Toad mph/handling

[Chance]

P.S. — I think relative weight of toad versus vehicle doing the towing is also important. When towing my compact pickup behind my van, which weighed about 50% as much as the van, I certainly could feel it when accelerating. How could one not feel an extra 50% weight?

As far as stability, it was no issue whatsoever even at Interstate speeds.

[LandKO]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

Yeah - backing up with a toad on a tow bar can be a bit of a problem. I’ve backed straight about 6’ to get aligned with a dump station once, but that’s it..
I think if you tried to back up and have your wheels on the MH turned, you will definitely have troubles...

I too have had to back up a short distance. But, backing up going straight. I wouldn’t even think of trying to back up with MH wheels turned.

[powerboatr]

we do both
we tow four down an 2012 edge or a 2016 expedition on a hauler trailer, the edge can ride there t0o if we need the trailer where we are going.


mpg four down...7.5
mpg vehicle on the trailer 7.5
at 65 mph


handling...well i found the trailer actually in a weird way reduces push from large trucks, while it does add a bit more nose movement up and down form the added 800 to 1k lbs on the ball.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by DenverTransplant

On days when I need gas I spend some quality time with Google maps looking at satellite and street views to locate some candidates. Often when we stay in a RV park in a small town we will disconnect and then drive the coach into town to a station that can take the coach only.

We try and stay away from a Pilot, Loves, etc on the the road.Too crazy and a far too large of a supply of people who don’t understand that it’s not OK to go have lunch while you fill up, so they block an entire pump row for half an hour or more instead of finding a parking spot. If a Google maps view shows they have an RV lane, then maybe.

We like these comments, in particular....as we use Google Maps Satellite view many tines during a trip...regarding RV Parks....and now, we will use same regarding scouting out gas stops !!

Thanks !!

[powerboatr]

i to use google maps to scout out fuel stops along the way.
this way i can see drive ways or entrances .

[rudyhehn]

We have a 33.3 Palazzo pulling a Honda CR-V toad. I echo what was said above.
I lose about 1/2 mpg on fuel.
I have not noticed sway or handling issues.
Two months ago we had a panic stop due to a wreck ahead. It takes longer to stop the RV/Toad combination and we were thankful we keep a generous space ahead of our coach.
Agree that fuel and food stops can be an issue. Google maps does help and we sometimes have to cruise a bit to find a station where we fit.
We do a quick Toad check whenever we stop for food, rest, etc.

[Bruce327]

Originally Posted by Yaktop

Not sure about others but the Sprinter 3500 tows as though nothing is there. Mpg about 1 mph change best I can tell.

I just bought a Quantum CR24(Sprinter 3500) and will tow my CRV. We live in the western U.S. and climbing mountains is routine. I realize it will be slow, but how does the V-6 perform? Is it a struggle? Also, any overheating problems while climbing in summer?

Thanks

[Big-Foot]

I don’t understand some of the maneuverability concerns.
I’ve found that my toad follows precisely behind the MH with absolutely no tail swing or corner cutting.
If I can drive my MH through the maze of fuel pumps and other vehicles without backing up - I can drag the toad (Jeep Wrangler Unlimited) right through the same maze without issue.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Big-Foot

I don’t understand some of the maneuverability concerns.
I’ve found that my toad follows precisely behind the MH with absolutely no tail swing or corner cutting.
If I can drive my MH through the maze of fuel pumps and other vehicles without backing up - I can drag the toad (Jeep Wrangler Unlimited) right through the same maze without issue.

I think that is another advantage of 4 down towing... with the short length between the hitch and front wheels of toad, and moving forward only, there is no way the wheels of the toad can go someplace the rear bumper of the RV didn’t already go...
The ‘tail wag’ of the RV itself needs to be watched - whether towing or not - in close quarters.... as the rear corner/bumper of the RV can definitely go places the rear wheels didn’t...

A wider tow dolly (though I expect most are still narrower than RV) or longer trailer (hitch to wheels distance) can change things...

[JamieGeek]

Originally Posted by gmc

I think that is another advantage of 4 down towing... with the short length between the hitch and front wheels of toad, and moving forward only, there is no way the wheels of the toad can go someplace the rear bumper of the RV didn’t already go...
The ‘tail wag’ of the RV itself needs to be watched - whether towing or not - in close quarters.... as the rear corner/bumper of the RV can definitely go places the rear wheels didn’t...

