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10-28-2017, 05:23 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 8
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Advice on safely towing a car behind RV - especially changing lanes
Hello everyone,
New RVer. Now new to towing our Subaru. In the past, I passed cars and trucks on the Interstate (going 60-70 MPH) and figured out when it was safe to merge back into the right-hand lane.
Going on our first trip towing a car - wondering if there is good advice on safely towing our toad with all four wheels down (assuming I cannot see the toad when changing lanes). Passing on the Interstate? Changing lanes on county/city roads? Rounding corners? Gas stations?
Also, I assume most of you travel @ 55 MPH since the toad is considered a trailer when it comes to multiple axles and speed limits.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards,
John
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10-28-2017, 06:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Do you have a rear camera? I leave mine on instead of just set to come on in reverse. It gives me a view of my Toad and the car I've passed so I know when it's clear to pull over.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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10-28-2017, 06:20 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,283
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If you have a back up camera and can see your towed vehicle it should have a wided enough angle to see if any other vehicles are along side it.
Mostly after enough lane changes you get used the depth perception in the mirrors and can judge it.
Use both mirrors in judging distance.
Timing is another way to judge distance. If you going a lot faster than the vehicle you passed then it will be less time before your clear. Going slowly by will take an appropriate time longer.
I've added a second camera in the rear so I can see back to the horizon. Used mostly in heavy traffic. Have your passenger look back if they can see. I've added a second right hand mirror just for the passenger to see back also.
__________________
Full Timers.
2015 Fleetwood Discovery 40E on a Freightliner XCS chassis with a Cummins ISL9 pulling 1 and/or 2 motorcycles, '07 Honda Accord OR a 17' Runabout Boat.
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10-28-2017, 06:35 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Nor'easters Club Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Monadnock Region of New Hampshire
Posts: 1,519
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Your rear camera should allow you to see what's beside your toad. Mine does, and it is very valuable for lane changes.
__________________
My name is Peter, and I'm never going to grow up.
- Winnebago Era 2010 Class B
- Holiday Rambler 2006 Ambassador 40-DFD Class A
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10-28-2017, 06:37 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Illinois
Posts: 61
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Your rear camera comes in very handy when passing or changing lanes. You may have to adjust it up or down for best results. It works real well if you can see slightly beyond your tow vehicle. You should be able to see the rear of tow and the vehicle next to you in other lane to see inthat you are clear to switch lanes. 55 mph is not required, but some vehicles do have a maximum tow speed If no limit you can tow at normal speed limit if you want.
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10-28-2017, 06:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 754
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As previous posters have suggested, use your rear view camera to get an idea of when you can safely move back into the right hand lane. After a while, you will find a spot in your mirrors that equates that safe distance. When passing Semi's, some ( not all unfortunately ) will flash their lights to indicate its safe to pull in. Good idea for you to do the same when being passed.
Turning corners comes with experience. Turn a little wide to ensure your toad doesn't run up on the inside curb. Does not take too many miles to get a feel.
Only 55 MPH speed limit we have encountered, is in California, and is supposed to be all trucks / vehicles towing. Try driving 55 and you will get passed by everything on the road, including heavy trucks. Try Texas where they roll by at 80 mph !
__________________
2014 Newmar Ventana 4037 / 4018
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd.
1940 Chevrolet Pickup
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10-28-2017, 08:37 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 8
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Thank you everyone for the advice. Will look into the rear camera on our Winnebago Vista. My wife suggested it, but I thought it was for going in reverse only like our SUVs and Cars. The Cameras only display with blinkers and reverse so far. Guess I need to be more open minded.
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10-28-2017, 08:55 PM
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#8
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,496
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BFlinn181
Do you have a rear camera? I leave mine on instead of just set to come on in reverse. It gives me a view of my Toad and the car I've passed so I know when it's clear to pull over.
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That's the easiest way to do it.
__________________
Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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10-28-2017, 08:56 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jschmelzer
Thank you everyone for the advice. Will look into the rear camera on our Winnebago Vista. My wife suggested it, but I thought it was for going in reverse only like our SUVs and Cars. The Cameras only display with blinkers and reverse so far. Guess I need to be more open minded.
