Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 05-23-2018, 09:30 PM

Hi,

Currently toad shopping.

I see myself only driving the toad 2,000miles a year or so as it will be a dedicated toad as daily driver is a Toyota Sequoia. Thats maybe 5-6 tanks of gas a years.

I am thinking a gas toad would make more sense.

Any thoughts?

Mr_D · 05-23-2018, 09:37 PM

First you have to make sure the towed is towable either four down, on a dolly or trailer only. I'd much rather have to spend a little more on a four down towed than one that needed a dolly or trailer. My '14 CR-V gets 24 around town and 36 on the freeway.

Santa_Claus · 05-24-2018, 05:11 AM

We have a hybrid Prius and IMO they don't make sense. The gas model gets the same mileage, so you are hauling around a large, expensive battery and electric motors for no gain. But even if the hybrid got a few mpg better, you'd have to drive enough miles to justify the extra purchase price and cover the battery replacement at about 10 years. And it has to be dollyed (or trailered), which is a major pain! We just bought a Cadillac SRX and are setting it up to flat tow. As few miles as we put on it the mpg won't really matter, but the comfort and convenience (and safety tech) will pay dividends every time we drive it.

Unicorn Driver · 05-24-2018, 06:27 AM

Thanks both,

I like the idea of a Hybrid but for such low mileage it does not make sense.

I am looking to spend as little as possible as its only for towing behind our MH and not a daily driver, I would set it up flat tow and keep it for 4-5 years.

My MH already had a brake controller but not sure what brand, will check later.

Mr.Mark · 05-24-2018, 07:59 AM

1stmh, if you are looking to spend as little as possible, that would dictate what you are going to buy which will probably not be a hybrid since fuel prices are increasing.

First and foremost, I would want a vehicle that can be towed four down.

We towed two Honda CR-V's, a 2007 and a 2013. Both were excellent, no trouble and easy to tow. I had the supplemental braking system put on both, the M&G on the '07 and the AF1 on the '13. You just can't beat a Honda for ease of towing. They seat five if needed, wonderful storage, weigh 3,400 lbs. and good fuel mileage.

Since I had the NAV on both Honda's, I had a switch installed to disconnect the fuse that would normally need to be pulled.

I would have bought another Honda but 2014 is the last year for the CR-V for towing four down. The 2015's and up have the new transmission not allowing it to be towed four down.

Good Luck!
Mark

ageishecker · 05-24-2018, 09:31 AM

I bought a Fusion hybrid specifically because it's simpler to prepare to tow than the nonhybrid. The price difference wasn't much.

Arch Hoagland · 05-24-2018, 09:51 AM

Store : Remco

Remco will tell what you can tow 4 down. We used to pull a 91 Miata. Very light.

Dark Sky · 05-24-2018, 09:32 PM

I had an '07 Camry hybrid. When gas was $4 per gallon I was a genius. When it dropped to $2 I was an idiot. You also have to factor in battery replacement. At the time I was told that battery life was 8 years. I don't know how much of this is calendar driven and how much is based on discharge/charging cycles. At 2k miles per year I would not pay anything extra for a hybrid.

YMM literally V.

Unicorn Driver · 05-25-2018, 11:01 AM

Thanks all,

As mentioned this will only be used for qhen on rv trips, of it sees 2000miles a year it will be a lot.

Thats great advice about the batteries.