Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Motorcoach & Motorhome > Class A Motor Coach
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-05-2019, 09:21 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tibuton 24RW
State: Missouri
Posts: 26
THOR #14227
flat towing

Long time bumper pull and 5-W camping, but new to motor coach and flat towing. Question...how much can I back up when towing if necessary? NOT at all, 3 or 4 feet...? Thanks in advance.

JG

__________________
Ozark Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 09:28 PM   #2
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ozark Traveler View Post
Long time bumper pull and 5-W camping, but new to motor coach and flat towing. Question...how much can I back up when towing if necessary? NOT at all, 3 or 4 feet...? Thanks in advance.

JG
General rule of thumb is not at all unless you have money to burn replacing damaged tow equipment.

Others will tell you different, but bottom line, you can do whatever your wallet can afford.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
EA37TS is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 09:44 PM   #3
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
If in a straight line? 3 to 4 feet at the most not touching the steering wheel. Otherwise, see thew post above.
__________________
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
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-05-2019, 11:50 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
My advice is don’t try. I overshot a gas pump once and backed up about a foot but that’s about it. It takes some effort to avoid back up situations. Choose big truck stops on interstate highways for gas and be especially careful when stopping for meals to avoid tight parking lots. Easy though to unhook and re connect as needed.
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 12:46 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
I've backed up plenty of times when needed, at least 10-20 ft or more, if the wheels stay aligned. If you are trying to back up with anything other than straight, it could quickly jack-knife the vehicle. If you try to back up while the toad's wheels are already anything other than already straight, the vehicle will begin to make that turn as you are backing.

You tow equipment is not at risk, you are not backing up at 65mph, but at 1 1/2 mph, and your toad is in neutral.
__________________
the Turners...
two Campers, two Electric cars
former diesel pusher traveler
TurnerFam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 12:50 AM   #6
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
It's okay to back-up until JUST before metal and plastic start getting re-arranged.
In my case: that's about three inches!
Your mileage may vary...
__________________
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 02:03 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Islandsmith's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 34J
State: Washington
Posts: 122
THOR #14595
I tow a Chevrolet Equinox with a Demco Commander and don't seem to have any problems backing up a few feet when needed. What parts of the two set-up are people breaking? Have I just been whistling past the graveyard on this?
__________________
Islandsmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2019, 07:17 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Tibuton 24RW
State: Missouri
Posts: 26
THOR #14227
Thanks for the replies. I've always tried not to pull into a fuel stop that doesn't seem to have a way out without backing up. I try to google new fuel stops a day or so ahead of time. Thanks, JG
__________________
Ozark Traveler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2019, 07:06 PM   #9
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Florida
Posts: 41
THOR #14304
Ready to start towing 4 down for the first time, so I was interested in these comments. I have the Blue ox system (Ascent), so I asked the Blue ox folks. Their answer was never never never reverse at all. Highlighted in bold. Never. So, I'm pretty sure I'll be unhooking if I ever need to.
__________________
Alanh1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-11-2019, 07:16 PM   #10
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
With a little bit of forethought: it's not a big deal...
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2019, 08:09 PM   #11
sip
Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 96
THOR #5882
If nothing is binding up and your toad isn't twisting at a horrible angle, just back up slow. If you are in a bind, try to straighten and have someone steer the toad to help you keep them on a line that can continue to move.

But yah if they get twisted up which they almost immediately tend to do when backing up flat towing, stop right away or something is going to go boom.
__________________
sip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2019, 08:17 PM   #12
I Think We're Lost!
 
Bob Denman's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
State: New York
Posts: 22,195
THOR #8860
Having a calm set of eyeballs that are watching the hitch connection, and has a direct line of communication to you: is always the best possible situation.
__________________
"What: me worry?"
Good Sam Member 843599689
Current coach: Tiffin Wayfarer 24 BW
Bob Denman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 12:17 AM   #13
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Texas
Posts: 23
THOR #794
The never, never, never is the correct answer in my book. I use Google maps to help me find gas stations that have good entrances and exits when I can.
__________________
cepartin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 12:20 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
So could you do it with DW in the toad holding the steering wheel straight?
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 01:51 AM   #15
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
We did three things this year that make life a lot easier for me when it comes to towing. All three come together in one neat package.

1. Bought the Jeep Grand Cherokee so it can be flat towed and sold our Master Tow tow dolly.
2. Had the RoadMaster InvsiBrake installed in the Jeep as part of the tow package. I do not have to remove or setup a braking system whenever we tow. I can have the Jeep hooked up in under three minutes and disconnected in under 2.
3. Traded the Challenger in on the Accolade which is a Super C on a Freightliner chassis. Use the truck lanes for fueling and with 100 gallons I estimate fueling every other day.

