Author Topic: WTB Tow dolly in PNW / Seattle-ish area. (Read 5690 times)

subsonic · « **on:** July 20, 2008, 06:18:56 pm »

I need a good used tow dolly/ car dolly to use so I can tow one caddy home with another. Needs to be solid and in good condition, gotta hold together for a cross country trip. Needs to be around the seattle area, or able to be picked up near there. Not looking for a $1000.00 unit.

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:40:29 pm »

I think you might have some issues towing the caddy unless you have a modified TD because you are essentially towing the same vehicle..... I am unsure of the towing weight your caddy can handle, but it might be wise to consider with a little more weight and torque.....

As for the tow dolly you could use a tag along which essentially a T par that connects to the front end of the caddy via the tow hooks. tow hooks are tied into the unibody main frame of the chassi.....

vwmike · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2008, 10:58:16 pm »

It's not really even an issue of power. You can't tow something of equal weight unless you have trailer brakes or you'll get pushed out of the way in an instant.

subsonic · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2008, 12:42:56 am »

I have been looking at a few used units that had electric brakes, but they were up close to a grand. Getting pushed might be kind of sketchy going over the mountains :shock: Any idea's?
Just found this:
Towing Capacity:
There is little information available on the rated towing capacity of the VW Caddy. However, the A1 based Caddy is still being manufactured in South Africa. They refer to it as the "half-tonner Caddy". The 2000 Sport Model ( euro grill, 14" alloys, Roll Bar, Paint upgrade) can be bought for $14,000 Canadian. This information, from Vw South Africa, is for the Factory Towing Capacities:

Towing Capacity, in kg (lbs)
Trailer w/o brakes Trailer 445 (981)
Trailer w/ brakes 890 (1962)
Tongue weight 75 (165)

Spec. (lbs/Kgs) Front Rear Total
Curb Weight 1407/638 767/348 2174/986

Looks like it would be about 200 lbs. overweight even with electric brakes.

jackbombay · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2008, 04:00:51 am »

Drive slow (like you'll have a choice :lol: ) and leave plenty of following space.

Did you check craigslist for a tow dolly? Buy one used and sell it when you get home...

Patrick · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2008, 06:32:27 am »

I tow my mk2 jetta on a princess auto tow bar on a regular basis. Coat me less than 80 bucks. We fabbed up some mounts that bolt through the bumper, bracket is on big (1 1/8 inch) threaded rod so they're removable. Safety chains hook to tiedowns. Can't help you with brakes though, I pull it behind a 13 ton road grader...........

Darkness_is_spreading · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2008, 08:49:50 am »

I use the same tow dolly from princess auto and we use shackles to attach to the front end of the VW andattach the safety chain aswell

Main concern is towing weight and vehicle weight......

Also there will be some differences between an 75-80 caddy v.s. a 2008 caddy, the frame could be made out of a heavier steel, I assume the seams are welded.....

The towing capacity of your caddy will be different I assume

VW_Commuter · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2008, 08:56:47 am »

Found this one using Crazedlist.org. For $250 plus a little time & materials you could get this one and do pretty good. It's got electric brakes and was used to tow a Ford Escape.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2008, 11:24:40 am »

most tow dollies have hyd surge brakes on them so stopping shouldn't be to bad.

Getting going, now that's another story.

Dakotakid · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2008, 11:39:23 am »

Let us know which routes you will be taking...

....so we can select alternates :shock:

I pulled a '78 Rabbit behind my first gasser pickup for 50 miles in hilly country. I think you are in for a negative adventure. Make sure you've got a spare trans in the back.....and plenty of money for bail.

subsonic · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:01:58 pm »

Quote from: "Dakotakid"

Let us know which routes you will be taking...

....so we can select alternates :shock:

I pulled a '78 Rabbit behind my first gasser pickup for 50 miles in hilly country. I think you are in for a negative adventure. Make sure you've got a spare trans in the back.....and plenty of money for bail.

Wow. What happened, you blew your tranny? I did not think this was illegal :?

blkboostedtruck · « **Reply #11 on:** July 21, 2008, 01:39:39 pm »

Jim ,
i do it all the time with my N/A rabbit last trip i made was down to Georga and back with a tow dolly pulled the tow dolly down and picked up my caddy ! 1600 mile round trip! i did hook my fan up to a toggle switch witch made a big difference! i picked up my tow dolly for 400 bucks best investment i ever made!
Duane

subsonic · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2008, 02:28:57 pm »

Did yours have electric brakes Duane?

foxracer1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:20:28 pm »

A friend and i pulled a caddy with a caddy 5hrs from mid indiana to detroit. Ran good. Had the bed loaded with the complete TD engine and trans going in the trk in tow, random tools and parts. Trk was on its bump stops. Couch in the back of the other trk. I'll post a pic from my phone. Had used brake pads from a junk yard car! :shock: The things my friend gets me in to.

You just need to drive smart and cautious. Trk would pull it to 65 easily but would sway very bad due to weight distribution of the trk being towed.

This same truck just made a trip over 1000mi to englishtown new jersey for waterfest. No issues at all.

subsonic I think you are more than capable to do it. I'm sorry i do not have a dolly but just wanted to encourage your trip.

foxracer1 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2008, 10:21:15 pm »

:shock: [/img]