David0725
Florida
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Joined: 11/19/2006
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Hi guys and Gals. I Am back after selling my HR a couple years ago I just bought a Newmar Dutch star 40ft DP. With my HR I towed 4 down buy sold all that stuff as well. so I was thinking of towing a 2008 lexus es350 front wheel drive with a tow dolly. I heard they can be a pain sometimes but my biggest worry is having a swaying problem? I appreciate any advice. Thank you so much
1994 Holiday Rambler Imperial DP
1999 Honda Accord V6 Toad
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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Joined: 08/12/2016
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Life is a lot easier without a tow dolly IMO. Does Lexus say that year and model as equipped is four down towable?
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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For me the priority - buy a 4 down, dolly, trailer - however cost, luxury of a Lexus would be a factor.
Swaying is not on my list??? But no idea what your life style is...
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Bob
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jorbill2or
Full time
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Joined: 10/02/2004
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I had no sway issues ever. Other than an extra piece of equipment it was fine. I would rather pull 4 down but would consider going back to the dolly if my old cheap toad died.
Bill
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chuckftboy
Fleming Island, Florida
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Joined: 09/28/2010
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The only way to find out if you'll have any sway is to buy a tow dolly and give it a try. Odds are you will be fine and won't have any issues. A tow dolly just seems to be something that more of a problem to store that use.
2019 Horizon 42Q Maxum Chassis w/tag
Cummins L-9 450 HP / Allison 3000
2006 Jeep TJ and 2011 Chevy Traverse Tows
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ferndaleflyer
everywhere
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Joined: 03/31/2011
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Never had a problem with a dolly. My dolly cost $700 many years ago and the only expense has been tire replacement. Currently the main towed car is a Smart car but over the years we have towed 2 Saturns, a Camry, and now also have a Honda CRV...The dolly gives me the option of towing anything front wheel drive. Storing is problematic if you don't have a place to store it, I have a 52X40 garage so its inside when at home. I have yet to be at a campground where I had to unhook it. Also I am currently 81 years old and its no problem to hook up or unload, takes about 10 min each way. But thats just me, you may think different and dollies are probably twice as much as I paid now. Also my dolly has no brakes. Hope this helps
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craig7h
Branson MO area
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Joined: 03/23/2002
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I have never noticed a swaying while towing. I tow a KIA on a dolly with many thousand miles without a problem.
Itasca Meridian SE 36g
Road Master Tow Dolly
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Campinghoss@51
Windsor NC
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When we had our dp motor home I pulled a ACME dolly with surge brakes. I towed a Toyota Highlander and a Lincoln MKZ with no issues whatsoever. The ACME will store upright which is a plus in a cg or at home if space is an issue. Eventually I went to a Ford Fiesta five speed pulling four down. I used the Ready Brute Elite system. I never had a problem with any of the above.
Camping Hoss
2017 Open Range 3X 388RKS
2017 F-350 6.7 with hips 8'bed
Lucky & Lucie
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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Joined: 06/05/2011
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If your now 14 yo car can’t be towed 4 down, dolly or trailer are your options. IMO both are a pain, but do allow for more options for a toad. Or find a car that can be towed 4 down.
Tom Wilds
Blythewood, SC
2016 Newmar Baystar Sport 3004
2015 Jeep Wrangler 2dr HT
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RetiredRealtorRick
Gulf Shores, AL
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Joined: 04/17/2020
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All the years I was in the automobile business I used a Demco tow dolly with surge brakes. The reason was that I wasn't limited as to what I could take along on a trip (as long as it was FWD) -- sometimes it was a convertible, sometimes a minivan, etc.
After I retired and sold out the business, and went to a full-time toad, I towed it 4-down, but frankly (and I may be the only exception to the rule) it was just as easy to use the dolly as it was to use the 4-down method, not to mention the versatility.
You will need to decide based on your preferences.
BTW, no sway ever with the dolly -- just remember to buy a good one, and equip it with surge brakes (as opposed to electric -- although unlikely, electric can come undone, surge can't).
. . . never confuse education with intelligence, nor motion with progress
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