Flat towing vs. tow dolly vs. trailered
Moderator: TJDave
Flat towing vs. tow dolly vs. trailered
sooo, which is it? what are you doing? advantages/disadvantages?
I flat towed for a few years. A little less weight to pull, but I was always worried about breaking something (D35 then) and not being able to tow it home. It was hard on the front tires, and you can't back up.
The owners manual on a Tj says not to use a dolly. Something about one end spinning, and one end not.... wrecking the TC. Might not be an issue with an Atlas and locking hubs. Still can't back up.
For the price of a good tow bar set up and a supplimental brake system, you can pick up a good used trailer.
The trailer is much better than flat towing. I can back it up, unload the Jeep, then BBQ on it!
The owners manual on a Tj says not to use a dolly. Something about one end spinning, and one end not.... wrecking the TC. Might not be an issue with an Atlas and locking hubs. Still can't back up.
For the price of a good tow bar set up and a supplimental brake system, you can pick up a good used trailer.
The trailer is much better than flat towing. I can back it up, unload the Jeep, then BBQ on it!
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch
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mattawajeep
- Posts: 1221
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 6:18 pm
- Location: Mattawa, WA
I just so happen to have one that would fit your needs perfectly. It's 16' long (perfect for a TJ, not so perfect for a JKU...) make you a good deal on it. It's parked in front of my house if you wanna take a look. I'm interested in selling it so I can buy one just a smidge longer.
1604 s. Fruitland st
Kennewick
1604 s. Fruitland st
Kennewick
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mattawajeep
- Posts: 1221
- Joined: Wed May 19, 2010 6:18 pm
- Location: Mattawa, WA
Jay W wrote:mattawajeep wrote:scumby wrote:who's got the best price on trailers?
Craigslist. I wouldn't buy new, unless you're getting a really good deal.
I think just the opposite. People selling trailers on Craigslist want 95% of new price for a 10 year old trailer. I would shop new and get what you want.
It's like just about anything. Do you want it fast or cheap. I thought the same on trailers as well, but all it took was another set of eyes looking to find something cheaper.
http://www.peakputters.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4654
Yrjan wrote:I just so happen to have one that would fit your needs perfectly. It's 16' long (perfect for a TJ, not so perfect for a JKU...) make you a good deal on it. It's parked in front of my house if you wanna take a look. I'm interested in selling it so I can buy one just a smidge longer.
1604 s. Fruitland st
Kennewick
belive I'll do a drive by. Price?
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pascoscout
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:38 pm
- Location: Pasco WA
Trailer hands down. With a dolly you still have to store it and its useless for anything but towing cars. I bought my trailer thinking I would only use if for my Scout or 4runner since I have the pick-up but I find I use it a ton (my friends use it a ton too 
) Also if you have minions you can also put a couple dirt bikes or ATV's on the trailer for them.
There's a place out of Yakima that pops up on craiglist searches for trailers and seems to have good prices for new. I haven't been there to actually inspect the quality though. With the prices they list I have to imagine the trailers are possibly mass produced outside the US. Been looking at it since I've been considering selling my 7k rated 18 footer for a 10K rated trailer as I find myself towing tractors more than cars....
Good deals on used do pop up from time to time, but be sure to inspect them closely. Things like bent axels and broken welds are common. Consider the condition of the deck, rotted or severly cracked boards will need to be replaced. Badly bent or cracked boards can also be a sign the trailer has been overloaded, which can lead to other issues. Check the wiring and brake system (you do want a brake system) to be sure it works properly.
Be wary of someone's home made farm trailer. It takes some skill to get a trailer set up right to tow straight and turn properly (no to mention distrubute the load correctly). Home made ones also tend to use mobile home axels, which can have odd ball tires and wheels, and the load rating is really high for something primarily towing cars so they bounce around alot. While they made be a good deal sometimes the home made ones are more trouble than thier worth.
I'd also plan to at the least remove, inspect and repack the wheel bearings (replace if needed) as alot of people neglect to maintain them properly. Also as mentioned before its likely to need new tires, don't want them to be more then 7 years old... ask me how I know
) Also if you have minions you can also put a couple dirt bikes or ATV's on the trailer for them.
There's a place out of Yakima that pops up on craiglist searches for trailers and seems to have good prices for new. I haven't been there to actually inspect the quality though. With the prices they list I have to imagine the trailers are possibly mass produced outside the US. Been looking at it since I've been considering selling my 7k rated 18 footer for a 10K rated trailer as I find myself towing tractors more than cars....
Good deals on used do pop up from time to time, but be sure to inspect them closely. Things like bent axels and broken welds are common. Consider the condition of the deck, rotted or severly cracked boards will need to be replaced. Badly bent or cracked boards can also be a sign the trailer has been overloaded, which can lead to other issues. Check the wiring and brake system (you do want a brake system) to be sure it works properly.
Be wary of someone's home made farm trailer. It takes some skill to get a trailer set up right to tow straight and turn properly (no to mention distrubute the load correctly). Home made ones also tend to use mobile home axels, which can have odd ball tires and wheels, and the load rating is really high for something primarily towing cars so they bounce around alot. While they made be a good deal sometimes the home made ones are more trouble than thier worth.
I'd also plan to at the least remove, inspect and repack the wheel bearings (replace if needed) as alot of people neglect to maintain them properly. Also as mentioned before its likely to need new tires, don't want them to be more then 7 years old... ask me how I know
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Livin4Today
- Posts: 1054
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2012 8:23 am
- Location: Kennewick, WA
When I was looking last year I came across an outfit near Bend, OR (I'll see if I can find the link) that will build you a trailer to your specs for about $2500. Now I was pricing a rig to pull my JKU, so I was looking for an 18-20 footer, and they'll set it up for WA with brakes on both axles.
If you do look into any trailers in OR check to see that both axles have brakes because OR only requires the front axle to be braked...
If you do look into any trailers in OR check to see that both axles have brakes because OR only requires the front axle to be braked...
Last edited by Livin4Today on Fri Apr 18, 2014 2:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Lance
Building a capable off roader is easy, building a street legal one that you can wheel and then drive daily is the challenge...
2007 JKU, 7" RK lift, 40s, ARBs, 5.38s, Headers, Fox Coilovers, etc. http://www.Livin4Today.com
Building a capable off roader is easy, building a street legal one that you can wheel and then drive daily is the challenge...
2007 JKU, 7" RK lift, 40s, ARBs, 5.38s, Headers, Fox Coilovers, etc. http://www.Livin4Today.com
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pascoscout
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2013 5:38 pm
- Location: Pasco WA
The P3 is the premium setup, it pretty much adjusts itself.
The Primus IQ is the mid-grade one, and i have one on hand. They retail for $125. Once they are adjusted to a specific trailer, they shouldnt need adjustment again.
I stick with Tekonsha, they have a good warranty and reputation.
If your truck is pre-wired from the factory, there is a harness you can buy that plugs right in so you dont have to splice or run any wires. If it is a Chevy, I'll cut you a smoking deal on the harness.
The Primus IQ is the mid-grade one, and i have one on hand. They retail for $125. Once they are adjusted to a specific trailer, they shouldnt need adjustment again.
I stick with Tekonsha, they have a good warranty and reputation.
If your truck is pre-wired from the factory, there is a harness you can buy that plugs right in so you dont have to splice or run any wires. If it is a Chevy, I'll cut you a smoking deal on the harness.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL
'84 XJ, '19JL
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