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JJPP17's avatar
JJPP17
Explorer
May 15, 2013

Dinghy towing options

Looking for advice on toads. Neither of our daily drivers are towable four down without modifications. CVT automatic Outback, and RWD Dodge Charger. (Don't want to install trans pump.). We are 12 months away from buying a new car, and then we will look for a towable Subaru or CRV.

In the meantime I am looking at using our older truck as toad. 1993 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 with push button 4wd. Owners manual says ok to do this with the following considerations:

- Transfer case in 2wd High (no lights on dash lit)
- Front hubs disengaged.
- Transmission in neutral.
- 55mph speed limit, no distance limits.

A few questions:

How do I verify hubs are unlocked, as these are auto locking hubs?
Has anyone towed a truck like this?
Best baseplate / towbar for light truck?
Thoughts on supplemental braking?
Any other thoughts?

Tow vehicle is V10 Class C.

Other option is to have DW follow in one of the other vehicles until we can buy a suitable toad next year.

Opinions appreciated!
  • kaydeejay's avatar
    kaydeejay
    Explorer
    May 21, 2013
    family people wrote:
    To your message ,, first of all i have a question when you tow your toad can you see where it is by looking at your side view mirrors ? If your not able to see and you are depending on your rear view camera well stop depending on that and try what i purchased it is the Rv Dinghy / Toad marker lights , They work great i can see where my Toad is by looking in my side view mirrors,They are awesome you can see the markers at night they light up great i use them day and night especially when i am trying to get back home to go to work the next morning after a long three day weekend we all know how that is driving at night trying to get there
    You are new on here so not yet privy to various protocols, so I'm sure we will all cut you some slack for now.
    What you just did is hijack someone else's thread. That's a No-No.:(

    At the same time you seem to be promoting a product you just bought. That's another BIG No-No in someone else's thread!:E

    You really need to start a thread of your own to discuss this product, tell us all about it, where you got it and how much it costs.
    Other RVers can then make a conscious decision on whether they may be interested or not.
    Capiche:@
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    May 21, 2013
    CA Traveler wrote:
    The base plate will be different for the vehicles you're considering. The most important consideration for me was a MH mounted towbar so that he MH has most of the weight when unhitched and an adjustable towbar. If the toad is within a foot then it will connect. .


    also on the tow bar I recommend one with levers to release it, not slip rings.
    'bumpy
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    May 21, 2013
    Can't help with your truck except to say that setting it up to tow is expensive for a years usage.

    Both Roadmaster and Blue Ox make good towbars. I had the Roadmaster Falcon and got tired of the binding that can occur and switched to the All Terrain. Advise getting a towbar that can be disconnected when the toad is not straight and level. The base plate will be different for the vehicles you're considering. The most important consideration for me was a MH mounted towbar so that he MH has most of the weight when unhitched and an adjustable towbar. If the toad is within a foot then it will connect.

    I have a box brake used in the same CRV since 04. It takes extra time to install and remove but could work for you switching vehicles. My future choice will be a permanently installed brake but one that is relatively easy to move to a future vehicle. ie A DIY project.
  • family_people's avatar
    family_people
    Explorer
    May 21, 2013
    To your message ,, first of all i have a question when you tow your toad can you see where it is by looking at your side view mirrors ? If your not able to see and you are depending on your rear view camera well stop depending on that and try what i purchased it is the Rv Dinghy / Toad marker lights , They work great i can see where my Toad is by looking in my side view mirrors,They are awesome you can see the markers at night they light up great i use them day and night especially when i am trying to get back home to go to work the next morning after a long three day weekend we all know how that is driving at night trying to get there
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    May 15, 2013
    re. the hubs. my tracker had to have the manual hubs to be able to tow it. on them of course you could just twist and see they were disengaged. with automatic ones, can Ford tell you have to disengage them and how to tell? I know Whitney's or some such used to sell manual hubs to replace auto ones for this reason. don't know if they still do.
    bumpy

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