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Old 10-31-2017, 08:07 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by mlhamm View Post
We're starting to look for vehicle to tow behind our Thor Tuscany with all four wheels on the ground. Interested to know what you tow and why you picked it.



Thanks, Maureen and Larry


I tow a 2009 Subura Forester with manual transmission. Easy to tow and no special set up.

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Old 10-31-2017, 08:28 PM   #22
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Aux braking systems are required by state law. We use the Blue Ox Patriot system.
For the brake lights/turn signals I purchased a hotchkis plug and play cable. Then made my own cable between the MH and Jeep.
While I hook/unhook the towbar DW gets the Jeep in neutral and installs the aux brake system. Then we review what the other has done.
Other choices on the aux brake system are permanent mounts. Our friends use one that has a vacuum pump for the power brakes and a cable.
Since we use the Jeep a little more off road then they do; our preference was not to cut into the vacuum system or run a cable through the fire wall.
Price systems on Amazon and E-trailer and you most likely get the lowest price for DIY.
Not true again. It depends on the state and it depends on the weight of the toad.

Not to say it isn't a good idea to have one; but don't confuse "should" with "shall".
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Old 10-31-2017, 10:14 PM   #23
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We flat tow Kia Soul. State law requires aux braking system with a breakaway switch. We use Blue Ox Patriot system.
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Old 10-31-2017, 10:15 PM   #24
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Like others, we are longstanding Jeep fans. We tow a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's a pretty simple process to tow. Have your tow bars and breaking system professionally installed. Also consider a tire minder or similar system to monitor your MH and tow vehicle tire pressures.
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Old 10-31-2017, 10:35 PM   #25
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If I am not taking any toys I take my 2014 CRV(family car)
If I want to take my kayaks and bikes I take my 2002 dodge Dakota.
For the off road times my 1995 jeep YJ.
The nice feature is I am able to use the same braking system for all
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Old 11-01-2017, 01:09 PM   #26
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Not true again. It depends on the state and it depends on the weight of the toad.

Not to say it isn't a good idea to have one; but don't confuse "should" with "shall".
Did not mean to infer not using brake system. I use Brake Buddy.
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Old 11-01-2017, 08:27 PM   #27
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If I am not taking any toys I take my 2014 CRV(family car)
If I want to take my kayaks and bikes I take my 2002 dodge Dakota.
For the off road times my 1995 jeep YJ.
The nice feature is I am able to use the same braking system for all
Which braking system are you using?
Which parts are you using on the CR-V? I have a 2012 CRV that I plan to set up as a toad.
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Old 11-01-2017, 09:12 PM   #28
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Kia Soul....cheap,light & great gas mileage
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Old 11-02-2017, 12:48 AM   #29
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Which braking system are you using?
Which parts are you using on the CR-V? I have a 2012 CRV that I plan to set up as a toad.
For my crv
I am using the readybrute elite (tow bar)
ReadyBruteâ„¢ Elite RV Tow Bar
Blue ox base plate
https://www.etrailer.com/Base-Plates...eid=2014308207
Hopkins wire kit.
https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wir...id=20141372978
Battery disconnect if I tow over two hours( battery goes dead over two hours)
https://www.ebay.com/i/391662697420?...D1352324844068
I use the same tow bar for the Dakota and jeep.
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Old 11-07-2017, 03:03 PM   #30
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Fiat 500 5-speed manual. Fun, light SMALL little car. No fuses to pull, no transmission set-up, no steering wheel locking system to deal with, no odometer mileage added on while towing, etc. I say SMALL because we didn't want another 20-plus feet of car behind us, nor too much weight. Can actually fit four adults. Blue Ox tow bar; RV2 braking system; Blue Ox base plate. Just setting up system so can't report on how successful my research and purchases are yet....

Still deciding between Hopkins and Curt wiring harness and which drop hitch (4" or 6") to go with. Wanted a dual receiver drop hitch (to mount Swagman bike rack above tow bar), but having trouble finding a dual receiver drop hitch in 6".

Tow bar and braking system off of Craigslist...fair amount of availability if you start looking early enough. Do the research before hand on what system(s) you like and then hope they show up for sale. Picked up mine for about one third new cost, so don't forget about that marketplace. Will self-install all (including a Curt receiver hitch for the Fiat for bicycle rack).

