Towing 2012 Town & Country with Dolly, does it need brakes? Other Concerns?

[neoneddy]

So, we're heading tot he Dells here from MN, and wanting a our van for clowning around town.


I'm looking at a  tow dolly because it seems simplest.  It weights 4652 lbs with 2650 lbs on the front axel.  That should be fine for most tow dolly's capacity, but what about breaking?   Have electronic brakes would be nice, but then I think, my bus is 30,000 lbs ... I'm adding  13% or so more weight to stop.., that would be like my truck pulling a popup camper or something
(which it does fine).

I have to admit I haven't read my manual yet on this subject, but it seems to be mixed advice online.  The manual says don't toe with a  dolly,   but then plenty of RVers say it works fine.  Seems to be the manual is just CYA for Chrysler?

What else am I missing here? Other than the front getting covered in oil and dirt?

[luvrbus]

Penske's rental tow dollies are not equipped with brakes I believe they are rated close to the weight you are carrying,brakes are going to be your choice they are not required, 1 ton Penske and U haul truck seem to stop fine with the no brake dolly  

[Oonrahnjay]

...  The manual says don't toe with a  dolly,   but then plenty of RVers say it works fine.  Seems to be the manual is just CYA for Chrysler?  ... 

     Is the vehicle a rear-wheel drive?  Is so, that might mean that the manufacturer doesn't want it towed on its rear wheels.  Or maybe there's another good reason.  I would listen to what other owners say, though.

[j.m.jackson]

Is your T&C all wheel drive, or front wheel drive? If FWD, you should be able to dolly tow it, as the rear axle is just brakes on a beam. If it's AWD, then no.

[neoneddy]

It's FWD.

[bevans6]

If it's FWD and not all wheel drive, it's basically a K-car on steroids and can be dolly-towed but not flat-towed.  I personally have a dolly with electric brakes and use a normal 12v Prodigy brake controller.  Not a problem, although being completely honest I towed with that setup for four or five years and never actually used the brakes.  I wanted them as emergency break-away brakes, and that part always worked.

[bronson]

I tow my 2012 T and C behind my 1984 Mci on a dolly with no brakes. Bought a set of magnetic lights at harbor freight and put them on the roof. Honestly can't even tell it's back there. I just watch it with my backup camera. Only issue I have had is if I make a tight turn , the plastic fenders on the dolly will hit the van and in turn will be pushed into the tires. Only thing is when I straighten back up the fenders will be rubbing the tires. A couple weeks ago I didn't catch that one was rubbing and ruined the tire. Drove all the way down Main Street in Celina Ohio before I noticed. Was only 4 more miles from my destination (parents house) and stopped right in front of a tire shop. I carry a spare but left dolly there and picked it up the next day with new tires installed. Flat towing would be nice but this works well enough. My Ford F-150 can be flat towed easily but the expense for the tow bar etc has stopped me from going that route.

[bronson]

Here's the dolly I bought. Brand new for less than a $1000
https://dayton.craigslist.org/trb/d/master-tow-80thd-heavy-duty/6229709866.html
One thing I forgot to mention was to carry a couple 2ft long 2x10s to put under the ramp when loading or in loading. The front bumper will catch pulling off or onto the dolly. I learned the hard way when backing off the dolly my first trip out. The front caught and pulled the bumper away from the fender.

[chessie4905]

I recall seeing a tow dolly or toter with surge breaks at a uhaul dealer when I was there once, but maybe I imagined it.

[oltrunt]

In many states the kind of trailer doesn't matter.  What does matter is what it weighs.  In many states any trailer over 1500# must have brakes.  Carefully pick through the internet to see what the states you plan to operate in require--even if your state doesn't require trailer brakes that won't exempt you if you have a problem in a state that does.  Personally, I wouldn't dream of hauling my Toad without auxiliary brakes with a break away feature.  In my working days I officiated at numerous wrecks where un-braked trailers played a major role in what happened.  Jack

[TheHollands!]

I have a 2006 Town and country front wheel drive that I tow on a dolly behind my 1984 MCI-9. Have done for 6 years fulltiming and never had auxillary brakes. Never had an issue other than the aforementioned oil residue on the front of the car. I did learn though that you'll wear the tires on the dolly real quick if you don't actually tow anything on it. When I first had it, if we just had a short drive I wouldn't hitch the car as it didn't seem worth the effort. I got some real wierd wear patterns on the dolly from all the skipping and bouncing down the road. I also use the magnetic lights on the roof. Craig