| Author | Message | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.139.159 Rating: N/A |
As I get ready to venture into the world of full-time bussing, I have a few questions regarding 'toads.' Are there any particular vehicles that you prefer to tow or that are easier (on the vehicle in tow) to tow which you would recommend? Are there specific vehicles that I should shy away from? I currently have a full-size, front-drive Mercury, and I'm not sure if I could, or should for that matter, drag it 'four-to-the-floor' at highway speeds for long distances. I don't think she nor her drivetrain would be too happy with me if we went several hundred miles down the road at 70/ 75mph. Any thoughts? Not that I am plagued with making a decision at this moment as I am 6 or 7 months away from heading out, but none-the-less, it's something to consider. Maybe I should just go for a little 'tonka toy' or perhaps throw a scooter in the belly of the bus. Hell, maybe I'll just take my house with me to the grocery!! That could be kinda fun trying to navigate the parking lot of a small town market in a tour bus!! LOL Just curious... Josh | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 100 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 72.62.15.222 Rating: N/A |
Check the owners manual for any rig you are thinking of towing......it will tell you if you can tow it or not, or if there are any restrictions or special things you have to do. Most older Jeep Cherokee 4X4s can be towed 4 down with no restrictions on speed or miles, and you can find them for fairly cheap too. | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 19 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 71.195.101.200  Rating: N/A |
Motor Home Magazine has an annual list of towables, we settled on an '05 Chevy Cavalier, towable all four down. We use a Roadmaster Sterling/Falcon tow bar and Tow-V-Aire braking on the car. Works well and the Chevy is fairly light as cars go. | ||
| david anderson (Davidanderson)
Registered Member Username: Davidanderson Post Number: 240 Registered: 2-2004 Posted From: 69.153.52.140 Rating: N/A |
There is a toad, towed, dinghy, section at Woodalls.com forum. You will find reams of info on that rv sight. | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 926 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 206.53.144.42  Rating: N/A |
We just purchased an 08 Chevy HHR because of the ease of towing. Hook it up, put it in neutral and pull a fuse that disengages the dash and away you go. No miles logged, no trans pump and no driveshaft disconnect! All seats fold down flat for extra cargo. Gets 22+ city and 30+ hwy. For 10K you can't go wrong! We bought ours when we were at the rally in Arcadia! Ace | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 780 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 72.146.79.49  Rating: N/A |
We've towed a Caravan all over the place, using the Remco transmission pump to take care of the automatic tranny. REMCO During the time we did not have the pump, we towed with the engine running, to insure the tranny's fluid would be circulating, and cooled. Never a problem! You might want to check at some of the RV web sights, for their listings regarding what can be towed without ancillary devices. It may surprise you! "Four down" is the absolute way to go! Quick disconnect, and reconnect; no tow dolly to store, and just plain nice to pull. Braking, on the other hand, may or may not be a problem. We never had a problem stopping, even with the Caravan fully loaded, and pulled behind a "stick and staple" Winnebago, but what may have worked for us, may not work for you. A bus is a far howl from a lousy commercially built RV. You won't be driving your bus, fully loaded with all seated passengers, with the maximum capacity of standees, plus luggage in the racks, floors, and all compartments full. I sincerely doubt your bus will even notice the tow vehicle. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 655 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 64.241.37.140 Rating: N/A |
""Four down" is the absolute way to go! Quick disconnect, and reconnect; no tow dolly to store, and just plain nice to pull. " RIGHT!! And tow a really light vehicle so there will be no legal hassles with brakes , breakaway systems et all. KISS , as usual is best. FF | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 8 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.219.163 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys!! I appreciate your help. The last thing I want to do is blow a tranny out of a car by doing something stupid which could have been avoided!! | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 816 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 208.54.200.184 Rating: N/A |
David, That little Cavalier is some vehicle. When I went to get my bus I rented one of those and towed it back on a dolly I rented. I got 38 mpg on that thing at 70 mph most of the 800 mi up and down a bunch of hills in TN and western VA. It climbed those hills without slowing down a bit, amazing. The renter told me it would get that kind of mileage but I didn't believe him! It was also comfortable to drive and I'm 6'1". I had always thought they were junk but I was way wrong. If I towed I would seriously think about getting one. | ||
| Mike Lester (Tin_woodman)
Registered Member Username: Tin_woodman Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.213.22.46 Rating: N/A |
When towing "four down" how does one keep the front wheels from flopping around? Or, if the the steering wheel is locked, how do you get the wheels straight so the front tires aren't chewed up in a couple hundred miles? | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.29.18.150 Rating: N/A |
You do NOT want the steering wheel locked!!! The front wheels won't "flop" around, they will just track behind the bus just like somebody was in the car steering it. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1311 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9  Rating: N/A |
