Axis 24.1 toad

[changali]

I have a 2023 Axis 24.1 and am exploring my options for a toad. I have been considering a new Chevy Equinox AWD that according to the owners manual is flat towable with a curb weight of about 3500 pounds. I don't believe that the weight is an issue, but would like to hear from other Axis owners on their experiences, opinions or tips.

[taylorbob1]

Ive been towing a ‘20 Chevy Spark 5 speed manual tranny since I purchased new in June-2020.
Installed Blue Ox baseplate & integrated lights DIY, and use a simple/no-frills Blue Ox tow bar
At 2300# I choose not to use a brake package.
I have a hi-lo hitch receiver so sometimes I carry a pair of bikes on a rack as well.

I get 10.5mpg whether I’m towing or not.
In other words, Ford V-10 performs the same with or without the toad.

Since there’s only two of us, the compact Spark works great for our needs.

[Chateau_Nomad]

I have a class C with the E-350 chassis. My Jeep Wrangler toad weighs 3800# with two tubs of firewood in the back seat and a full tank of gas. We are right at the load limit with all our #stuff in the MH. Druthers, I'd have gone with a 450 chassis for breathing room. No issues with power/towing... just going by the numbers.

[MJC62]

The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) will dictate what you may safely tow. That number is the total weight of Motorhome, loaded gear, passengers and anything you tow (boats, trailers or vehicles).
Your Gross Weight Rating for your AXIS is 12,500 lbs. So, if you are loaded to the MH's max weight you can safely tow 6000 lbs. (GCWR 18,500 - GWR of 12,500) In actuality most of us are running these MH's at their max weight or slightly above. Towing 5000 lbs is a pretty safe bet. Our Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has a curb weight of 4200lbs. Our V10 has no problems towing it. Your Godzilla V8 has a little more HP and Torque than the V10 you should have no problems with a 4–5-thousand-pound toad.

[happy]

2022 Axis 24.1 and we tow a Bronco that is a little heavier than the vehicle you mentioned. With a good tow vehicle brake system you will not notice you are towing. That is except for the extra length and not being able to back up with your tow still hooked up.

[twovillagers]

I have a 2019 Axis 24.1 on the E-450 chassis and tow a 2 door Jeep Wrangler-about 3,950 lb. dry. I use an Alpha 2 tow bar and Demco Stay-in-Play brake system.

Towing the Jeep is a breeze and its' presence is only evident on steep hills or in gas stations. Weight is not an issue. Having the toad adds a lot of convenience and independence to the RV experience.

[Mr Sunshine]

Have you checked out Motorhome Magazine's guide to RV dingy towing? Its a download PDF by year. So if, for example, if you are considering a 2019 model, acess that year's guide. It will give the manufacturer's dry weight, process and towing restrictions.

(We tow a 2011 Miata, even though Mazda doesn't recommend it. Zoom!)

[Chateau_Nomad]

You likely won't have any issues "power-wise" flat towing 3,500+ pounds. What you need to be more concerned about is overloading the coach... how much weight you load up the motorhome with. Your combined weight when towing, plus the weight of the motorhome. If yours is an E-350 chassis, you'll be surprised how little weight that is. The E-450 allows for more weight breathing room.

[jmoffroad66]

Originally Posted by happy

2022 Axis 24.1 and we tow a Bronco that is a little heavier than the vehicle you mentioned. With a good tow vehicle brake system you will not notice you are towing. That is except for the extra length and not being able to back up with your tow still hooked up.

What tow system are you using. We had a wrangler and used the Readybrake tow bar. Want to keep using it for our Bronco as it doesn’t require any expensive or complicated braking systems

[happy]

We use the Ready Brute with Readybrake. When we got into this Ford had yet to figure out how to keep the electronic brake boost turned on or turned off all the time on the 2.7 engine. They have finally provided a way to keep the brake boost turned off. This was a real booger for folks trying to set up their aux. brake systems since the EBB was on for the first while then would turn off.


We have used the Readybrake set up for several trips and once you get it all tuned right it is fast and very easy to hook up and go.

[Wandering Woods]

We tow a 2020 Equinox with our 2018 Axis 25.3 on an E450 chassis. Roadmaster tow bar, Blue Ox base plate. Demco Stay-in-Play built in system (more costly but went for the convenience of just switching a switch).

Can hardly tell the car is being towed. Just remember to use tow/haul mode on the RV and it helps greatly with braking and downshifting.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Wandering Woods

We tow a 2020 Equinox with our 2018 Axis 25.3 on an E450 chassis. Roadmaster tow bar, Blue Ox base plate. Demco Stay-in-Play built in system (more costly but went for the convenience of just switching a switch).

Can hardly tell the car is being towed. Just remember to use tow/haul mode on the RV and it helps greatly with braking and downshifting.

I only use tow/haul in hilly terrain to avoid riding the brake on downhill runs... towing or not. I never use it on flat highways as the delayed upshifts makes gas mileage even worse than it already is. With the toad auxiliary brake (InvisiBrake) I sometimes forget I'm towing.

[Rvman12]

We have a 2023 Ace 29g. Tow vehicle is a 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk.

Blue ox baseplate with Avail tow bar. Stay n play braking system.