New to Dingy Towing.. Driving Pointers

enblethen wrote:
Work in parking lot with your helper/navigator on hooking up and disconnecting the tow bar. Set up hand signals to indicate what to do so BOTH of you understand. Yelling does not work! Make sure when disconnecting that the combination unit is straight. Any deviation can cause binding when trying to unhook. It is not quite as important when hooking up, but straighter the better.
Do the same for checking lighting.
Many MHs have a long over hang in the rear. Driving in parking lots and then is some quiet residential areas will give some idea as to where the toad is as you may not be able to always see it.

The Roadmaster All Terrain tow bar is pretty good for disconnection when the vehicles are not in line or even twisted on uneven ground. having said that, straight and level is always easier. If the hitch is binding when you are trying to release it turning the toad steering wheel one way or another will usually help.

I would also suggest that when doing your hookup don't let any one chat with you or try to help unless you need it. Too easy to forget one simple step--like releasing the emergency brake when you are all hooked up and ready to go. Don't ask me how I know that. :E

Also, before disconnecting, set the parking/emergency brake on the toad and put it in 1st or reverse if a standard. That way you are less likely to run over your self it parked on a slope.

You should also start a blog so that everyone can read about the mistakes you make. :B

You will be just fine...don't stress yourself out over thinking it. I have driven our 32ft Class C with our Jeep Wrangler toad many times by myself and have had no issues.
I do leave the camera on all the time so I can keep an eye on it. Just makes me feel good to be able to glance at the camera. I have stopped for gas by myself, hooked and un-hooked it solo also.
One thing I did do that I would suggest: I typed out a step-by-step process for hooking up and on the reverse side, a step-by-step for unhooking on a card and then laminated it. It stays in the Jeep and I refer to it EVERY time.
Keeping in mind that you can't back up and to use reasonable care with where you place yourself you will be just fine and will LOVE having that smaller vehicle along on your trips!!
Relax, you will be A-Ok!

You will be fine. I am female and drove our Class A with toad the first time with no problems. Watch curbs for the toad. Plus everything everyone else said especially: don't pull in anywhere that you will have to backup because if you do, you will have to unhook the toad since you cannot backup a toad.

Thanks... wish I had a co-pilot. that's my problem. I am
solo...

Checking brake and blinker lights is something I'm wondering about
thinking about some type of mirror on a stand or something? So I can
see the tail lights from the Drivers mirror and passenger mirror.
I can turn on the head lights and one blinker, get out check, other
blinker, get out check.. but break lights.. I know get a brick.

Oh wait...my break lights aren't connected only when Patriot breaking system is doing it's thing do break lights come on (I think?) so when Patriot is doing it's test the lights should activate & I could check then. So that would mean only two trips in/out to check
blinkers. I drive with my headlights on and would see the lights on
when I check the blinkers.

I have a rearview camera. Someone suggested I get a white reflector tape (like NASCAR.. so they know when wheel is straight), lint
remover white stick 'em stuff (it doesn't leave residue like tape)
cloth or something and put on top of steering wheel (while it's
pointed straight) so I can see it move as I turn and if it's
straight or not. Couldn't hurt..

Oh my.. the stress level is building.

Take care to avoid making a sharp turn from a dead stop, such as pulling away from a curb or gas pump. You must start rolling straight ahead before turning, or the front wheels on your toad may slam to one side and cause all kinds of excitement. And a check list for hooking up is always a good idea.

During tight corners, your Saturn will tow within the tracks of your mh. Other than not being able to back up, I can only suggest that you have a good rear view camera so that you can see the Saturn all the time as most of the time, you won't know it's back there.

Ron

leave room in front of your MH so you don't have to back up. Places for example, like stopping in a line of traffic, leave a space, towing into a service station, plan your out before commiting your self, remember you can not back up. I have had to unhook before getting fuel because of tight conditons, no problem, easier to unhook under ideal conditons then trying to unhook after getting in a bind because you didn't scope your exit before commiting.

Don't back up!

Work in parking lot with your helper/navigator on hooking up and disconnecting the tow bar. Set up hand signals to indicate what to do so BOTH of you understand. Yelling does not work! Make sure when disconnecting that the combination unit is straight. Any deviation can cause binding when trying to unhook. It is not quite as important when hooking up, but straighter the better.
Do the same for checking lighting.
Many MHs have a long over hang in the rear. Driving in parking lots and then is some quiet residential areas will give some idea as to where the toad is as you may not be able to always see it.