Community Forums

RVNVA · 03-26-2021, 12:31 PM

All, I am miffed after looking at so many posts about towing a vehicle as a toad and still don’t get it.
I have seen a list of cars capable of being toad but if you all can weigh in on which ones are easiest, what to look for and where to buy/install would be helpful.
We are getting close to closing on our next rig that tows 10,000lbs, so no worries on vehicle weight. Just shocked that it seems a mystery and I see so many RV’s towing their vehicles four down.
Let me know and thanks in advance!

taylorbob1 · 03-26-2021, 12:39 PM

For me and my needs...
I purchased an inexpensive, lightweight, manual transmission vehicle.

My ‘20 Chevy Spark Activ weighs just 2200#, has all the options, and cost less than $14k (before tax/license)

Very ez & simple to hook up
I’ve opted to tow without a special/expensive brake package since it’s as light as a utility trailer without brakes.

Mr_D · 03-26-2021, 12:39 PM

Jeep Wrangler or 2014 and older Honda CR-V are both easily towable. I've had both but traded the CR-V for the Jeep

Fiesta48 · 03-26-2021, 01:23 PM

The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid automatic is now towable. My next toad, if my 07 Honda Accord ever wears out! Only 2 parts fixed in 14+ years.

amosnandy · 03-26-2021, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiesta48

The 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid automatic is now towable. My next toad, if my 07 Honda Accord ever wears out! Only 2 parts fixed in 14+ years.

Interesting that the Escape is now. I bought a 2018 Fusion Hybrid, not as a Toad but because I loved the car. A little research showed me that it was rated one of the best small cars to tow. Even in the owners manual it gives exact, factory recommended procedures on how to tow it. Does the Escape manual also have that? I know the 2018 was not towable, due to the fact that it was 4 wheel drive.

That said, if you got the cash, nothing beats a jeep. I have a friend who just laid out $65,000 for a new Grand Cherokee. Out of my range but yeah.

Also, if you can find an old Saturn they are great. I had an 01 I towed 50,000 miles. But finding them is getting hard.

Also most of the small GM Delta platform cars are towable. And whatever the Travers is built on. You do have to pull the ignition fuse but I think that's it.

Isaac-1 · 03-26-2021, 03:22 PM

Can you define easiest, do you mean:

1, tracks the best and easiest to pull, no max speed towing limitations.

2, least number of steps to set it up to be towed each time (flip switch, pull fuse, while foot on brake, push secret recessed button for 5 seconds, then shift into park, starting it and running through the gears every 200 miles, etc. vs putting it into neutral and drive off),

3, easiest to equip for flat towed duty, easiest base plate to install, if extra special flat tow wiring harnesses are needed, etc.

or a combination of all of the above?

MSHappyCampers · 03-26-2021, 04:51 PM

We love our Honda CRV! They are towable through the 2014 models!

I suggest that you create a signature showing the make and model of your RV. It will help folks to answer questions you may have in the future. Look at post #30 in the link below that tells you how to do that.

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f62/foru...ml#post3101035

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

Keith55 · 03-26-2021, 04:57 PM

No trouble towing my F250 4 door. Electronic differential case easily unlocks. large bed gives me room for bikes etc. Makes for a great driver once I get to my destination. It's diesel so I can fill it up right after my RV.

gljurczyk · 03-27-2021, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorbob1

For me and my needs...
I purchased an inexpensive, lightweight, manual transmission vehicle.

My ‘20 Chevy Spark Activ weighs just 2200#, has all the options, and cost less than $14k (before tax/license)

Very ez & simple to hook up
I’ve opted to tow without a special/expensive brake package since it’s as light as a utility trailer without brakes.

I bring along 2018, I never had a problem, I found out now I don’t even unhook the battery, but I also don’t have locking steering. I just have to put it in neutral and go. It’s not fancy it even has crank windows, but for 12,000 dollars out the door it is well worth it to me.

OkieSVT · 03-27-2021, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVNVA

All, I am miffed after looking at so many posts about towing a vehicle as a toad and still don’t get it.
I have seen a list of cars capable of being toad but if you all can weigh in on which ones are easiest, what to look for and where to buy/install would be helpful.
We are getting close to closing on our next rig that tows 10,000lbs, so no worries on vehicle weight. Just shocked that it seems a mystery and I see so many RV’s towing their vehicles four down.
Let me know and thanks in advance!

I'm not sure what you mean by easiest. Least amount of work to install, least expensive way to go, least amount of things to do to prepare your toad to travel?
I tow a Toyota Yaris 4 door sedan 5 speed. I chose to use a Roadmaster base plate and tow bar. I had a local body shop install the base plate. I didn't disturb the car's wiring. I used a wiring kit that allowed me to put separate bulbs in the rear tail/brake lights. Simple hookup and no fuses to pull etc. I hope this helps.

waroland · 03-27-2021, 07:04 PM

We towed a 2006 Honda CRV for several years and loved it. It had AF1 braking system which is very easy to hook-up. Last year we upgraded size to a 2017 Ford Explorer. The brake system was easy to move over and we have a lot more passenger room and a much quieter ride.

Unplanned Tourist · 03-27-2021, 07:42 PM

We tow a 2010 Ford Ranger or a 1937 SS100 kit car on a 1970 VW chassis.

Both super easy. Put in neutral, release park brake, unlock steering (in the Ranger) and drive away.

I use a Brake Buddy for the Ranger (3,500 pounds empty plus bicycles or motorcycle). The SS100 is only 1800 pounds, so no braking system.

Maybe the most popular is the Jeep. It's your money and choice.

momdoc · 03-27-2021, 07:46 PM

Currently we are towing a Jeep Trail Hawk. Very easy to setup and it give us a good 4 wheel drive to go exploring.

Dutch Star Don · 03-27-2021, 10:17 PM

"RVNVA"....For everyone it's different. Some buy an old beater and use it just for towing behind an RV, not worrying too much about it.....not a bad way to go. Some can't afford an extra car, just for towing, and use one of their daily drivers. Others buy something like a Jeep that they can use off road and explore while camping.

For me, I don't want to have an extra vehicle around that I have to service, insure, park and maintain. I also want something that is a combination daily driver, toad and a vehicle I LIKE to drive. I've owned a truck since the first day I started driving and always will own a truck. Luckily, my coach can handle a heavy vehicle, so I look for trucks that are towable. GM, Dodge and Ford and Nissan all make trucks that are towable, they just need to be four wheel drive.

I've worked on both my cars and RV's, and cars and RV's belonging to friends and family, all my life, yet I've never owned a hot rod. So, whatever truck I buy, I customize it to some degree, making it my hot rod. My current, old man hot rod, is a Ford Raptor. It tows well behind my diesel pusher.

So......YOU need to decide what you want the toad to be and DO......daily driver, spare car, off road vehicle or hot rod. Essentially, they all take the same equipment to set them up for towing, base pate, tow bar, braking system and wiring for lights. Some are easier to put into neutral for towing and some take a few steps more. I'm owned six different toads, five trucks and one Honda CRV. All were reasonably easy to tow, when set up properly.

Unless you do a lot of the work yourself, setting up a toad can run between $2K and $3K. I use a braking system, Remco Air Force One, that is movable from vehicle to vehicle. The tow bar stay the same, so changing vehicles, basically requires new base plates and wiring.