New towing setup complete

Dardale · 10-25-2011, 07:11 PM

We just completed our first year of traveling and getting acquainted with our 2007 30' Winnie Vista. We rented a car once but found that to be a hassle. We came to the conclusion that we need a toad!!

After reading many threads on this forum, we decided on the following setup.....2010 Honda CRV, a Blue Ox Base Plate, a Ready Brut tow bar and braking system and wiring light kit with a separate brake light bulb installed in the toad.

This web site has been invaluable to us as we are still new to RV'ing and want to let everyone know that this is a "great forum"

We just got our completed setup home from the shop and have taken our first test drive pulling the toad for about 40 miles and we were very pleased with this setup. It worked perfect and we hardly knew we were pulling.

Can anyone give me advise or recommendations for safe towing now that we are ready to go?

Dale and Darlene
07 Winnie Vista
Toad 2010 Honda CRV

njs42 · 10-25-2011, 07:56 PM

Some things I do which are now second nature to me.

Observe towing speed limits highway and those imposed because of your Honda.

Remember you cannot back up so plan how to get out before you go in.

Check and double check your tow set up and lights before you take off and when you stop for rest.

While walking around your toad at a rest stop be warry of any unuaual heat or odors from the toad---check them out if detected.

I set my rig then drive say to the exit of the RV park--enroute I stop hard enough to activate the brake-------then get out and look it over.

Leave plenty of room in front of you--it takes longer to stop.

Make sure you understand and follow the routine for preparation for towing your Honda.

She will track just fine but a little wider in the turns does not hurt. When you turn into a RV park or a gas station with curbed entrance especially.

You are longer when you pass someone so account for the toad before you pull back into lanes.

Properly maintain your tow eqipment.

Oh yes----have fun!!!! Above all have fun!!!!!

Your Honda will tow just fine and without troubles, treat her right and she will be a loyal follower.

Dardale · 10-26-2011, 02:43 PM

Thank you njs42 for your reply. You have valuable information that I can use when towing. I have already copied and printed and added to my library, thanks again.
Dardale

**Route 66** · 10-26-2011, 04:21 PM

After hooking up, a good idea would be to have the co-pilot observe the toad as you pull ahead 10 feet or so to verify the the toad is in neutral, the parking brake is off, the tow bar looks OK and the toad is moving OK.

It's not rare that someone has pulled their toad some distance with the brakes on.

Also make sure the toad parking brake is set and the toad is in gear before pulling the pins to disconnect the tow bar. I've seen two runaway toads where the pins where pulled without the toad's parking brake set.

burfurd · 10-26-2011, 06:03 PM

All good stuff above. The main thing is to make a list of things to do and check them off in the order you are supposed to do them. DO NOT GET IN A HURRY!!!!

burfurd

Dardale · 10-27-2011, 07:24 AM

route66 after getting home from our test drive I did leave toad in neutral and pulled the pins to unhook. As burfurd said I now have a list to hook up and also unhook. putting toad in park and brake set will be number 1 on the unhook list.
thanks for all the great advice.

WhiteEagle · 10-27-2011, 09:09 PM

Another simple helpful hint is to attach a colored index card or bright colored ribbon with barette clip or similiar to top of toads steering wheel (when wheels are straight).. Easy to check in rear camera to insure steering wheel is turning on corners and re-straightening after corner....