Idling while being towed

Usual Suspect.... US Gear's Unified Brake System is one of the few supplemental brake systems that provides an additional vacuum pump to utilize the toad's power brakes. Makes a huge difference.

Ron

I would be more worried about braking, normally the engine is not running so there are no power brakes, so the auxiliary brake is setup for that. With the engine running the auxiliary brake would be using the same force. While most have ABS, I can see the toad trying to stop the rig due to the force being used.

Here's added flash to think about.

When my toad is in the 'towing mode' the trans does NOT circulate. Henceforth why manufacturer spec requires I stop every 250 miles to run it.......the key here is that I have to put it back IN GEAR to run to cool the trans. Then put it back in 'tow mode' to continue towing 4 down.

So my guess is you need to look at the specs on your car because I think that running the engine while in the 'towing mode for 4 down' it is NOT going to be cooling the trans on all makes and models. :W

Executive wrote:
This one is an automatic and I can tow it four down....:W:W...but it's an F10.

I used to have one of those. What have you done to make it towable?

And I know about the Hondas, small GMs, few Fords. I came across a local sale of a CRV that was already set up with a Blue Ox, but he wanted $7000 and it had 160,000+ miles.

Fifty4F100 wrote:
I remember reading back when I 1st got into our motorhome that someone had flat towed a Ford Taurus behind his motorhome with it idling to keep the transmission cooled instead of going with a pump. I wonder if he is still lurking around these threads? I remember a few pros and cons to this application. If you haven't guessed, I'm tired of driving my PT Cruiser every day and I'm looking for an upgrade. Really don't want to go with another manual.

Well Sir,
Everyone's got to do what they feel is right for them. I personally wouldn't tow an inch with my toad idling. There's several AUTOMATIC toads out there that be flat towed without Idling. By far, the most popular one in the small car range is the Honda CRV. You can flat tow just about any version of that one, all the way up to 2015 ones. Apparently the '15 models have a different form of transmission in them, i.e. CVT and, it's not flat towable.

But, there's a zillion very nice used CRVs out there. I'm not in any way, shape of form, tied with the sales of Honda. I just know they work great as a toad with an automatic. Good luck.
Scott

This one is an automatic and I can tow it four down....:W:W...but it's an F10.

Fifty4F100 wrote:
If you haven't guessed, I'm tired of driving my PT Cruiser every day and I'm looking for an upgrade. Really don't want to go with another manual.

There are many auto trans vehicles out there that make very good toads...you don't have to only have a manual trans to be a toad.

Ron

vic46 wrote:
Wireless remote camera on the tach.

Not bad. But I would rather have an alarm go off instead of having to watch a screen. Maybe something monitoring vacuum or RPMs.

Wireless remote camera on the tach.

What would be a good way to monitor that the engine is running from the drivers seat of the MH?