I just bought a dolly to pull a car (toad?) behind a motor home, and haven't a clue of what kind of vehicle to buy.:confused:

I know the towed vehicle should be light, have manual tranny, and I think should be a rear wheel drive? Other than this, I'm not sure what make would work best for me.

Have heard horror stories of rear ends burning up and I think that all wheel drives are not to be used, which is unfortunate, since I have a Subaru Impreza. In know there are tranny disconnects/oil pumps but would sure like to side step these applications... if possible.

So, if anyone out there on TC can give me some direction of what to buy, I'd really appreciate your advice and suggestions, eh? Oh, I only have around $5 to $10k to work with, so this rules out a newer type vehicle.

Thanks guys,

capt

FWD is the towed car. Saturns are good. Most rear drive vehicles, A/T or M/T, have to be started and ran every so often to lube trans.

www.rv.net is a good place to ask.

Hmmmm? thought that the manual was OK, and not have to be fooled with...guess I was wrong?

Thanks for the tip on the Saturn, Ev... you must have heard about this car being an option to use in this situation...I would not have considered this make, but may now.

As for that site.. will check it out...just picked up the MH last fall, so it's a whole new world to learn about...just when I had most of the stuff figured out in the Cam.

capt

Way back years ago, a lot of people pulled MOPAR "K"-cars as toads b/c they were small, light and cheap.

And I think that you used to be able to get a really STRONG tow-bar that actually canti-levered off the back hitch of the motor home so that when you pulled the front tires off the toad, the toad-car was actually only riding on the rear wheels.

pdq67

Yes, that's the intent of this dolly... the front wheels are off the ground...but, you kinda made my stomach turn... just a bit when you mentioned that I might consider the K car...that Saturn is looking better. Sorry, just had too many bad experiences with that era of car!

Maybe I may have to up the ante another 5k to get something decent?

Again. any info helps paint me a pic.

capt

You should do many short camping trips, say across town, and have the "List" ready for those items forgotten on the trip.

Get ready for the long trip. Practice, practice, practice, even if its in the driveway the first couple times. Campfires are really nice.

me being from a State where we have All of the Winter Texans .. Almost ALL of them have a car that is pulled with them and I want to say 90% of those cars are Saturns!! I guess those cars like to be pulled.

Rob, never noticed that before...the Saturns that is.

As far as the "Winter Texans"...I'm afraid that I will contributing to your economy next year, as I have had it with the northern winters! Have even considered pulling the Cam... but I know that V-8 would be a drag (sorry for that comment).:(

Another vote for a Saturn.

capt

If you go to the Motorhome forums, there are special boards that talk about which makes and models can be toad without issues.

Like I said, I'm a newbie @a this RVing thingy.

If you think running a Cam is tough?...try sorting out the motor home realm...God! One has to know about LP gas, its appliances, plumbing (fresh & waste), and electrical (with motherboards thrown in), different hooks ups, refrig... the lists goes on and on...and now I have to learn about surge braking and this now darn "toad" thing.

I know I'm venting...sorry! Camping used to be so simple... pitch a tent, get the beer out, start a fire and relax... now, we worry about how the sat is pointed to bring in the best picture....The irony of this..I did it to myself. :( Welcome to the new millen, eh?

Will try to straighten out the learning curve and do more reading (sigh).

capt

I solved the problem by getting an older jeep cherokee 4X4, 90 to say 97. They are around 2, to 2.5k in my area and you just put the transfer case in N, doesn't matter if it is auto or stick, dolly-ed or towed. If an auto, put the trans in Park.
Tom

I solved the problem by getting an older jeep cherokee 4X4, 90 to say 97. They are around 2, to 2.5k in my area and you just put the transfer case in N, doesn't matter if it is auto or stick, dolly-ed or towed. If an auto, put the trans in Park.
Tom
But wouldn't the jeep 4x4 be a heavier type vehicle, with the transfer case and tougher suspension? But, as indicated, you have used this application, and it works, right?

