7 Best Tow Dollies With Electric Brakes For Small RVs Nomads Swear By
Discover the top 7 tow dollies with electric brakes for small RVs. Our guide covers the safest, most reliable options trusted by nomads for secure towing.
You’re parked at a scenic overlook, but the trailhead you really want to explore is five miles down a narrow, winding road your Class C can’t handle. This is the classic RVer’s dilemma: mobility at the campground versus mobility in the world. A tow dolly is the perfect compromise, letting you bring a smaller, more nimble vehicle along for the ride. But not all dollies are created equal, and the single most important feature for safety and peace of mind is a good set of electric brakes.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!
Why Electric Brakes Are a Non-Negotiable Feature
Let’s get one thing straight: your RV’s brakes were designed to stop your RV, not your RV plus a 3,000-pound car pushing from behind. Relying on your motorhome alone to stop the whole rig is a recipe for overheating your brakes on a long mountain pass or, worse, losing control in a panic stop. This isn’t a recommendation; it’s a fundamental principle of safe towing.
Electric brakes are wired directly into your RV’s braking system via a brake controller you install in the cab. When you press the brake pedal in your RV, a proportional signal is sent to the dolly’s brakes, applying them in sync with your motorhome. This creates a smooth, controlled, and intuitive stopping experience. It feels like you’re driving one integrated vehicle, not a lumbering train.
Many states legally require a separate braking system on any towed load over a certain weight, a threshold that nearly any car and dolly combination will exceed. But this isn’t just about avoiding a ticket. It’s about having the ability to stop predictably and safely, preventing the towed car from trying to pass you during a hard brake, a terrifying situation known as jackknifing. Surge brakes, which use momentum to activate, are an older technology that can feel clunky and reactive; electric brakes are proactive, giving you the control you need when you need it most.
Demco Kar Kaddy SS: Foldable for Easy Storage
The biggest complaint I hear about tow dollies has nothing to do with the road—it’s what to do with them at the campground. Many RV parks have strict rules about extra equipment, and a 13-foot dolly can be a major headache. The Demco Kar Kaddy SS brilliantly solves this problem with its tongue-folding design, collapsing down to a compact 67 inches. You can tuck it away at the back of your site, out of sight and out of mind.
This isn’t just a one-trick pony, though. The Kar Kaddy is a premium piece of equipment with features that make life easier. It uses a steerable axle, meaning the dolly’s wheels turn with the RV, allowing for sharper turns and better tracking without having to leave your car’s steering unlocked. This is a huge confidence booster in tight gas stations or navigating older campgrounds.
When you pair this high-end engineering with an electric brake system, you get the best of both worlds. The dolly’s superior road manners are matched by smooth, powerful braking that you control from the cab. It’s the perfect setup for nomads who value convenience and top-tier performance and don’t want to compromise on storage or safety.
Master Tow 80THDEB: A Durable, Reliable Choice
If you’re looking for a no-nonsense workhorse that will last for years, the Master Tow 80THDEB is a name that comes up again and again. There’s nothing particularly flashy about it, and that’s its strength. It’s built from heavy-gauge steel with solid welds, designed to withstand the abuse of full-time travel on rough roads.
The "DEB" in the model name is key: Disc Electric Brakes. This combination is fantastic. Disc brakes offer superior stopping power and are less prone to fade under heavy use compared to older drum-style brakes. Paired with the precise control of an electric actuator, you get confident, reliable stopping power every time.
Master Tow also includes practical features that simplify the user experience. The tilt-bed design and integrated ramps make loading straightforward, and the swivel platform lets the dolly do the turning, so for most vehicles, you can lock the steering column and go. It’s a simple, rugged, and effective tool for the job, built for nomads who prioritize durability over bells and whistles.
Stehl Tow ST80TD: Galvanized for Longevity
Paint will eventually chip, scratch, and give way to rust, especially if you travel through the salty air of the coasts or the salted roads of the snow belt. The Stehl Tow ST80TD tackles this head-on with a fully galvanized frame. The entire dolly is dipped in molten zinc, creating a protective layer that is far more durable than any paint job. This is a dolly built to look good and perform for the long haul.
This focus on longevity makes it a smart investment. You won’t be spending your weekends sanding down rust spots and hitting them with spray paint. That means more time exploring and less time on maintenance—a trade any nomad would happily make. The initial cost might be slightly higher than a painted equivalent, but the return on investment in terms of durability and resale value is undeniable.
