"TO tow or not to tow, that is the question"

[richafranco]

Hello again,
I've started a thread under "old or older" and I'm starting to get some good
feedback now, but one of the responders, Fred, brought up a good point, should I
think about towing a vehicle behind the coach or not. I've mentioned I'm a
photographer and it seems like most of the images I capture are down these
little narrow roads. I've got a bunch of gear with me too and security is an
issue if I'm away from the car/truck. We've got a 98 Ford Expedition, 2wd and a
2002 Beetle. I guess I could sell both and buy a used something newer, like a
Subaru?
Rich
Fred actually brought a bunch of good suggestionsm but the other one I never
even considered was big or smaller, in a coach.

[Steve Pfiffner]

 Even all the old ladies in the RV Singles groups I belong to bring along a Toad. They are very careful in their choices leaning toward manual transmissions and small size. Do check

on four down towing of whatever you pick with Motorhome magazines, tow bar company websites etc, most anything can be towed but the price gets really high and the setups complicated and pricey for some cars (particularly automatics) and some cars simply cannot be towed four down and require a dolly or a trailer. Look before you leap on this one.

 

 Steve,

 Wannabee

 

On 5/18/09, <b class="gmail_sendername">richafranco[/b] <"BigRichPho@aol.com"> wrote:

Hello again,
I've started a thread under "old or older" and I'm starting to get some good feedback now, but one of the responders, Fred, brought up a good point, should I think about towing a vehicle behind the coach or not. I've mentioned I'm a photographer and it seems like most of the images I capture are down these little narrow roads. I've got a bunch of gear with me too and security is an issue if I'm away from the car/truck. We've got a 98 Ford Expedition, 2wd and a 2002 Beetle. I guess I could sell both and buy a used something newer, like a Subaru?

Rich
Fred actually brought a bunch of good suggestionsm but the other one  I never even considered was big or smaller, in a coach.



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[richafranco]

Steve,

Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of that,

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Steve Pfiffner
wrote:
>
> Even all the old ladies in the RV Singles groups I belong to bring
along a
> Toad. They are very careful in their choices leaning toward manual
> transmissions and small size. Do check
> on four down towing of whatever you pick with Motorhome magazines, tow
bar
> company websites etc, most anything can be towed but the price gets
really
> high and the setups complicated and pricey for some cars (particularly
> automatics) and some cars simply cannot be towed four down and require
a
> dolly or a trailer. Look before you leap on this one.
>
> Steve,
> Wannabee
>
>
>
> On 5/18/09, richafranco BigRichPho@... wrote:
> >
> > Hello again,
> > I've started a thread under "old or older" and I'm starting to get
some
> > good feedback now, but one of the responders, Fred, brought up a
good point,
> > should I think about towing a vehicle behind the coach or not. I've
> > mentioned I'm a photographer and it seems like most of the images I
capture
> > are down these little narrow roads. I've got a bunch of gear with me
too and
> > security is an issue if I'm away from the car/truck. We've got a 98
Ford
> > Expedition, 2wd and a 2002 Beetle. I guess I could sell both and buy
a used
> > something newer, like a Subaru?
> > Rich
> > Fred actually brought a bunch of good suggestionsm but the other one
I
> > never even considered was big or smaller, in a coach.
> >
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

[Don Bradner]

The primary source of information is a special towing guide every January in the
FMCA magazine. They have it on their site at http://www.fmca.com - you have to join the
site to read it, but I think you can do so without paying anything.

We towed a Hyundai Santa Fe for 4 years (current models cannot be towed without
modification, but older ones with manual transmissions/2-wheel drive could), but
moved to a Jeep Liberty when we took up geocaching and needed reasonable
off-road/dirt road capability. There are a tiny number of Jeep products that
can't be towed without mods, but generally they are only ones with
2-wheel-drive. 4-wheel Jeep products almost always have a transfer case with a
Neutral position.

Since almost anything can be towed with after-market modifications there is
almost nothing you won't see being towed in your travels. I would say, though,
that the Jeep line is probably the highest number of any single brand.

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" towing '07 Liberty
My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1

On 5/18/2009 at 10:47 PM richafranco wrote:

>Steve,
>
>Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of that,

[richafranco]

Don,

Thanks for the link to FMCA, I'll head over there. How expensive is it
to modify, say my Expedition to be towable? I had a Jeep, actually 2.
The first one was the worst vehicle I've ever owned and also the first
year, 1984 that it came out, Cherokee, 4wd. After I traded it in 3 years
later, I bought a 2 door, 2wd and it was great.

