toads
2 questions: I have been counting toad vehicles today on a trip from Kansas City to Sikeston, MO. the majority of 4-down toads are Jeeps, why is that? 2ns Q, what are the pros and cons of towing wit...
Forum Discussion
There are many other four down capable vehicles out there. Last year we looked for a toad for our new MH. Too us the only acceptable choices were the 2013 CR-V and 2013 Ford C Max hybrid. Ultimately we chose the C Max for its ease of getting into and out of, great advertised mileage at the time and being just the right weight and size. We have towed the C Max about 5,000 miles in addition to the 37,000 driven miles. The car has been wonderful. It is economical and very fun to drive because it handles to well. I feel safer in a car than a Jeep. We have many horror stories from the few Chrysler products we owned in the past so that company is a no-no.
The biggest negative to the C Max is the EPA rating Ford assigned to it, 47/47. Since the purchase in March, 2013, Ford has twice adjusted the rating DOWN to something like 43/39. I have received two checks from Ford totaling almost $1,000 to compensate us for lowered gas mileage. Still in all the car has been mechanically perfect and very enjoyable. We tow using a Blue Ox baseplate, tow bar and Patriot brake box. The installer used diodes for the lights. One thing about towing the C Max with an F-53 gas chassis is that the car is very close to the ground requiring the use of a 10" drop hitch. As I said, so far, no problems.
The biggest negative to the C Max is the EPA rating Ford assigned to it, 47/47. Since the purchase in March, 2013, Ford has twice adjusted the rating DOWN to something like 43/39. I have received two checks from Ford totaling almost $1,000 to compensate us for lowered gas mileage. Still in all the car has been mechanically perfect and very enjoyable. We tow using a Blue Ox baseplate, tow bar and Patriot brake box. The installer used diodes for the lights. One thing about towing the C Max with an F-53 gas chassis is that the car is very close to the ground requiring the use of a 10" drop hitch. As I said, so far, no problems.
