| Author | Message | ||
| Robert C. Meyers (Bob_meyers)
Registered Member Username: Bob_meyers Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2008 Posted From: 66.121.167.13 Rating: N/A |
I am needing to find out IF a towed vehicle can be backed up! We have a RoadMaster setup to tow a '08 HHR. So far I have not needed to back the HHR up. I am so greatful for all the awesome information you guys give it is truly amazing! Thanks Bob | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 150 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.99.21.210 Rating: N/A |
You cannot back up with a tow bar. Sometimes, if the rig is completely straight, you can back up straight for a few feet but absolutely no turning. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 423 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
The self-centering nature of the steering geometry does not favor backing up. Typically, the wheels will turn hard to one side & put the hitch in a bind. Since the hitch wasn't designed for such side forces, it could break. If someone holds the steering wheel of the toad, they are likely to get the steering wheel spun out of their hands & possibly some broken fingers in the process. That said, I know there are some that can back up a toad, but, they probably have decades of experience backing hay wagons too.  | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 404 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.56.175 Rating: N/A |
M&G has a backable towing system but I don't know if works or not but they advertise it as working | ||
| Jim Huston (Jimh)
Registered Member Username: Jimh Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.19.14.32 Rating: |
Actually the way to do it is simple. Someone in drivers seat of bus - out of gear with brakes off. You in the towd vehical- PULL the bus backward with the towd! Works! Jimh | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 2047 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.85.14 Rating: N/A |
Jim, I have to say that that is one of the best ideas I have ever heard. Richard | ||
| joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
Registered Member Username: Joemc7ab Post Number: 264 Registered: 6-2004 Posted From: 66.38.159.33 Rating: N/A |
Looks to me that Jim has had to do that and obviously with good results. Great idea! That merits five stars!!!! Joe. | ||
| Robert C. Meyers (Bob_meyers)
Registered Member Username: Bob_meyers Post Number: 4 Registered: 5-2008 Posted From: 67.49.32.159 Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all of you that responded. Now I know i have to plan ahead and stay out of tight places. Bob | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 290 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.144.74 Rating: N/A |
Xcelent, Jim...thanx for the heads up...and thanx to Ian for the opportunity to get the answer!!!!!!!!!!! Hip Hip...etc etc RCB | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 245 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.233.230 Rating: N/A |
OK. Let me get this straight. WE're dragging a 35K lbs vehicle backward using a 5k capacity tow bar mounted on a 3500 lb vehicle? Seems like a good bit of negative potential...or abuse of the towing system...if you will. That activity could bend or stress the towbar? On really flat ground, this would work...any other condition the toad should be unhooked and moved out of the way. Takes only 30 seconds for two people to disconnect a toad. My dos centavos.... | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 759 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 76.3.173.51  Rating: N/A |
I agree with JR. Spend a minute or 2 un-hitching & re-hitching and save $$$ replacing towbar parts. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 424 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Not to mention the possibility of burning up the clutch or transmission. Is good to have the option if really, really needed tho . . . . | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 32 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 212.17.236.90 Rating: N/A |
If I need to do any serious reversing, especially on bumpy ground, the Copilot gets in the toad and holds the steering wheel. She reports no tendency for the wheel to turn and no need to hold it tight. Toad is a Suzuki Grand Vitara. I carry a length of orange pipe that slips under the roof bars and sticks out on the drivers side about 6" further than the side of the bus. I use coloured tape to mark the toad position at straight ahead and other tape inboard and outboard of that one to help me judge the turn better. I do have the reversing monitor marked with the straight ahead position and that is OK for short reverses, but the pipe is better I've done a 20-point turn in a forest clearing, but on reflection, it probably would have been less trouble to get out and unhitch the toad. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 355 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 208.100.193.221 Rating: N/A |
