How big a toad?

Well, whatcha can pull depends on what you buy and where you’ll be towing it.
You’re correct, there’s no such thing as a real compact pickup anymore.
The Ford Maverick is about the smallest and well, not much of a truck. CVT and AWD optional.
For sure any gasser Moho will do better pulling a midsize truck than a full size. And the midsize trucks are big enough to be real comfortable now. Unless you’re an extra large person. And they’re quite capable for household truck stuff and smaller trailers.

Now a little single cab 1 wheeler peeler midsize pickup is ALOT lighter than a full zoot crew cab 4x4 if that’s what you’re after. Just make sure what you need to do to tow it how you want to. IE whether it can be flat towed or not.

livemusic wrote:
I don't even have a Class C! Or anything other than a camper trailer. But I might be buying something and am considering a Class C. It would probably be me and another person, plus gear. Wondering how big a toad you can pull.

I am first needing a new pickup, mine is falling apart! It's 15 years old and things keep breaking and I'm ready to buy something. I fear making a 500 mile trip in my old truck.

So, can a Class C pull something like a Chevy Colorado? I don't know what you call it. Is it a half ton? It's smaller than a half ton like a Silverado. I don't know if I've ever seen anyone pull a half ton. Anyway, since I have to buy a pickup, wondering about this. For just general use, I'd rather buy a half ton but... a small pickup could also serve as a toad. If a Class C will pull it. If a Class C won't, would a Class A? Or do you always need a real small toad?

Actually in today's truck world, I dunno if they even make real small pickups anymore, I can't think of one. Even a Toyota Tacoma appears to be about same size as a Chevy Colorado.

Depends on the type Class C, some are rated for as low as 3,500 lbs tow capacity, some 8,000. Subtract the vehicles gross weight rating from it's gross combined weight rating for tow capacity and be aware that as the weakest link in a chain determines it's breaking strength, the hitch you have mounted may be rated lower than the tow capacity. In which case that is your tow capacity.

Ford or Chevy class C , like a 24’ model with no slide would your best option to save weight as a tow vehicle.
That will offer you the most payload and tow capacity while giving you two full size sleeping areas. Ex: Sunseeker 2350 LE floorplan as i have.

You can tow a new pickup by flat towing it 4 wheels down or use a tow dolly. Both options might cost you $2-3k to buy and set up the right equipment to tow.

A dolly needs to be registered and inspected as well as maintenance such as tires, bearings, brakes etc.
I think most people that have done both prefer 4-down towing because there is hardly any hitch weight involved and you do not have to store a dolly. Towing 4 down requires a solid tow bar and hitch plate on the truck plus braking system and lights.

Chevy Colorado , GMC Canyon or Ford Ranger might all be able to be flat towed with automatic tranny and 4WD . Check with manufacturers to be sure. That list of vehicles can change from year to year, just verify to be sure.

If you choose to flat tow, unlock the steering column to the first click to free up the steering wheel because by turning to the second click ‘the run position’ will record mileage on the odometer.

Live,

I'm not sue why you are stuck on a small pick-up, but you should first talk to as many others as you can find and try to decide if you are going with a tow-dolly or a flat tow. Most of the little PU are RWD and so a dolly requires extra work to drop the drive shaft. Some that are 4WD have a T-case with a neural so can be flat towed.

I think a lot more research will be required before you lay out any cash.

Matt

Here's a good place to start. It isn't actual manufacturer's towing specs, which is the final guide for any vehicle, but it's a good list of what can be flat towed, taken from manufacturer's data.

Dinghy Guide

If this is mostly a towing question,
I flat tow a 2016 Wrangler JKU Sahara that weighs around 4500lbs, loaded for travel (1/4 tank of gas), including all towing accessories, braking system, towbar, safety cables, wiring, et al.
Most Wranglers are easy to flat tow, partly because the steering doesn't lock, so no key in the ignition required.
Put transmission in Park, and transfer case in Neutral, and off you go.
My 2018 Navion weighs around 10,600lbs loaded for travel (full tanks diesel/propane, 1/3 water, empty black/gray) and including our "stuff".
Towing anything with motorhomes is more than just subtracting the GVWR from the GCWR. How much you can tow is simple math.
The weight of the "towed" can't exceed (3,500, 5,000, 7500 lbs) the maximum weight capacity of the hitch/towbar.
The total weight of motorhome + towed can't exceed the GCWR, which is 15,250lbs in my case.
So, for me 10,600lbs + 4,500lbs, and my total weight is 15,100lbs.
I have around 150lbs of buffer, which isn't much, but it's within the chassis specs.
I do my weighing just prior to departure, at a nearby MTO (government) Inspection Station scale.
Getting the weights done accurately is the most important part of towing.
After that, it's just simple math. You know your fixed limits, and just need to know the variables.

I don't have to have a small truck but, as I said, I need a new truck right now, mine is worn out. So, buying a truck, I would kill two birds with one stone. A truck for right now and a toad if I get an RV.

Appreciating the responses.

Never heard of having a tow dolly registered and inspected, at least in the 3 states I have lived in. I always use a dolly even though my current toad is set up to flat tow. You have a lot to consider just make sure those offering advice here actually know what they are talking about.

ferndaleflyer wrote:
Never heard of having a tow dolly registered and inspected, at least in the 3 states I have lived in. I always use a dolly even though my current toad is set up to flat tow. You have a lot to consider just make sure those offering advice here actually know what they are talking about.

You say you are set up to flat tow but you use a dolly. Why?

Verify, but “most” newer actual 4wd (not AWD but those with a T case neutral position) are flat towable.
If going for one all around truck/vehicle that can do everything, then I think you’re on the right track.
That said idk how or why your 15y/o truck is “falling apart”, but financially, I’d still hold off on buying anything newer, especially pickups, if you can. For a while. Prices will come down more. Just finally leveled out 6-8months ago and have started dropping.
But generally the better the fuel economy or the more loaded features haven’t dropped as much. (Gas prices are supporting the better mpg truck prices a bit imo)

I’d be more inclined to have a primary vehicle and have the capability and comfort of a full size (and I need a full size truck). And then have a secondary vehicle to use as a 2nd vehicle/toad.
Jeep YJ/TJ/XJ are great toads. Slap some mounts or a bumper that will accept a tow bar on it and some may mount tail lights and let ‘er rip. Provided the moho isn’t on the edge braking wise. I’d not prefer to integrate braking into any newer vehicles.

Tnx for bringing this to my attention. Regarding registrations.
It seems MOST states don’t require registrations, which i didn’t know.
A very few do and a very few might only be needed if you tow the dolly empty without a car on it, transporting it i guess is what that means.

When my friend bought his used tow dolly the seller sent him a pic before he made the out of state trip to buy it.
I don’t remember the state but the dolly did have a plate as well as a plate bracket.

I think the Roadmaster dolly has an OEM plate bracket and etrailer sells a tow dolly plate bracket. I only assume if its manufactured, there’s a need for it somewhere.

I looked up Louisiana and found a 1988 DMV law that says no reg required. So like all else, always verify any info , its common sense.

livemusic, if you decide to buy a dolly , it seems they have vin numbers and a title in order to prove ownership. If you buy used it might be to your advantage to get that from the seller. It would protect you from buying a stolen one .