cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Toad Advice

budbon
Explorer
Explorer
We traded our fifth wheel in for a Winnebago Vista 27'. I bought an 87 (nice) Suzuki Samurai for a tow vehicle. I would like to sell my Dodge diesel, and the Samurai and get a 2008 - 2012 pickup as a tow vehicle. I need at least a 1/2 ton 4X4. Here in Colorado, 4X4 is a necessity. I also need something under 5000 pounds (Vista tow weight limit). Are there any suggestions for such a pickup that can be towed 4 on the ground?
I may not be good.....but I'm slow.
Bud Kerr
2005 Dodge, 3500 4X4, Banks Engine
Brake, Brakesmart, Quadzilla Commander
2010 Montana 2955RL
Kawasaki 650 Prairie ATV, Kawasaki 360 Prarie ATV
SUN Solar Oven
22 REPLIES 22

Effy
Explorer II
Explorer II
docj wrote:
Effy wrote:
Given the vista 27 Specs, GVWR = 18k and GCWR = 23k. Hitch is 5k. GCWR - GVWR = 5k. SO at the very Maximum you can tow 5k, but that's dry off the shelf. You add fuel, water, people, gear, food etc and you lessen that number.


NO! The GVWR is the maximum his MH should weigh loaded with everything (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The dry weight number is a lot less. The GCWR-GVWR=5,000 won't change.

What he does have to concern himself with is the fully loaded weight of the toad which will be more than its dry weight but should still be less than its GVWR.


Thanks for the clarification. Always wondered why my coach weighed much less than the GVWR. Learn something new every day.
2013 ACE 29.2

docj
Explorer
Explorer
Effy wrote:
Given the vista 27 Specs, GVWR = 18k and GCWR = 23k. Hitch is 5k. GCWR - GVWR = 5k. SO at the very Maximum you can tow 5k, but that's dry off the shelf. You add fuel, water, people, gear, food etc and you lessen that number.


NO! The GVWR is the maximum his MH should weigh loaded with everything (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). The dry weight number is a lot less. The GCWR-GVWR=5,000 won't change.

What he does have to concern himself with is the fully loaded weight of the toad which will be more than its dry weight but should still be less than its GVWR.
Sandie & Joel

2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2014 Honda CR-V AWD EX-L with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
WiFiRanger Ambassador/RVParkReviews administrator
Follow our adventures on Facebook at Weiss Travels

Effy
Explorer II
Explorer II
Given the vista 27 Specs, GVWR = 18k and GCWR = 23k. Hitch is 5k. GCWR - GVWR = 5k. SO at the very Maximum you can tow 5k, but that's dry off the shelf. You add fuel, water, people, gear, food etc and you lessen that number. So you need to know how much your stuff weighs then do 5k - stuff, and that is your tow capacity. Likewise with your toad, dry weight is one thing, add fuel, gear etc and you add weight to your toad. As others have mentioned, weigh your coach like you are traveling. Then you will know what you can tow. But getting a vehicle in excess of 5k simply makes no sense. Others will tell you it can handle it. But the numbers don't lie and they exist for a reason. Plenty of lawyers out there waiting for the fool who knowingly exceeds the capabilities of the defined parameters. Do it right.
2013 ACE 29.2

bigdog2
Explorer
Explorer
Budbon, lot of folks here read a little and become arm chair quarterbacks. As an old trucker also I researched truck towables and bought a Ram 1500 4x4. It has the neutral button and does not need any modifications. I weighed it yesterday. 5,060 lbs. Yes, it will be a little over the limit by the time I put a little 'stuff' in it. I'm going to Iola Kansas friday for a baseplate, 8,000 lb towbar, breakaway kit, etc.
LOW net worth.........HIGH quality of life
Dudley is at the rainbow bridge
Sonney,old ,retired Roadway driver.
Donna, too young to retire, she quit.


2006 GBM Pursuit 3500 DS
2014 ram toad- toad's toad VW powered buggy

budbon
Explorer
Explorer
Somehow this thread has become a discussion on allowable tow weights. I posted this thread to get ideas on what model of 4X4 pickup that could be towed with all four wheels on the ground, that met the 5000 pound weight restriction.
I may not be good.....but I'm slow.
Bud Kerr
2005 Dodge, 3500 4X4, Banks Engine
Brake, Brakesmart, Quadzilla Commander
2010 Montana 2955RL
Kawasaki 650 Prairie ATV, Kawasaki 360 Prarie ATV
SUN Solar Oven

Seattlepirate
Explorer
Explorer
Somewhere in your coach is a sticker that shows what the maximum combined towing and coach weight are.

budbon
Explorer
Explorer
My Vista is a 2014. The reason for the desire for a pickup is I would like to sell the Dodge 1 ton and Suzuki and only have one power unit to replace the two.

