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07-17-2019, 10:48 PM
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#1
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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The Missus mentioned...
... That perhaps we should find a used SmartForTwo, and turn it into our Pet Toad...
So I'm curious... 
Do you just throw them on a trailer, or tow them "four-down"?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-17-2019, 10:56 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,305
THOR #7035
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__________________
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
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07-18-2019, 01:11 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,916
THOR #1589
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A friend had one that he towed 4 down. Was OK towing, but he said it was a poor excuse for a car otherwise. After a couple of years he sold the coach and quickly traded for more of a real car. (Friends called it his clown car.)
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
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07-18-2019, 01:35 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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there are plenty of front-wheel drive automatic cars that are economical, 4-door, light, and easy to tow, such as the Ford Fiesta or Focus, which are plentiful in the marketplace...
both of ours have served us well, over 50,000 miles of towing for both : )
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
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07-18-2019, 12:07 PM
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#5
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Perhaps I need to better explain my parameters... 
We're in a Sprinter, with about 188 horses, and 325 lb/ft of torque...
minimizing the weight and bulk of the Toad is of paramount importance to us for a couple of reasons:
1. the aforementioned limitations imposed by the RV
2. our intended usage of the car.
Toad only: no long distance trips
3. There's just the two of us. How much car do we need?
Not all that much.
4. My vision is getting pretty piss-poor. The closer I am to the corners of the
car: the less chance I have to stuff them into something expensive. 
5. Lots of them are available for not much money.
Based upon these factors: we're investigating the Smart....
So how do drag one behind you?
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-18-2019, 12:16 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,759
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
... That perhaps we should find a used SmartForTwo, and turn it into our Pet Toad...
So I'm curious...
Do you just throw them on a trailer, or tow them "four-down"? |
As an FMCA member you have access to the article archives on FMCA's web site. If I remember correctly they did a relatively detailed article on setup and flat towing a Smart a few years ago.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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07-18-2019, 12:33 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Nexus Viper 27V
State: Georgia
Posts: 1,666
THOR #2142
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Bob,
The Kia Soul, 6 speed manual transmission is a very light (from memory some 3500lbs or so) Toad.
DocMike
__________________
Sheree & Michael NCNG LTC(ret) with Munpi, RC and Sheba (cat).
2019 Nexus Viper 27V, E-450, 5 speed "Ms. Enterprise", Infotainment Center, HUD, , Safe-T-Plus, Curt SpareTire Mount, ext. WiFi Antenna, Roadmaster Tow Sys& Invisibrake.
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07-18-2019, 12:42 PM
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#8
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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The Missus can't drive a stick... 
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-18-2019, 12:55 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Nexus Viper 27V
State: Georgia
Posts: 1,666
THOR #2142
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Bob,
Bummer, kind of limits the number of 4 down towables...keep us informed as the search goes on.
DocMike
__________________
Sheree & Michael NCNG LTC(ret) with Munpi, RC and Sheba (cat).
2019 Nexus Viper 27V, E-450, 5 speed "Ms. Enterprise", Infotainment Center, HUD, , Safe-T-Plus, Curt SpareTire Mount, ext. WiFi Antenna, Roadmaster Tow Sys& Invisibrake.
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07-18-2019, 12:58 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: S.O.B.
State: Florida
Posts: 684
THOR #14543
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I had to laugh last week when I saw a huge Class A pulling a very small aluminum flatbed trailer with a Smart Car on it. I had to wonder why they didn't just park it in one of the storage bays. 
__________________
Ed
Some Other Brand w/2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
Living The Dream in "God's Waiting Room"
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07-18-2019, 01:11 PM
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#11
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-18-2019, 01:28 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1 Windjammer
State: Illinois
Posts: 1,179
THOR #7074
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Safest, Easiest & Most cost effective for you if you run the numbers is . Car rental @ destination.
__________________
Rev. Jeffrey 2017 Thor Axis 24.1 E450 Windjammer.
