First trip towing Maverick on a tow dolly

Headbanger · Jun 17, 2024

Just wanted to post another experience using a tow dolly for those considering one. Towed the truck just over 1300 miles on an ACME dolly with surge brakes.
Aside from checking and adjusting the straps, everything went well. On the dolly side, I did have both strap hooks on one side come completely off, twice. I have no idea how it happened and have purchased enclosed D rings to prevent that from reoccurring. The wheels also make a crazy noise like the brakes were stuck on, however the brake dust was minimal on both wheels and it went away after a while.

On the truck side, I did get the crazy warning messages like others have mentioned, however after a short drive, they went away. No additional problems whatsoever.

I'm still on the fence about the dolly as it's pretty heavy to move around by hand. I'm pushing retirement age and aren't as strong as I used to be. Also, the dolly is very wide with not a lot of room for error. If it weren't for the easy driving Sprinter van, I probably would have fought to keep it centered, leading to a miserable trip. I have another trip planned this year but may move to flat towing next year.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Here's my setup..

Ford Maverick First trip towing Maverick on a tow dolly 2024-06-06_18-13-13_641

BradnChristine · Jun 17, 2024

Headbanger said:
Just wanted to post another experience using a tow dolly for those considering one. Towed the truck just over 1300 miles on an ACME dolly with surge brakes.
Aside from checking and adjusting the straps, everything went well. On the dolly side, I did have both strap hooks on one side come completely off, twice. I have no idea how it happened and have purchased enclosed D rings to prevent that from reoccurring. The wheels also make a crazy noise like the brakes were stuck on, however the brake dust was minimal on both wheels and it went away after a while.

On the truck side, I did get the crazy warning messages like others have mentioned, however after a short drive, they went away. No additional problems whatsoever.

I'm still on the fence about the dolly as it's pretty heavy to move around by hand. I'm pushing retirement age and aren't as strong as I used to be. Also, the dolly is very wide with not a lot of room for error. If it weren't for the easy driving Sprinter van, I probably would have fought to keep it centered, leading to a miserable trip. I have another trip planned this year but may move to flat towing next year.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Here's my setup..

Once you try Flat-towing, you'll never go back.

Dad · Jun 17, 2024

The hybrid was made to flat tow. Initial expense with the baseplate (I recommend Demco), braking system and bar, but beats the inconvenience of what to do with the dolly.

Xbbqpitmaster · Jun 17, 2024

I tow dolly ours because we already had the tow dolly long before the Maverick arrived. I use a trailer dolly to make moving the tow dolly a LOT easier.

https://www.harborfreight.com/600-l...MI4vThrP_jhgMVpkdHAR2b8QabEAQYASABEgK7vvD_BwE

Ford Maverick First trip towing Maverick on a tow dolly IMG_8932

Ford Maverick First trip towing Maverick on a tow dolly IMG_6562

bgn · Jun 17, 2024

Xbbqpitmaster said:
I tow dolly ours because we already had the tow dolly long before the Maverick arrived. I use a trailer dolly to make moving the tow dolly a LOT easier.

https://www.harborfreight.com/600-l...MI4vThrP_jhgMVpkdHAR2b8QabEAQYASABEgK7vvD_BwE

This is what I was going to recommend as well. We had one of these at the U-Haul location I worked at in college and it made moving trailers easy.

Headbanger · Jun 18, 2024

Appreciate the feedback. I'll check into that hand dolly, it looks like it would do the job for sure.

TopDawg · Jun 18, 2024

Have over 30k using dolly behind 32' class C. 2.0 EB. No issues after initial lesson oon turning off auto brake lock. Keeps mileage off front drive. Can't flat tow EB. I'm 76 y.o., the trailer dolly is a good idea, thanks.

MavUnicorn · Jun 23, 2024

TopDawg said:
Have over 30k using dolly behind 32' class C. 2.0 EB. No issues after initial lesson oon turning off auto brake lock. Keeps mileage off front drive. Can't flat tow EB. I'm 76 y.o., the trailer dolly is a good idea, thanks.

Do you mean turning off the brake hold button on the console?

Headbanger · Jun 25, 2024

MavUnicorn said:
Do you mean turning off the brake hold button on the console?

I think so.

TopDawg · Jun 26, 2024

MavUnicorn said:
Do you mean turning off the brake hold button on the console?

Yes. Once you're on the dolly, place in park and deoress the brake lock prior to turning engine off.

shadow76 · Jul 21, 2024

Headbanger said:
Just wanted to post another experience using a tow dolly for those considering one. Towed the truck just over 1300 miles on an ACME dolly with surge brakes.
Aside from checking and adjusting the straps, everything went well. On the dolly side, I did have both strap hooks on one side come completely off, twice. I have no idea how it happened and have purchased enclosed D rings to prevent that from reoccurring. The wheels also make a crazy noise like the brakes were stuck on, however the brake dust was minimal on both wheels and it went away after a while.

On the truck side, I did get the crazy warning messages like others have mentioned, however after a short drive, they went away. No additional problems whatsoever.

I'm still on the fence about the dolly as it's pretty heavy to move around by hand. I'm pushing retirement age and aren't as strong as I used to be. Also, the dolly is very wide with not a lot of room for error. If it weren't for the easy driving Sprinter van, I probably would have fought to keep it centered, leading to a miserable trip. I have another trip planned this year but may move to flat towing next year.

Anyway, hope this helps.

Here's my setup..

What procedure did you use to prepare the Maverick for dolly towing?

Headbanger · Jul 21, 2024

shadow76 said:
What procedure did you use to prepare the Maverick for dolly towing?

Nothing really. Drove it onto the dolly, put it in park, made sure the e-brake was off, and shut it down. I might try to put it into towing mode to see if it makes a difference with all the lights when it’s time to back off, however I don’t think that’ll matter.

shadow76 · Jul 28, 2024

Dolly towing is best for my purpose as the option exists to tow different vehicles depending upon the final destination. Furthermore, no issues with auxiliary lighting or braking systems as the dolly is so equipped .

Additionally a friend has used the dolly to transport several classic vehicles after a purchase. These are usually fun trips to accompany him.

First trip towing Maverick on a tow dolly

Headbanger

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BradnChristine

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Dad

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Xbbqpitmaster

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bgn

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Headbanger

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TopDawg

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