My "toad" experience:
1996 Ford Contour, 5 spd stick. No mods. Leave key in switch, put in neutral and go. Replaced in 2007 with:
2007 Chevy HHR automatic: leave key in switch, pull 2 amp fuse put in neutral and go.
2011 Ford Ranger 4WD auto: leave key in switch, put in neutral and go::::AFTER you guy a Ford only "Transfer Case Neutral Switch Kit" for 400 bucks installed.
All the above are towed 4 down. Never had a problem with any of them. So far.
I use the same BlueOx baseplate, so my towbar (Roadmaster Falcon) needs no changes.