And I do like the prices! Remember that north of the border with our taxes and markups...you'd be almost doubling those amounts here.

But, thanks for the heads up on the Cherokee as yet another option. The X car moves further back yet.

capt

I'm sure that it is heaver, but on your dolley I doubt that it would make much difference. I tow mine with a roadmaster bar and brackets. Wife packs the extra stuff that you don't want in the home in it. Sure is nice when in the mountains and stuff.
Tom

I guess that the bar will be my next step up when and if I upgrade the MH. I do know that my next MH will be gotten in the states as they are half the price there, even after taxes!

Thanks for taking the time for your input.

capt

Say Ted , why not just buy a 16ft. car hauler ? You said you have the Subaru , wouldn't have the expense of purchasing , insureing and maintaining another vehicle , plus would have something you could use for other purposes when not RVing , that would make the most sense to me . I bought my hauler at a RV dealership and was told that this is the reason they kept trailers on hand . You would also have an extra axle or two of braking power , I don't know if you have used a dolly before , but my experience with them was not favorable . Just thought I would throw another option in there to think about . Terry

Only problem with a trailer is taxes, licenses, safety inspection, and now you have another vehicle to park at your campsite. However, brakes on the trailer are a good thing.

Jeep Grand Cherokee was the other vehicle I was thinking about. As said, put into Neutral and flat tow it or toaded it.

There are an infinity number of things to remember to do. I don't think the learning curve ever gets verticle. Gross Combination Weight Rating of the towing vehicle is important. The design of the vehicle is determined by this figure, how much weight the vehicle can pull/haul all together. Step out of bounds of this number and you'll find the RV and its load, going up the trunk of the vehicle in front.

Tires are important. the last four digits of DOT number are the manf date of the tire. Seven years is considered max. Look at the load rating, the amount of load per tire it is designed to carry. Carry a 0-120 PSI tire gauge, HF for $10 USD, looks like a pistol and has a round gauge, and a small compressor if one is not on the RV already. Air brakes? Source of air already, need a QD and hose.

Carry a tool box, simple parts, spare tire, lug wrench long enough to loosen/tighten the lug nuts. Are you planning to practice changing a tire before you make the trip?

Nothing wrong with RV'ing. I always have the cooler as the first item on the ground when I arrive and last item to go in when I leave after policing the site for the next customer.

Always wanted a Provost, somehow, I think I'll keep wanting.............

I hear ya Ter...only moved the sucker (dolly) a little bit, and it's darn heavy to swing around.

Did consider the hauler, but wondered at the time if the added weight of car and hauler would be too much for the MH to stop with any degree of safety... this would mean breaks on the hauler... more $... and up here even without the breaking system they go $1500+ . And at camp sites... you'd need even more room for the hauler.

I'm gonna phone Subaru today to see if it's viable to dolly it... but again thanks for the heads up.

capt

Only problem with a trailer is taxes, licenses, safety inspection, and now you have another vehicle to park at your campsite. However, brakes on the trailer are a good thing.

Jeep Grand Cherokee was the other vehicle I was thinking about. As said, put into Neutral and flat tow it or toaded it.

There are an infinity number of things to remember to do. I don't think the learning curve ever gets verticle. Gross Combination Weight Rating of the towing vehicle is important. The design of the vehicle is determined by this figure, how much weight the vehicle can pull/haul all together. Step out of bounds of this number and you'll find the RV and its load, going up the trunk of the vehicle in front.

Tires are important. the last four digits of DOT number are the manf date of the tire. Seven years is considered max. Look at the load rating, the amount of load per tire it is designed to carry. Carry a 0-120 PSI tire gauge, HF for $10 USD, looks like a pistol and has a round gauge, and a small compressor if one is not on the RV already. Air brakes? Source of air already, need a QD and hose.

Carry a tool box, simple parts, spare tire, lug wrench long enough to loosen/tighten the lug nuts. Are you planning to practice changing a tire before you make the trip?

