looking for a light weight toad

Suzuki Samurais are sorta rare- they've turned into a popular "desert rat" vehicle. But the next-gen version, the Suzuki Sidekick, is a little more common and identical to the Chevy Tracker. (I think they were made by the same company.)

And here's a thumbs-up for a lesser known early similar CUV:

I can very highly recommend the first-generation Kia Sportage. (1997-2002) No personal experience with it behind a moho because my own '97 is the vehicle doing the towing!

It's a four-cyl manual tranny 4x4 that's pushing 200,000 miles, about a quarter of that towing a small TT. I've owned it since fifty thousand miles, and it's been the most trouble-free vehicle I've ever had.

I prefer a "used" vehicle, thar way I will be able to spend more $$ on my trips ;) I know a tracker would be good, but alas, they are few and far between anymore. I will look up the samuri, thanks so much for your help.

If you don't mind something that isn't new.... Suzuki Samurai.
Cheap, light weight, go anywhere vehicle.

_

The lightest weight toad will likely end up having poor resale, poor ride, and poor safety. There are a lot of good cars (resale, ride, and safety) that weigh between 2500-3000 lbs. Your MH hardly know that a 2500-3000 lb toad is back there, but you will be glad when you are actually driving the toad around.

I tow a 5000 lb toad (I had it and it was towable when I bought the MH). I once made the climb up the east bound 10,000+ ft. Wolf Creek(?) pass 2 consecutive days (long story). The 2nd time, I unhooked the toad and had the DW follow me. I still ended up in 1st gear at times. If I ever climb that grade again, I won't be unhooking.

The Ford Focus with Automatic transmission is towable and weighs in at 2,900#.

Nick

If a two seater convertible sounds like fun go this way. Lotsa fun. :) Somewhere around 1800 pounds.

a 2009 smart fortwo Passion. It is a gasoline car. The electric smart cars are white.

33 city / 41 hwy - I average 42-46 mpg. highest is 51 mpg on I-5
1.0L, 3 cylinder
fuel tank: 9 gallons (US)
curb weight: 1,800 lbs (US)
5 speed automated manual transmission (it's a manual tranny with no clutch pedal. The computer does the shifting)
designed to seat someone with a height of 6'4"
can be driven manually with paddle shifters or floor shifter - or in automatic mode. You can switch between modes on the fly.
lots of cargo storage behind the seats
Passenger seat folds forward for more storage.
the inside of the tailgate is a storage bin. I keep the flat towing equipment in there.

no speed limit restrictions when flat towing
no need to stop to start the engine and let it run for 5 minutes
a $15 battery disconnect switch is the only mod needed for towing

Moved from general RVing

Just started towing my wife's 2007 Honda Fit - automatic. it is in the 2400# range
Hardly know it's back there.

2013 Chevrolet Spark with the manual transmission. Seats four and a 2269 lbs. dry curb weight. Of the new subcompacts only the Smart Car and Scion iQ are lighter.

Fiat 500 weighs 2363 lbs. and it is hard to get into the back seat. Scion iQ weighs 2127 lbs. but is not flat towable due to its CVT transmission. Smart Car only seats two.

The Toyota Yaris weighs 2295 lbs. but it is significantly more expensive.