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01-15-2025, 04:50 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 9,198
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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.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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01-15-2025, 05:04 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,513
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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.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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01-15-2025, 05:20 PM
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#3
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Community Administrator
Pond Piggies Club LA Gulf Coast Campers Outdoors RV Owners Club Entegra Owners Club Skyline Owners Group
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 42,547
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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.
__________________
Lori (& Dave, my spirit guide) - RV/MH Hall of Fame Lifetime Member | My iRV2 Photo Albums
2016 Phoenix Cruiser 2350S, 2018 Phaeton 40IH,2006 Bounder 36Z, 2004 Cougar 285EFS, 2000 Aerolite 25FBR
There is great need for a sarcasm font.
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01-15-2025, 05:29 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NLOVNIT
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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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.
__________________
Brian, 2011 Winnebago Via Class A on Sprinter Chassis
2000 Jeep TJ toad
Tucson, AZ
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01-15-2025, 05:31 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 16,203
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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.
__________________
Jim J
2002 Monaco Windsor 38 PKD Cummins ISC 350 8.3L
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/5.7 Hemi
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01-15-2025, 05:34 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Rigby, Idaho
Posts: 4,273
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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.
__________________
Cheers,
TonyMac
2006 Monaco Safari Cheetah 40PMT
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01-15-2025, 05:36 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: SW Louisiana
Posts: 9,198
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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.
__________________
2002 Safari Trek 2830 on P32 Chassis with 8.1L w/ 400 watts solar 420Ah LiFePo4
2017 Jeep Cherokee Overland & 2007 Toyota Yaris TOADs with Even Brake,
Demco Commander tow bar and Blue Ox / Roadmaster base plates
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01-15-2025, 06:09 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,702
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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.
__________________
Tom
2025 BTCruiser 5255
2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport Willys
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01-15-2025, 06:37 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Washington
Posts: 353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaac-1
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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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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01-16-2025, 08:19 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Wilmington,NC USA
Posts: 1,986
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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.
__________________
2019 Forest River Sunseeker 2850
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01-16-2025, 08:29 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 4,034
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickNC
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.
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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?
__________________
Brian, 2011 Winnebago Via Class A on Sprinter Chassis
2000 Jeep TJ toad
Tucson, AZ
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01-16-2025, 08:38 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Lenexa KS
Posts: 2,197
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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.
__________________
Bill & Kelli 2015 Dutch Star 4366
2002 Safari Zanzibar 3906
1995 Fleetwood Bounder 36JD
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01-16-2025, 12:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Rigby, Idaho
Posts: 4,273
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My prayers for you and your wife. God is good.
__________________
Cheers,
TonyMac
2006 Monaco Safari Cheetah 40PMT
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01-16-2025, 03:56 PM
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#14
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,325
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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.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
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