2004 - 2008 F-150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Towing a small car with a tow dolly or car trailer?

Old Sep 24, 2009 | 11:35 PM
  #1  
freddytran's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Las Colinas, TX
Towing a small car with a tow dolly or car trailer?

I need to tow my uncle's Toyota Corolla from Galveston back to Dallas. Researching around at Uhaul.com. Looks like both a dolly and trailer are viable. Any pros and cons? I am leaning towards the trailer because from what I've read so far it seems to be the safer option. TIA. Oh mine is an 08 FX2 SCrew with the 4.6L.
 
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2009 | 11:48 PM
  #2  
yetti96's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 0
From: Fort Myers, FL
I made a 3 hour trip towing a '91 Lincoln Continental with now issues on a dolly. Now unloaded, a dolly can dance around a bit. NEVER try to back up either while it has a car on it. Trailer might be easier to drive and brake if it have brakes.

On a side note, I hate u-haul. See if there are other options like a friend to borrow stuff.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 12:55 AM
  #3  
wmitch927's Avatar
Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I towed my dad's 2000 4-dr Ford Taurus from Raleigh, NC to Pittsburgh, PA this past summer with the U-Haul tow dolly with no problem at all. I was keeping up with traffic in the passing lane going 75 mph on I-95 and the PA turnpike. That is about 520 miles. My SCrew has the 5.4L engine, but I probably wouldn't hesitate to tow that Toyota with your truck and with the dolly. Those things are suprisingly stable once they have the weight of a vehicle on them. Just maintain a little more following distance in case you have to get hard on the brakes. And as yetti says... Don't back up! I also agree with yetti... U-Haul blows, but sometimes that's your only option.
 

Last edited by wmitch927; Sep 25, 2009 at 01:00 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 01:44 AM
  #4  
Watson91's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Personally I would go for the trailer. Seems to be the safer option all around, we always tow on a trailer.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 03:07 AM
  #5  
mengela's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 404
Likes: 2
From: san diego
why wouldnt you back up... just be careful and only do it if you have experience
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 03:14 AM
  #6  
tjstrike's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Tennessee
You have less to worry about getting the car up off the road and onto a trailer. Just make sure you rachet strap the front and rear, put it in gear, chaulk the tires and apply the e-brake.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 07:29 AM
  #7  
kingfish51's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,550
Likes: 2
From: Mount Airy,MD
To trailer it, you will need a brake controller, as the trailer will have brakes. At that weight, at least 4k, most states require brakes.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Sep 25, 2009 | 07:46 AM
  #8  
stoffer's Avatar
Senior Member
Truck of the Month
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,679
Likes: 84
From: missing Texas...
I'd trailer it, what gears do you have behind the 4.6??? do you have the gott mod done yet????
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 08:07 AM
  #9  
risupercrewman's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,711
Likes: 5
From: Rhode Island
I would use the trailer option! I will be towing my Camry to NC from RI., when I make the move!
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 08:24 AM
  #10  
freddytran's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 0
From: Las Colinas, TX
Thanks everyone. I'll be renting the trailer. It's only $10 more. I have experience towing a trailer; I've never towed with a dolly before.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 09:15 AM
  #11  
TexasFatboy's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Galveston, Texas
To trailer it, you will need a brake controller, as the trailer will have brakes. At that weight, at least 4k, most states require brakes
FYI:

U-Haul trailers have inertia brakes. No controller necessary.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #12  
GB Black Lariat's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Green Bay
Id still go with a brake controller. I used to haul my showcar around on an 18ft trailer and the brake controller was the best $100 Ive ever spent.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 09:29 AM
  #13  
kingfish51's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,550
Likes: 2
From: Mount Airy,MD
Surprised as it wasn't that long ago surge brakes were illegal in many states.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:13 AM
  #14  
Bdt 1967's Avatar
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From: Wichita KS
Originally Posted by tarajerame
I'd trailer it, what gears do you have behind the 4.6??? do you have the gott mod done yet????
I pull my Mustang on my car trailer all the time, I have 3:73's with the 4.6 but even with 3.55's he wont have any problems, its just a little Yota.

(Note: Not that I am implying that he has 3.55's just saying that even if he had 3.55's it would do it easy)
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2009 | 10:17 AM
  #15  
Watson91's Avatar
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Heck we tow a jeep all over the country with my truck and never had trailer breaks, these things can stop them, you don't have anything to worry about if your towing a little car.
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:52 PM.