Need recommendation on toad

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Depends on the weight of the toad.

I don't know what that weight threshold is: but I'd be willing to bet that most four-wheeled Toads will exceed it.
But for the record: do you know what the rule is about the weight?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I don't know what that weight threshold is: but I'd be willing to bet that most four-wheeled Toads will exceed it.
But for the record: do you know what the rule is about the weight?

Well, it's not an actual weight, per say, but a performance requirement. Some people use the 3000# limit quoted in the statute - but that applies to "Trailers, semitrailers, or pole trailers".

The performance requirement is:

SERVICE BRAKES; ADEQUACY.—Every such vehicle and combination of vehicles, except special mobile equipment not designed to carry persons, shall be equipped with service brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such vehicle under all conditions of loading, and on any grade incident to its operation.

And the "exception" clause is:

BRAKES ON ALL WHEELS.—Every vehicle shall be equipped with brakes acting on all wheels except:

......Any vehicle being towed in driveaway or towaway operations, provided the combination of vehicles is capable of complying with the performance requirements of s. 316.262

So what a DP can safely tow without brakes is not what a Class B can safely tow without brakes.

But toad brakes are always a good idea.

[Bob Denman]

Don't you just love it: when they pass a law that is completely unable to be understood?
But Thanks for taking the time to post it for us...

[gmc]

In addition to the statute 16ACE27 quoted - there are weight limits that vary by state... and this is one law that the state you are towing in is what matters - not the state of vehicle registration.
One source: https://www.readybrake.com/state-towing-laws.html
Couple of states as low as 1000lbs (NY and NC).


My choice - I wouldn't tow without the toad brakes regardless of weight requirements... Towing a $20-40K vehicle with an $80-100K motorhome - the cost of a brake system is peanuts... I never feel my Jeep when I am stopping - it takes care of itself very nicely. Not elongating the already long stopping distance of the RV.

[Bigfish]

Most of them are rocket science geeks that need to ride a rocket and put the breaks on. Al my stuff is legal and I just don’t think that my car hauler will hold back 48,000lbs on any % grade. All go stuff for the OP to take in consideration.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by gmc

In addition to the statute 16ACE27 quoted - there are weight limits that vary by state... and this is one law that the state you are towing in is what matters - not the state of vehicle registration.
One source: https://www.readybrake.com/state-towing-laws.html
Couple of states as low as 1000lbs (NY and NC).

I see that my State is one of the "Thousand-Pounders..."
While I know for a fact that that threshold is perfectly absurd: I do agree that it's usually best to not put yourself in a position where Law Enforcement can possibly make an example of you.
Brakes might be expensive: but they're a whole lot cheaper than the consequences of an accident that makes Page 1.

[mcr1010]

Originally Posted by Spinner

Hi...have a 2018 thor axis 25.2
We just got it. Never towed a car but want a recommendation of car I can tow that is automatic all 4 down. I read MH magazine list and wondered if anyone has towed a chevy spark?
Or any suggestions? Read the list but would like to hear people's experiences.
Thank you

Been towing a Spark for several months now. I have to remember it is back there as it is hardly noticeable. Not sure you can tow a Spark auto 4 down. Mine is a 2014 stick shift. I have tow lights that are separate from the Spark elec. system and I can go into more detail about that if interested. I have a disconnect on the battery so I can unlock the steering wheel for towing and not run the battery down. I added TPMS to the Spark's wheels also.
I installed the tow brackets on the Spark frame which was easy. Bought all of the tow pkg. from etrailer which at the time had the best prices.
Good luck on your choice.

[petefoss]

Originally Posted by mcr1010

Been towing a Spark for several months now. I have to remember it is back there as it is hardly noticeable. Not sure you can tow a Spark auto 4 down. Mine is a 2014 stick shift. I have tow lights that are separate from the Spark elec. system and I can go into more detail about that if interested. I have a disconnect on the battery so I can unlock the steering wheel for towing and not run the battery down. I added TPMS to the Spark's wheels also.
I installed the tow brackets on the Spark frame which was easy. Bought all of the tow pkg. from etrailer which at the time had the best prices.
Good luck on your choice.

What's the rules when you use a tow dolly concerning auxiliary lights on the towed vehicle? Not required from what I have read?

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by mcr1010

Been towing a Spark for several months now. I have to remember it is back there as it is hardly noticeable. Not sure you can tow a Spark auto 4 down. Mine is a 2014 stick shift. I have tow lights that are separate from the Spark elec. system and I can go into more detail about that if interested. I have a disconnect on the battery so I can unlock the steering wheel for towing and not run the battery down. I added TPMS to the Spark's wheels also.
I installed the tow brackets on the Spark frame which was easy. Bought all of the tow pkg. from etrailer which at the time had the best prices.
Good luck on your choice.

A Spark auto is a CVT so it is not flat towable; only the manual is.

But the next size up, the Sonic, is flat towable with the automatic transmission.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Fluidone

Yes it does and here is a link to a website that lays it all outs it all out as to a towed vehicle by state and providence.

https://rvibrake.com/pages/flat-towing-law

Except websites such as that one are notoriously wrong as demonstrated by the "3000 lb" requirement for Florida which is correct for a trailer, but not a toad.

Just like don't trust any of these type of websites for states' gun laws, go look at the state's statute for yourself.

[Fluidone]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Depends on the weight of the toad.

Yes it does

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by 16ACE27

Except websites such as that one are notoriously wrong as demonstrated by the "3000 lb" requirement for Florida which is correct for a trailer, but not a toad.

Just like don't trust any of these type of websites for states' gun laws, go look at the state's statute for yourself.

Yep! They're usually not completely wrong...

...But they might come up a bit short on being completely right!

[Pete'sMH]

Regardless, additional braking power ALWAYS will be a good thing and a welcome addition to my travels. I use the Stay In Play system which requires only flipping a switch to activate. Couldn’t be easier.

[rudyhehn]

We tow a Honda CR V 4 wheels down

[Bob Denman]

What model year is your CR-V, and do you have a braking system installed?

[rudyhehn]

It's a 2009 CR-V. We installed towing tail lights but no accessory braking system. We tow with a 33 foot Palazzo

[Bucket List Inn]

Just a heads up about Jeeps. All Jeep Wranglers can be flat towed (automatics and manual transmission).
Jeep Cherokee’s and Grand Cherokee’s can be flat towed if they have an active driveII installed. An active drive II allows the vehicle to be put in to a neutral drive position which means the wheels turning while being towed aren’t turning the transmission. 2015-2018 Cherokee’s have an issue with death wobble and require a wiring harness to be installed to prevent this from happening. I’m not sure if Grand Cherokee’s experience this situation or not.
No other Jeep model’s that I know of made in the last few years can be flat towed.
Have fun!

[Bob Denman]

Jeeps...
Just find yourself and old CJ, and put locking (and unlocking!) hubs on all four corners.
It even keeps the ring and pinion gears from spinning around.

[jabrabu]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

What model year is your CR-V, and do you have a braking system installed?

As another data point, I tow a 2012 CR-V with a Chateau 31E. I use a Patriot II brake system.


For us, the CR-V is the perfect toad. AWD, not too heavy, enough room for the family and 2 big dogs. Plus, it makes an economical and practical daily driver.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by jabrabu

...For us, the CR-V is the perfect toad. AWD, not too heavy, enough room for the family and 2 big dogs. Plus, it makes an economical and practical daily driver.

And they're common enough to be found almost anywhere!