Of course, a long-lasting frame deserves a top-tier safety system. Equipping a Stehl Tow with electric brakes ensures that the dolly’s performance matches its durability. You get a rugged, corrosion-resistant platform with the modern, controlled braking you need for navigating today’s highways safely. It’s the "buy it once, buy it right" option.
Roadmaster RM-2050-1: Premium Towing System
Roadmaster doesn’t just sell parts; they sell complete, engineered towing systems, and the RM-2050-1 dolly is a perfect example of that philosophy. This is a premium option designed for those who want the most stable and seamless towing experience possible. Its self-steering axles and low-slung design make it feel like an extension of your RV’s chassis.
One of the standout features is how well it tracks. The dolly’s wheels steer independently, allowing it to follow the RV’s path precisely through turns, minimizing the "cut-in" that can cause you to clip curbs with other dollies. This, combined with a very low center of gravity, results in an incredibly stable ride that inspires confidence, even in crosswinds or on winding roads.
On a system this advanced, electric brakes are the only logical choice. The smooth, proportional braking they provide complements the dolly’s impeccable road manners. The entire experience feels cohesive—the dolly turns where you turn and brakes when you brake. It’s an investment, to be sure, but for the RVer who wants to minimize the stress of towing, the Roadmaster system is hard to beat.
Eze-Tow Car Tow Dolly: Ultralight and Simple
For owners of smaller Class B or Class C RVs, every pound matters. The Eze-Tow dolly is a game-changer because of its minimalist, ultralight design. Weighing hundreds of pounds less than many of its competitors, it puts less strain on your RV’s engine, transmission, and suspension, which can translate to better fuel economy and less wear and tear over the long run.
The simplicity of the Eze-Tow is its greatest asset. With fewer moving parts and a straightforward design, there’s simply less that can go wrong. The fixed ramps and simple tie-down system make loading quick and easy once you get the hang of it. It’s the embodiment of the "less is more" philosophy, perfect for the nomad who values efficiency and reliability.
Don’t let its light weight fool you into thinking brakes are optional. The weight of the car is what you need to control, and the Eze-Tow’s available electric disc brakes are more than up to the task. Having that precise stopping power on such a lightweight rig provides a huge safety margin, ensuring the car and dolly stay put behind you, even in an emergency stop.
American Car Dolly: The Low-Profile Option
Have a sports car, a hybrid, or another vehicle with a low front air dam? You know the sickening scrape of plastic on pavement. The American Car Dolly is designed specifically to solve this problem with its exceptionally low-profile ramps and loading platform. This design makes it possible to load vehicles with minimal ground clearance without fear of expensive damage.
Beyond just easy loading, the low-profile construction provides a lower center of gravity for the entire towed setup. This enhances stability on the highway, reducing sway and making the dolly feel more planted on the road. The robust, all-steel construction ensures that this sleek design doesn’t come at the expense of strength.
Pairing this low-and-stable dolly with a responsive electric brake system creates a towing package that feels incredibly secure. You have the confidence of knowing your car is loaded safely and the control to bring the entire rig to a smooth, predictable stop. For owners of low-clearance vehicles, this isn’t just a good option; it’s often the only option that works.
Landgrebe TD-40: A Versatile and Sturdy Dolly
Some nomads need a dolly that can handle a wider range of vehicles, from a compact sedan one year to a small SUV the next. The Landgrebe TD-40 is a heavy-duty, versatile option built for just that kind of flexibility. It often features a wider track, higher weight capacity, and robust construction designed for serious, full-time use.
This is the kind of dolly you buy when you know you’ll be putting on tens of thousands of miles a year. Everything from the axle to the tires to the frame is overbuilt to handle the demands of constant travel. It’s a piece of industrial-grade equipment that provides peace of mind, knowing it won’t let you down in the middle of nowhere.
Given its higher capacity, electric brakes are an absolute must. Managing the momentum of a heavier vehicle requires the powerful and controlled stopping force that only an electric system can provide. On a long, steep descent down a mountain grade, you’ll be thankful for the ability to manually apply the dolly brakes with your controller, helping to keep your speed in check without overheating your RV’s primary brakes.
Choosing a tow dolly is about unlocking a new level of freedom on your travels, and choosing one with electric brakes is about ensuring you can enjoy that freedom safely. The "best" dolly isn’t a single brand or model; it’s the one that securely fits your car, matches your RV’s capabilities, and suits your unique style of travel. By prioritizing a quality electric braking system, you’re not just buying a piece of equipment—you’re investing in a safer, less stressful journey.