It's the dingy after all....not the yacht! If you don't need to go off-road or cross-country, think about small and light for your "dingy."

Rig is an 2017 A.C.E. 29.3 (front and rear CHF done).

Pete
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Old 11-07-2017, 04:31 PM   #31
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Fiat 500 5-speed manual. Fun, light SMALL little car. No fuses to pull, no transmission set-up, no steering wheel locking system to deal with, no odometer mileage added on while towing, etc. I say SMALL because we didn't want another 20-plus feet of car behind us, nor too much weight. Can actually fit four adults. Blue Ox tow bar; RV2 braking system; Blue Ox base plate. Just setting up system so can't report on how successful my research and purchases are yet....

Still deciding between Hopkins and Curt wiring harness and which drop hitch (4" or 6") to go with. Wanted a dual receiver drop hitch (to mount Swagman bike rack above tow bar), but having trouble finding a dual receiver drop hitch in 6".

Tow bar and braking system off of Craigslist...fair amount of availability if you start looking early enough. Do the research before hand on what system(s) you like and then hope they show up for sale. Picked up mine for about one third new cost, so don't forget about that marketplace. Will self-install all (including a Curt receiver hitch for the Fiat for bicycle rack).

It's the dingy after all....not the yacht! If you don't need to go off-road or cross-country, think about small and light for your "dingy."

Rig is an 2017 A.C.E. 29.3 (front and rear CHF done).

Pete
You could also go with a 500e and not ever have to buy gas for the toad...ever LOL.
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Old 11-09-2017, 11:56 AM   #32
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I just checked and the new Chevy Bolt is only dolly towable. Boo hiss on us (GM).
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:11 PM   #33
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I just checked and the new Chevy Bolt is only dolly towable. Boo hiss on us (GM).
At least its that, my old Focus Electric wasn't towable at all (even though I dolly towed it successfully several times).

I can see that for an EV: There are no disconnects between the wheels and the electric motor (no clutch, no torque converter) just a differential and some gears the motor always rotates with the wheels.

Thus if you're towing it four down that motor is turning (and likely generating electricity).
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:21 PM   #34
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...

Thus if you're towing it four down that motor is turning (and likely generating electricity).
You would think that would be a great opportunity for it to charge itself!
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:22 PM   #35
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You would think that would be a great opportunity for it to charge itself!
Yes, however towing behind a motorhome could easily overcharge the batteries as you'll likely be going a lot further than the EV's range. Thus the charging circuit has to account for this and shunt the current elsewhere once the battery is full.
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:24 PM   #36
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True but a big but. Electricity generated by an engine is much more expensive than power plant electricity.
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:33 PM   #37
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Yes, however towing behind a motorhome could easily overcharge the batteries as you'll likely be going a lot further than the EV's range. Thus the charging circuit has to account for this and shunt the current elsewhere once the battery is full.
Or open the circuit so there would be no current,
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:38 PM   #38
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Yes, however towing behind a motorhome could easily overcharge the batteries as you'll likely be going a lot further than the EV's range. Thus the charging circuit has to account for this and shunt the current elsewhere once the battery is full.
That's why the GM engineers get the big bucks... Lol...

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True but a big but. Electricity generated by an engine is much more expensive than power plant electricity.
True in general... But since the vehicle is being towed anyway...

I know I'm simplifying it... Just seems it would be a good candidate (any EV) as a toad if it could be flat towed.... And arriving fully charged would be a plus.
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Old 11-09-2017, 01:43 PM   #39
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That's why the GM engineers get the big bucks... Lol...


True in general... But since the vehicle is being towed anyway...

I know I'm simplifying it... Just seems it would be a good candidate (any EV) as a toad if it could be flat towed.... And arriving fully charged would be a plus.
Some EV vehicles have this capability: It's called regenerative braking. So to institute this capability for when the vehicle is towed would require the towed vehicle to always be "braking" while being towed, probably not something the coach driver or engine would appreciate.
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Old 11-09-2017, 01:47 PM   #40
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Correct the increased energy cost to tow the vehicle and run the motor as a generator will be much more than the cost of grid power.
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