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10-17-2015, 08:51 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 269
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Disconnecting TOAD, what am I doing WRONG?
Folks: I made my first trip using my flat towed Kia Soul. It pulled like there was nothing there. However, on arriving to the camp site, I pulled in nose first and it left the toad at an angle. Was REALLY hard to get it detached. I ended up pull the tow bar out of the receiver. It was ugly.
I just got home, the toad is at a very small angle as there is nowhere in my driveway for a perfectly straight shot. I STILL cannot get it off. The pins feel like they were welded in place they are so tight. What am I doing wrong? Does it have to be 100% perfectly straight?
I am using a Falcon All Terrain tow bar.
THANKS!!!!
__________________
2007 Itasca Sunova 35J - Ford Chassis
Tucson, Arizona
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10-17-2015, 08:56 PM
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#2
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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: 40,722
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You don't have to be perfectly straight, but you need to be reasonably straight or the connections will bind. Too much of an angle & it'll bind.
Also, when you stop, there's still a lot of "pull" force on those towbars, especially if you're on a slight incline. You can move your toad forward a few inches to take the pressure off the bars. But just a few inches though. That's what we've done if pin binds in the bracket.
Lori-
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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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10-17-2015, 09:04 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,426
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Are you fully releasing the the pressure by pushing the release tabs all the way back? The falcon all terrain should not bind as easily. I have the black hawk all terrain, and the only difference is the weight rating from what I can tell.
2013 Newmar Dutchstar 4347, Active Air
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2022 London Aire 4551 * 2022 GD Imagine 2800BH * 2021 RAM 3500 DRW * 2020 Wrangler
NHSO (Newmar Hoot, Sevierville Original)
Kindness Matters
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10-17-2015, 09:07 PM
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#4
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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: 40,722
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redbaron73
Are you fully releasing the the pressure by pushing the release tabs all the way back?
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x2. Should've said that before I put my 2cents in. Releasing the bar tabs must be done 1st.
Lori-
__________________
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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10-17-2015, 09:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,391
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Have it as straight as possible. Either pull the car forward or reverse to take the pressure off.
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10-17-2015, 09:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,442
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Here's what I do and I've yet to have problems.
When you get to your spot to disconnect, start the toad ( or have DW start the toad ) and put into reverse; to release all tension on the slide locks.
If working alone , set the toad parking brake, and shift to neutral.
Release the slide locks and hold open with a bungie cord.
If DW is driving toad , hold the slide locks open.
Move the toad forward 6" and reset the parking brake.
Remove the pins.
Much easier with the DW in the toad, but do-able alone.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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10-17-2015, 09:26 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 269
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Wow, I truly, sincerely, appreciate this forum and the people who respond so quickly. There is a terrible lightning storm outside now, so I cannot try anything yet. But, I did try to lift those release handles before. One side lifted with ease, but then it goes back down, is that normal (that the handle goes back down automatically)?
On the other side though, i cannot lift it all the way up by hand. Should I try a rubber mallet?
I would say the degree of angle is less than 10 degrees from the rig. I had the same problem at the camp site, I was probably at 30 degrees though.
THANKS!!!!
__________________
2007 Itasca Sunova 35J - Ford Chassis
Tucson, Arizona
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10-17-2015, 09:30 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,442
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The locks are spring loaded and if in the correct position will re-lock.
The one that's hard to move is binding and could be damaged if forced, wait till you can back the toad up and it should work as easily as the other side.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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10-17-2015, 09:31 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip426
The locks are spring loaded and if in the correct position will re-lock.
The one that's hard to move is binding and could be damaged if forced, wait till you can back the toad up and it should work as easily as the other side.
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Thanks, but do you mean back up the RV with the toad attached???
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2007 Itasca Sunova 35J - Ford Chassis
Tucson, Arizona
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10-17-2015, 09:34 PM
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#10
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Community Moderator
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Between the Oceans
Posts: 8,034
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op you didn't specify what kind of tow bar you are using. all above answers were based on the assumption that you are using one of "all terrain" tow bars. the releasing lever should be flipped and you might need to drive up a little to make the connections loose. but if you are using one like "stowmaster" or "tracker", it would be very hard to connect and disconnect without being on a flat area and at a relative straight angle. for the very same reason, i upgraded to roadmaster falcon 2 all terrain for good.
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Steven & Polly
2000 Country Coach Intrigue 40' ISC 350
2018 Ford Explorer 4WD
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10-17-2015, 09:34 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 31,442
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc Vegas
Thanks, but do you mean back up the RV with the toad attached???
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NO! with the RV parked , back up the toad.Only takes a a slight movement to release the binding your feeling in the locks.
__________________
99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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10-17-2015, 09:54 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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On my blue ox tow bar, rotating the steering wheel way left or way right will usually move the toad forward/backward enough to relieve pressure on the connecting pins. If this fails, I then use a bungee to hold down the lever and move the toad forward a couple three inches. One of there two methods works for me every time.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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10-17-2015, 09:56 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Texas
Posts: 6,426
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The one that won't lift all the way is the side that is binding. I have used the palm of my hand and hammered it
To get it to move back. A rubber mallet should be fine, just don't get overly aggressive. It will always go back down, but once it extends back all the way the job is done. The toad will move toward the coach a bit.
Another thing I have done is drive the toad forward putting forward pressure on the Rv. This helps with releasing the binding. Just be sure to apply the e-brake on toad before releasing tabs.
2013 Newmar Dutchstar 4347, Active Air
__________________
2022 London Aire 4551 * 2022 GD Imagine 2800BH * 2021 RAM 3500 DRW * 2020 Wrangler
NHSO (Newmar Hoot, Sevierville Original)
Kindness Matters
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10-17-2015, 10:01 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: The Evergreen State
Posts: 541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CountryFit
op you didn't specify what kind of tow bar you are using. all above answers were based on the assumption that you are using one of "all terrain" tow bars. the releasing lever should be flipped and you might need to drive up a little to make the connections loose. but if you are using one like "stowmaster" or "tracker", it would be very hard to connect and disconnect without being on a flat area and at a relative straight angle. for the very same reason, i upgraded to roadmaster falcon 2 all terrain for good.
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OP, stated... Falcon All Terrain tow bar
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