Nothing wrong with RV'ing. I always have the cooler as the first item on the ground when I arrive and last item to go in when I leave after policing the site for the next customer.

Always wanted a Provost, somehow, I think I'll keep wanting.............
After reading Ev's post...I think I'll just rent!:(

capt

Rob, never noticed that before...the Saturns that is.

As far as the "Winter Texans"...I'm afraid that I will contributing to your economy next year, as I have had it with the northern winters! Have even considered pulling the Cam... but I know that V-8 would be a drag (sorry for that comment).:(

Another vote for a Saturn.

capt

Cool !.. the local news interviewed Winter Texans as they were packing up and ready to leave, and some of them said that they "Will probably not come down next year if the Gas keeps going up" ......... I dont blame them.

Just great! there goes yet another dream.:( I did read on yahoo this a.m. that gas may reach $4 a gal by this summer.

capt

I think I'll just rent! :( captWhat are you renting?
The RV? I thought you already had one, or just bought one?
The towed vehicle?
The trailer?

Please don't change your mind on my account. I don't mean to place cockleburrs in the shorts.

You've gotten this far in wanting to camp, don't stop now. You should experience it first hand and witness the stress-free environment. Isn't this why we RV, besides sit around a good campfire and watch the star-filled sky till 4 AM?

What are you renting?
The RV? I thought you already had one, or just bought one?
The towed vehicle?
The trailer?

Please don't change your mind on my account. I don't mean to place cockleburrs in the shorts.

You've gotten this far in wanting to camp, don't stop now. You should experience it first hand and witness the stress-free environment. Isn't this why we RV, besides sit around a good campfire and watch the star-filled sky till 4 AM?
Yes, Ev, I own the works... just thinking that maybe I should just forego the trailor/dolly thingy and just rent a place down south. Didn't realize that all this would be entailed... just wanted to ride off into the sunset with the RV...thinking now that maybe I should have gone the truck/5th wheel route... but then one has to sink a good $50-$60k into the works.

capt

If you haven't bought the dolly yet, be aware that most of them prohibit backing up with a vehicle on it !! They are not designed strong enough to withstand the weight in reverse. As has been brought up previously, make sure you know the towing weight capacity of the MH, as the dolly and vehicle are non-braked dead weight. I know the trailer is not a easy option to deal with in the parks, but it is a far superior option on the road having electric brakes. If you don't want a trailer, I would check the options for flat towing with a tow bar. The ones I have seen stay mounted to the toad while uncoupled from the MH and may be a viable option. Good luck with your decision and adventure.

Yes, Ev, I own the works... just thinking that maybe I should just forego the trailor/dolly thingy and just rent a place down south. Didn't realize that all this would be entailed... just wanted to ride off into the sunset with the RV...thinking now that maybe I should have gone the truck/5th wheel route... but then one has to sink a good $50-$60k into the works. captTed, there are pros & cons to everything. Some of the pros of owning a toad;
1. Hook up is easy, the dolly can be handled by one person and hooked up to the RV by hand, then drive on the dingy and tie it down.
2. You always have a dingy at hand to putter about town rather than have a large truck and dumping the fifth-wheel.
3. No taxes, licenses, or safety inspections, depends upon registered state.
Cons;
1. As others suggest, no brakes on the dolly. Emergency situations do arise. Planning ahead and driving defensively helps, but there are those times, one does have to grit your teeth and suffer the outcome and hope the least of damages.
2. No, you cannot back up.

Trailers:
1. Consider it another vehicle,
2. It does have brakes and prevents jack-kniving in those times of need. See above.
3. Requires solid hook-up to towing vehicle to load. This will take practice and one can conquer the event.
4. You can back up with a trailer; use a good guide person to direct in blind spots and place your hand in the bottom of the steering wheel and steer into the direction seen from the mirror - takes practice and one can master the manuver. You can show others you're the pro.
5. Does become kind of a pain at the campsite.