It would need to be used, I over the new car years, what would you
recommend in a used, under $8,000 or so?

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
wrote:
>
> The primary source of information is a special towing guide every
January in the FMCA magazine. They have it on their site at http://www.fmca.com
- you have to join the site to read it, but I think you can do so
without paying anything.
>
> We towed a Hyundai Santa Fe for 4 years (current models cannot be
towed without modification, but older ones with manual
transmissions/2-wheel drive could), but moved to a Jeep Liberty when we
took up geocaching and needed reasonable off-road/dirt road capability.
There are a tiny number of Jeep products that can't be towed without
mods, but generally they are only ones with 2-wheel-drive. 4-wheel Jeep
products almost always have a transfer case with a Neutral position.
>
> Since almost anything can be towed with after-market modifications
there is almost nothing you won't see being towed in your travels. I
would say, though, that the Jeep line is probably the highest number of
any single brand.
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" towing '07 Liberty
> My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
>
> On 5/18/2009 at 10:47 PM richafranco wrote:
>
> >Steve,
> >
> >Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of that,
>

[Susan Guidry]

Rich,

I tow a Honda CRV with nomodification.....great tow car. Also check out www.remco.com for info. They have a list of cars that can be towed 4 down

and tell you which modifaction is needed if any.

I have a little in common with you....photography !! I own a large camera and imagining place in New Orleans. I checked out your web site.....very nice work,

I might say.

Susan Guidry

Lakeside Camera Photoworks

www.lakesidecamera.com

2007 M380

New Orleans, La.

On May 18, 2009, at 6:54 PM, richafranco wrote:

Don,

Thanks for the link to FMCA, I'll head over there. How expensive is it
to modify, say my Expedition to be towable? I had a Jeep, actually 2.
The first one was the worst vehicle I've ever owned and also the first
year, 1984 that it came out, Cherokee, 4wd. After I traded it in 3 years
later, I bought a 2 door, 2wd and it was great.

It would need to be used, I over the new car years, what would you
recommend in a used, under $8,000 or so?

Rich
--- In"WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Don Bradner" ...>
wrote:
>
> The primary source of information is a special towing guide every
January in the FMCA magazine. They have it on their site atwww.fmca.com
- you have to join the site to read it, but I think you can do so
without paying anything.
>
> We towed a Hyundai Santa Fe for 4 years (current models cannot be
towed without modification, but older ones with manual
transmissions/2-wheel drive could), but moved to a Jeep Liberty when we
took up geocaching and needed reasonable off-road/dirt road capability.
There are a tiny number of Jeep products that can't be towed without
mods, but generally they are only ones with 2-wheel-drive. 4-wheel Jeep
products almost always have a transfer case with a Neutral position.
>
> Since almost anything can be towed with after-market modifications
there is almost nothing you won't see being towed in your travels. I
would say, though, that the Jeep line is probably the highest number of
any single brand.
>
> Don Bradner
> 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" towing '07 Liberty
> My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
>
> On 5/18/2009 at 10:47 PM richafranco wrote:
>
> >Steve,
> >
> >Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of that,
>

=

[Bill Garamella]

We just set up our 2006 Honda Civic manual. No modifications... the car only
weighs 2,700 lbs and it gets about 39 MPG highway. There is a surprising amount
of room in this little buggy. It also has a pretty good safety rating too.. not
to mention low cost of ownership

Used Blue Ox base plate and Blue Ox Aventa LX tow bar. Tested the set up for the
first time this weekend and am very happy with it. Without the back up camera,
I would not know its there.

NH Bill 1983FC 35 "Casa Billisa"

[tommy.rountree]

All:

I pondered and ruminated for months about a toad considering all the options,
transmission pump, drive axle disconnect, tow dolly, etc. Finally bought a
little 2001 Honda CRV auto transmission "full time 4-w drive" with 130,000 miles
on the clock. It already had a Blue Ox base plate and pins as well as wiring.
Prior owner was an RV'er. I already had a Blue Ox Aventia tow bar. Martha and I
have now pulled it about 5,000 miles and it does great. You just have to follow
the owners manual's instructions for shifting sequence prior to pulling out and
stop ever 400 miles or so, crank it up, shift through the gears let it run for
three minutes or so, and off you go again. Looks like there are a lot of the
little buggers for sale at very reasonable prices.

