Backing up, the front tires will turn causing the car to go left or right unless, as mentioned above, someone controls the steering wheel. This can damage the tow bar and much more
Backing up with a tow dolly has the same restrictions as far as I know. The dolly wheels have to track with the mh.
If you feel the need to backup, get a flatbed trailer to tow your car. Be careful of your weights.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
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willald
NC
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Yes, backing up when towing a car, whether its with a dolly or flat towing, is risky at best, impossible at worst.
Best way I've found to back up if you have to, and this only works for flat towing, not a dolly: Have another driver get in the towed vehicle, with a radio (or cell phone) to be able to communicate with driver in the Motorhome. And, with careful coordination between driver in the Motorhome and driver in the towed vehicle, person in the towed vehicle gently 'pulls' the whole rig backwards with the towed vehicle. Me and my wife have done this a couple of times, and it works OK.
If you try to push the towed vehicle backwards with the Motorhome, you may be able to go STRAIGHT back for a few feet, maybe more. If you're going downhill, you may be able to back up a good ways that way. But, eventually, the towed vehicles wheels will turn opposite direction as tow bar (or dolly) turns, and you will have to stop or risk doing serious damage.
I would not worry about backing, for a surge brake system on a tow dolly, as reality is you will probably never do it (back up) without unhooking first. Or at least, you won't back up long or often enough for the surge brake to be a concern.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis ("Brook")
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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If you decide on a tow dolly or trailer, I would suggest putting a trailer hitch on the toad. It makes it easier to move dolly or trailer around.
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