Towing... what is the cost????

[mgfiest]

I read about some disadvantage with towing but they don't really go into the cost of this disadvantage.

So what disadvantage I would like to know is the fuel consumption lost. Either gas or diesel. If you can go 600 miles on a tank without a toad... will you only get 300 miles on a tank with a toad. If you use a toad, do you need to upgrade your transmission to accommodate, if so then that is an added cost. Then there is the brake system.. I assume that is an added cost.

So I am thinking there is a major add on.. if you do tow a vehicle.

If it gets that much... it maybe better to rent a car, when you get to your destination.

[Dutch_12078]

Our first toad cost us about $2,000 to equip it with a Remco transmission pump and light hookup, Blue Ox base plate, and ReadyBrute Elite combination tow bar and brake system. I supplied all of the labor. Our second toad cost about $350, since everything but the base plate was transferred to it, again with my labor. Given the number of miles we've towed, and the number of places we've been where the toad was invaluable for sightseeing, shopping, etc., I'm sure we would have spent much more than that in rental fees. Our mileage penalty at worst amounts to about 0.25 MPG. And well worth it to us...

[Trackrig]

In just addressing the fuel milage for towing, part of it will depend on the ratio of the toad weight to weight of the MH. As a very broad statement, the larger the MH, the more fuel it will use. We tow a Jeep Wrangler behind a 39' MH with a Cat C7 350HP engine. The jeep is so light compared to the MH weight, that while I'm sure it decreases my milage, it hasn't been enough for me to notice.

If your MH is smaller and or your toad is larger, then as they say, your milage may vary.

Now I do have a friend that tows a 3/4 Ton diesel crew cab with a Polaris Razor in the back of it. That probably costs him a little bit in milage......

Bill

[Peralko]

Adding weight to your motorhome will decrease mileage. How much depends on several factors. If you add a 4,000 pound toad to a 16,000 motorhome, you just added 25% more weight. If you add the same 4,000 pound toad to a 40,0000 pound coach, you only added 10% weight. Keep in mind that weight is pretty much only a factor going uphill, so percent uphill is a factor. You will also have a larger impact on gas motorhomes than a diesel due to the difference in torque curves. For most situations you are probably talking tops 1/2 MPG difference with or without a toad.
Another consideration is how easily accessible a rental agency is. We've camped in many areas where rentals are a long way off.

[The_Texan]

The mpg difference is insignificant, on ours it is 8¼ to 8½ with our full size truck and 8½ to 8¾ without a toad. If you are cost conscience, you can find good used tow plates, tow bar & a aux brake system at very reasonable prices on both eBay and craigslist. You can be on the road ready to tow for under $1000, if you try. Also, if you really look around, you will find a used vehicles all ready set up and in that case you have nothing extra to do.

[BarbaraOK]

We're fulltimers, so there was no way we wouldn't have a toad with us. The major expense is the set up. Any difference as far as mpg is minimal and the advantage is that we have a wider circle (~ 100 miles) of what we can go see with the economical car rather than moving the coach all of the time.

Barb

[raindove]

We thought that when we started, too. After DH started dialysis, we had to rent a car every time we went away, so he could get to his treatment centers. The cost of renting adds up VERY fast. After 3 trips of renting a car, we got a small Escort to tow. DH says there isn't really any significant difference in gas mileage. Even with the insurance and tags on the toad, it's cheaper than renting a car on a regular basis.

[Mandalay_Parr]

Maybe $2-3000 to get tow setup on your toad.

I have insignificant mileage difference.

[Sully2]

mgfiest wrote:
I read about some disadvantage with towing but they don't really go into the cost of this disadvantage.

So what disadvantage I would like to know is the fuel consumption lost. Either gas or diesel. If you can go 600 miles on a tank without a toad... will you only get 300 miles on a tank with a toad. If you use a toad, do you need to upgrade your transmission to accommodate, if so then that is an added cost. Then there is the brake system.. I assume that is an added cost.

So I am thinking there is a major add on.. if you do tow a vehicle.

If it gets that much... it maybe better to rent a car, when you get to your destination.

It will cost you ABOUT 1/2 mile to the gallon of fuel. Personally I dont use a supplemental brake