Not to mention the possibility of burning up the clutch or transmission. We have all seen the TV demo of some glue or other that pulls an 18 wheeler , or the demo of a guy pulling a RR car , with his teeth. The FORCE required to move a coach on level ground is very minor , any vehicle with an auto tranny will find no problems at all.A dope with a clutch could do harm , but it would be real work. On LEVEL ground I see no reason the towd could not be used as a pony. FF | ||
| Tony LEE (T_lee)
Registered Member Username: T_lee Post Number: 33 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 212.17.236.90 Rating: N/A |
"On LEVEL ground I see no reason the towd could not be used as a pony" -- other than if the line taken by the pony was different to that taken by the bus (and it would be), the pony would have to end up dragging the rear of the bus sideways. | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 425 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Used a ford ranger to push start a 4501 when the starter quit. It wasn't much of a problem on flat ground, but the chutch sure didn't like it. It really protested when there was a slight grade. As for the automatic, I've watched "dopes" overheat their transmission while backing a trailer onto leveling blocks . . . . Sometimes, you don't get to choose where you will stop (shorted wire in the engine shut down circut) or need to back up (rude/inconsiderate people at fuel stops). Sure it can & will work. It has a greater chance of success if the operator understands that they are doing something that it wasn't designed for. Besides, a sports car has much less rolling resistance that an overloaded home on wheels. ;) | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 291 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.144.242 Rating: N/A |
Gooooood Grieeeefff!....what happened to COMMON SENSE?? FWIW RCB | ||
| Ray Drummond (Ray_d)
Registered Member Username: Ray_d Post Number: 39 Registered: 4-2006 Posted From: 68.123.103.23 Rating: N/A |
Bus nut / Common sense!!! Your'e funny RC Ray D | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 733 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 66.38.120.219 Rating: N/A |
If I can see the wheels on the toad, I back up until they start to go to one side, then pull forwart to straighten them: back and forth, back and forth, etc. It is tempting to move too much at a time though. I have only fount this useful where I need only 6 or 8 feet total maneuvering space to pull ahead with the bus. Agreed, usually a terrible idea. Even worse would be asking my wife to get in the toad to pull the bus backward, hold the wheel, or stay in the bus while I tow the bus backward with the toad. | ||
| JR Lynch (Njt5047)
Registered Member Username: Njt5047 Post Number: 246 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 69.132.233.230 Rating: N/A |
One forfeits any claim to common-sense by becoming a bus owner. I'd bet that Terri and I could unhook the Jeep, move the bus in a relaxed manner and hook it back up quicker than 'working' the toad and bus out of a tight spot. Notwithstanding the unknown stresses imposed on the toad brackets and towbar. I'd quite agree to pushing or pulling an aired up bus off the railroad tracks in an emergency situation. Absolutely. Otherwise, I wouldn't back the toad at all when connected to the bus. The toad and bus are not going to track together when backing for even a few inches without considerable side loading of the towbar. Thats why the wheels almost always lock to one side or the other. If the steering is prevented from moving, you may not see the effect, but it's working on the toad brackets and towbar. Telescoping towbars are easily damaged by side loads. I make a great effort to avoid driving into situations that require backing when I'm towing. I'd back the golf car trailer, but not the Jeep. Actually I don't like to back period unless Terri is outside watching. That may sound stupid, but it's safe. BTW, a Bluetooth and cell phone is ideal for a hands-free, high quality commlink to the watcher! They are great. Alas, I digress. I worry about damaging my BlueOx bar and maybe the toad passing me. Not a major worry, but I'm not going to antagonize the towbar either. JR | ||
| Jim Connelly (Desertbum)
Registered Member Username: Desertbum Post Number: 7 Registered: 2-2005 Posted From: 207.200.116.13 Rating: N/A |
I was crossing the border at Algadones, Mexico and when I got to the gate, the guard wanted me to pull it over for inspection. I had to back up with my toad, about 40 feet. My son was in the toad with it in reverse and I put my 4106 with automatic, in reverse also, at idle and it was very smooth except for the traffic we had to move out of our way to back up. We did have two way radios to coordinate back up. |
