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Topic: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY??? (Read 3628 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #100 –
Quote from: Geoffh –
With this new thread opening I read that a few of the Forum members are happy to tow using the Harbor Freight tow bar..... Pros and cons please?
The major advantage to the HF tow bar is that it only costs $80.

The major disadvantage to the HF tow bar is that the owner has the responsibility to ensure that the tow bar is mounted correctly and securely. There is template. I told the welder where to mount the fittings and how to mount them and he followed my instructions (telling me that they were overkill - which was my intent).

The ability to easily inspect the assembly for damage or wear is another advantage. Just get down and look. Nothing is hidden behind grills or hidden in plastic. It's right out there in the open.

If it looks like there is going to be excessive wear I'll just put bushings in before it gets severe.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #101 –
Jeep Wrangler 1st one was a 2006 TJ 2 door long jeep, now 2012 Wrangler 4dr hard top, it rides decent, goes any where you have any business going, easy to set up to tow, and decent gas mileage.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #102 –
I first towed an HHR and it was light and never new it was back there but it had a lack of power and the brakes were hard to keep.  Had to turn the rotors and the brakes would get hot in mountain driving.  Now tow a GMC Terrain. Six cyl so lots of power.  M&G brakes and brake away.  Blue Ox tow bar and base plate.  Now can feel it on long pulls.  Coach still runs at 180 temp.  The Terrain gives us lot of room to carry stuff.  It has the up graded communication system so the on star and phone system is great.  This system gives you pandora etc.  I think next time it will be a four wheel drive small pickup such as the colorado or canyon.  These give you room to carry and off road capibilities.  These trucks are back this year and have wifi built in which is a bonus.  DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #103 –
FWIW, I still have a Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000 Towbar for sale. Its in GA and I will taker any reasonable offer, it includes quick disconnects.
Gary B

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #104 –
2006 Saturn Vue. All wheel drive. Honda V6 drive train. Plastic body panels. Four door. Plenty of power.  Available usually for less than $10,000 so not a big loss of you have to change. Getting ready to tow after tow bar baseplate is super simple. Hook up to coach, start Saturn, let idle for five minutes in neutral, turn switch to off, pull ignition fuse, GO. I replaced ignition fuse with inline fuse holder and toggle switch inside the cabin so I don't have to open the hood, take off the fuse box cover, and pull the 30A fuse every time. I just leave my "tow key" in the ignition in the ON position and toggle the switch to off. The engine quits running & we're ready to go.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #105 –
I tow an '86 Chevy Blazer diesel 4x4, the civilian model. It's full size, gets 20MPG and doesn't require any modifications to tow. I can fix anything on it and it will tow my 26' enclosed trailer if I need to. Unfortunately, a lot of other people must like them too because you will pay $5K to $10K for one in good shape.

TOM
SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #106 –
Honda Element (2003 AWD Automatic) - simple to tow 4 down, light, versatile, reliable, available to buy, service everywhere, three minutes idle in Neutral and turn key from run to acc position and head down the highway.

Just picked up a 55,000 mile Nevada Chevrolet Tracker convertible (not a misprint) - will be setting up for towing - 2800  lbs curb weight (no aux brakes required, automatic, manual transfer case (shift to neutral and go) and high fun factor with top down or off road - ($5,200 total investment, they can be had much cheaper but this one was no rust, no wrecks, condition matched mileage, clean car fax)  will let everyone know how it turns out.
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #107 –
I tow a Suzuki sidekick which is under 3000 lbs
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #108 –
2013 Subaru Outback Premium  6 speed manual tranny.  Put it in neutral, be sure the brake is off, key on 1st notch ( not aux) about 3500 lbs.  Easy to get in and out of, high ground clearance, comfortable, 30 mpg highway.  We are full-time so this is our only vehicle.
Ted & Karen
2001 U270 36' - sold after 12 years full timing

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #109 –
My favorite toad it the 2004 Ford F150 Pickup with the 8' bed, can haul lots of junk, some might be useful some day.  The F150 is a V6 4.2L, 5 Speed manual Mazda transmission, 2 wheel drive,  so just unlock steering wheel, Put in neutral and haul butt.  Have towed it over 30,000++and much more with zero issues, with the Blue Ox and AF1, very easy & quick to hitch & go.
Not looking for fancy fluff, just a dependable toad. Bad part, NO cruise control.

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #110 –
We had an 2002 Tahoe Z71 4X4 and now a 2012 Yukon SLT 4X4. Found them to be simple and easy to be placed in the towing mode.
Reese

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #111 –
We have towed our 2007 Jeep Liberty almost 26,000 miles.
A major reason was the ability to install the M&G brake system in them.
No worries about braking force needed when the engine isn't on and the vacuum assist isn't working.
No worries about the battery running down. No extra stuff to stow.
(Can't tell I'm sold can you)  ;D

Blue Ox Alpha tow bar.
Easy to connect. Unobtrusive attachment points on the Jeep when not in use.
Elliott & Mary Bray
ex. 1996 36' U295 - Build 4879
ex. 2018 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
 

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #112 –
Doris and I are on our second Saturn Vue an 08, our next one will be a Cadillac SRX.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Which Toad Did You Chose for All 4 Wheels Down, AND WHY???

Reply #113 –
I have 3 vehicles setup to tow, a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick 4dr, a 2005 Honda CRV, and a 2010 Toyota Rav 4. We get the most enjoyment out of the Sidekick, it is lifted, fitted with goodies for off-roading.....but on the highway above 50 MPH it's like riding a loose chainsaw.

The other evening we pulled in beside another MH pulling a new Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. I believe I found my next tow'ed !
Dave W. (AKA Toyman )
'03, 270, 36', Build 6095, Pulling whatever I hook it to.

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Dr Seuss