Community Forums

rt749 · 02-20-2013, 03:18 PM

Hi! We are Mary and Randy and have recently purchased a 2002 Damon Intruder. We are very excited about taking our first trip very soon, but are perplexed about what/how/etc to tow. We have 3 vehicles, but all are automatic transmissions. Our simplest option is to tow our 1996 Ford Ranger truck. However, it seems this would require a transmission cooler and the Blue Ox baseplate, as well as some other upgrades we would want (topper over bed, etc.). We have been considering trading for something with a standard transmission.
Is there a place to shop for vehicles already equipped to be towed? The Blue Ox came with our coach, so we don't have a cost there.
Thanks for your help and advice in advance!

**CLIFFTALL** · 02-20-2013, 03:27 PM

Welcome to IRV2. I'll move this thread to toads and MH towing. Hopefully you'll get an answer there.
Cliff

Sky_Boss · 02-20-2013, 04:28 PM

Welcome from Urbana, IL...

You mentioned 3 different vehicles. What are they?

Check out this link for the 2012 Dinghy Towing Guide by Motorhome

Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

This one is free but earlier back editions do have some small fees. You would need the proper year for the vehicles you have to determine if they are towable. It will give you some ideas to start with including restrictions and special information on toads.

I don't know of any special place to find vehicles for sale that are already set up. I have seen a couple references from others that might help.

Good Luck.

rt749 · 02-21-2013, 06:45 PM

Thanks! My 3 vehicles are a 1996 Ford Ranger 2wd pickup, a 2007 Hyundai Sante Fe FWD and a 2012 Buick Enclave AWD. We pretty much think the Buick is too heavy and the Hyundai may be as well. All have automatic transmissions.

Gary RVRoamer · 02-23-2013, 11:54 AM

The Enclave makes a dandy toad (I tow an Acadia), but it is probably a tad over 5000 lbs. Too heavy for your rig? Probably. Few gas chassis motorhomes are rated over 5000 lbs towing.

Curb weight on the Santa Fe FWD ought to be around 4000 lbs, so that should be towable with the addition of a transmission lube pump. Not cheap, but neither is buying another vehicle.