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

[richafranco]

Al.

Thanks,

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Al Scudder
wrote:
>
>
> Rich, I see if I can do it this weekend
>
> scooter 2000LX
>
>
>
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> From: BigRichPho@...
> Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 18:06:25 +0000
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: "TO tow or not to tow, that is the
question"
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Al,
>
> Thanks for the info. So really the ideal vehicle to pull is a 4wd,
> maybe kinda light and maybe even some type of scooter on the back of
the
> 4wd? Do you have any photos of your set-up?
>
> Rich
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Al Scudder al_scudder@
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > Fred is right you CAN NOT back up on a Toad. There is one bar that
you
> can but it will have some limitations to do that. Look at FMCA
> Classifieds and look for it or in Motorhome. Scooter are a blast. Our
> set up is a Tahoe or a Trailblazer we have both with the aux brake
from
> M&G hooked up to the coach air brakes. with a runaway feature that
would
> be a must. But we also have 2 Yamahas on the back of thew Toad. they
are
> on a platform andf ride nicely on the back. They are easy to take off
> and on so that if you are just camping one night at at =ime you can
take
> the toad and the scooters or you can take just the scooters and leave
> the next morning with out too much difficulty. Look at the Chevrolet
> lines for the past thee or four years and most are towable 4 down. all
4
> wheel drives are 4 down. the van and the crossovers are 4 down also.
> make sure that if you choose a toad from a list of models make sure
that
> you have the YEAR SPECIFIC on the potential Toad. Transmissions change
> sometimes and one year vs the next might not work.
> >
> > Scooter 2000LX MIchigan
> >
> > Packin up for G.L.A.S.S. Berrien Springs, MI, Shipshewana, IN,
> Streetsboro, OH
> >
> > Honk if ya see the Yamaha training wheels
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > From: nytexcel@
> > Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 13:03:04 +0000
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: "TO tow or not to tow, that is the
> question"
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Rich, one thing to look at specifically, that Pete mentioned, if
> you're going to be full-timing, or even semi-full-timing, is the size
of
> the bath and kitchen, and how they can annoy you after awhile. I
totally
> agree, and can easily see where that would become the biggest issue,
> even within just a few weeks. Now, even the older `birds tend to have
ok
> sized galleys, but the bathrooms are smaller, especially the sinks,
and,
> boy, are their showers small! Look carefully at those when you attend
a
> rally, maybe even ask if you can stand in the shower, and imagine that
> for months at a time! The shower in my SP is plenty roomy, and I
> remounted the showerhead up high. It's nice. And the swing-wall bath
is
> a wonderful thing! I don't know if you're interested in more info
about
> considering a motorcycle instead of towing a car, or if you're even
into
> bikes at all, but here's some thoughts on it. From what I understand,
> the biggest hassle with toads, is not all these hardware issues and
> expenses that have been detailed on this thread, but the fact that you
> can't (hardly) back up. The benefits, of course, are that it seats 4,
> it's more comfy, with heat and AC, and you're in out of the rain. But
> I'm figuring that if it's really bad weather, I'm probably not going
to
> go-see-do much that day, anyway. So for me, the fun of the bike, and
the
> benefits of no-tow, outweigh the drawbacks. By the way, our Vespa has
> tons of lockable storage. Plenty for camera gear, I'm sure, because
you
> can fit two full face helmets under the seat, plus a little more room
> under there, and then there's the whole extra accessory trunk, which
is
> huge as well. We have put 8 bags of groceries in this scooter! Oh, and
> we use 4 electric bicycles when we have 2 guests, to bike into town,
see
> the sites, etc., they're great! `Sorry this is so long, -just some
more
> food for thought.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > \/\/\…Fred
> > __________________
> > Fred & Wendy Bellows
> > Queen Creek, AZ (so.east Phx)
> > '90 SP36
> > "Maunder Maximum"
> > photos of coach and upgrades
> > current location
> >
>

[richafranco]

Susan,

I MEANT to say thread # 43084, no really.....

