Backing with a toad

[Dagwood]

I have a 2006 jeep toad which I tow 4 down with a U.S. Gear braking system. I know why You can't back with a toad but would it be possible to back the toad itself with the motorhome in neutral for a short distance to avoid having to unhook the toad. Example; you get blocked in at a gas station or heavy traffic and you must back up a few feet 10 to 100 to get clear.It would have to be in a straight line I think but would it damage anything? Has anyone tried this ?

[deaton]

My MH weighs 34,000 lbs. My toad (4 Dr Jeep Wrangler) weights about 3800 lbs. My hitch receiver is rated for 10,000 lbs. Assuming the jeep could budge the MH, which it probably could, I would think I would be putting a huge overload on the hitch reciever, not to mention my jeeps tranny.

I'll be interested in seeing what others think on this question.

[az bound]

Interesting question. Might be even more interesting to see if it could be stopped once it was rolling.

[idenphones]

Before we left the cold country of Canada I had to do exactly what you are asking using our AWD Ford Edge.

Coach in neutral, engine running, Edge in reverse, reasonably flat ground, DIRT to be exact.

Basically, just a little bit of throttle to backup about 50 feet. Top speed 1 or 2 mph or maybe that was mpDay!!

No problem! The DW did the stopping using the coach brakes. No grunts or groans out of anything.

[Dadeaux]

I often back my toad with the motorhome for distances up to 50-60 Ft. Just watch it closely and stop if wheels start turning, no problem.

[wa8yxm]

The short answer is no.. The reason has to do with steering.

Now.. if you wish to back a SHORT distance and you do not mind the risks you could lock the steering in the towed BUT.. You might damage the tow bar, YOU might damage the suspension on the towed and you WILL add a lot of wear to the tires for the distance traveled.. So I do not recommend this.

Reason. IF you are backing straight up.. No problem.. but if you turn even the slightest then the towed is going to want to swing the front (like a boat swings the rear to turn) and the motor home is not going to allow this.. This will put great stress on the tow bar and the front end of the towed.. Very great stress. way beyond the design on the tow bar and hitch, perhaps beyond the car's design as well.

Thus I would not do it.

[az bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm The short answer is no.. The reason has to do with steering. Now.. if you wish to back a SHORT distance and you do not mind the risks you could lock the steering in the towed BUT.. You might damage the tow bar, YOU might damage the suspension on the towed and you WILL add a lot of wear to the tires for the distance traveled.. So I do not recommend this. Reason. IF you are backing straight up.. No problem.. but if you turn even the slightest then the towed is going to want to swing the front (like a boat swings the rear to turn) and the motor home is not going to allow this.. This will put great stress on the tow bar and the front end of the towed.. Very great stress. way beyond the design on the tow bar and hitch, perhaps beyond the car's design as well. Thus I would not do it.

I believe you miss uderstood the question. OP was asking about pulling the coach with the toad.

[Dagwood]

Well I guess the answer is yes since idenphones has did it. Maybe on flat ground there isn't too much strain on the toad components. I don't believe the hitch would care since this is the came stress as the camper pulling it forward. Thanks to all for your responses.

[PHESPE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaton My MH weighs 34,000 lbs. My toad (4 Dr Jeep Wrangler) weights about 3800 lbs. My hitch receiver is rated for 10,000 lbs. Assuming the jeep could budge the MH, which it probably could, I would think I would be putting a huge overload on the hitch reciever, not to mention my jeeps tranny. I'll be interested in seeing what others think on this question.

The weight of the MH is not the "load" on the towbar/hitch. It takes far less "lbs of pull" to move a rolling object than the object weights.

PHE

[idenphones]

Before I attempted my backwards tow I considered a couple of things.

1. I was at home in a reasonably controlled area.

2. Speed, or lack of it.

3. I had someone helping and watching.

4. The amount of force being exerted on the ball and pin. Our tow bar is the old "A" frame type.

5. All things considered, I said, "Let's give it a try"

[az bound]

I have never been in a situation where I needed to do that yet, but have thought about it and this is what I would do. Put DW in toad to to keep the wheels straight an back up. It should work as long as its in a straight line.

[hooverbill]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaton My MH weighs 34,000 lbs. My toad (4 Dr Jeep Wrangler) weights about 3800 lbs. My hitch receiver is rated for 10,000 lbs. Assuming the jeep could budge the MH, which it probably could, I would think I would be putting a huge overload on the hitch reciever, not to mention my jeeps tranny.

Same here, only my hitch is rated for 6,000. No way I'm trying to pull the MH with a CRV...not worth the risk of tearing something up.

[Rapid Robert]

Quote:

Originally Posted by az bound I have never been in a situation where I needed to do that yet, but have thought about it and this is what I would do. Put DW in toad to to keep the wheels straight an back up. It should work as long as its in a straight line.

Now your talking! This is the only way to try it safely, keeping a close eye on the backup monitor if you have one. I have done it this way, just don't use walkie-talkies it can turn ugly real fast!

[Bob N Deb]

I would give the try to pulling with the toad before I would have someone I care about try to steer the toad while I back up. Have you ever seen how fast that wheel turns when it decides to turn and you can not stop it. I have thought about doing the pulling thing a couple of time but my car is too little. It is a pain to have to unhook for 10 feet.