Toads , buying this week . Need some input

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by MTN RV

We are also looking into dingy options. I've narrowed it down two.
First choice would be a Suzuki Samari hardtop. Second choice leaning toward Fiat 500.
I'm finding that decent Suzuki Samari's are like unicorns to find lol.

Good point Mtn, about the Samurai. I saw one at a campsite last month and it was having a hard time running. Getting one smogged in CA would be a real challenge. Now if you were living in a state where you didn't have to deal with it, there is a company out there that has swapping kits for new 4 and V-6 engines. That would be kind of cool.

[eldiee]

We have been towing our Chevy Sonic hatchback LTZ automatic for three years. Light weight and don't even know it is back there. I think it weighs about 2750 pounds.

[Rotorhead206]

I have ordered an American Car Dolly and need to purchase a car, was thinking about a VW Jetta or Nissan Rouge. Not sure on what to get, or what is easiest to tow. Any experience or suggestions would be appreciated. Would be just two adults and two dogs most the time.

[Soldier Girl]

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I actually picked up my '14 Focus down in Okeechobee, FL at a shop which excels in purchasing 'insurance totalled' vehicles, with body damage only, fixing them up, and selling them after certification of 'rebuild'.

It had only 19k miles, was in excellent condition, and after adding the tow plate and wiring and battery cutoff, it's been towed over 10k miles and driven another 12k...

$6,000
and they have plenty to choose from(Focus, Fiesta models)
https://www.amercars.com/cars

Thx, that may help me out, too

[Ron1Z]

We tow a Ford Focus on a dolly we also take our Honda Accord somtimes instead, the benifit of dolly towing.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

........... And the convenience of towing 4 down is worth spending more than you would on a dolly.

Last weekend my father fell and broke his hip. He lives over 200 miles away so I jumped in the Sonic and drove there Sunday morning. My wife came in the afternoon in her CRV with the grandkids. We pawned the grandkids off on the other grandmother (it's their spring break week).

When my wife was packing up her CRV I told her to throw the tow bar, safety cables etc in the back think ahead to when we would return home I would just use her CRV to tow the Sonic instead od driving both cars.

Worked like a charm; yeah, I knew it was back there (unlike when it's behind the MH) but on the trip home we still got 25 mpg in the CRV towing the Sonic.

[riskmgr]

Originally Posted by gary d

Just got back from 4 months on the road, Thor Windsport 35 m.This rig was awesome . But we didn’t have a car. Bikes . Lost 20lbs, lol, now we are buying a toad. Looking at Ford C-Max Ford Focus or chev sonic . Any ideas Thanks.

2014 and older Honda C-RV.

[riskmgr]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Our Sonic is perfect for us: 2700 lbs, plenty of room for people when driving and lotsa other stuff when being towed. Also, the gas mileage is pretty good as well.

No fancy setup; Roadmaster $350 baseplate, Reese adjustable $85 tow bar, Roadmaster $56 wiring kit (adds extra bulbs in the tail light assembly) and safety cables.

We didn't buy it as a toad (was bought a year before the coach) but has worked out great.

No additional brakes?

[PAtrailtrimmer]

Chevy Sonic 4 down. Silly little car that is fun to drive. Light weight, cheap, and tows great. Blue Ox with brake controller.

[Pete'sMH]

Ford Focus sedan with manual transmission. Dirt cheap, fun to drive super easy to tow. Put it in neutral and you’re ready to go.

[pstandiford]

Originally Posted by Pete'sMH

Ford Focus sedan with manual transmission. Dirt cheap, fun to drive super easy to tow. Put it in neutral and you’re ready to go.

Don't forget to release the parking brake. (Don't ask me how I know.)

Also, here is a link to Motorhome Magazine Dinghy Towing Guide all the way back to 1990. They are in downloadable PDF format. But, always check the owners manual for your specific model for details.

Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome Magazine

[MJC62]

The wife needed a new vehicle last fall, her 06 was getting long in the tooth. Thinking ahead we purchased a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk to serve as her car and a toad. my DW has been driving a Jeep in one form or another for 20+ years so the Trailhawk was an easy choice for us. Me, I wouldn't mind having the old style Ford Ranger 2010 or older with a stick as a toad.