Best toad for flat towing

[JFR-THOR]

What toad is the best one to buy ?

 

[ericmac450]

What toad is the best one to buy ?

What are your needs?

We are a family of 6, so we flat tow our 2018 Ford Flex. It's super easy to setup and it tows like a dream. If we had less people we might tow a Jeep though, I'd love to have a little more off road ability!

 

[EA37TS]

What toad is the best one to buy ?

It’s what’s best for you. No one here can answer that question, they can only provide their opinion o. What works for them.

 

[16ACE27]

What toad is the best one to buy ?

The one that fits your needs and budget. It can range from a Smart car to a 4x4 1 ton pickup and most things in between.

We had a 4 door sedan Chevy Sonic automatic that worked great for a TOAD on most trips.
We have a Chevy Colorado 4x4 that we use as a TOAD for trips where off-roading is on the agenda.
We have a Chevy Trax (2024) that will replace the Sonic if Roadmaster ever puts together a base plate for it - Blue Ox already has one.


So define your needs and budget and you'll get better answers for YOU.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

The FIRST questions to ask yourself...
What is the SAFE motorhome tow capacity?
How many people/pets/cargo etc. in the toad?
New or used?

Narrow down to vehicles which fit those criteria. Now you have a viable list. The rest comes down to making a choice like you would with any car/truck.

For instance, I could tell you I pull a 2001 Jeep Wrangler. I owned it already was the bonus and it only has a little over 60k miles. BUT... it's NOT for everyone. Rough ancient truck ride, poor gas mileage, noisy, limited people space.

Do your homework from the above questions. Then come back and we'll all give OPINIONS...

 

[GI_Tom]

A quick search shows a 2017 Palazzo 33.2 has a GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of 30,000. So, recommend you weigh your motorhome with everything and everyone in it to come up with a GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) Then take the GCWR and subtract the GVW and that will tell you the max vehicle curb weight lbs. you can tow. Think of curb weight as how much your personal vehicle weighs right now parked out at the curb (less any cargo you have in it). Then, recommend you research curb weights of vehicles that can be flat towed.

From there, you can narrow down to the types of vehicles that first meet that requirement, and then which makes and models may suit you best.

Someone please correct me if my logic is wrong.

Hope that helps, unless I'm wrong, then some posting guru here will chime in rather quickly.

 

[david_reaves]

My Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk flat tows pretty well. I've only pulled it for about 3500 miles so far, but it has done really well so far. I have the 2024 Thor Freedom Traveler A32. It has a tow weight of 5500, hitch rated 8000, and my Jeep weighs about 4400 lbs. I use a Blue-Ox Ascent 2" tow bar and Blue-Ox base plates, with a Stay-in-play brake system.

 

[MLP-THOR]

2013 Palazzo 33.2 and tow a 2013 Honda CRV. You got to do your homework to know what you can tow and what your needs are. Also remember that your tow vehicle can be a catch all for stuff, but you got to add all the weight up to be safe. We don't put anything in it except a case of water. I do notice that in altitude and long steep grades the weight of the car does slow it down.

 

[Lt Keefer]

I've had quite a number of toads in my motor home owning days. First one was an Isuzu Trooper now a Kia Soul. Some were automatic transmissions, Chevy Cobalt, Honda CRV and some were manual transmissions, Ford Ranger, PT Cruiser. They all had different characteristics but all were great toads. Like other have said, weigh your coach and do the math to find how much weight you can tow. Then compile a list of your needs that a toad will fill. Go at it from there.

 

[Bob Nodine]

What toad is the best one to buy ?

Everyone here is giving you good advice but I have a quick reply that others may disagree with. We have towed 5 different vehicles behind 3 different motorhomes. All were automatic transmissions but 3 were 4 wheel drive with a 2 speed transfer case. Hands down my favorite vehicle to tow 4 down is a 4 wheel drive with a 2 speed transfer case. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow that vehicle for weeks without even opening the doors. It is like towing a trailer. Most others with automatic transmissions you must start the engine at the beginning of each day and lubricate the transmission.

 

[taylorbob1]

I agree with Bob Nodine…
I believe in towing a manual tranny vehicle.
Also, I prefer a lightweight vehicle as well.
Easier to attach or disengage from hitch (ie. Place in neutral, roll around as needed)

My toad is a Chevy Spark 5 speed.
Great for the two of us.

 

[Don_Atchley]

It's what you don't know that will hurt the most

https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31743299/best-cars-to-tow-behind-rv/
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-best-vehicles-to-flat-tow-behind-rv.aspx
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/what-cars-can-be-flat-towed-behind-an-rv.html

When we were wanting to get a tow vehicle I was surprised to learn that all vehicles cannot be towed flat. And even more surprised to learn that just getting a manual transmission and slapping it into neutral wasn't the easy solution.

 

[16ACE27]

https://www.caranddriver.com/research/a31743299/best-cars-to-tow-behind-rv/
https://www.etrailer.com/faq-best-vehicles-to-flat-tow-behind-rv.aspx
https://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/what-cars-can-be-flat-towed-behind-an-rv.html

When we were wanting to get a tow vehicle I was surprised to learn that all vehicles cannot be towed flat. And even more surprised to learn that just getting a manual transmission and slapping it into neutral wasn't the easy solution.