Silver Safe-T-Plus Steering Control
SSF-106-40 SumoSprings Solo Front Bump Stop SSR-107-47 SumoSprings Rear Bump Stop
Hellwig 7718 Front Sway Bar & 7180 Rear Sway Bar
Koni FSD Front Shocks 8805-1042 / Koni FSD Rear Shocks 8805-1043
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07-18-2019, 01:52 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
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We’ve had a 2017 Thor ACE 30.1 for 3 years and its been pretty good. I’ve had to fix a few things and have been fortunate so far. I’ve probably put another $5,000 plus into upgrades (the DW has no idea of the + part). Suspension upgrades were an absolute necessity to make the coach drivable - Safe-T-Plus steering stabilizer, Koni shocks and SuperSteer rear track bar.
We’ve been happy with it, but it is a entry quality coach and I’m starting to think about what can start going wrong with it. I worry about stuff like slides, levelers, refrigerator, etc. going south without warning.
I’ve also had health issues this year and its been sitting in storage and isn’t likely to go anywhere this summer. This isn’t going to do the coach any good. I’m seriously considering selling the coach and avoiding the costs of keeping in storage, payments, etc. while we can’t use it.
We expect things to be back to normal next year though and I’m starting to Jones for a used Tiffin Breeze. About the same size as the ACE but a big step up in quality and service quality. Used ones are about double what the ACE is worth, but YOLO. Haven’t told DW about my thinking yet. It’s going to take some persuading.
__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
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07-18-2019, 03:20 PM
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#14
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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I'm sorry to hear that you've been taken out of commission this Season...
Get yourself healed-up: that's all that really matters. 
Then: the shopping can start!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-18-2019, 03:30 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
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Bob,
Thanks for the thoughts. We had to kill a Canadian Rockies trip (Supposed to be on our way this week), but it’s in the Calendar for next year. Reservations in January- Parks Canada has an interesting reservation system. They open reservations for a Park for the entire season on one day, but the stagger the opening days for each park. So I was up early on consecutive days for Jasper, Lake Louise and Waterton.
__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
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07-18-2019, 03:52 PM
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#16
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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Just so you know...
Alpinhaus; in Amsterdam, NY has a 2015 Breeze for sale. It's got about 17,000 miles on the odometer, and looks to be pretty clean... 
(I'm good at starting trouble: aren't I?  )
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-18-2019, 04:07 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 30.1
State: Colorado
Posts: 388
THOR #5190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman
Just so you know...
Alpinhaus; in Amsterdam, NY has a 2015 Breeze for sale. It's got about 17,000 miles on the odometer, and looks to be pretty clean...
(I'm good at starting trouble: aren't I? ) |
Yes you are. I saw it on RV Trader. I’m window shopping now as we won’t move on anything until next spring when I’m 100% ready to go.
I’m a bit on the fence on pre-2016 Breezes. 2015 and earlier used an International engine with EGR instead of DEF. Truck and school bus applications have been plagued by engine failures due to EGR cooler failures. It looks like the Tiffin owners have faired much better, but there is the occasional problem that shows up on the Tiffin forums I’ve been lurking on. In 2016 Tiffin switched to a 275 HP Cummins. It looks like for 2020 they maybe switching to a 340 HP Cummins, but that appears to be at the “Bob Tiffin told me” rumor stage.
__________________
Rick
2017 Thor ACE 30.1
2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain
RVi Brake 3
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07-18-2019, 04:11 PM
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#18
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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I've seen that in the talk about the "Breeze 340" model...
"Time will tell the tale..."
In the meantime: get yourself better!
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-19-2019, 12:25 PM
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#19
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I Think We're Lost!
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
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The Missus and I kicked this around quite a bit yesterday afternoon.
(A quiet day in our office! )
These little cars really do check off the boxes, in our list of important attributes; so we're moving forward on this front...
We're going to sell our golf cart and "too-small" trailer (She figures that we've owned 100 trailers over the years...), and look for the right car and trailer combination.
This setup has really caught our eye:
The trailer is just large enough to safely do the job, and the overall package can easily be towed by our rig.
We thought about going "four-down"; but were "intimidated" by the new an unfamiliar (to us!) hardware that it required...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
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07-19-2019, 01:00 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 27.7
State: Pennsylvania
Posts: 165
THOR #12085
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The Smart car brings to mind the Matchbox cars of my youth. 
Nice looking system.
__________________
Thor Axis 27.7 towing a hot little Chevy Sonic
SE PA
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