Toads or Dinghies

[BirdbyBird]

That is a Honda Fit in the signature pic......now there are a whole pack of Fits following rigs around. I went for minimum weight, good gas mileage, and very accommodating hauling space inside. When one of the members was considering tow vehicles I told her what I had narrowed my choices down to when I was searching and then suggested that they just look at the interior of the Honda Fit with the back seats folded down.... It is my mini, mini van. Also important is any vehicle decision was if can I fit comfortably in the back seat (I am 5'9") for short trips.

[Bethers]

Lots have the Honda fit. I have a Chevy cavalier. Both in same weight range. Ford now has a light weight towable all wheels down car also. But you have to make sure. I was looking used so used the motorhome guides for previous years. Weight and ease to set up were the important reactors for me. I love my little old pos.

[Acadianmom]

My son has a Ford Focus which I think can be towed. I have ridden in the back seat of the Focus and a Honda Fit and the Fit has more room in the back seat. If I ever decide to get rid of my van I would like to have a Honda C-RV. No more than I travel I probably don't need a tow vehicle but it would be nice to have room to carry things.

Martha

[carold]

This year we traded in our Toyota Corolla stick shift for a Honda CRV. The Toyota was easier to get ready but the Honda works ok, just more stuff to do when hooking up. I wanted an automatic with cruise control so we checked on line to see what could be pulled 4 wheels down. However, there is a pump you can have installed to attach to the transmission that makes more cars towable. Have no idea how that works, or the cost, but know some people that have had it done. We full time and our rig is way to big to use as our only means of transportation. carold

[Olive600]

That is a Honda Fit in the signature pic......now there are a whole pack of Fits following rigs around. I went for minimum weight, good gas mileage, and very accommodating hauling space inside. When one of the members was considering tow vehicles I told her what I had narrowed my choices down to when I was searching and then suggested that they just look at the interior of the Honda Fit with the back seats folded down.... It is my mini, mini van. Also important is any vehicle decision was if can I fit comfortably in the back seat (I am 5'9") for short trips.

Thanks, Tina.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

So none of you are using, or would consider using a car dolly?

Why, or why not?

[Acadianmom]

There isn't a lot of room in some campgrounds so where to put a trailer might be a problem. And how easy are these things to move. These would be my concerns.

Martha

[Bethers]

Car dollies are a pain in the butt. My g/f uses one because she had a great deal on a car and it was way cheaper to use the dolly than to make the car towable all wheels down. That said, it gets in the way often. And like said by Martha, it's hard to find a place to put it AND the car in many cg's. You'll be looking for way bigger spaces. She ended up adding a hitch to the car to be able to easily move the dolly around the campsite. In her case, because of her excellent car, it was worth it - for now. But she always gripes about it.

And a note about Carold's comment. My Cavalier was used (they aren't even made now) but another reason I selected it, is the ease of towing. I simply put it in neutral with the key in on and it's ready. Nothing else necessary. And that would be a requirement for me on my next car. I don't want to worry about fuses, or starting the car every couple hours, or lots of the other things. The Fit, from what I've read, requires running through all the shift positions. Not sure what that does, but it is in their literature to tow. And it would still be on my short list. My Cavalier would not fit a big person in the back seat - heck, hardly in the front seat. But mine is also the sport model and I love that about it. Plus I'm little lol ... And I already know I'm putting more in it than I should. Weight is still an issue to be watched.

[carold]

Yep Beth. There r times I wish I still had that Toyota. carold

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Yeah...and then you'd still have to buy that braking thing required by law, AND the dolly itself...you can't win

[FinallyTime]

I know I'm jumping in late on this tread, but here’s my input just in case you haven’t decided yet. I went through the search for a tow setup for my Honda CRV about two months ago. I found the least expensive to buy and install was the Ready Brute Elite. The tow bar works with any manufacturer’s base plate, mine is a Blue Ox, and the mechanical surge brakes are incorporated into the tow bar. The only thing in the car is a cable from the arm holding the brake pedal to the front of the car. There is an optional indicator light that can be installed on the motorhome’s dash which lights up when the brakes are applied. With any set-up you still will need a light hook-up to light up your car’s turn signals, rear lights, and brake lights. The complete works for me (base plate, towbar with built in brakes, dash indicator light, wiring kit for the Honda’s rear lights, and labor was $2,800) The other bids I got were $3,200 to $4,000 for different brands and types.

http://www.readybrake.com/tow-bars.html

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Thank you Finally!

You're not late at all...as I'm still groaning over the potential costs of all these things....and I have yet to get the money for them.

My Dad had just informed me that you can buy dolleys with the brakes on them (not that that does ME any good...I have an All-Wheel drive, and can ONLY go 4-down), but I really glad you jumped in when you did, as now you've made me aware that some tow bars come with brakes too! If I can find one of those used...I'd really be cookin'!

Thanks again

[Getupngo]

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?

Cindy, the value of having an auxiliary brake in the car is the ability to shorten the motor home braking distance in a "panic stop." A few years ago, I was driving my 35-foot Class A around a blind turn in the mountains, and some idiot DOT flagger had stopped traffic. (!!) Four or five cars were stopped ahead of me, and I stood on the brakes at 35 mph. My Honda CRV laid down a patch & brought the whole rig to a stop in about 15-20 feet. I hit no one, and I was so grateful.

In short, an $800 aux braking system can save at least $100K in damage / injuries. Won't leave home without it.

[ialwaysneedaroadtrip]

Wow!

So, Janice what do you think of the Ready Brute that Finally was just telling me about...it has the braking built in?

[Bethers]

I would imagine it would brake it just as well ... One thing I have with my braking system that I like is that I can also manually control the braking system on my car. I had to do it once when I wanted it to brake hard and fast. It did. Normally I have my braking system on the car set to brake very little - and I can control the setting easily - and can override it with my manual control at any time. I would prefer having the easy system talked about though to my Patriot - but I got great deal on it pricewise, including installation and had a very short time frame to get everything taken care of when I purchased the car.