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Topic: Another TOAD question (Read 541 times) previous topic - next topic

Another TOAD question

I've been following the "Best TOAD Light and Easy" thread with interest.  Since we haven't yet found our Foretravel, thinking about dinghies might be putting the "cart before the horse", but I guess it doesn't hurt to plan ahead.  Yesterday I noticed a TOAD parked in the "Car For Sale" corner of our Walmart parking lot - it was a 2002 Chevy Tracker LT (4D, 4WD, V6, Auto).  Nice looking little CUV - very clean inside and out.  It was rigged up for towing behind a motor home, with all the required hardware bolted on the front.  I couldn't help being impressed with how UGLY all that junk was stuck to the nose of a otherwise cute little truck.  Got me wondering: are all TOADs this unattractive, when detached from the tow vehicle?

Which brings me to my question: which TOAD vehicles, when rigged up with all the required towing hardware, are the "cleanest" looking?  In other words, which ones require the least (or least conspicuous) amount of permanent hardware bolted to the front? 
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #1 –
You can not see the tow hooks on mine.  They come out with a blue ox.  You are probably looking at a road master setup. 
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #2 –
We're shopping for our toad now, too. From what I've read, there are two kinds of attachment arrangements. What you saw is one kind, where everything stays on the toad. The other kind has a base plate (mounting attachments) on the toad, and the tow bar assembly either stays on the motor home or can be removed and stored out of sight. The second kind makes for a cleaner-looking toad, and probably provides a bit more security. That's the route we're going. I think it may be a bit more expensive, though. From what I've seen, if you are starting from scratch that's what you will find.

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #3 –
John,

I think you are correct - I found a photo of the Blue Ox setup for Tracker - MUCH cleaner than the one I saw!  This, I could live with.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #4 –
We have the Blue Ox setup and we are really pleased with it. When not towing, the equipment on the car is nearly invisible. While it can obviously be seen when closely inspected, I don't think anyone casually passing by would even notice it.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #5 –
Here is the front of our Wrangler with one side ready to tow and the other with the hook removed.
I think there are some square plastic pieces you can put in the exposed tubing but I usually leave the hooks on.

It only takes pulling a pin to remove the hooks.  The tow bar stays locked to the coach (with a vinyl cover on it.)

We've towed a Suburban many years with this setup and now the Jeep.  Great setup in my opinion.

It's the Roadmaster Blackhawk 10,000 pound Roadmaster Inc. - Tow Bars, Braking Systems & RV Accessories
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

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Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: cajk –
John,

I think you are correct - I found a photo of the Blue Ox setup for Tracker - MUCH cleaner than the one I saw!  This, I could live with.
It's even batter than that.  Those two silver bars pull out with just a pull pin release and leaves two black "receivers" that are very difficult to spot with the untrained eye.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #7 –
We have a Roadmaster setup with a quick disconnect but we have never disconnected.  We just leave the Xbar attached to the Jeep and don't worry about it.  The tow bar folds up and stays on the coach covered in the vinyl cover.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #8 –
Same for me, sort of a "deer catcher"
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: Another TOAD question

Reply #9 –
Forget Roadmaster baseplates and only buy Blue Ox baseplates for a "did not know that car is setup for towing" look.

Only use the towbar style that permanently mount in motorhome receiver. These are most common and have a hinge pivot instead of ball.

If you have to have a non-Blue Ox motorhome mounted towbar, get Blue Ox connection adapters to connect your towbar to a Blue Ox baseplate.

Use TowDaddy Tow Daddy - The Best Designed RV Products on the Planet tow car wiring for a very easy invisible tail light connection. ( we have it on our 2012 Jeep Grand)

Good luck on picking a tow car braking system as there are many to choose from. Some require additional hoses / wires between motorhome and tow car.

Re: Another TOAD question

Reply #10 –
We had the Roadmaster Falcon on the '96 Saturn Sl1 4DR we just sold.  We had it on Craigslist for only a few hours before a party contacted us, and we shook hands on the deal the following afternoon. 
James McBroom
1994 U280 36'