Dinghy Back Up

The caster angle is set to go FORWARD not back the front wheels cramp in one direction or another & bend the towbar. I f they don't cramp off you can back forever but usually 3 to 10 feet they will cramp resulting in buying a new tow bar. If you can find someone stu*** brave enough to steer the toad be sure to stat it so the power steering helps. Do not pot thumbs inside the wheel so when it cramps they will not be broken.

I had to back up once, with a truck camper towing a Jeep. In about 4 feet (maybe 5), the front wheels of the Jeep SLAMMED hard against the stops in a full left turn. The wheels did not gently turn to the stops, they literally SLAMMED over.
Since then, if the situation arises where I must back up with a toad, I have disconnected the toad, moved it, moved the towing vehicle, reconnected, and gone on my way.
I was by myself, so there was no one available to hold the steering wheel. The way the wheels moved, that is probably a good thing. Any body trying to hold the wheel just might have ended up with broken bones!
Yes, some say they do it all the time. Good for them. Personally, I will never try it again. I had one educational experience, that is enough for me!

Katy Did wrote:
Thank you all very much. Sounds like I can if needed and only a bit. So I'm taking advice to do so only if I really get myself into a situation. Glad to know all this! Thank you all!

As long as you're willing to risk bending your tow bar, which, once bent cannot usually be fixed, ....go for it.

It's alot less expensive to just unhook your tow'd vehicle if you get yourself into a spot.

Just tie off the steering wheel, and you can back up straight for a city mile.

If you have a tow bar that will bend from doing this, junk it now before it gets you in real trouble.

So what brand of tow bar you got there that will let you back up a country mile without bending? Just curious.

GMandJM wrote:
So what brand of tow bar you got there that will let you back up a country mile without bending? Just curious.

It's only guaranteed to back up a city mile. Backing up a country mile will void the warranty.

Ahh...yes, CITY mile. You're right. Never heard that phrase before. Probably much shorter than a country mile. :)

Katy Did wrote:
Ok. I am a newbie. I am considering towing 4 down. I have a couple of simple questions.

1. I am reading that I will be unable to back up a 4 down tow. Can anyone tell me why? I know, may be a simple answer, but if the car is in the neutral, why can it not be backed up?

2. I have a 2013 Smart Car. I am getting feedback I am unable to tow it, so I am considering trading it in for a Chevy Malibu. Any thoughts from those that are experienced. I have a small 23E Thor and do not require a truck. Just a small get around.

I would appreciate your help.

Smart cars are common 4 wheel down toads and you will se lots out there. Like any toad there are a usually a few unique things. Put a disconnect in for the battery and many use a 32 inch bungee to help the steering wheel come back to centre. Great little toad.

I am taking all into consideration will probably not reverse unless in a problem situation. I am thinking of just putting it on my Big Tex. It fits. I use the trailer for my motorcycles or my trike. Just a huge hassle using the trailer in my opinion, but I may. I have been looking at wheel tie downs. Any suggestions for that size tire? I've been on Amazon looking around.

Katy Did wrote:
I am taking all into consideration will probably not reverse unless in a problem situation. I am thinking of just putting it on my Big Tex. It fits. I use the trailer for my motorcycles or my trike. Just a huge hassle using the trailer in my opinion, but I may. I have been looking at wheel tie downs. Any suggestions for that size tire? I've been on Amazon looking around.

We actually tow ours four down but It has been so long since we bought the wheel tie downs I don't have a clue what size they are. We trailer for a few reasons, one them being that we can back up, the other that we have more than one smart car and we didn't want to set up two for towing. Works for us. It wouldn't bother me to tow it four down though.