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09-24-2021, 11:27 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 69
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Backing a toad while hitched
OK it's time to put this thing to rest. Can you back up a towed vehicle while it's connected to the motorhome????
The answer is YES. I do it all the time with no issues. HOW? simply lock the steering wheel in the straight position, or, use a bungy cord to keep the wheel from turning.
Now you have a single hinge not a double hinge. Back'er in anywhere you want now.
Don't forget to remove the bungy/unlock the steering when you take off.
Try it.....it's easy and works great.
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09-24-2021, 11:44 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 821
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I don’t think people realize exactly what the issue is when doing this. You won’t cause any damage to the toad or drivetrain. In fact, the warnings pertain to the tow bar. Usually made from aluminum an inexperienced driver can bend them or snap them when trying to back up.
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09-24-2021, 12:19 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 59
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__________________
Dave
2003 Country Coach 32’
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09-24-2021, 12:26 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 759
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Bobthegod please list your make/ model of your TOAD and the tow bar you use. So others will know they can use your advise.
__________________
Alan & Terry 2016 Bounder 34T
Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar, RVi brake 2system
2023 Ford Maverick Hybrid(Toad),WeBoost,Tire Minder TPMS. 1000 watts of Solar
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09-24-2021, 12:43 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Southern Ontario, Canada
Posts: 999
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobthegod
OK it's time to put this thing to rest. Can you back up a towed vehicle while it's connected to the motorhome????
The answer is YES. I do it all the time with no issues. HOW? simply lock the steering wheel in the straight position, or, use a bungy cord to keep the wheel from turning.
Now you have a single hinge not a double hinge. Back'er in anywhere you want now.
Don't forget to remove the bungy/unlock the steering when you take off.
Try it.....it's easy and works great.
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Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
I don’t believe you’ll find any tow bar manufacturer that endorses or supports backing up.
__________________
kenandterry
2018 Sunseeker 2430S-CD carried by a 2017 Ford E450
Bye 2010 Georgetown 330TS after 10 terrific years, as we downsize for the next phase.
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09-24-2021, 12:53 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,643
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'Locking' the steering wheel helps keep toad front tires 'straight' when backing
Issue is front tires can still flip to one side or other IF backing is not done 'straight back'
WARNINGS are posted by the Tow BAR MFGs cause they are NOT going to repair/replace when damage ocurrs from backing up
Tow Truck drivers have been 'locking' steering wheels with straps/belts/rope etc for decades when having to tow a vehicle from the rear
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
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09-24-2021, 12:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Watertown NY USA
Posts: 6,389
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I would like to see a video of someone actually doing this.
Backing straight up? Maybe. Backing and turning? I'm not so sure. That would put a tremendous amount of strain on the steering linkage of the towed vehicle.
Everything I have learned about the use of a tow bar tells me they aren't made to back up with.
__________________
2002 Fleetwood Storm 30H on Workhorse P32 chassis 8.1 gas.
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09-24-2021, 01:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Watertown NY USA
Posts: 6,389
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit
'Locking' the steering wheel helps keep toad front tires 'straight' when backing
Issue is front tires can still flip to one side or other IF backing is not done 'straight back'
WARNINGS are posted by the Tow BAR MFGs cause they are NOT going to repair/replace when damage ocurrs from backing up
Tow Truck drivers have been 'locking' steering wheels with straps/belts/rope etc for decades when having to tow a vehicle from the rear
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Yes but with the rear raised you have only one pivot point. By law (at least in my state) you can't tow a vehicle using only the lock provided by turning the ignition to off and relying on the steering wheel lock. We use special devices made for the job.
__________________
2002 Fleetwood Storm 30H on Workhorse P32 chassis 8.1 gas.
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09-24-2021, 01:15 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,723
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kenandterry
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
I don’t believe you’ll find any tow bar manufacturer that endorses or supports backing up.
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Not true!
Right in the owners manual that came with my Demco Excallibar, it states the bar is rated for 'limited' backing !
__________________
Ben & Sharon
2008 43' Holiday Rambler Scepter PDQ
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09-24-2021, 01:23 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2000
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 2,034
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Bobthegod please post make and model of toad and tow bar and credit card number for those that try and fail.
Glenn
__________________
2006 Sea Breeze LX 8341 on a Workhorse W22 Chassis with 22.5 Alcoa Alum wheels,
2011 Chevy Colorado 4X4 with Ready Brake
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09-24-2021, 01:38 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobthegod
OK it's time to put this thing to rest. Can you back up a towed vehicle while it's connected to the motorhome????
The answer is YES. I do it all the time with no issues. HOW? simply lock the steering wheel in the straight position, or, use a bungy cord to keep the wheel from turning.
Now you have a single hinge not a double hinge. Back'er in anywhere you want now.
Don't forget to remove the bungy/unlock the steering when you take off.
Try it.....it's easy and works great.
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Can you? Yes. If you have the tow vehicle and the toad in a complete straight line, have the wheels locked so they can’t turn and you back completely straight backwards.
YOU CANNOT HOWEVER BACK AROUND A CORNER. You may be able to adjust just a little bit, but if your toad starts to angle off jus a little bit you cannot jus crank your wheels and correct (unless you toad axels are less than 1’ apart). You cannot back it up like you do a trailer.
For years we backed farm wagons into the shed by dropping a pin in the tongue so the front wheels couldn’t turn. But to make even the slightest adjustment you were basically skidding the front wheels to get it to move.
You are giving very bad advice as you make it sound so simple. Some guy will read this, lock his wheels and back his toad into the side o his coach and if he avoids that, he will twist his tow bar so bad it will break and kill someone.
The moderator should remove this post. It is not just bad advice, it’s dangerous.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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09-24-2021, 01:55 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 303
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09-24-2021, 01:59 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 303
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LETMGROW
I would like to see a video of someone actually doing this.
Backing straight up? Maybe. Backing and turning? I'm not so sure. That would put a tremendous amount of strain on the steering linkage of the towed vehicle.
Everything I have learned about the use of a tow bar tells me they aren't made to back up with.
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here you go
https://youtu.be/lMiu37jAzB8?t=971
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09-24-2021, 02:02 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,810
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeanluc001
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Notice how on a 1800# smart car the front tiered Wes sliding all’s not how much pressure was on the side walls. The tire tread was just about rolled under.
I also connect 120 & 240 v wires live. I’ve been trained how to do it. But you should not.
__________________
2006 Winnebago Journey
39K
Cat C7
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