Three individual actions that weren't planned to work together but come together in a nice cohesive package.

My wallet could not afford a stupid mistake like the damage done from backing a TOAD but it could afford the three changes we made this year.

Happy towing and I am in the never, never, never camp. I inadvertently, in a moment of stupidity, caused an issue with my tow dolly backing about one or two feet. When I heard the metal strain I knew I made a mistake. Luckily pulling forward and a couple of tight turns got the rotating table to re-seat on the dolly. Now you know the reason why I am in the never, never, never group.

But like I always say, you can do whatever your wallet can afford. Remember the red necks famous last words "Hold my beer, watch this".

Safe travels and happy towing.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
EA37TS is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 04:28 AM   #16
Senior Member
 
Elite Washington's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Washington
Posts: 1,112
THOR #6433
It’s really not worth the possible cost of backing up. It’s sucks to unhook sometimes but I would rather lose 30 mins then some money. The best way to avoid the backing up is just experience you will learn what you can get into and what you can’t. You will develop new curse words when someone sneaks in and takes the gas pump at the end that you were waiting for. It’s just part of it
__________________
2017 Freedom Elite 30fe 2013 Wrangler Unlimited toad.
Elite Washington is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2019, 01:34 PM   #17
Junior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: four winds 31W
State: Virginia
Posts: 21
THOR #9584
Send a message via Yahoo to caution
Don't back up

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH View Post
My advice is don’t try. I overshot a gas pump once and backed up about a foot but that’s about it. It takes some effort to avoid back up situations. Choose big truck stops on interstate highways for gas and be especially careful when stopping for meals to avoid tight parking lots. Easy though to unhook and re connect as needed.
I couldn't agree more. No backing up. I recently got hung up at Pilot station and couldn't back up to get out of situation so just pulled forward, disconnected the TOAD, got gas, then reconnected. Not worth damage you can do to you rig.
__________________
caution is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2019, 07:31 PM   #18
Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Newmar Ventana LE
State: Tennessee
Posts: 77
THOR #16834
I am in the NEVER, NEVER, NEVER camp, but for one exception in which I was very, very, very careful. I was parked with the toad on a slight incline (front was uphill) near a fast food place on an access road near the interstate. Their parking lot did not look like it was "safe". I waited for the DW to come back with lunch. For some reason, I don't recall, I needed to back up a few feet. Aware of the physics involved, I just put the MH in neutral and let the toad roll straight back, as it was in neutral and the wheels were straight. Letting weight of the toad keep the tension on the towbar was the key here. It seemed as safe as having the toad disconnected and letting it roll back in neutral. I did not and have not and will not ever attempt a powered back up of the MH with the toad attached. I do not want to take a chance of damaging the towbar or the baseplate.

Two or three of times, we have had to disconnect the toad and maneuver and reconnect. Since then, if I am not planning to stop at a "truck stop" for the next fill up, I always use Google maps to check out the access in and out of the stations.
__________________
Mr.Good is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2019, 07:48 PM   #19
Site Team
 
16ACE27's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar View Post
I am in the NEVER, NEVER, NEVER camp, but for one exception in which I was very, very, very careful. I was parked with the toad on a slight incline (front was uphill) near a fast food place on an access road near the interstate. Their parking lot did not look like it was "safe". I waited for the DW to come back with lunch. For some reason, I don't recall, I needed to back up a few feet. Aware of the physics involved, I just put the MH in neutral and let the toad roll straight back, as it was in neutral and the wheels were straight. Letting weight of the toad keep the tension on the towbar was the key here. It seemed as safe as having the toad disconnected and letting it roll back in neutral. I did not and have not and will not ever attempt a powered back up of the MH with the toad attached. I do not want to take a chance of damaging the towbar or the baseplate.

Two or three of times, we have had to disconnect the toad and maneuver and reconnect. Since then, if I am not planning to stop at a "truck stop" for the next fill up, I always use Google maps to check out the access in and out of the stations.
It didn't occur to you that with both vehicles in neutral that gravity was pulling both vehicles backward and there may or may not have been any tension on the tow bar?

If tension on the tow bar was a requirement for straight tracking what would happen when the MH downshifted or applied brakes more strongly than the toad?

Tension or compression make not difference on the toad's steering while backing; it's how far out of a straight roll that matters and causes the caster to crank the toad's wheels against the roll.
__________________
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
16ACE27 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2019, 09:52 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
Wold it work to ask DW to sit in the toad and hold the wheels straight? Could she do it? Or would the forces be so strong that she couldn’t without the power assist?
__________________
Pete'sMH is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 02:02 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2