A wider tow dolly (though I expect most are still narrower than RV) or longer trailer (hitch to wheels distance) can change things...

Our tow dolly tracks great. All four cars we've towed with the dolly tracked right behind the motorhome without issue. The dolly is slightly narrower than the Axis--I can barely see the dolly wheels in the rear view mirrors.

After driving some distance I'll note the jerk in a car that looks just like ours that has been following us for some 200+ miles now!

[rudyhehn]

It's not the tracking that is an issue. The problem is that if you discover you misjudged a turn, you can back up and correct, or pull back completely, if you only have the RV. If you are towing, you cannot back up without uncoupling.

[vkb]

Camping this weekend....the subject came up about towing a car/etc....someone said...if you had to backup...would it work if the other person/spouse in the motorhome, steered the toad ?
Not that we plan to get in a jam with our Jeep in tow...but just thought I would ask !

[MJC62]

IDK me personally I wouldn't back up the Cherokee on the tow bar, unless I was prepared to have the wife drive the Jeep home. Bend an arm an U are done. New inner arm for my Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain is 128.00 my cost at E Trailer and I don't keep a spare in the MH. I would sure hate to be 800 - 1000 miles from home and bend the bar. Takes me about 3-4 minutes to unhook the Jeep another 5 or less to hook up. If we get stuck that's the route I will take.
If you insist on backing up I think one would be better served to put the toad back in gear and back both vehicles simultaneously if it came to that.
Just my .02 The tow bar mfgrs tell you not to back up, I will take their word for it.
Mark

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by vkb

Camping this weekend....the subject came up about towing a car/etc....someone said...if you had to backup...would it work if the other person/spouse in the motorhome, steered the toad ?
Not that we plan to get in a jam with our Jeep in tow...but just thought I would ask !

"someone said..." Sounds like a "...hey, hold my beer; watch this..." moment. Who is going to tell who which way or where to go?

IMHO, I don't have a few hundred bucks lying around to correct damage caused by __________ __________ (fill in the blank(s)).

Have a safe trip.

[Bruce327]

Originally Posted by Yaktop

Sprinter 24 foot flat towing a Honda CRV. Don’t even know it’s there unless I need to back up then. Woah.

I just bought a Sprinter ( Quantum) and will tow a CRV. We live in the western US and will be climbing mountain grades. Have you had any overheating problems on a hot day?

[PAtrailtrimmer]

Driving and handling with the toad is noticeable. Acceleration takes more time, but braking is not affected. Toad braking system seems to help during stops.

Fuel economy is slightly affected, about a 1/4 to 1/2 mpg. Getting 9.7 mpg with the toad doing highway driving.

[PAtrailtrimmer]

Originally Posted by vkb

Camping this weekend....the subject came up about towing a car/etc....someone said...if you had to backup...would it work if the other person/spouse in the motorhome, steered the toad ?
Not that we plan to get in a jam with our Jeep in tow...but just thought I would ask !

First time out I hit a tight spot on a camp road and did not have enough room to make the turn without backing and correcting. I unhitched the toad first

When the technician installed the tow bar he was very clear with his instruction not to back up. He repeated a few times. He had a couple of instances where a customer did back up and had to buy a new tow bar.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by vkb

Last month, we bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport to tow behind the Axis. We are getting setup with Blue Ox package and Patriot braking (it was a trade in so we got it for a great price) … we have pulled enclosed trailers for many years … towing a vehicle is new to us. We have read and printed all the necessary information regarding towing the Jeep...however,
ANY and ALL feedback will be appreciated.
Attachment 18595

UPDATE...today we had the tow package installed on our Jeep TJ ..
which weighs in at 3200 lbs...a mere lightweight compared to other Jeeps.
Our drive home was a little over an hour running 55 & 60. Ron has pulled the enclosed trailer for many years...and sez the Jeep being back there feels no different going down the road.





Ron and Kay

[Big-Foot]

That’s awesome Kay!

[vkb]

PATRAILTRIMMER...
the technician who did our install …. said the same thing ! He told us a couple horror stories....and then said, if you don't want to be part of my closing comments regarding...DON'T BACK UP.....then,..DON'T BACK UP !! message received !