Well, you don't know what you don't know until you need to know it.

None of the linked articles are the gospel truth but they are a good place to start your knowledge quest - just don't base your decision on anything in those articles by themself - verify it from another source as the Edmunds article says:

When in doubt, check the manual!
Once you think you've found a vehicle that will suit you, the best next step is to refer to the owner's manual. Often you can find the manual online.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

Everyone here is giving you good advice but I have a quick reply that others may disagree with. We have towed 5 different vehicles behind 3 different motorhomes. All were automatic transmissions but 3 were 4 wheel drive with a 2 speed transfer case. Hands down my favorite vehicle to tow 4 down is a 4 wheel drive with a 2 speed transfer case. You can put the transfer case in neutral and tow that vehicle for weeks without even opening the doors. It is like towing a trailer. Most others with automatic transmissions you must start the engine at the beginning of each day and lubricate the transmission.

Instructions for my Jeep TJ say transfer case in neutral and tranny in 2nd gear, which keeps the tranny gears turning and lubed. It's one of the simplest vehicles to prep and tow. The fun thing is I can remove the key from the ignition switch while towing... due to worn pins in the switch (as far as I can tell). Not supposed to be able to, but it's a nice extra anti-theft measure.

 

[16ACE27]

Instructions for my Jeep TJ say transfer case in neutral and tranny in 2nd gear, which keeps the tranny gears turning and lubed. It's one of the simplest vehicles to prep and tow. The fun thing is I can remove the key from the ignition switch while towing... due to worn pins in the switch (as far as I can tell). Not supposed to be able to, but it's a nice extra anti-theft measure.

With the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in second gear the transmission is locked (by the non-running engine) and not turning. Automatics are placed in Park to accomplish the same thing.

 

[dkoldman]

To answer the OP's question with no constraint criteria, the best to tow is the newest available 4X4 Lincoln Navigator with the Tow Package. Everything is automatic, it has a special tow mode so you can't get it wrong, no keys (Fobs) involved other than putting in tow mode. But you will need a charge line for your brake system and if you do what I did add a dedicated 12vdc outlet for portable brake system. What make its great you can off road, wine and dine and no one will ever know it is a towed unless it is actually hooked or the Lincoln OEM bumper covers are off. But that is the best IMO (assuming it fits all of your tow weights specifications).

With that said, I will modify OPs question to ask what is the most popular Tow Vehicle

Any 4×4 like the Jeep Wrangler is one of the most popular vehicles for flat towing.

 

[Quit RVing]

I flat-tow a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman S with AWD. It has the 6-speed manual transmission. The factory (actually the Mini/BMW legal department) says you can’t do that.

The factory is wrong. I’ve towed it thousands of miles with no issues.

 

[Chateau_Nomad]

With the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in second gear the transmission is locked (by the non-running engine) and not turning. Automatics are placed in Park to accomplish the same thing.

Not familiar with automatic, but in manual (5 spd) the Jeep TJ manual specifically says to put the transmission in 2nd gear. Although there's no positive gear engagement, there's enough movement to provide lubrication. Leaving the transmission in neutral may cause damage.

 

[dkoldman]

I flat-tow a 2017 Mini Cooper Countryman S with AWD. It has the 6-speed manual transmission. The factory (actually the Mini/BMW legal department) says you can’t do that.

The factory is wrong. I’ve towed it thousands of miles with no issues.

I don't know if it is wrong or simply not their recommendation? I suspect doing so doesn't provide any lubrication to the transmission/drivetrain, so it is likely a failsafe to void the warranty if damage is caused by the flat towing. I assume you accept the risk if damage does occur and you will not find fault with Mini/BMW transmission / drivetrain?

Mini/BMW must know something regarding actual liability/warranty claims because they would love to market and boast the flat towing capability of the Mini Cooper Countryman S.

 

[Quit RVing]

I don't know if it is wrong or simply not their recommendation? I suspect doing so doesn't provide any lubrication to the transmission/drivetrain, so it is likely a failsafe to void the warranty if damage is caused by the flat towing. I assume you accept the risk if damage does occur and you will not find fault with Mini/BMW transmission / drivetrain?

Mini/BMW must know something regarding actual liability/warranty claims because they would love to market and boast the flat towing capability of the Mini Cooper Countryman S.

I did a huge amount of research into the Mini's AWD system before attempting this. It is by far the simplest AWD system design on the market. It is actually called a "Hang on" system because the only active device in the system is an electromagnetic clutch that is "hung on" the rear differential. And since it is a 2017 model with 60,000+ miles, warranty is of no concern to me.

I have measured the transmission temperature while towing. After 350 miles at 70 mph the transmission temperature was 115 degrees F when the ambient temp was 90F. That's only a 25 degree rise over ambient, which is nothing. Under normal operation the transmission temperature is 215-220 degrees, which seems high but research shows is normal. Engine and transmission both run at 215-220 under normal driving.