Researching Towing for 32' Motorhome

[Purplefans & Harvey]

Finally considering a Toad! We need a hitch, and to make sure that the car we have (or get?) is right for the MH. We have 32' Fleetwood Southwind with 5000 tow capacity. The MH is 6 years old, 7 by the time we actually get the system set up! Any direction / comments, etc. are greatly appreciated!

[Deerhunter]

Selecting a toad is a very personal thing.

Decisions have to be made first on what vehicles can be towed with all 4 wheels down if that is the way you want to go. FMCA.com has a current list of vehickles that you tow 4 down without mechanical disconnects on the drive train.

Now to will have to decide what you will use that vehicle for when you do take it along. Will it haul 4 or 5 people - do you want to put bicycles in the back - do you want to haul some firewood - if you are taking grandkids or your kids where do their toys go - if you are going to ride trails out in the backcountry do you need 4 wheel drive.

After you have made your selection of vehicle then you have to consider an additional braking unit to help slow down that big bus that is towing the Toad.

Not to confuse you but I tow a Chevy 4x4 Silverado PU weighs about 5700 and I will usually haul different things in the back from bicycles, golf cart, ATV, firewood, & Kayak.
Next trip I will haul the Lincol MKX (an SUV) We will use it for touring areas, visiting people, seeing attactions, and grocery shopping.
Last, we sometimes pull an enclosed trailer with the Honda Gold Wing MC inside. We use this for two up riding in the mountains, sight seeing the local spots, and just getting to know the area.
Towing is fairly easy thing to do because your TOAD will go where it is towed. If you are happy with your current car and think it will handle the things you might need it for when out camping then find out if it can be recreational towed.

[paz]

HERE is a good article on the Blue Ox web site for towing newbies. It talks about different methods of towing, and about different types of tow bars (car-mounted vs. motorhome-mounted), baseplates, accessories (auxiliary brakes, lighting), etc.

As Deerhunter says, selecting a toad is a personal choice. You first need to decide what type of vehicle you want and if you want to tow on a trailer, on a dolly, or 4-down. A list of vehicles that can be towed 4-down can be found on the "Motorhome Magazine" web site. scroll down to Dinghy Towing Guides on the right and select the year vehicle you are interested in. Always, always, ALWAYS check the vehicle's owners manual to verify it can be towed 4-down without modification before buying. Do not rely on the salesman.

To tow 4-down, you will need a baseplate installed on the toad, a tow bar, a light kit (either auxiliary bulbs or a diode kit), safety cables and an electrical cable. An auxiliary brake is highly recommended and required in some states and Canadian provinces.

[Purplefans & Harvey]

Thanks!

We'll start with towing a Chevy Impala, and eventually move to (hopefully) a really cool jeep, once the budget frees $$ up. DH thinks
that putting it on a trailer is the best move, so i'll start pricing that out, along with stuff - maybe we'll just rent a car at the places we go for a few more years!