The Ultimate Toad Question

[RonNBama]

Trying to settle on my Ultimate Toad. My requirements are making this a chore.
1-Air conditioned space suitable for keeping my pack cool/warm as required.
2-Capable of towing a 2000#, loaded motorcycle trailer (enclosed).
3-Deliver 25MPG average fuel efficiency (approx)
4-Haul a medium sized motorcycle (sport bike) while being towed.

Only thing I have come up with that is remotely close is a mini-van. It'd be nice to have the toad AND a motorcycle sometimes while traveling. Any comments or suggestions?

[RonNBama]

Trying to settle on my Ultimate Toad. My requirements are making this a chore.
1-Air conditioned space suitable for keeping my pack cool/warm as required.
2-Capable of towing a 2000#, loaded motorcycle trailer (enclosed).
3-Deliver 25MPG average fuel efficiency (approx)
4-Haul a medium sized motorcycle (sport bike) while being towed.

Only thing I have come up with that is remotely close is a mini-van. It'd be nice to have the toad AND a motorcycle sometimes while traveling. Any comments or suggestions?

[Ken Roberts]

We tow a 20' enclosed cargo trailer with wife's RAV4,bicycles and other "stuff". If we were motorcycle fans 1 would fit in lieu of bicycles. From a cost point of view look at a tow bar set-up plus auxillary brakes and you are already 1/3 home. Resale of tow bars and auxillary brakes is fairly low; but, not so on enclosed trailers that pretty much hold their value. Just a thought, Ken,'04 DSDP...

[GaryKD]

Consider a used GMC ENVOY XUV 4X4. It is what I have as a toad. It is able to do all in your list except #3. I get 22 MPG on the highway and 15 MPG in town. This is the model that is basically a 1/2 ton pickup with the bed enclosed. It has a mid gate like the Chevy Avalanche. The tail gate opens like a truck or opens sideways. The roof over the bed opens to allow large items to be carried. There are plenty of tie down locations. The passenger compartment is sealed from the back by the mid gate.

I say used, because GMC no longer makes the XUV. I love mine and it will be in the family a very long time.

[RonNBama]

Yeah, I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that fails miserably to meet #3, and it's incapable of hauling my bike. I hadn't considered a big trailer mainly because of having to deal with it when I reach my destination. It's hard enough to move my little 6X12 around after unhooking it.

:-( As my dad used to tell me when I was wishing for the improbable, "wish in one hand and......"
:-)

[Dutch Star Don]

We're gearing up to buy a Nissan Frontier, Crewcab, long bed. It's towable 4 wheels down if you get the 6 speed. It has a 6500 lb tow capacity and seats four comfortably. You could also fit a motorcycle in the bed.

It's rated somewhere in the 20's on fuel and has a 260 hp V6.

[RonNBama]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Diplomat Don:
We're gearing up to buy a Nissan Frontier, Crewcab, long bed. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Drooollll! That's one sweeettt toad.

The Goldies are a bit cramped in my Saturn but they are fine in the Grand Cherokee. Just have to help the Old Fellow in and out of the Jeep. Maybe I could make one of those caravan-looking things with the Jeep attached to the RV and a motorcycle trailer attached to the Jeep. Might be a bit of a chore to back up. :-)

[Pusherman]

RonNBama,

We're looking at a Chevy HHR. Flat towable w/automatic. Good gas mileage. And the back seat folds down flat!!!

We have 2 Goldens. We have similar needs in a toad, and we are outgrowing our Saturn wagon.

Doesn't meet requirement #3, though....

[Ken Roberts]

RonNBama, while you are in the thinking stage of a convoy set-up you need to check DMV rules in allof the states where you intend to travel. Once you cross the Mason-Dixon line you will find that most do not allow triples which is what you would be. Backing up may not be the end of your issues-think about refueling.

With my 40'MH and 20' trailer I am just under a combined length of 65' which is the generally accepted max. and frankly I have had little problem getting into campgrounds, Flying J, Cracker Barrel, etc. I do admit in National Parks and many state parks I would have a problem; but, that is not generally our travel style, Ken,'04 DSDP...

[MonacoMama]

Oh Ken....please don't believe HALF of what RonNBama says...he has such a dry wit about him! ... he is really planning on adding a 28' trailer BEHIND that WHOLE lot!!

PS....Bama...stop giving some of the freshmen Monaco forum readers heart palpitations over your wagon train ... pull out your Sawzall instead!!!

[RonNBama]

I was just spoofin for sure Ken. Heck, I am stretched pretty thin just towing the little SL2!

[Ken Roberts]

Ron, I admit I was not sure if you were spoofing. Sometimes I am a little slow, like when I retired it took me the better part of 2 hours to get used to it.

As to convoying; unfortunately, there are some that do it and they think the secret of towing is being able to get away from the curb and if you do that ok surley everything else will just fall into place. Ken, '04 DSDP...

[RonNBama]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ken Roberts:
Ron, I admit I was not sure if you were spoofing. Sometimes I am a little slow, like when I retired it took me the better part of 2 hours to get used to it.

As to convoying; unfortunately, there are some that do it and they think the secret of towing is being able to get away from the curb and if you do that ok surley everything else will just fall into place. Ken, '04 DSDP... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I can only hope I'll be able to catch on to retirement that quickly! Man, I am soooooo ready! I swear if it wasn't for that bi-weekly deposit, I'd retire tomorrow!

[MonacoMama]

DANG.. you get bi-weekly!!? I only get bi-monthly.....and I am with you... I could get used to it in 5 minutes if it wasn't for those 24 checks each year...