New toads

[anconn]

Does anyone know where I can find out what new vehicles are able to be towed flat?

[Bumpyroad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
but be sure to verify the information in the owner's manual. under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome. do NOT buy anything that needs major alteration such as tranny lube pump, drive shaft disconnect, etc.
bumpy

I don't consider a tranny lube pump to be a "major alteration" since it only requires installing 2 or 3 fittings on existing ports, mounting the pump where convenient, and connecting some tubing and wires. The actual pump installation took me less than 30 minutes on our two RAV4's. The downside is that the pump isn't cheap. The upside is that it adds more cars to the potential toad list.

it should also be pointed out that there have been failures of these pumps and destroyed transmissions. with many vehicles out there that do not need these alterations I would certainly select one that can go as is.
bumpy

From what I read on these forums, Remco pump failures are extremely rare, and seldom reported by anyone that actually had one fail. Only a complete idiot would destroy a transmission if one did fail though. The Remco setup gives you a visual and audible alert at the coach dashboard control within seconds of a failure, regardless of whether it's an actual pump failure or a simple wire connection failure. An automatic transmission is capable of traveling at least 2 or 3 miles without additional lubrication, allowing for a safe pull over to assess the problem. If an immediate fix due to a loose plug, etc., cannot be accomplished, there are two easy ways to continue traveling to a location where a more permanent fix can be accomplished. If you have a co-driver aboard, simply unhook and have them drive the toad. The other alternative is to simply start the toad and leave it running neutral. Some snowbirds towed automatic tranny cars south for the winter and back this way for years. With over 40,000 miles of towing with the same Remco pump on two different toads, we've never had to use either method. The only alerts we've ever gotten were when I forgot to turn the Remco controller on before starting the coach. Yes, it alerts you to that error also.

do you think that the mfr. of a new toad that is not warranted by the mfr. for towing 4 down will fix under warranty a transmission that has been towed with some modification? if so you are an optimist.
bumpy

[Dutch_12078]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
but be sure to verify the information in the owner's manual. under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome. do NOT buy anything that needs major alteration such as tranny lube pump, drive shaft disconnect, etc.
bumpy

I don't consider a tranny lube pump to be a "major alteration" since it only requires installing 2 or 3 fittings on existing ports, mounting the pump where convenient, and connecting some tubing and wires. The actual pump installation took me less than 30 minutes on our two RAV4's. The downside is that the pump isn't cheap. The upside is that it adds more cars to the potential toad list.

it should also be pointed out that there have been failures of these pumps and destroyed transmissions. with many vehicles out there that do not need these alterations I would certainly select one that can go as is.
bumpy

From what I read on these forums, Remco pump failures are extremely rare, and seldom reported by anyone that actually had one fail. Only a complete idiot would destroy a transmission if one did fail though. The Remco setup gives you a visual and audible alert at the coach dashboard control within seconds of a failure, regardless of whether it's an actual pump failure or a simple wire connection failure. An automatic transmission is capable of traveling at least 2 or 3 miles without additional lubrication, allowing for a safe pull over to assess the problem. If an immediate fix due to a loose plug, etc., cannot be accomplished, there are two easy ways to continue traveling to a location where a more permanent fix can be accomplished. If you have a co-driver aboard, simply unhook and have them drive the toad. The other alternative is to simply start the toad and leave it running neutral. Some snowbirds towed automatic tranny cars south for the winter and back this way for years. With over 40,000 miles of towing with the same Remco pump on two different toads, we've never had to use either method. The only alerts we've ever gotten were when I forgot to turn the Remco controller on before starting the coach. Yes, it alerts you to that error also.

[Y-Guy]

After you look over the dinghy list, you can then google the name, model and year of the vehicle, along with the words 'owners manual' most all modern vehicles have their owners manual online. Then find the section that addresses ‘four wheels down towing’ this might be under a heading like ‘Recreational Towing.’ If it says ‘Emergency Towing’ you’ve got the wrong section. There should be specific guidelines regarding towing procedures, necessary modifications, and safety issues. Other sections may address using a tow dolly as well. If you can not find the section that address recreational towing you will want to talk with a dealership or manufacturer, don't assume a sales person knows about this information.

[Bumpyroad]

One thing to be a little wary of is sometimes there are posts here that say that they saw somebody towing a >>>>>> therefore they must be towable 4 down. they never ask the person towing it if it has been modified etc.
bumpy

[wbwood]

anconn wrote:
Thanks All. I did find the Motorhome Magazine page after I posted. My ideal toad would be one I need to do no alterations like the Jeep Liberty I have so I Know what I am looking for I just wanted to know where to look. Thanks

That dinghy list from Motorhome magazine is not complete. I recommend checking with each manufacturer of cars you might be interested in. For instance, go here for Ford. On motorhome's list, the Focus is not listed for 2016. But if you look at the ford guide, you will see that they are (except electric and ST models). With it not being on the motorhomes list, some would think that must mean that they are not towable, but that's not necessarily true.

[Bumpyroad]

one thing I forgot to mention, since you are buying a new vehicle, good luck having them warranty any transmission problems if the vehicle is not certified to be towable as is and you have done some of these modifications.
bumpy

[anconn]

Thanks All. I did find the Motorhome Magazine page after I posted. My ideal toad would be one I need to do no alterations like the Jeep Liberty I have so I Know what I am looking for I just wanted to know where to look. Thanks

[Bumpyroad]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
but be sure to verify the information in the owner's manual. under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome. do NOT buy anything that needs major alteration such as tranny lube pump, drive shaft disconnect, etc.
bumpy

I don't consider a tranny lube pump to be a "major alteration" since it only requires installing 2 or 3 fittings on existing ports, mounting the pump where convenient, and connecting some tubing and wires. The actual pump installation took me less than 30 minutes on our two RAV4's. The downside is that the pump isn't cheap. The upside is that it adds more cars to the potential toad list.

it should also be pointed out that there have been failures of these pumps and destroyed transmissions. with many vehicles out there that do not need these alterations I would certainly select one that can go as is.
bumpy

[Dutch_12078]

Bumpyroad wrote:
but be sure to verify the information in the owner's manual. under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome. do NOT buy anything that needs major alteration such as tranny lube pump, drive shaft disconnect, etc.
bumpy

I don't consider a tranny lube pump to be a "major alteration" since it only requires installing 2 or 3 fittings on existing ports, mounting the pump where convenient, and connecting some tubing and wires. The actual pump installation took me less than 30 minutes on our two RAV4's. The downside is that the pump isn't cheap. The upside is that it adds more cars to the potential toad list.

[Bumpyroad]

but be sure to verify the information in the owner's manual. under either recreational towing or towing behind a motorhome. do NOT buy anything that needs major alteration such as tranny lube pump, drive shaft disconnect, etc.
bumpy

[K_Charles]

Here