Community Forums

richcorbeil · 05-16-2019, 03:21 PM

I heard many time that "you can't back up when you have a toad attached." I understand that it does present a challenge to control the movement of the toad, but what is the actual reason to avoid doing it? What if I only need to back up 4 or 5 feet in a straight line on level ground?

Just curious...

**NLOVNIT** · 05-16-2019, 03:27 PM

It can be done, very slowly & preferably with someone in the driver's seat to keep the steering on the toad straight.

The problem comes because the toad wheels are free to turn on their own, putting undo force on the tow bars. They can easily be bent if you aren't very careful.

I've backed up 10ft, arrow-straight, without someone in the toad, doing about 1 mph but that's as far as I'd want to push it.

Lori-

Mac99 · 05-16-2019, 03:36 PM

The issue is caster, like the front wheels on a grocery
cart. If you back up quickly the front wheels of the
toad will slam fully to one side or the other.
If you go very slowly, and can keep an eye on the
front wheels of the toad, you can surely back up
short distances without having someone in the toad.

davendeb · 05-16-2019, 03:36 PM

Picture pushing a shopping cart backwards. The front wheels will always turn around totrack the other direction.
A toads front wheels will try to turn around also. Hard on suspension, rubber, wheels and tow bar if they turn.

Droski · 05-16-2019, 03:40 PM

I have backed short distances numerous times and have never had an issue yet. Go slow and keep a eye on the toads front wheels.

MSHappyCampers · 05-16-2019, 05:22 PM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

I called NSA RV Products, the company that manufactures the ReadyBrute Elite towbars, and put that question to them. They told me basically what Lori said! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

momdoc · 05-16-2019, 08:17 PM

Welcome to the forum.
'
You are joining a good group of folks here with good inf to share. I admit i have backed up a couple of feet (very slowly) once or twice. But for the reasons stated above no a good idea.

Enjoy the adventure!

twogypsies · 05-16-2019, 10:55 PM

Never had a need to back up with the car attached.

Waiter21 · 05-17-2019, 06:01 AM

Welcome to the Forum.

Yes, I do it. As others have mentioned, one of the issues will be wheel caster.

When I start towing a new toad, I like to take the toad to a large open parking lot. and see what the characteristics of the toad will be.

Although one issue is caster, the main issue will be jackknifing the toad. This can happen very, very fast, in a matter of just a few feet. If you get distracted for just a couple seconds, you'll look up just in time to see the toad sideways and going under the rear of the motorhome.

ALWAYS watch the toad when going backwards. At the first sign of the toad starting to turn, stop.

Gary RVRoamer · 05-17-2019, 10:34 AM

This is another of those "Don't try this at home" rules. It can be done, using much care and skill, but more than a few drivers will come to grief. You may be able to back some toads over some terrain, but it takes both care and skill. Maybe some luck as well.

As others have explained, the wheels caster and can quickly put a lot of stress on the tow bar. Depending on tow bar angle, toad front end alignment, tire tread and road surface, castering can happen almost immediately. Or not.

leadman · 05-21-2019, 12:38 AM

I put my wife's Tracker on an old U-Haul dolly I bought and have little problem backing it up. I have backed it up around 50 feet after I bought propane at a U-Haul store. The guy gave me a thumbs up on my way out. Important to make steering corrections as soon as the toad starts in the wrong direction.
With flat towing it might be more difficult.

steve11669 · 05-21-2019, 02:12 AM

What if the steering wheel was in the locked position? Would that help keep the toad straight while backing?

PAtrailtrim · 05-21-2019, 04:26 AM

Gentleman who installed my Blue Ox system was very pointed, ‘don’t try to back up ever’.

While I accept the wisdom of the veterans above and careful backing can work, it takes all of 10 minutes or less to unhitch the toad, back up and hitch up again. For me that’s a small investment of time to keep the equipment in good working order.

riverforest · 05-21-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadman

I put my wife's Tracker on an old U-Haul dolly I bought and have little problem backing it up. I have backed it up around 50 feet after I bought propane at a U-Haul store. The guy gave me a thumbs up on my way out. Important to make steering corrections as soon as the toad starts in the wrong direction.
With flat towing it might be more difficult.

I have a dolly. I back it in (no car on it) where I store it. it reacts so fast, you are constantly correcting the steering wheel. although I've never tried it, I can't imagine backing it with a car on it period...