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Old 05-25-2018, 11:15 PM   #1
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3000 vs 4000 lbs toad

Hi,

I am toad shopping at present.

My 2008 Workhorse UFO on a 26000lb chassis has a 5000lb tow rating.

Will I notice much difference in Mpg and ease of towing with a 3000lb vs 4000lb toad?

Thanks,
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:45 PM   #2
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Maybe or maybe not. Depends on how sensitive you are and how close you check your mileage.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:53 PM   #3
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Thanks Mr D,

I am not so sensitive about mileage.
I am sensitive about ride and handling:-)
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Old 05-26-2018, 12:02 AM   #4
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Buy the toad that fits your needs, and adjust!


Yes you will notice the 1000 lb. weight difference, in both fuel mileage and braking and pickup!

Only you can decide what is right for you! Rail!
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Old 05-26-2018, 01:00 AM   #5
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I've pulled a 2,000lb Miata and a 4,000 lb Lexus.

Would much rather pull the Miata! However the Lexus is more practical.

I'd guess the gas mileage wouldn't make more than a quarter mpg difference.
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Old 05-26-2018, 05:52 AM   #6
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1stMH-

To answer your question, you won't notice much difference towing a 3,000-pound versus a 4,000-pound toad.

Note: Your coach has a hitch rating of 5,000 pounds. The GVWR is 26,000 pounds, and the GCWR is 30,000 pounds. If your coach is fully-loaded (GVW = GVWR), then you should only tow 4,000 pounds.

I suggest a Honda CR-V or Fit, 2014 or earlier. The CR-V is a very common toad, to the point that there are plug-and-play wiring harnesses available.
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Old 05-26-2018, 06:38 AM   #7
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Thanks all,

A Crv would definitley be nice but ones in my 5k budget are ancient.

Having 4wd would be nice so looking at Jeeps offerings. A 2008 Liberty can be had for 5,000$.

A convertible would be nice also but would need to be a 4 seater so as to have room for our dog.
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:07 AM   #8
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1stMH-

Your budget should include the cost of converting the car to a toad. That can run between $1,500 and $3,500 dollars, depending.

Plenty of toads- already converted- listed in the iRV2 classifieds. Some are listed for $5,000 or less.

Our Hondas are 15 and 9 years old, and both in great shape. We'd be towing the 2003 Element, but it was too heavy for the last coach, so we converted the 2009 Fit instead.
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:19 AM   #9
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Hi Mark,

I had guessed about 2000$-2500$ to setup for towing, so about 7500$ in total.

Can you carry Kayaks on your fit?
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:29 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1stmh View Post
Hi Mark,

I had guessed about 2000$-2500$ to setup for towing, so about 7500$ in total.

Can you carry Kayaks on your fit?
I was able to setup my Wrangler for towing for under $1500 by doing the work myself and using a Readybrute Elite towbar with built in surge brake. This was for all new parts. Could have been even less if I shopped for used parts. Highly recommend the Readybrute as it is very effective and easy.
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:39 AM   #11
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Hi Mike,

I am not familar with that product, will check it out.
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Old 05-26-2018, 07:50 AM   #12
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You will likely notice a slight decrease in acceleration and if the braking system is set up properly only a minor (if any) difference in braking.

Fuel economy should be lower because of the extra weight.
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Old 05-26-2018, 08:07 AM   #13
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Thanks Gordon,

Great information.
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Old 05-26-2018, 01:36 PM   #14
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Hi Mark,

I had guessed about 2000$-2500$ to setup for towing, so about 7500$ in total.

Can you carry Kayaks on your fit?
A two-level answer.

1) We have kayak racks (Thule) that we attach to the factory roof rack on our 2003 Honda Element.

2) The same kayak racks will fit on the Honda Fit roof racks that we own but have never used. Ever since we had a loaded roof rack detach from a (former) car at highway speeds my wife and I agreed we would never again use a roof rack that clamped onto the roof, relying on "squeeze" pressure. So, we don't. I am sure there are many satisfied Fit roof rack users, so our bias against them should not deter you from getting one for a Fit, should you buy a Fit.

Note: One of the nice aspects of putting kayak racks and/or bicycle racks on the toad, rather than the coach, is that you can use the toad to get to the trailhead, pond, or whatever. The coach isn't always the most practical "local" transport for bikes or kayaks.

Note: We use our toad as a storage vehicle for some things that don't fit well in the coach. For instance, when we go south from cold weather we need a place to store the fake-down comforter and our winter coats, mittens, etc., once it gets warm. We put the cat carrier in there. You get the idea. The Fit has a deceptively large cargo capacity with the rear seats down. You'd have to try it out for size, but I bet your dog's crate would fit in there.

Note: On the ready Brute towbar: We don't have one, but it looks like a great product- simple to install and use. But, I suspect it will be easier to install on some vehicles than others. The Fit, for example, has a very short firewall. The power-assist brake diaphragm takes up much of the firewall that lies in the path between the license plate and the brake pedal. The engine and drive train are squished in there, too. As a result, it would probably be difficult to route the Ready Brute actuator cable. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, just that it would take some care, if it can be done. I'll confess that I had problems like this when installing the Stay-in-Play Duo in the Fit, so it's not just a Ready Brute thing.
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