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, bizisphoto@... wrote:
>
> No, Rich....no sister at all. I do shoot but only for fun and don't
have
> a personal web site.
> I must have missed your earlier questions....are you looking for a bus
or
> do you have one already? I got in on the tow question thread.
> Susan
> M380
> New Orleans
>
>
> In a message dated 5/19/2009 10:11:24 A.M. Central Standard Time,
> BigRichPho@... writes:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Susan,
>
> Did you have a sister here in Orlando maybe? Anyway, are you a
shooter?
> Do you have a web site?
>
> Rich
> --- In _WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) , bizisphoto@, biz
> >
> > Yes, Rich....similar name for sure. There are lots of Guidrys in
South
> > Louisiana. My husband was Rod Guidry....he passed away in '96 and my
> son
> > David runs the business now. I still go to work just because I love
> the
> > place.....but would always rather being out in the Bird.
> > Susan
> > M380
> > New Orleans
> >
> >
> > In a message dated 5/19/2009 9:30:03 A.M. Central Standard Time,
> > BigRichPho@ BigRichPho@
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Susan,
> >
> > Last night I mentioned I knew a John Guidry. Well, much latter I
> > realized WRONG, sorry and it was a Joe Guider! Pretty close though.
> And
> > I visited you site and very nice place, I must say,
> >
> > Rich
> > --- In _WanderlodgeForum@ --- In _Wan
> > (mailto:_WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> (mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com) ) , Susan Guidry
> bizisphoto@biz
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Rich,
> > > I tow a Honda CRV with no modification. I tow a Honda CRV with no
> modifi
> > > 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.
> > > 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@ --- In _Wan
> > (mailto:_WanderlodgeForum@WanderlodgeFWan_
> (mailto: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/ transmissions/2-wheel drive could), but
moved
> to a
> > > > 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. My locati My locat
> > > > >
> > > > > On 5/18/2009 at 10:47 PM richafranco wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >Steve,
> > > > > >
> > > > > >Thanks and I'll check out the magazines, never thought of
that,
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ************ **************An Excellent Credit Score is 750. S
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[Ryan Wright]

Rich,

It's just a limitation with that particular vehicle, something you
have to do to prevent transmission damage. You'll find a lot of tow
vehicles have similar limitations... Some with steering locks require
you to leave a key in. Some even require the ignition to be on.

This is why I bought a Hummer to tow. No hassles. Just push a button
on the dash to shift the 4x4 transfer case into neutral, hook her up
and tow as long and far as you want without worries. Of course, it's
heavy, but my PT-40 is a big girl and fully capable. If you want
light, go for a Jeep. I understand they are also fairly hassle free
toads.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 8:43 AM, richafranco wrote:
>
> Tommy,
>
> Thanks for the info. Why do you have to stop and crank it up,etc., every
> 6-8 hours?
>
> Rich

[richafranco]

Ryan,

Thanks for the info. What about staying in the vintage style and get a
Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1986 or so? Big, pretty simple engine, parts
probably everywhere?

RIch
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ryan Wright
wrote:
>
> Rich,
>
> It's just a limitation with that particular vehicle, something you
> have to do to prevent transmission damage. You'll find a lot of tow
> vehicles have similar limitations... Some with steering locks require
> you to leave a key in. Some even require the ignition to be on.
>
> This is why I bought a Hummer to tow. No hassles. Just push a button
> on the dash to shift the 4x4 transfer case into neutral, hook her up
> and tow as long and far as you want without worries. Of course, it's
> heavy, but my PT-40 is a big girl and fully capable. If you want
> light, go for a Jeep. I understand they are also fairly hassle free
> toads.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>
> On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 8:43 AM, richafranco BigRichPho@... wrote:
> >
> > Tommy,
> >
> > Thanks for the info. Why do you have to stop and crank it up,etc.,
every
> > 6-8 hours?
> >
> > Rich
>

[Ryan Wright]

Sounds like a good choice to me. Jeeps are cool, I almost bought one
myself. Double-check to be sure the particular year and model you want
is towable.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 3:24 PM, richafranco wrote:
>
> Ryan,
>
> Thanks for the info. What about staying in the vintage style and get a
> Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1986 or so? Big, pretty simple engine, parts
> probably everywhere?
>
> RIch

[Michael Brody]

If anyone has any interest, I have an extra Blue Ox Aventa tow-bar for sale. No reasonable offer refused --we move in two weeks.

