I need to help my son and his family on a cross country trip to his new military base.  I will be towing his car on a tow dolly from NYC to Astoria, OR behind my MH.  I am debating purchasing a tow dolly for this trip and future use vice renting one from U-Haul.  The U-Haul tow dollies I've looked at are in really poor condition.

If I was to purchase a tow dolly, I'd need to tow it back home empty from OR to our home in VA.  Is this a possibility?  I'd assume I'd have to drop tire pressure to prevent extreme bouncing of the dolly when unloaded.

Or would you recommend I get my head examined and gamble on a one-way U-Haul rental?

Best Regards!

I'm afraid that you would beat that tow dolly to pieces towing all the way across the country empty. They really bounce a lot without a vehicle on them. I think I would take the chance on renting one.

Jim

Snipe: I'd call a couple dolly manufacturers and ask about dead towing. I've seen them empty many times. Though bouncy I doubt there is any problem.

With the price you'll pay for a one-way rental to the left coast you might be most of the way to buying one of your own. It'll be a tough choice. Maybe also look at used ones?

I grew up in NOVA, graduated W. T. Woodson HS... My domicile is Richmond...

Jeff (RV Dude),

Thanks for the info.  I'm also thinking of disassembling the dolly and carrying home in pieces spread out in my basement compartments.  I have to go to the dealer and look one over.

I'm not a native Virginian, I'm a D*** Yankee from NJ.  HOWEVER, I'm never going to live in the North again.  Northener by birth, Southener by choice! 

Best Regards!

-- Edited by Old Snipe at 18:01, 2008-02-13

I towed an unloaded two dolly from Ft Carson Colorado to Alabama. I started with noral air pressure and no load. In New Mexico I aired down from 55lbs to 25lbs, helped some still was alot of jumping around. I stopped in West Texas and bought several 12" concret blocks and tir down straps. I had about two hundred pounds on the trailer. This was bearable but towing with a Jeep Cherokee I knew the trailer was back there. Maybe you could get the DW to ride on the trailer?

The U-Haul tow dollies I've seen, look bad, but in reality are very sound.  Keep in mind folks that rent equipment from U-Haul don't always take good care of it, like they would if they owned it (grease, dings and scratches).  U-haul tow dollies are pretty substantial, so they will take a lot of abuse.  Don't judge a book by it's cover.  Ask when the dolly was last serviced.   Check to make sure everything on the dolly works well, good tires, hitch works, no tears on the straps...etc.

A reputable U-Haul dealer will always make sure their equipment is road worthy.  The U-Haul dealer I rent from is very meticulous about his equipment and vehicles he rents.   Some of it may not look pretty, but it works well.
Remember U-Haul and the dealer are liable if the dolly fails and causes injury due to their negligence.   They don't want failures.

Maybe you could buy a used dolly, and then have your son sell it with a free ad on Craigslist, or somewhere, and send you the money ? Just my tuppence (2 cents in Brit) Penny, TX

OUCH! Old Snipe. I am a New Jerseyan. Leonard is from Louisiana. I will make sure he doesn't read what you wrote!!!!! Okay - so for almost 20 years we have lived here in NJ. He paid his dues. Next year we start fulltiming. Upon settling down again, I will pay my dues and we will live in the south. Life is compromises. We have a two dolly we will be selling when we go fulltime. We bought it used for $500. when we had a MH. We now have a fiver and was going to sell it. However, never know when the Grandsons car or even my car might break down. Yup, we've used it twice in the last year. Good luck - maybe you will find a good used one and then sell it quick without having to bring it back across country. Phyllis

Hi Phyllis,

My parents still believe I'll move back to NJ when I retire from the military.  Guess they think I'll be back to shovel their driveway...LOL!

I think a tow dolly would be a handy thing to have, that's why I'm toying with the idea of buying rather than renting.  But if I did, DW is certainly too light to hold the dolly down while towing it back!

Best Regards!