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Old 01-15-2025, 04:50 PM   #1
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Any Different?, solo TOAD use

While I have around 10,000 miles of experience towing a car behind our motorhome, it has almost all been done while my wife was traveling with me. The exceptions where I have solo TOAD a car have all been within perhaps 25 miles of home, ie picking the motorhome up from a shop, etc.


This summer I will be driving solo for about 3,000 miles while towing a car (my wife is flying up to meet me for the tourist destination part of the trip in Wyoming). So I thought I would ask is there anything you do or plan differently when solo driving with a TOAD. I plan to be a little more cautious selecting gas stations, and where I may pull into that might require disconnecting, but otherwise I am not sure how I should act different. Not sure how to handle initial start up making sure tow bar is locked, TOAD wheels turning, etc. other than to double check parking brake is off / in neutral.


Anyway thanks for your thoughts.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:04 PM   #2
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I don't see any reason to do things any different. You will of course have to do everything yourself, which may mean getting out of the coach to check tow bar or whatever, but that's not a different process. Just a different person doing it.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:20 PM   #3
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When I lost Dave, I had to do towing solo. As Gary noted, nothing different. Just more to do since you're doing everything all by yourself. Just stay focused - don't get distracted especially when hooking up.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:29 PM   #4
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When I lost Dave, I had to do towing solo. As Gary noted, nothing different. Just more to do since you're doing everything all by yourself. Just stay focused - don't get distracted especially when hooking up.
I agree with this. I have towed solo a bit and will do so again this year. I will add that when you are ready to unhook or hook up choose a spot out of the way where you won't be rushed and distracted even if it means a bit of extra walking.

I was reading one of Trista Jones' books last night and he said one of his rules is he doesn't say anything, answer anyone or even look their way till the boat is secured to the dock and double checked.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:31 PM   #5
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X3, nothing really different but double/triple check everything prior to taking off.
Make sure my Jeep goes into neutral. I use a Roadmaster brake and have an indicator light on the dash to make sure brake in engaging.
When I start driving I watch the Jeep and can see the tow bar so I know it gets locked in.

As I pull into a fuel station I'll make sure there is room. Every once in a while I'll get to a place and have to disconnect/drop the toad but that's only happen a couple times.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:34 PM   #6
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As always, leave the safety chains hooked up until you are sure the toad will not roll away after the last tow bar is released. You got nobody to sit the brakes.
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Old 01-15-2025, 05:36 PM   #7
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Thanks for the replies, I may be slow responding, my wife's doctor just called as a followup to her appointment this afternoon saying take her to the ER to likely have a Gallbladder emergency surgery. We will be leaving the house as soon as she gets done taking a shower.
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Old 01-15-2025, 06:09 PM   #8
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Hope your wife does well. I do all the setting up of the Jeep Gladiator to the MH. My advice to you is to create a check list and follow it every time, and if someone wants to start a conversation while you're hooking up, tell them to go away until you're done.

May not work for you, but my last check point is to manually try to push the vehicle backwards. (works best on level ground) If it doesn't roll, start checking. And yes you can push a 5k lb car.
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Old 01-15-2025, 06:37 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1 View Post
While I have around 10,000 miles of experience towing a car behind our motorhome, it has almost all been done while my wife was traveling with me. The exceptions where I have solo TOAD a car have all been within perhaps 25 miles of home, ie picking the motorhome up from a shop, etc.


This summer I will be driving solo for about 3,000 miles while towing a car (my wife is flying up to meet me for the tourist destination part of the trip in Wyoming). So I thought I would ask is there anything you do or plan differently when solo driving with a TOAD. I plan to be a little more cautious selecting gas stations, and where I may pull into that might require disconnecting, but otherwise I am not sure how I should act different. Not sure how to handle initial start up making sure tow bar is locked, TOAD wheels turning, etc. other than to double check parking brake is off / in neutral.


Anyway thanks for your thoughts.
The only thing for me is to maybe reserve more pull though spots. I have hooked and unhooked solo dozens of times, no big deal. Just follow my check list.
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Old 01-16-2025, 08:19 AM   #10
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Im fairly new to towing a car after nearly 8 years without a towed.

What I figured out quickly whether alone or with my wife in the towed, was to set up a range finder (of sorts). I placed a black dot on the windshield and on the back of the motorhome. When those two black dots line up with the top of the steering wheel, it is within range of hooking up the towbars.
Because I have a driveshaft disconnect(Toyota Tacoma) that involves extra steps, I also have a printed and laminated checklist that I go over after each connection.
Best wishes to your wife and prayers for a full recovery.
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Old 01-16-2025, 08:29 AM   #11
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Im fairly new to towing a car after nearly 8 years without a towed.

What I figured out quickly whether alone or with my wife in the towed, was to set up a range finder (of sorts). I placed a black dot on the windshield and on the back of the motorhome. When those two black dots line up with the top of the steering wheel, it is within range of hooking up the towbars.
Ingenious. I'm going to have to try that. A dot on the toad windshield and one on the MH then you just look over the steering wheel and pull forward till everything lines up? Gets you centered and gets you the proper distance?
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Old 01-16-2025, 08:38 AM   #12
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I can only speak for myself here; I handle all things coach/toad related etc. so it should make no difference, however traveling without my wife is different/feels different. Besides missing her & our traveling petting zoo (3 beags) her contributions are all interior. Rolling up rugs, securing all drawers/cabinets, locking fridge, sweeping floor, stowing anything on counter, etc. I'm always spot on with my normal hooking/unhooking & toad duties but I typically fail in duplicating her diligence with everything interior. But traveling solo happens & we all need to be able to pinch hit when the need arises.
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Old 01-16-2025, 12:27 PM   #13
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My prayers for you and your wife. God is good.
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Old 01-16-2025, 03:56 PM   #14
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Okay, this post sure has some ups and downs. When I first started to read your post, I was already preparing myself to read that your wife has passed away. Then I see you're just going to fly her to the destination.

I always read through all the posts on a thread before I reply as not to duplicate answers, and I see......you're now taking your wife to the ER for gallbladder surgery. Been there done that, if no complications, she should heel quickly. Good luck on her recovery.

Now that were done with the ups and downs of the post, I would only add that life will be easier if you can connect and disconnect at your site. Otherwise, you may have to hoof it back and forth between the two vehicles.

Basically, I'm a solo driver as my wife rarely gets involved with the toad. However, our new GMC requires that it be connected while on level ground or the Parking Brake will engage, and it can't be shifted into Neutral. So, we may be doing more moving around to get connected versus connecting at the site.
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