Mike

'97 BMC 40'

Michael Brody
P.O. Box 281
Dresher, Pennsylvania 19025

(V) 215-572-0663
(F) 215-572-6992

[Fred Bellows]

wow, I really had no idea it was so complicated to tow a car. I just knew I wanted to be able to back up. In about 1980 I had a '76 Ranchero that the shifter broke on. I was too broke (or lazy) to fix it, and so I just left in drive for about six months or so. I would start it with my foot on the brake and drive it, making sure I didn't pull into anywhere I'd have to back out of. I remember how I could sometimes pull into some parking spots, and then when I wanted to leave I would start it, lunge forward while turning off the engine, and it would bounce off the parking block and roll back enough (while turning a little) to then re-start it and pull away. I was unemployed at the time. I now wonder if that caused deep-scarring traumatic issues that are affecting my desire to keep my back up otions?

<!--[if gte mso 9]>

Normal
0

\/\/\…Fred

__________________

Fred & Wendy Bellows

Queen Creek, AZ (so.east Phx)

'90 SP36

"Maunder Maximum"

photos of coach
and upgrades

current location

[tommy.rountree]

> > Tommy,
> >
> > Thanks for the info. Why do you have to stop and crank it up,etc., every
> > 6-8 hours?
> >
> > Rich
>
Rich: I believe someone has answered, but according to my 2001 CRV Owner's
Manual, it must be done to circulate the fluids in the tranny.

Not much of a inconvenience - we usually stop every 200 miles or so anyway to
losen up "old bones". I check tires, my Allison tranny fluid and let the dog
pee. Just get in the little bugger crank it up let it run for 2-3 minutes, then
go through the shifting sequence: P,R,N,D,2,1 then back to D, then to N, shut
the engine down and turn the ignition key to ACC and drive away.

Local paper last sunday listed a bunch of Honda CRVs 1999-2003, most under
$5,000.00.

Tommy

[Pete Masterson]

I could be ...

In my first 18 months with my coach, I got into several situations that were, uh, "ill advised." That required backing -- and that generally required removing the toad while in the midst of a tight turn. (That puts a lot of pressure on the tow-bar arms, which make them really tough to release.) It didn't take me long to pack a big rubber hammer in my tool kit to help with those tight situations.

However, I have subsequently taken much more care to plan ahead -- look at the turning resources available -- and simply avoid places with a highlikelihoodof being too restrictive. Getting a GPS has also helped, when I've missed a turn, I can now usually find a way to go around a block. Indeed, missed turns are the primary problem I've had where I've needed to do some serious backing and maneuvering where it's necessary to remove the toad -- and the GPS has cut those situations WAY down. (Still happens 'cause some roads are semi-invisible, particularly in the last mile or two toward finding an RV park.)

However, on balance, I'd rather (very) occasionally unhook the toad than deal with backing a trailer. But then, I had plenty of traumatic trailer backing headaches back in my Army days...

(I was driver of a water purification device, mounted on a "5-ton" truck chassis. I had the choice of towing a 50KW generator that was narrow (and invisible, except when jack-knifed) but light, or a 12 ton chemical trailer that acted as a very effective anchor on the already slow performing truck. I usually pulled the generator -- and my assistant driver spent a LOT of time waving his arms when I tried to back the darn thing up...)

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

Photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/Bluebirdzoom/PeteMasterson#

On May 19, 2009, at 8:46 PM, Fred Bellows wrote:

wow, I really had no idea it was so complicated to tow a car. I just knew I wanted to be able to back up. In about 1980 I had a '76 Ranchero that the shifter broke on. I was too broke (or lazy) to fix it, and so I just left in drive for about six months or so. I would start it with my foot on the brake and drive it, making sure I didn't pull into anywhere I'd have to back out of. I remember how I could sometimes pull into some parking spots, and then when I wanted to leave I would start it, lunge forward while turning off the engine, and it would bounce off the parking block and roll back enough (while turning a little) to then re-start it and pull away. I was unemployed at the time. I now wonder if that caused deep-scarring traumatic issues that are affecting my desire to keep my back up otions?

\/\/\…Fred
__________________
Fred & Wendy Bellows
Queen Creek, AZ(so.east Phx)
'90 SP36
"Maunder Maximum"
photos of coach and upgrades
current location

[richafranco]

Ryan,

Thanks for the info and I'll check the list later,

Rich
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Ryan Wright
wrote:
>
> Sounds like a good choice to me. Jeeps are cool, I almost bought one
> myself. Double-check to be sure the particular year and model you want
> is towable.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
>
> On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 3:24 PM, richafranco BigRichPho@... wrote:
> >
> > Ryan,
> >
> > Thanks for the info. What about staying in the vintage style and get
a
> > Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1986 or so? Big, pretty simple engine, parts
> > probably everywhere?
> >
> > RIch
>