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traveylin's avatar
traveylin
Explorer
Jan 10, 2014

Got a new Toad

Finally retired the 13 year old S-10 toad as it was getting to unreliable for use away from the home base. The last couple trips I made a point of bringing the title with use so that I could abandon it if necessary at a junkie.

The new toad is a 2012 GMC Canyon with 4 wheel drive. Its relatively lite compared to full size vehicle yet the cabin is large enough to allow the wife and I easy access. Setting up to tow requires pushing a couple of buttons to putt the transfer case in neutral. The steering wheel is not locked so no need to leave the key in acc. drawing down the battery.

After 20000 miles of towing the s-10 and a lot of research, the Canyon fit my needs better than any other vehicle. As they are no longer made by GM, I did a nation wide search through Carmax to find the exact vehicle. Located it in Denver, shipped it to San Antonio and took about 20 minutes to complete the deal. 19 minutes of which was required to clear the check for the purchase.

Base plate has arrived and will be installed by auto repair shop next Monday. I installed the last one and just do not feel like working underneath vehicles anymore.

Blue ox tow bar was sent off to Blue ox customer service yesterday for refurbishment.

All thats left is figuring out the running lights. The s-10 I had added bulbs to the original tail lite fixtures but the new canyon does not appear to have enough room. Might make some bolt on trailer lite mounts with the cable run to close proximity. When not in toad use, they would be dismounted.

2014 is looking up to be a good year


pops
  • bocanut50's avatar
    bocanut50
    Explorer
    Jan 13, 2014
    I have a 2008 Roadmaster Even Brake for sale for your new toad, although it was only used for 2 years. Excellent condition, all parts included, great price. Contact me directly via instant message.
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Jan 12, 2014
    The 4 wheel drive canyon will be a huge improvement as the DW and I like traveling the roads less frequented. Tires are highway style and I will be looking for something with a bit more grip but not noisey nobbies

    pops
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Jan 11, 2014
    I have seen the kits to adapt the OEM lites to RV signal sourcing and accept that they work...But they use them things called diodes, which were not part of the curriculum in the 60's when I took the required 2 semesters of electrical engineering. I also do not like household wiring circuits with parallel switches and am very careful in wiring 230 volt circuits in Y or delta configuration.
    A parallel boat trailer type toad liting circuit is very simple to understand and trouble shoot, esp under the gaze of a DPS trooper asking why the lites are not functioning. Mounting the additional bulbs/fixtures using magnets/removable brackets are reasonable workarounds.
    To each his own solution
  • imgoin4it's avatar
    imgoin4it
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    I would go ahead and use the OEM lights on the truck, but I thought I might do in the future is mount lights on the truck using the hitch receiver.(If you have one) would have to make up a bar arrangement to go into the receiver and plug into the motor home like mag lights. Then just take it out when not in tow
  • FIRE_UP's avatar
    FIRE_UP
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Ka Ron wrote:
    The Texan wrote:
    Ka Ron wrote:
    Why not use the existing lights?
    We tow a Pontiac Sunfire and the rear lights of the car are wired to a plug on the front that plugs into the back of the motor home.
    Quick, easy and neat.
    Probably because GM will void the electrical portion of the warranty if you cut into the wiring to hook up toad lights. Have that in writing from GM, when we bought out new toad and asked the dealer to install the lights.


    Well, there you go, I never even thought of that in 2002 when we bought the car. Guess we were lucky or had a good mechanic do the wiring as we never had a problem.

    Good idea to check though.


    I don't know why people panic when the suggestion to use the stock tail lights is mentioned. There's probably thousands of RVers out there that do it that way, including myself. I've towed 10 different toads utilizing the stock tail light bulbs and never, repeat NEVER, FRIED any portion of any wiring. Not to mention, the entire planet is "fused" so, even if there's the slightest chance of a short, the fuse takes care of it. It's incredibly easy to do and, when done, anyone following your toad sees "Natural" action of the lights which, include all the correct brake lights and AMBER turn signals if and when equipped.

    Everyone's got their own choice in how a toad's wired so, it's a matter of preference.

    To the OP, wiring your new toad utilizing the stock tail lights is phenomenally easy and, you'll have no need to "disconnect" or remove any auxiliary lights when it's not a toad. Your choice.
    Scott

    P.S. The cost of doing it this way is about as minimal as it gets.
  • Ka_Ron's avatar
    Ka_Ron
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    The Texan wrote:
    Ka Ron wrote:
    Why not use the existing lights?
    We tow a Pontiac Sunfire and the rear lights of the car are wired to a plug on the front that plugs into the back of the motor home.
    Quick, easy and neat.
    Probably because GM will void the electrical portion of the warranty if you cut into the wiring to hook up toad lights. Have that in writing from GM, when we bought out new toad and asked the dealer to install the lights.


    Well, there you go, I never even thought of that in 2002 when we bought the car. Guess we were lucky or had a good mechanic do the wiring as we never had a problem.

    Good idea to check though.
  • lanerd's avatar
    lanerd
    Explorer II
    Jan 10, 2014
    What!!! No supplemental brakes???? Shame, shame, shame.
  • The_Texan's avatar
    The_Texan
    Explorer
    Jan 10, 2014
    Ka Ron wrote:
    Why not use the existing lights?
    We tow a Pontiac Sunfire and the rear lights of the car are wired to a plug on the front that plugs into the back of the motor home.
    Quick, easy and neat.
    Probably because GM will void the electrical portion of the warranty if you cut into the wiring to hook up toad lights. Have that in writing from GM, when we bought out new toad and asked the dealer to install the lights.

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