Sometimes using a bungee cord to the steering wheel to assist it to keep centered will take care of those ones that try to oscillate in certain towing situations. Definitely keep wheel unlocked. If the toad tries to pass you on an upgrade, you need to install larger injectors or a turbo on your engine. | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 12 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.70.251 Rating: N/A |
Not to sound like a complete moron, but how do keep the steering wheel from locking while driving? Do I just need to put the key in and keep it on the 'ACC' setting while I'm moving? Josh | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 68.29.76.71 Rating: N/A |
On my jeep i turn the key until the steering wheel unlocks, ( one click ) then i grab the wheel and move it back and forth a couple of times to make sure it is unlocked completely and will stay that way. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1312 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.110.9 Rating: N/A |
You should have lock- unlock- ignition on- crank. Just move it one position. Of course the keys aren't going to come out. You might want to separate them so you don't accidentally lock yourself out. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 667 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.40 Rating: N/A |
And you want to check and recheck the tranny is in neutral! FF | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
Registered Member Username: Shadowman Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 70.7.153.10 Rating: N/A |
Depends on what you are towing Fred. My tranny has to be in park and my transfer case has to be in neutral. | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.211.2 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys!!! I kind of thought that may have been all that was needed, but just wanted to make sure as I am still learning the 'ins and outs' of motor coaching. FF, I'll be sure to 'triple check' the position of the gear shift. Just as soon as you think everything is working in your favor, Mr. Murphy eagerly emerges from the shadows as he anxiously awaits to apply his law(s)!!! Josh | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 48 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 76.66.194.182  Rating: N/A |
Yeah...except for sometimes it's not murphy. Ripped the tow rig right off the front bumper of my van when I pulled into a parking lot. I had just fueled up and decided to fuel the van as well, needed the key for the gas cap, pulled it out of the ignition, put it into my pocket to go pay, drove away, all was well for 2 blocks then I made a hard right and that was that, tore the whole bumper apart. Chains kept everything in one place, 3 hrs later and lots of large chassis washers etc...I was on the road again. Was that Murphy or Patrick? | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 670 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.162.18 Rating: N/A |
One thought that may be a horror for the Left Coast guys is to have a low value vehicle. For those that "are their car" this aint EZ , but touring you will be hitting the sites in many places , some that are not great. Having a car that is sure to still be there , after taking in the sites is a nice feeling. Tho if the crazys in congress work hard at returning fuel to $4,00 for gas and $5,00 for diesel, I may have to swap my 1980 VW diesel Rabbit for a less desirable dink. FF | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 49 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.229.52.135 Rating: N/A |
yeah me too, I like my rides to be a little beat up/low value/resale etc..they're always there when I get back. Kind of applies to my bus as well. Added benefit is parking lot dings etc are barely noticed (even add to it's no value value). | ||
| David B. Sweet (Sweets4104)
Registered Member Username: Sweets4104 Post Number: 20 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 71.195.101.200 Rating: N/A |
The drill is trans in neutral, ignition in on position. On some cars like our Cavalier, you pull the healdlight fuses and the PCM fuse. It is a snap other than that. MSW and I have made it a team thing so it takes less than 15 minutes including a light and brake check. The thing is not to sweat the small stuff. Blessings, David | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 465 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.117.161 Rating: N/A |
Fred.. is your Rabbit manual or Auto? We have an '88 VW Cabriolet, 5 speed....owners manual says not to tow, but wonder if that is a warranty thing or??? We have over 300,00 on ours Wouldn't trade it for $5M. Fuel close to 40mpg.  RCB | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 468 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.117.161 Rating: N/A |
Come to think about it....I think I asked you the same question several years ago.... Wonder what that is all about?????? (don't recall your response).... RCB | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 678 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.82.9.19 Rating: N/A |
Fred.. is your Rabbit manual or Auto? 4 speed stick as we dragged a gas model 20K + I only worry that someone will love a car that runs fine (noiser) on tax free house heating oil, filtered. FF | ||
| Peter E (Sdibaja)
Registered Member Username: Sdibaja Post Number: 276 Registered: 5-2002 Posted From: 201.143.60.24 Rating: N/A |
I towed my VW Thing for many many miles, it was slick... never knew it was there. Used an offset hitch too so that the left side of the VW lined up with the left side of the bus, no curbs or poles to consider that way. numerous times I would get in a bind and have to back out... the Thing was of and out of the way in a moment, and then hooked and gone in a moment more. PS: the Thing has just been sitting since the 4905 has been gone... to be honest the old tech VW is a pain for maintenance. but fun! (Message edited by sdibaja on March 09, 2009) |