Do some more research on your own. Don't take my opinion as the final deal or no deal. Ask other RV'ers. Observe other rigs and see how they do it. I'm sure there are other thoughts/opinions from others to help decide. You bought the works to do what you would like to do. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Take a short trip to the local sites and try it out. Look & listen.

I have been from a Class C to a 21 ft sleeps 6 trailer to now a slide-in camper. The Class C, as in a Tioga, was okay, but to travel to the store or go look at amusements was to break down the site and take the Class C, or use public trans. I did pack the Class C at the grocery store before camping and ask the site about their bus service.

With a trailer or slide-in, I can unhook/unload and use the truck to travel to those places mentioned. Every option has its pros & cons. You have to research what route would be the easiest for you and pursue it.

If I were to get an RV, it would have to have Air-Ride® for the basset hounds, wife's request (read demand) and I would get a dolly & dingy. It's easy to hook up, one person can do it. Just my opinion.

Don't forego anything, keep an open mind and for those starry lit nights, give it some thought as to the route to chose. Renting a place at the end of the journey is not a bad idea. Make maintenance repairs to the RV for the next trip to make it trouble-free. Unload/pack the RV for the next trip. Using the car there to make the local trips is good. Weigh the rental cost compared to ownership. You can use the dingy at home as a daily driver.

Think of your options, make the one you would be comfortable doing. If you're in the campground as I'm in, reach in the cooler and help yourself. Stop by later for more or in the AM for coffee.

To date I think this has been one of the most comprehensive posts that I have read, and I thank you Everette for the thought and the effort put into it.

I will take into consideration what you have mentioned. I have already picked up the dolly, but paid a pittance for it at an auction and can prob dispose of it if need be.

I never considered the additional braking as a necessity but more as an option. This is a variable that I will indeed take into account by first obtaining the weight of the motor home and combining it with the weight of a towed vehicle on a dolly. In addition, I will do a road test and also see how that goes for a sudden stop.

I again thank you and the others who have shared their knowledge and experience with me on this venture.

I hope that others who also may be considering this mode of transport will also learn from what has been written on this thread... I know I have.

capt

You're welcome. Practice is the key.

The most important maintenance tip of any vehicle is proper tire pressure. Flexing sidewalls is the leader in blowouts.

Have you joined, or thinking of joining the Good Sam Club? They have an excellent ERS program, Emergency Road Service.

I have heard some good things about that Sam's club from a neighbour. I do belong to the CAA which offers some roadside services, but will look into that other as I think they offer other camping services as well.

And yes, I have heard that the tires is a maj issue when RVing, right up there with RV's going down the road and being overweight. Read some where that 67% of these are in this state! Scary, eh?

Then too, I just had a short discussion with the good wifey, and she agrees that I need to look more into dragging a car behind before we hit the trail, and get a chance to look up at those stars that you have been mentioning... just hope that they are still there by the time that I get all this sorted out! :)

capt

Cool! Yea, I think the stars will still be there.

Hey guys... this is the last comment that I'll make on this thread...I promise.

I've enjoyed the comments, the suggestions and the info of all you people who have beaten the path before me on this "toad" thingy.

You might have prevented a possible mishap down the road, literally if I had continued with the dolly application.

Instead, I've found that the Sub can be towed, with 4 on the road.. if it had been an auto... it couldn't be done. Instead, I've opted for the tow bars which afford braking, and have already sold the dolly.

It's so great to belong to a community...na... make that a brotherhood of Camaro types that are out there ready to devote their time and smarts.

Thanks!

capt

Happy Camping! If you pass by, stop in. Frig is always full.
Perequiste is you have to like basset hounds.

I'm sure that my Siamese and your hounds will hit it off famously...after 5 or 6 beers who'll care, eh? As for the cool one... just might be passing through your hood on the way to warmth next winter.:)

capt

You'll see the Klan if you open the photos from my sig.