As far as all of the weight limit discussion, I spent most of my life driving truck (2,000,000 plus miles). I am no stranger to weight limits. My question is what 4X4 pickups that weighs 5000 pounds or less are suitable for flat tow. I'm not interested in something new. All of the input has been appreciated.
I may not be good.....but I'm slow.
Bud Kerr
2005 Dodge, 3500 4X4, Banks Engine
Brake, Brakesmart, Quadzilla Commander
2010 Montana 2955RL
Kawasaki 650 Prairie ATV, Kawasaki 360 Prarie ATV
SUN Solar Oven

zman-az
Explorer
Explorer
budbon,

What year Vista. I have a 2011 Vista 27'. Mine has the dual slides. I loaded it with fuel (80G) and water 55G. With all my gear (and I have a lot)and the wife and I we weighed in at 16,400 lbs. 400 over capacity of the RV. The nice thing with my short Vista is it can tow well over 5,000lbs but you are limited to the receiver which is at 5,000lbs.

I would probably consider holding on to that Sammy for awhile, even if you do get a truck. That thing would tow nice behind a RV and can be fun to drive, consider it a toy.

JoeH
Explorer III
Explorer III
I had a Geo Tracker as a toad ( pretty much the same as your Suzuki) -- I went with a 4x4 Ford Ranger. Have towed it to Maine, South Dakota, NC. etc. and have had had no issues. As FireUp said, it does need the Neutral Tow Kit-- which is reprogramming and a indicator light. I picked the ranger due to the weight restriction I had on the gas coach .... we now have a diesel and I could move up to a larger truck, but the Ranger works fine... I load the Harley in the back and off we go.
Joe
2013 Dutch Star 4338- all electric
Toad is 2015 F-150 with bikes,kayaks and Harley aboard

Blaster_Man
Explorer
Explorer
Executive wrote:
Blaster Man wrote:
5,000 might not be your actual tow capacity. It's been on here before, but here it is again:

Work the numbers:

1. GCWR minus tow vehicle's actual weight.

2. Hitch capacity.

3. Coach tow rating.

4. Chassis maker's tow rating.


Remember too, it's the LESSER of any of the above......Dennis


Correct...forgot to put that in.
2014 American Eagle

Executive45
Explorer III
Explorer III
Blaster Man wrote:
5,000 might not be your actual tow capacity. It's been on here before, but here it is again:

Work the numbers:

1. GCWR minus tow vehicle's actual weight.

2. Hitch capacity.

3. Coach tow rating.

4. Chassis maker's tow rating.


Remember too, it's the LESSER of any of the above......Dennis
We can do more than we think we can, but most do less than we think we do
Dennis and Debi Fourteen Years Full Timing
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
2014 Chevrolet Equinox LTZ W/ ReadyBrute
CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR TRAVEL BLOG

Blaster_Man
Explorer
Explorer
5,000 might not be your actual tow capacity. It's been on here before, but here it is again:

Work the numbers:

1. GCWR minus tow vehicle's actual weight.

2. Hitch capacity.

3. Coach tow rating.

4. Chassis maker's tow rating.
2014 American Eagle

D_E_Bishop
Explorer
Explorer
budbon,

I know you said you said you wanted a pickup and I'm wondering why, I have had pickup for a DD almost all my adult life and bought a Mazda B4000 w/stick shift and 4wd. Great towed, AC went out cost more for repair than selling price of another. I settled for a 1995 Sidekick and now have a Grand Vitara. I miss the bed of the pickup often but really love the GV. On top of all else it is a real kick to drive off road. It is a real 4wd but I hardly ever get to the point where I need it. It's not as versatile as a pi8ckup but it well under 5k and tows great.
"I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to go". R. L. Stevenson

David Bishop
2002 Winnebago Adventurer 32V
2009 GMC Canyon
Roadmaster 5000
BrakeBuddy Classic II

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Explorer III
Furthermore do not believe anything someone tells you especially a seller. Read it in the owners manual.
2009 Holiday Rambler 42' Scepter with ISL 400 Cummins
750 Watts Solar Morningstar MPPT 60 Controller
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland

Bob