Tommy Rountree
1994 WB

[Jack & Donna Smith]

Each case is a bit different. One item not mentioned is how quickly the Toad
can be disconnected and driven away. This calls to mind when we were in Santa
Fe NM, and wanted to see the "Historic District" We parked the coach in
Walmart, Unhitched the Toad and went sightseeing for 3 or 4 hours, Then
reconnected and were on our way...
Out Toad is a Jeep CJ with an auto tranny. To tow this, I fitted WARN LockOut
hubs on the rear axel. With these unlocked, it rolls freely... I leave the
T-Case engaged, & the Tranny in Park.... One other change I made was to disable
the steering wheel lock, so I dont have to leave the key on..
The Dana 300 transfer case will not lube when towed, and another adantage to
the Warn rear axel is thet are floating shafts, and much stronger than the
original 2 piece AMC20 shafts..
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "tommy.rountree"
wrote:
>
> All:
>
> I pondered and ruminated for months about a toad considering all the options,
transmission pump, drive axle disconnect, tow dolly, etc. Finally bought a
little 2001 Honda CRV auto transmission "full time 4-w drive" with 130,000 miles
on the clock. It already had a Blue Ox base plate and pins as well as wiring.
Prior owner was an RV'er. I already had a Blue Ox Aventia tow bar. Martha and I
have now pulled it about 5,000 miles and it does great. You just have to follow
the owners manual's instructions for shifting sequence prior to pulling out and
stop ever 400 miles or so, crank it up, shift through the gears let it run for
three minutes or so, and off you go again. Looks like there are a lot of the
little buggers for sale at very reasonable prices.
>
> Tommy Rountree
> 1994 WB
>

[richafranco]

Susan,

Thanks for the info. Your name sounds familiar, have we met in ASMP
meetings? I knew a John Guidry.

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Susan Guidry
wrote:
>
> Rich,
> I tow a Honda CRV with no modification.....great tow car. Also check
> out http://www.remco.com for info. They have a list of cars that can be
> towed 4 down
> and tell you which modifaction is needed if any.
> I have a little in common with you....photography !! I own a large
> camera and imagining place in New Orleans. I checked out your web
> site.....very nice work,
> I might say.
> Susan Guidry
> Lakeside Camera Photoworks
> http://www.lakesidecamera.com
> 2007 M380
> New Orleans, La.
>
> On May 18, 2009, at 6:54 PM, richafranco wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >
> > Don,
> >
> > Thanks for the link to FMCA, I'll head over there. How expensive is
it
> > to modify, say my Expedition to be towable? I had a Jeep, actually
2.
> > The first one was the worst vehicle I've ever owned and also the
first
> > year, 1984 that it came out, Cherokee, 4wd. After I traded it in 3
> > years
> > later, I bought a 2 door, 2wd and it was great.
> >
> > It would need to be used, I over the new car years, what would you
> > recommend in a used, under $8,000 or so?
> >
> > Rich
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner"
> > bluethunder@
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > The primary source of information is a special towing guide every
> > January in the FMCA magazine. They have it on their site at
http://www.fmca.com
> > - you have to join the site to read it, but I think you can do so
> > without paying anything.
> > >
> > > We towed a Hyundai Santa Fe for 4 years (current models cannot be
> > towed without modification, but older ones with manual
> > transmissions/2-wheel drive could), but moved to a Jeep Liberty when
> > we
> > took up geocaching and needed reasonable off-road/dirt road
> > capability.
> > There are a tiny number of Jeep products that can't be towed without
> > mods, but generally they are only ones with 2-wheel-drive. 4-wheel
> > Jeep
> > products almost always have a transfer case with a Neutral position.
> > >
> > > Since almost anything can be towed with after-market modifications
> > there is almost nothing you won't see being towed in your travels. I
> > would say, though, that the Jeep line is probably the highest number
> > of
> > any single brand.
> > >
> > > Don Bradner
> > > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder" towing '07 Liberty
> > > My location: http://www.bbirdmaps.com/user2.cfm?user=1
> > >
> > > On 5/18/2009 at 10:47 PM richafranco wrote:
> > >
> > > >Steve,
> > > >
> > > >Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of that,
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>