Author Topic: Let's talk about toads!  (Read 12173 times)

Peggy Aakre

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Let's talk about toads!
« on: December 05, 2020, 02:21:43 AM »
Hi, my husband and I are what we would consider newbies.  We have had our 2000 Beaver for two years now but have only been able to take three trips with it due to our jobs.  Here is my question:
what is the best and easiest vehicle to tow?   I have seen articles on-line about Ford F150, Jeep Wranglers, Nissan Versa?   We currently have a 1999 Jeep Wrangler that we tow but it doesn't have AC so thinking about getting something else.  We really don't want to have to hookup oil lines, etc.  Need it to be as simple as possible.  I even see that some of the tow vehicles have a MPH limit on them.  any suggestions??
 

Robert Mielenz

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2020, 03:07:19 AM »
Honda CRV  Watch which year, the newer ones cannot be towed flat.
2004 Marquis
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08 Honda CRV
97 Patriot

Richard Davis

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2020, 04:24:21 AM »
The Honda CRV is flat towable thru year 2014.  The 2015 and later with the CVT transmission are not towable.

Richard
06 Monterey Ventura IV, C9 400 hp

Bill Englund

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2020, 04:31:47 AM »
Currently I tow a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. Shift into neutral, push a button, put it in park and off you go. When you arrive, shift into neutral, push a button, put it into gear and off you go. About as simple as it can get. When you put it into neutral the odometer is disengaged so no tow milage is added to the car. Overland and Summit models have a far better ride as the have an air bag supension. Also, be sure to get the right transmission.
I have approximately 55,000 tow miles on this Jeep, with 115K driving miles on the odometer. Other vehicles i have towed are a Honda Accord (back when you could), Mercury Mariner (same as Ford Escape, went through 2 transmissions), Jeep Wrangler (definitely not as comfortable as the Grand Cherokee, but easier to drive off road)
What would I get for a new tow car -- another Grand Cherokee, without hesitation, but i would also consider a Ford 150. What would I get if I didn't have to tow it -- lots of other choices since there are a lot of cars that can't be towed which are more dependable than Jeeps.
Bill Englund
2008 Country Coach Affinity 45'
600 Cummins
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Keith Moffett

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2020, 11:07:12 AM »
Prior to 2011 the explorer had to be the limited and then you had to install a neutral tow switch.  That said its just hook up tow bar and power chord, turn on neutral tow and go.  After 2011 or maybe 2012 no neutral tow needed, just hook and go I guess.
We have the 2006 linited with 145K on the odometer.  We have used it behind 3 Beavers with only a couple issues.
I would have a newer Explorer or an F150 but the Ranger quad cab is nice too.  I think that is towable.
2007 Patriot Thunder
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David T. Richelderfer

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2020, 12:54:12 PM »
We have towed our 2002 4WD Chevy Avalanche for about 30,000 to 35,000 miles over 8 years.  It has an automatic transmission with a push-button, electric shift transfer box.  Put the transfer box in Neutral, shift the transmission to Reverse and Drive for about 1 second each, shut off the engine, put it into Park and it's ready to tow.  We use an Even Brake for the toad auxiliary brake and a Brakemaster 8,000 lb towbar.  Power is taken from the umbilical cord to keep the toad's battery charged.  Hooking up the toad and performing our pre-departure safety check takes about 10 minutes.

We like to tow the pickup because we carry extra stuff in the bed under the tonneau cover, like a Honda EU3000is generator, etc.  The coach's shore power cable is long enough to reach the generator carried in the pickup.  It's very convenient when dry camping/boondocking overnight in rest areas or for days/weeks in the desert.
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I had a dream... then I lived it!

LaMonte Monnell

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2020, 11:59:13 PM »
Cadillac SRX models till they stopped making them are towable. 2 wheel drive or the 4 wheel drive are both towable. All you have to do is raise the center console cover up, push a small button down, shift to neutral, and ready. We have used our 2012 SRX for 6 years now and no issues with it.
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Carl Boger

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2020, 12:01:31 AM »
I currently tow a 2013 CRV which is pretty straight forward to tow.  If I were you and you like the Jeep I would consider adding air conditioning to it.  Aftermarket systems can be had for around 1000 dollars which might give you the biggest bang for your buck.
Carl

98 Beaver Patriot Savannah
330 hp Cat 3126

Bill Lampkin

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2020, 12:09:52 AM »
Lots of toads I see are like our 2007 Jeep Liberty 4wd. Easy to put into tow mode.
2005 Patriot Thunder Lexington, 3 slides
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Rick and Laura Stephens

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2020, 12:14:56 AM »
We tow a 2013 Ford Explorer. Love it

Fred Cook

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2020, 12:16:46 AM »
We bought a 2019 Chevy Equinox AWD Diesel. Extremely easy to set up and tow. Put it in neutral, set it to AWD, shut off the engine and go.
Fred & Cindy
2002 Beaver Patriot Thunder 455, C12 CAT
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Joel Ashley

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2020, 05:13:27 AM »
Peggy, as a BAC member you are by default in the FMCA, and they have annual towing guides.  Check at their website for information regarding any brand, year, and model you are interested in.  Motorhome Magazine/Good Sam offers a similar guide.

We like our ‘97 Explorer and have towed it since 2006.  But we are chagrined that the latest models are not towable.  Many General Motors manufactured vehicles have been towable for some time as have Jeep’s.  But some are more involved than we’d like as to setup.  Another reason to check the available guides for the model years considered. 

But caution that dealers and manufacturers should be consulted prior to any final decision, because it’s not uncommon to have mfrs. amend their towing allowances after the fact.

Joel
« Last Edit: December 06, 2020, 05:25:13 AM by Joel Ashley »
Joel and Lee Rae Ashley
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Peggy Aakre

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2020, 12:25:18 AM »
Thanks for all the very helpful info.  Great to know, especially since we were considering a new Honda CRV and I see the new models don't tow. 

Dwight Wilson

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2020, 05:58:52 PM »
We tow a 2014 All Wheel Drive Ford Edge Sport. Using a Blue Ox base plate and a coach mounted "Avail" receiver tow bar...  and a Patriot brake system. This is the 2nd Ford Edge we have towed with no issues. The Blue Ox system is tidy and convenient but I have had some issues with the Patriot brake system bouncing loose. 
Dwight Wilson
Calgary, Alberta
05 Patriot Thunder C13 Cat

Roy Lewis

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Re: Let's talk about toads!
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2020, 07:37:17 PM »
We tow a 2018 GMC Acadia.  Put in neutral and go.  Has to have 6 spd auto  new ones have trans that can’t  be towed.