Toads or Dinghies

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

I know some of you tow a car behind your MHs.

The other night I got so excited when I realized that my car qualifies. But then after some research I saw that people get a Base Plate, then the Tow Bar, and a Toad Charge...then I saw where some are getting a Brake Buddy, too. Holy Cow...what a lot of money!

Ok...what is REALLY necessary to have to tow your car?

[BirdbyBird]

as in many answers.....it all depends....

If you tow "all four wheels down" You need a tow bar (Blue Ox or Towmaster sort of equipment), you need a base plate attached to the toad (these are car/model specific), and you need an ancillary braking system (either a Brake Buddy sort of equipment or an SMI "Stay and Play" sort of equipment) The Stay and Play works automatically when connected to the MH without having to move equipment into or out of position relative to the Toad brake. Pluses are that you don't have to try to figure out what to do with a trailer when you arrive at a campground and it is simple to connect and disconnect. Negatives are that you CAN NOT BACK UP if you end up driving into a lot that doesn't have adequate turning around area.... Only certain model of vehicles can be towed 4-down without additional adaptation. Some not at all. Towing 4-down does not effect your car mileage but does add mileage to your car tires.....

Start watching the interstates as you drive around......Some folks tow with the entire car up on a small trailer. You have to load and unload the car from the trailer if you want to use it. Depending upon the site you are parking in you may have to disconnect the trailer and park it someplace in order to park your RV at small back in sites. Towing the car on the trailer will not add wear and tear on car tires. Towing a trailers does allow one to back up as well as any trailer back up.

Some folks tow with just the front tires up on a small trailer. The ones I see loo like it requires a lot of straps and hooks to make sure that the car is secure on the trailer.

It is all fun.

Several of the folks here have been fortunate (and/or researched carefully enough) to find used vehicles that already have a base plate on them.

Several of us tow 4-down. Anybody out there tow with a trailer that can jump in with personal experience?

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Aarrrgg! Looks like I AM going to have to buy all that stuff!

Years ago we used a little Dodge 5-speed, and we installed was the tow-bar...why all the extras now?

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

By the way; thank you for the info Birdy.

I also just saw that it's a law now.....

Geez, were talking like $2K for all this stuff!

[Bethers]

Geez, were talking like $2K for all this stuff!

Or more, including labor. If you aren't in a real hurry - look for some of the things used.

[Redwahine]

That is the one thing I liked about our 5er. You just unhook and you have your touring vehicle. So now we have a MH and both our vehicles can not be towed 4 wheels down So, for now, we are traveling without a TOAD. We call Enterprise and rent a car when we be park for awhile. They pick us up at the CG. We are shopping to get a TOAD, but not in a hurry. Just getting used to driving the class A without towing

[Bethers]

Red, it's the same idea with towing a car, you just unhook and have your touring vehicle. Lol I it's just a current Metis off hooking, RV to truck or car to RV.

[Redwahine]

Red, it's the same idea with towing a car, you just unhook and have your touring vehicle. Lol I it's just a current Metis off hooking, RV to truck or car to RV.

Or as my DH says, " it's the mouse towing the elephant vs the elephant towing the mouse." We tried the first, now we 're trying the second

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Thanks guys!

[Sandersmr]

Red, it's the same idea with towing a car, you just unhook and have your touring vehicle. Lol I it's just a current Metis off hooking, RV to truck or car to RV.

The main difference is 1 vs. 2 engines. And the whole towing 4 down - not being able to back thing.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Yeah...and I've even read where a hard stop has been known to bend those tow bars.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

However, in each case I read about the tow bar maker made good on replacements.

[Bethers]

However, in each case I read about the tow bar maker made good on replacements.

I'm really pleased with Blue Ox ... but I'm sure the others are good also.

[BirdbyBird]

I like my Blue Ox also..... I also found a light weight car for towing which could effect what happens on a sudden stop.

[Olive600]

Tina, what are you towing?

Nikki