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Or perhaps read the manual for your rear camera display. Most all can select between only displaying when in reverse or fulltime display.
__________________
Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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10-29-2017, 03:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,976
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jschmelzer
Hello everyone,
New RVer. Now new to towing our Subaru. In the past, I passed cars and trucks on the Interstate (going 60-70 MPH) and figured out when it was safe to merge back into the right-hand lane.
Going on our first trip towing a car - wondering if there is good advice on safely towing our toad with all four wheels down (assuming I cannot see the toad when changing lanes). Passing on the Interstate? Changing lanes on county/city roads? Rounding corners? Gas stations?
Also, I assume most of you travel @ 55 MPH since the toad is considered a trailer when it comes to multiple axles and speed limits.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Regards,
John
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Plz update your signature data on your profile page so we can give you better advise.
I leave my back up camera on all the time and use my mirrors to properly position my moho.
__________________
01 WINNEBAGO 35U W20.8.1L 5sp allison SW Wa,. Good Sam, SKP. RVM 198 AMSOIL fluids. BANKS ecm program. SCAN GAUGE II w/ Ally temp. 2 LIFELINE GPL-6CT AGM Batts on their sides. Michelins, TST tptts. K&N panel air filter. AERO mufflers. TAYLOR plug wires. ULTRA POWER track bar. KONI fsd shocks, toad '21MB GLA FWD on dolly
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10-29-2017, 03:56 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 184
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Set rear cam to display rear view continuously
I find it easier to judge lanes with a toad, using rear cam, I know when to move across lanes.
Enjoy, you will find your cam to be very helpful
__________________
New to MH RVing,had TTs/HTT/PUPs/Tents, retired 2013,now have more time for church ministries,fam,friends, camping, we have 2007 WB Access 29T with 6.0L Chevy,25K miles,31' 2013 CRV AWD Toad/Falcon2/BrBuddy
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10-29-2017, 05:42 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: The Bluegrass State
Posts: 8,889
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You could always use a philosophy that some truckers use. "the oldest and biggest vehicle goes first!" Just put your turn signals on and move it on over! No need to check to see if you are clear or not! Or if you are nervous about pissing someone off, just hang a "Student Driver" sign on the rear of your coach.
Just kidding, you have gotten a bunch of good information on this thread (except for mine) and you will do fine. Experience will make you an expert.
In the beginning my biggest fear was fueling stations. The other day I was in my car gassing up when this motorhome pulled in, parked and proceeded to put $1 worth of gas in his coach. Naturally I was curious and I sauntered over to chat with him and I found out he had just bought his "humongous coach" (it was a 26 foot Fleetwood Flair) and was practicing pulling into gas stations and getting fuel. He said "tomorrow I think I will be ready to hook the car behind me and try it that way. I asked him how many times he had just put $1 in and he said this was his 6th stop that day!
__________________
Good Luck, Be Safe and Above All, Don't Forget To Have Fun
Pete
Central Kentucky
2006 Fleetwood Discovery 35H, 2014 Honda CR-V, M&G Engineering Braking System
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10-29-2017, 09:05 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Oregon, Idaho
Posts: 633
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Rounding Corners.....
Not sure what MH you have but with the two I've owned rounding corners is the same with or without the toad. If the MH clears the toad will.
That was different with my other experiences towing, trailers or a boat. With those you could clear with the tow vehicle, however, the trailer (or boat trailer) would not clear.
I've found driving the MH with or without a toad is easier than driving my P/U pulling the boat.
__________________
2017 Entegra Anthem 44B, Gold Ribbon, Ambience
2018 Grand Cherokee, Roadmaster BlackHawk II, AF1
2004 Winnebago Vectra 40AD (Sold) 1980 Hilary Tent traded in on Vectra
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10-29-2017, 09:21 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: NW Ohio
Posts: 7,114
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Rear view camera is great, But because of the 170 degree view, deph perception can easily be misjudged. So there isd a learning curve on when the toad is safely clear for a lane change.
ALSO - I watch for shadows when they are available. if I see a lot of light between the toad shadow and the other lane vehicles. Learning to judge the distances with the shadows i also comes naturally.
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