First time towing

suenmike · 01-30-2018, 06:50 PM

Although we have owned a motorhome for many years, we have never towed a vehicle, just rented upon arrival at the campground. We are soon retiring and will be towing a Dodge Ram 1500. The question is this, what are the tricks to fueling up with a vehicle in tow? I’m sure there are stories out there and I want to learn from others who got into difficult situations. In a perfect world there would be fuel pumps set off to the side just for campers, but that’s not usually the case. Thank you

Bob Denman · 01-30-2018, 07:50 PM

While I've got nothing useful to tell you about "Toad-Wrangling": congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

suenmike · 01-30-2018, 08:31 PM

Thank you, counting the weeks!!!

2016vegas · 01-30-2018, 09:21 PM

You should have no trouble. First and foremost have a written or mental checklist of what needs to be done.
Level ground or car tires chocked
Connect the towbar to the car and lock the pins in place,
Connect the power cable from the RV to the car (check enough slack and secure).
Connect the safety chains (Crossed under towbar).
Connect breakaway cable.
Connect supplemental brake (and test specific to the break).
Put car in neutral and hand brake off.
Remove chock (if used)
Check tail lights by turning on hazards in RV.

I use a battery maintainer for the car battery powered from the 7 pin connector from RV.
The toad follows the track of the RV,so, anywhere the RV can go is safe to assume the car is fine.
Trickiest places as filling stations if you have a gas RV. A Loves, TA, or pilot stop always has enough room. Flying J has a dedicated RV pump island. Other than that just pay attention to what lanes are open, and the exit plan. Worse case scenario is you might have to unhook (which takes less than 2 minutes) and reconnect after fueling, but I've never had to...
Your going to like having your toad with you!

suenmike · 01-30-2018, 10:21 PM

Thanks 2016vegas LOL on the check list, I will definitely have one to follow.

Bob Denman · 01-30-2018, 11:22 PM

You can probably set up your back-up camera to keep a constant eye on your Toad also...

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1517354513

gmc · 01-31-2018, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suenmike

... The question is this, what are the tricks to fueling up with a vehicle in tow? I’m sure there are stories out there and I want to learn from others who got into difficult situations. In a perfect world there would be fuel pumps set off to the side just for campers, but that’s not usually the case. Thank you

Best advice is to look before you enter... Figure out how you will leave and which pumps work best.... And sometimes the answer might be not to enter.

Stay further away from the pumps than you would otherwise to give more room to swing either way on exit.
I tend to use an outside lane pump.... And swing around the pumps to exit.

abjbrtd · 01-31-2018, 12:43 AM

We over plan our fuel stops.

We look for truck stops, but if a gas station, usually newer with lots of pumps, with easy access and very easy exit shows up we stop.
I use Google Earth a lot!
We usually don't stop if the far right pumps don't have a good exit.
We are considerate of other customers, don't want to have any lines of people trying to enter or exir.

A couple of rules for towing.
1. Never backup, not even a few feet.
2. DO NOT violate rule #1, the steering on your pickup will appreciate it.

Mr Sunshine · 01-31-2018, 03:03 AM

The key to fueling is PLAN AHEAD! Look potential stations over before you pull in. Think about how you are going to get out. Sometimes you can utilize a side entry or go around the the building to approach that desired end pump. Sometimes you have to pay a few cents more to go to a station that isn't as busy. Always allow enough room for the towed vehicle to clear your turns.

And BE PATIENT. Sometimes you have to wait for a end pump to clear, sometimes cars jump in front of you, sometimes you end up blocking a car from backing out while you are waiting for a pump. Don't let their tirades over a couple of minutes wait get to you. (Had all those things happen on our last big trip.)

Keith-noelle · 02-01-2018, 12:37 PM

We use Google Earth for all the fuel stations when we are traveling. It's nice to know what you are getting into before you pull in. It also works great for looking at RV sites before booking to get an idea of how there are. Much better than the camp site map that's found on there website.

rvfigs · 02-01-2018, 12:44 PM

Definitely plan ahead. If I see a filling station that is TOAD friendly, even if I'm at half a tank I fill up.

Teach your spouse all the procedures for connecting the TOAD. My wife always checks my connections. We always check our turn signals, brake lights, etc.

Last year was my first year towing and in one trip I learned a lot. There is a learning curve. Be patient. Once you tow...you probably will tow for life. It's fun.

Congrats on your retirement.

suenmike · 02-01-2018, 01:08 PM

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated

Jedsmom · 02-01-2018, 03:15 PM

I might also add that you invest in a set of tire pressure monitors -- for both vehicles if you don't have them for your rig. It's pretty amazing how quickly things can go wrong with your toad when something happens to the tires and you don't know it.

Rich&Cathy · 02-01-2018, 03:41 PM

We never go below 3/4 of a tank that way we can choose and pick the best gas station for us.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

suenmike · 02-01-2018, 04:00 PM

Yes, definitely on the tire pressure monitors!!

Mo_Mike · 02-01-2018, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suenmike

Although we have owned a motorhome for many years, we have never towed a vehicle, just rented upon arrival at the campground. We are soon retiring and will be towing a Dodge Ram 1500. The question is this, what are the tricks to fueling up with a vehicle in tow? I’m sure there are stories out there and I want to learn from others who got into difficult situations. In a perfect world there would be fuel pumps set off to the side just for campers, but that’s not usually the case. Thank you

I am glad you posted this. We have just purchased a jeep Wrangler to tow behind our 25.2 VEGAS. And the gas.fillup issue is the stuff of my nightmares also...

Mo_Mike · 02-01-2018, 06:34 PM

One other question, what braking system is everyone using? Trying to weigh the "brake pedal pushing" system as opposed to the "cable connected to brake pedal" system

rvfigs · 02-01-2018, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

One other question, what braking system is everyone using? Trying to weigh the "brake pedal pushing" system as opposed to the "cable connected to brake pedal" system

I have the Ready Brake brute...simple and effective.

gmc · 02-02-2018, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo_Mike

One other question, what braking system is everyone using? Trying to weigh the "brake pedal pushing" system as opposed to the "cable connected to brake pedal" system

Invisibrake here... Cable connected and uses toad's power brakes.

Laco · 02-02-2018, 02:17 AM

We went the other way, towed for years behind a 41 foot DP, now with the Gemini just rent if we need a car. It seems to us to just be a lot simpler. As far as fueling, I would only fuel at truck stops, as I needed that space to maneuver. Since you can not back up, be careful to avoid rabbit holes, where your only way out is to disconnect, get oriented in the direction you want to go, and re-connect. A real PITA when that happens, and I was always very cautious to not get into those situations.

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