|
|
07-17-2018, 10:21 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Axis 24.1. (E-350)
State: Ohio
Posts: 19
THOR #11485
|
Flat towing - VW Beetle or Chevy Spark
I'm looking at getting a dingy and was considering a VM Beetle or Chevy spark. kinda want something lite to pull behind my 24.2 Axis. Any pulled one of these or have any feedback on if they can be flat towed if a manual transmission. I considered the Smart Car but they don't have very good reviews for drivability.
__________________
|
|
|
07-17-2018, 10:27 PM
|
#2
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
One nice thing about the Smart: it's small enough to be easily trailered with all four wheels tucked-up off the ground. It's much easier to just buy one of them, and the appropriate trailer.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
07-17-2018, 10:53 PM
|
#3
|
Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2015 Axis 24.1. (E-350)
State: Ohio
Posts: 19
THOR #11485
|
I considered that but how does it drive. I've heard they aren't very good, especially on the highway.
__________________
|
|
|
07-17-2018, 10:58 PM
|
#4
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
That's the beauty of them: it's just a Toad! It only has to get you to and from the campsite...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
07-17-2018, 11:02 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
|
Smart car is an excellent choice (IMO) with a small single axle trailer (no brakes required). You will be pulling it down the highway with the coach and using it locally to explore on city streets/back roads. That's my choice so far as I already have a trailer. Used ones can be bought with the change you find in your sofa. Plus, with this set up it's one less axle on toll roads. You also will have room on the trailer for ladder, extra fuel jugs, dry camping generator, etc. Nice to have options.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
|
|
|
07-18-2018, 12:05 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,884
THOR #6826
|
I saw an old air cooled beetle at a dealer that already was set up to be towed. It disappeared before I could get my head around what a wonderful toad it would be. Wish I had one!
__________________
|
|
|
07-18-2018, 12:28 AM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,356
THOR #7035
|
Spark manual can be flat towed but not the CVT.
Personally I think you get more for your money with the Sonic which can be towed with auto transmission and is only 2700 lbs.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
|
|
|
07-18-2018, 10:57 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Allegro Open Road
State: Florida
Posts: 417
THOR #8069
|
Im towing a 2018 Ford Fiesta auto trans only 2500lbs you dont even know its back there.
__________________
|
|
|
07-18-2018, 11:40 PM
|
#9
|
I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
I saw an old air cooled beetle at a dealer that already was set up to be towed. It disappeared before I could get my head around what a wonderful toad it would be. Wish I had one!
|
You sure would have had the coolest Toad in the Park!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
|
|
|
07-19-2018, 04:02 AM
|
#10
|
Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 32N
State: Oregon
Posts: 56
THOR #11137
|
I towed a '74 Super bug behind our Hurricane 32n for about a few months.
Pros- Real light weight, paid $3200 incl. tow bar. Easy hook up. Towed great. Didn't affect gas mileage.
Cons- wife hated it. We are in our 70's and difficult to get in and out. Hitch mount hits speed bumps, but could be fixed.
If I were a little younger and didn't have to listen to my lovely bride, I would put some time and $ to fix it up and add some kind of toad brakes.
Wound up selling it for $2600 and used the money to install a SMI brake system for our "11 Grand Cherokee. No sense comparing apples and oranges. VW was good by me, Jeep better for us.
Don't know anything about the Chevy, so can't help there.
__________________
|
|
|
08-31-2018, 02:01 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.3 (2016)
State: Montana
Posts: 511
THOR #4032
|
I have a 2014 Chevy Spark with manual shift. It is a great toad and is kind of fun to drive too!
__________________
|
|
|
08-31-2018, 06:37 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2014 Hurricane 34E
State: Alabama
Posts: 286
THOR #6181
|
Wont hijack thread but I'm considering pulling this 70 VW. I have already loaded on my motorcycle trailer to see. Well within total weight capacity but need to check tongue weight. Thx Dennis.
__________________
|
|
|
08-31-2018, 07:41 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 27.7
State: Pennsylvania
Posts: 165
THOR #12085
|
Flat towing a Chevy Sonic (automatic). Blue Ox tow system.
Hook up takes 15 min. Unhook 5 min. Great little tow. A neat little car to drive.
__________________
|
|
|
08-31-2018, 08:12 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
|
Budman...think about a small tandem trailer...hate the thought of a blowout and that bug hitting someone's windshield!! Seems COG is high!
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
|
|
|
09-01-2018, 01:06 AM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2014 Hurricane 34E
State: Alabama
Posts: 286
THOR #6181
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
Budman...think about a small tandem trailer...hate the thought of a blowout and that bug hitting someone's windshield!! Seems COG is high!
|
Thanks but I really don't take these things lightly!!! The trailer capacity is 3000 lbs. The car barely weights 1800 lbs. The trailer weights 600 lbs. The tire capacity is 1760 each.
So, I am way below the limits and don't take this easily. I have also purchased 4 10000 lbs straps to tie the car down to trailer. I do believe I am considering all I can except absolute disaster!!! But that can happen w anything and there is no way to predict it or avoid it happening to someone somewhere. Thanks for the concern but that weight and limits is probably less or close then 2 full dress Harleys on that trailer and that's what it is designed for.
Also, I have spoken to the manufacture of the trailer if that helps. They say go for it. Thx, Dennis.
__________________
|
|
|
09-01-2018, 01:17 AM
|
#17
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: THOR Chateua 35SF
State: Florida
Posts: 5,850
THOR #11130
|
Such a classic! I had a 70 automatic...wish I had kept it.
__________________
Now an SOB
Traded Thor for Melbourne Prestige 24NP
2018 THOR Chateau 35SF
Two Labs, Bugsie & Blondie
Blondie passed in 2020 at 5 to Leukemia
|
|
|
09-01-2018, 01:32 AM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2014 Hurricane 34E
State: Alabama
Posts: 286
THOR #6181
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton
Such a classic! I had a 70 automatic...wish I had kept it.
|
That's funny because I have joined a bug forum also and the talk is everyone over 50 has a Bug or memory of a Bug in their life somehow!!! Thx Dennis.
__________________
|
|
|
09-01-2018, 01:35 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Illinois
Posts: 212
THOR #5112
|
single axle will beat you to death. all over the road. hit bad bump they go airborn.
__________________
|
|
|
09-01-2018, 11:53 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,184
THOR #908
|
and more risky with flat tires and such.... with a dual you can at least limp off the road.
I've though a lot about this. Never towed behind the RV but I have towed all sorts of trailers a lot.
few other down sides to a trailer. Makes the rig much longer....too long for most Cracker Barrel parking lots. Need significantly longer sites at the CG
and more work hitching and unhitching.
I think that a tow dolly, if the toad would allow it, might be slightly better than a trailer...in some ways.
BUt I think I would lean more towards flat towing something.
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|