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10-10-2017, 11:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 8,824
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Best Cheap, Light TOAD?
My wife and I have been talking about possibly getting a TOAD for our motorhome sometime in the next few years. We use the motorhome for 1 or 2 big trips per year, and some long weekends, we would be looking for something big enough for the 2 of us to explore and do tourist stuff in, I am 6'0" so needs some leg room, etc. Our coach has a 5,000 pound towing capacity,ideally I would want something in the 2,500 pound ballpark, as we already have 2 4 down towable cars that weigh in between 4,200 -4,500 pounds, we just don't want to use them for this.
So here are the constraints: Something reasonably enjoyable to drive for sightseeing, available on the used market in the $7,500 or less ballpark and weigh under 3,000 pounds, preferably under 2,500, no speed or mileage limitations when towing, manual transmission is fine, my wife says it must have an air conditioner.
I am in no rush to buy here, just trying to come up with a potential short list so if I find a deal on one I might buy it.
thanks
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2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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10-11-2017, 01:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 146
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I Bought a 2000 2 door Suzuki Vitara in AZ. It has 4 wheel drive and a manual tranny. Curb Weight is around 2,700 lbs. I believe. I paid $3,500 for it, 98,000 miles. I'm 6.2 and it has plenty of room for me. This type vehicle might work for your needs.
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10-11-2017, 07:02 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Suggest to watch the classified section here for a suitable toad already setup. Over time something will likely come along.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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10-11-2017, 07:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas,OR
Posts: 4,584
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Suzuki Samuari is one great option. Light, cheap, flat towable, easy to fix, and durable as all get out. Next, but heavier would be a Suzuki Sidekick. Newer, a bit more refined, but still cheap and easy to fix.
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Don and Lorri
Resident Dummy.
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10-11-2017, 07:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 104
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Chevy Spark manual.
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10-11-2017, 07:15 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,145
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Chevy Tracker (older models were Geo Tracker) is the same as the Suzuki. Just sold my two door rag top 4wd this spring complete with Roadmaster tow bar and SMI braking system for $6k. Great little toad. I am also 6'-0" and had enough room. Back seat was a different story!
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Zeb and Teena (In my heart)
2005 Mandalay, 2013 Ford Edge
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10-11-2017, 08:33 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Fulltime/ SE Minnesota
Posts: 3,116
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Honda CRV
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08 Foretravel Nimbus 40 ft tag axle / 1000 watts of solar
2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn Hemi 4x4
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10-11-2017, 08:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,309
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We had good service with a Chevy Sonic automatic. Have it setup to be towed, and to tow the portable grey tote to the dump. I’m 6’1” and have plenty of room. Can haul 4 adults if needed or a bunch of junk with back seats down. You do have to pull a fuse when towing, but they make a aftermarket switch for this purpose. Takes just a few minutes to hook it up for towing. I use Roadmaster products and they are all well made.
I’m not positive but I think you will find many if not most vehicles will have a maximum speed limit while being towed, as well as a need to start the engine to lube the transmission. I don’t find either a problem but you may.
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Tom
2016 Newmar Bay Star Sport 3004
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport Willys
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10-11-2017, 09:44 AM
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#9
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Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
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I assume you're looking to four down tow vs a dolly... I do both, but prefer the 4 down for ease of connect/disconnect.
Watch the ads on this and other forums for someone selling their toad. You should be able to pick it up for the cost of the vehicle, and basically get the tow equipment, base plate, brakes, etc. thrown in at no cost..
We "rescued" an old 2003 Saturn Vue, got it running, installed a base plate on it, and we use that as our Toad. Its a 4 banger with a manual tranny, its light, tows and drives great.
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10-11-2017, 10:02 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Phoenix, Oregon
Posts: 2,207
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We've had both a Samurai and '92 Tracker as toads and liked both of them. We had the Samurai first for about 5 years, and and have been using the Tracker for about the last 10 years. Both of these are under 2500 lbs. We run coast to coast nearly every year and after a trip or two at 70 mph I installed a disconnect in both of them. They did fine without it, I just felt better having it.
IMHO, comparing the Samurai to the Tracker, the Samurai is a bit under powered and does not ride quite as well as the Tracker. On the other hand, the Samurai has a bit better ground clearance and is a somewhat better off road machine. We had both for a year or so and finally choose the Tracker for it's better "creature comforts". Mileage with the Tracker is about 25-30 mpg.
Best of luck with your choice.
Steve
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10-11-2017, 10:27 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Western Montana
Posts: 969
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X2 on the Chevy Sonic Hatchback. We have an RS model (more sporty) with 6spd manual. I dolly tow for now.
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Mike & JoAnne
Montana Summer / Arizona Winter
'16 Prism 24G / '02 HitchHiker 38 LKTG
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10-11-2017, 10:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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We towed an '05 Honda Odyssey both on a dolly and four down. We needed the room for our goods at cat shows. Quit the business and didn't need that much room but kept it till last year when a friend and member here was selling his Essex and CR-V. Bought the CR-V set up to tow with only 6030 miles on it in 2016. A little moer weight than the OP wants, has a 65 mph speed limit amd needs to be started every 8 hours. None of which bothers me in the least!
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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10-11-2017, 10:56 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 544
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We have a '99 Saturn SL2 that we towed with a dolly but it is 4 down towable also as it is a manual. I think it weighs 2100 or 2200 lbs. Paid $1900 for it this year and it only had 77k miles on it. We have decided to do 4 down and wanted something a little taller so we bought a '13 CRV. [mod edit] There are quite a few inexpensive options out there. Good luck.
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2004 Newmar Mountain Aire 3781
2019 Ford Explorer Limited
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10-11-2017, 11:27 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,723
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X3 on Chevy Sonic.
Our's is a 2012 sedan, with 6spd auto trans. Weighed in about 2900 lbs.
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Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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