Back to towing a toad

[Jon]

This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan generator and
I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut a
close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop told
me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the rear
wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels by
being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right in a
tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost why
this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig like
mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight turn
that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position and so
the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering wheel
in place with the steering wheel lock.

Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.

Jon
Rebel Bird

[Pete Masterson]

Only had one situation where the toad wheels did not track properly.
The rest of the time, the toad has behaved as expected in both
regular and tight turns.

Once, when making a tight turn into a pull-through campsite, the toad
wheels didn't straighten out but the ground was very loose gravel and
dirt, so there was no friction for the wheels to track in. I think
this was a matter of the lack of traction in the soft soil/gravel
rather than a steering geometry situation. I manually straightened
the wheel after we were parked. When leaving the campsite the next
morning, we pulled from the site onto a paved roadway with a similar
tight turn, and the toad tracked as it was supposed to.

I tow a '93 Toyota Camry.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Idaho Springs CO



On Oct 12, 2007, at 1:39 PM, Jon wrote:

> This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan generator
> and
> I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut a
> close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
> told
> me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the rear
> wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels by
> being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right in a
> tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost why
> this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig like
> mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight turn
> that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position and so
> the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
> wheel
> in place with the steering wheel lock.
>
> Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
>
> Jon
> Rebel Bird
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

[Bob Lawrence]

But if you did lock the steering wheel, any turn you would make would
scuff the tires since they are tired straight. Wouldn't it be better
to bungy cord them in a straight position?
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Tacoma, Wa.

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan generator
and
> I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut a
> close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
told
> me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
rear
> wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels by
> being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right in
a
> tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
why
> this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
like
> mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight turn
> that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position and
so
> the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
wheel
> in place with the steering wheel lock.
>
> Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
>
> Jon
> Rebel Bird
>

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Lawrence"
wrote:
>
> But if you did lock the steering wheel, any turn you would make
would
> scuff the tires since they are tired straight. Wouldn't it be
better
> to bungy cord them in a straight position?
> Bob Lawrence
> 84 PT36
> Tacoma, Wa.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
> >
> > This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan
generator
> and
> > I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut
a
> > close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair
shop
> told
> > me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
> rear
> > wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels
by
> > being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right
in
> a
> > tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
> why
> > this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
> like
> > mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> > around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight
turn
> > that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position
and
> so
> > the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> > wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
> wheel
> > in place with the steering wheel lock.
> >
> > Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> > turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
> >
> > Jon
> > Rebel Bird


I tried that and the steering goes around twice from one side to the
other and the buggy cord comes loose. I think I will just stick to
the big turns for now. Do you have any problems when it comes to
making tight turn Bob? Jon
> >
>

[Don Bradner]

I have never seen a toad fail to straighten after a turn, or fail to turn
correctly when cornering. Normal positive caster will always act to return the
wheels to straight.

Steering wheel locks are unlikely to be the answer. Even without the issue of
scuffing on turns, most locks do not lock in the straight position, they lock to
some amount left or right. So, you would probalby be dragging the tires just
going straight.

One factor that effects caster is the height of front and rear of the vehicle.
Down in front negatively affects caster, up in front positively affects it. If
the towbar is too low it would tend to decrease the liklihood of the wheels
returning to center. Towbar high should increase return-to-center.

On 10/12/2007 at 7:39 PM Jon wrote:

>This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan generator and
>I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut a
>close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop told
>me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the rear
>wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels by
>being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right in a
>tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost why
>this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig like
>mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
>around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight turn
>that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position and so
>the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
>wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering wheel
>in place with the steering wheel lock.
>
>Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
>turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
>
>Jon
>Rebel Bird

[Jon]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> I have never seen a toad fail to straighten after a turn, or fail
to turn correctly when cornering. Normal positive caster will always
act to return the wheels to straight.
>
> Steering wheel locks are unlikely to be the answer. Even without
the issue of scuffing on turns, most locks do not lock in the
straight position, they lock to some amount left or right. So, you
would probably be dragging the tires just going straight.
>
> One factor that effects caster is the height of front and rear of
the vehicle. Down in front negatively affects caster, up in front
positively affects it. If the towbar is too low it would tend to
decrease the liklihood of the wheels returning to center. Towbar high
should increase return-to-center.


Now that maybe the answer! but I'm going to test my toe rig out with
my pickup truck in the near future and see what happens. Don thanks
again for those beautiful seats they really set of the old barge!!!
Trying to get my wife to take the old bird down to Arizona this
winter but she's says well see about that in January.

Jon
>
> On 10/12/2007 at 7:39 PM Jon wrote:
>
> >This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan
generator and
> >I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut
a
> >close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
told
> >me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
rear
> >wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels
by
> >being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right
in a
> >tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
why
> >this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
like
> >mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> >around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight
turn
> >that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position
and so
> >the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> >wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
wheel
> >in place with the steering wheel lock.
> >
> >Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> >turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
> >
> >Jon
> >Rebel Bird
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Jon, I fear your lesson will be taught with either front end damage
to the Toad, Tire damage to the toad, or stress cracks on the tow bar.

