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Old 09-08-2019, 03:17 AM   #41
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Originally Posted by TimmyB View Post
This past spring, we came to a conclusion that living for 8 months in FL and 4 in Michigan was not allowing us to travel and see the country the way we really envisioned in retirement. So, we decided to get a MH and spend four months or so in each (MH, MI, FL). Our plan was to NOT use a toad for most of our trips, so we purchased a MH that was small enough to get around most anywhere, yet still big enough to tow something if we decided to later on.

For the past 13 years, our second car has been a MB convertible, originally an SL and for the past two years, an SLK. Absolutely a blast to drive, but pretty useless as a tow vehicle! This vehicle also requires trailering down to Florida during the winter season, which is a bit of a pain in itself. This past weekend, we realized that maybe (because of our new lifestyle) it's time to sell the convertible and pick up a more realistic 2nd car. A vehicle which could be flat-towed easily behind both our MH and our Ford Explorer. A vehicle which could have our inflatable kayaks or bikes thrown into the back of it without worrying about dirt or mud or theft. A vehicle which could offer a fun experience, although nothing is going to compare to our MB!

Having said all of that, we believe there is really only one choice, and yes, it's the obvious one: a Jeep! This vehicle can do everything that I mentioned above and I am really having difficulty finding anything else that does so.

So, before I get TOO far down this road, I wanted to check with my forum-friends and hear from you. Am I correct in this choice, or is there another vehicle out there that will meet these needs? If it matters, we are talking about a very used vehicle, one which will only be driven about 5,000 miles a year as a 2nd car and toad, so we are NOT looking at new or late-models.

Looking forward to hearing your opinions!
Jeep Wrangler is the way to go!
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Old 09-08-2019, 12:56 PM   #42
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Clearly everyone suggesting Jeeps has not read your requirements for a toad!

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Old 09-08-2019, 01:02 PM   #43
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Clearly everyone suggesting Jeeps has not read your requirements for a toad!

Well.. even the OP thought a Jeep was the answer... Until realizing flat towing it (or any car weighing more than 2000lbs) could be an issue behind the Explorer... That changed the equation... but many may have missed the 'shift' in thinking...
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Old 09-08-2019, 02:08 PM   #44
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If he has a 2000 pound limit: I know of at least one car that meets that requirement!

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1567951686
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Old 09-08-2019, 04:09 PM   #45
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Clearly everyone suggesting Jeeps has not read your requirements for a toad!

Yeah, I should probably put an "edit" in my op.

Well, that is until I realized there must a time limit on editing because there is no edit button on my op. <<sigh>>
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Old 09-08-2019, 04:36 PM   #46
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That's awesome, Paul! Vegas, toad, and bikes...sounds like we're related!

Until we get our toad, these four have to ride out here!

Next time, the bikes are going to France on the roof, it's a pita to load and unload as I've to remove the front wheels and loosen the bars to get them all in... This photo was waiting for the ferry, the previous one was on the ferry.
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Old 09-08-2019, 04:40 PM   #47
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Yeah, I should probably put an "edit" in my op.

Well, that is until I realized there must a time limit on editing because there is no edit button on my op. <<sigh>>
I think that they put about a two-hour limit in there...
As slow a thinker as I am: that's about like a knife through the heart!
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Old 09-09-2019, 12:20 AM   #48
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Can any of you Wrangler tow-ers tell me why Jeep says to tow with the ignition “unlocked”? My 2004 Unlimited does not seem to have a steering wheel lock and I can’t see any other reason for it. Leaving the key in the ignition just seems like a recipe for losing the Jeep. At some point I’ll either forget to take the key out at a rest stop or forget to put it back in before I get underway again. I’d rather not.... thanks!
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Old 09-09-2019, 12:55 AM   #49
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Can any of you Wrangler tow-ers tell me why Jeep says to tow with the ignition “unlocked”? My 2004 Unlimited does not seem to have a steering wheel lock and I can’t see any other reason for it. Leaving the key in the ignition just seems like a recipe for losing the Jeep. At some point I’ll either forget to take the key out at a rest stop or forget to put it back in before I get underway again. I’d rather not.... thanks!
With no steering wheel lock, transmission in park, and transfer case in neutral - can’t see any reason to leave key in.
Will have to check manual on my 2010 to see what it’s says, but I’ve never left key in.
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Old 09-09-2019, 01:25 AM   #50
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With no steering wheel lock, transmission in park, and transfer case in neutral - can’t see any reason to leave key in.
Will have to check manual on my 2010 to see what it’s says, but I’ve never left key in.


That’s sure my take in it. Maybe it’s supposed to have a lock and mine is broken or something. It’s 15 years old after all.....
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Old 09-10-2019, 05:04 AM   #51
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Can any of you Wrangler tow-ers tell me why Jeep says to tow with the ignition “unlocked”? My 2004 Unlimited does not seem to have a steering wheel lock and I can’t see any other reason for it. Leaving the key in the ignition just seems like a recipe for losing the Jeep. At some point I’ll either forget to take the key out at a rest stop or forget to put it back in before I get underway again. I’d rather not.... thanks!
I towed a 2008 JK Unlimited for 8 years. It needed a key to unlock the steering wheel lock. I used a dummy key ( no chip) when towing and locked the doors. The dummy key wouldn’t start the Jeep. I now tow a 2016 JK Unlimited Hard Rock. It doesn’t need a key as it has no steering wheel lock. I thought that the 2004s had a steering lock, but maybe yours was removed. If the steering doesn’t lock and the wheels are free to follow the turns, I can’t see why you would need a key in the ignition.
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Old 09-10-2019, 11:49 AM   #52
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My 2013 Focus needs the key in it. I don’t think anyone would steal it.
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Old 09-10-2019, 11:54 AM   #53
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I towed a 2008 JK Unlimited for 8 years. It needed a key to unlock the steering wheel lock. I used a dummy key ( no chip) when towing and locked the doors. The dummy key wouldn’t start the Jeep.
Dummy keys can be REALLY useful!
We always had one with us while on our Spyder. We stored a "real" key in a rear storage compartment... just in case!
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Old 09-10-2019, 07:14 PM   #54
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My 2013 Focus needs the key in it. I don’t think anyone would steal it.
My thoughts exactly with our Citroen 'toad'.😂I leave the spare key in it to unlock the steering and then lock it with the other key, it's kinda' refreshing to have a car that you don't care too much about, if it gets a parking ding or scratch so what... 😁👍
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Old 09-10-2019, 09:53 PM   #55
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Did anyone ever leave you a note of sympathy and a donation taped to it's windshield?
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Old 09-10-2019, 09:57 PM   #56
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Did anyone ever leave you a note of sympathy and a donation taped to it's windshield?


No one has yet. I don’t understand why it’s taking so long.
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Old 09-10-2019, 09:59 PM   #57
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How about a picture of this beauty?

You have piqued my interest!
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Old 09-10-2019, 10:02 PM   #58
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Old 09-10-2019, 10:48 PM   #59
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