The toad or a trailer follows the ball , not the bus. (a good point
to remember when backing up a trailer) When a RV with a major
overhang butt makes a ;slow speed ;right hand ;tight radius turn, the
butt of the camper goes left before it falls back in the path of the
turn. The toad follows the ball on the butt thus the toad turns a
little left then follows right. If the wheels of the toad are locked,
the freeflow caster movement will become a 'drag and compress'. that
stress may cause cracks in the towbar arms or toad mount point
fasteners.



GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCA

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan generator
and
> I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut a
> close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
told
> me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
rear
> wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels by
> being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right in
a
> tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
why
> this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
like
> mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight turn
> that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position and
so
> the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
wheel
> in place with the steering wheel lock.
>
> Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
>
> Jon
> Rebel Bird
>

[mbrund]

To answer your question, No, I never have problems turning either
direction slow with short or long radius turns. The only time I run
into an issue is if I am crazy enough to backup with the toad, but
that is rarely if ever.

Michael Brundridge
1992 WB40
TOAD: 2006 Dodge Dakato 4WD w/BlueOx Aladdin Tow Bar
Georgetown, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan
generator and
> I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut
a
> close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
told
> me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
rear
> wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels
by
> being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right
in a
> tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
why
> this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
like
> mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight
turn
> that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position
and so
> the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
wheel
> in place with the steering wheel lock.
>
> Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
>
> Jon
> Rebel Bird
>

[Rob Robinson]

Jon did you contact REMCO to ask them about your Subaru. I still believe it
was a Subaru that was reported as 'un-towable' due to the steering geometry.

On 12/10/2007, Jon wrote:
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com,
> "Don Bradner"
> wrote:
> >
> > I have never seen a toad fail to straighten after a turn, or fail
> to turn correctly when cornering. Normal positive caster will always
> act to return the wheels to straight.
> >
> > Steering wheel locks are unlikely to be the answer. Even without
> the issue of scuffing on turns, most locks do not lock in the
> straight position, they lock to some amount left or right. So, you
> would probably be dragging the tires just going straight.
> >
> > One factor that effects caster is the height of front and rear of
> the vehicle. Down in front negatively affects caster, up in front
> positively affects it. If the towbar is too low it would tend to
> decrease the liklihood of the wheels returning to center. Towbar high
> should increase return-to-center.
>
> Now that maybe the answer! but I'm going to test my toe rig out with
> my pickup truck in the near future and see what happens. Don thanks
> again for those beautiful seats they really set of the old barge!!!
> Trying to get my wife to take the old bird down to Arizona this
> winter but she's says well see about that in January.
>
> Jon
> >
> > On 10/12/2007 at 7:39 PM Jon wrote:
> >
> > >This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan
> generator and
> > >I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I cut
> a
> > >close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair shop
> told
> > >me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where the
> rear
> > >wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear wheels
> by
> > >being so far under the coach that most cars will not track right
> in a
> > >tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little lost
> why
> > >this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
> like
> > >mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to track
> > >around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight
> turn
> > >that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position
> and so
> > >the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess you
> > >wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the steering
> wheel
> > >in place with the steering wheel lock.
> > >
> > >Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem with
> > >turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to know.
> > >
> > >Jon
> > >Rebel Bird
> >
>
>
>



--
Rob, Sue & Merlin Robinson
94 WLWB


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bob Lawrence]

Hi Jon,
Never had a problem when towing the Tracker. Now we will be towing
the Element only as sold the Tracker. It tracks fine also.
Did you look into a steering stabilizer?
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Tacoma, Wa.



> > But if you did lock the steering wheel, any turn you would make
> would
> > scuff the tires since they are tired straight. Wouldn't it be
> better
> > to bungy cord them in a straight position?
> > Bob Lawrence
> > 84 PT36
> > Tacoma, Wa.
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
> > >
> > > This morning I went over to get an oil filter for my Onan
> generator
> > and
> > > I mentioned that my old Subaru would not straiten out after I
cut
> a
> > > close corner to the right. Well the supervisor of the repair
> shop
> > told
> > > me that allot of toad will have this problem because of where
the
> > rear
> > > wheels of the coach are situated. By this I mean the rear
wheels
> by
> > > being so far under the coach that most cars will not track
right
> in
> > a
> > > tight corner. He explained it to me but I'm still a little
lost
> > why
> > > this happens. He said the best way to make most turns in a rig
> > like
> > > mine is to make them wide so the tire will have a chance to
track
> > > around the corners. Also he said if I do haft to make a tight
> turn
> > > that I can either tie my steering wheel in the neutral position
> and
> > so
> > > the tires will not turn going around a tight corner. I guess
you
> > > wouldn't even haft to do this as you could just lock the
steering
> > wheel
> > > in place with the steering wheel lock.
> > >
> > > Now do you guys that have regular toads ever have a problem
with
> > > turning in a tight turn at a slow speed? Just would like to
know.
> > >
> > > Jon
> > > Rebel Bird
>
>
> I tried that and the steering goes around twice from one side to
the
> other and the buggy cord comes loose. I think I will just stick to
> the big turns for now. Do you have any problems when it comes to
> making tight turn Bob? Jon
> > >
> >
>