TOAD or Dolly as a single RVer

[duane124]

recently got a 40 foot MH and i obtained a dolly to tow my front wheel car home from where i purchased the unit almost 700 miles from home

being just me and 3 dogs, i need to know real world experience in hooking and unhooking a toad by yourself...i personally would like to forgo the dolly if realistically possible however all my experience to date has been hooking up my 5th wheel which is quite easy as a solo RVer

experiences? and i dont need opinions...i would really like to read real world experiences

[bocanut50]

Here is a link to a video I found. Blue Ox hookup & towing systems - Stoltzfus RVs &…: http://youtu.be/DwjWpcoz5v0 You may have to cut and paste the actual link if this doesn't work.

[duane124]

CA Traveler wrote:
Toad Hookup Procedure
Stop close enough to be able to hook up adjustable length towbar – Roadmaster All Terrain, set ebrake.Start the CRV 3 minute flat tow procedure.
Connect PS side bar pin and safety cable.
Connect DS side bar pin and safety cable.
Connect power cable.
Connect break away cable.
Release ebrake.
Attach white cloth to top of steering wheel, ie can be seen from the camera.
When the 3 minute CRV procedure is completed turn the key to Aux, key remains in the car and the steering wheel is unlocked.
Lock the car, second key needed, remote will not lock the car because there is a key in the ignition.
Step on the MH brake and observe that Roadmaster Invsibrake red light comes on – it’s on the MH dash, ie toad auxiliary brake working.
Drive slowly forward with a slight left/right turn to engage towbar into locked position.
With the next turn observe that the toad steering wheel is turning.

Notes:
With the Invsibrake it turns on automatically, no switches, etc.
I never needed to pull the CRV fuse but later added a charge line from the MH.
Leaving the CRV ignition on overnight will drain the battery.
DW and I also check the turn signals, brake lights and she observes the first initial movement for any problems.

Takes about 5 minutes.

thank you... that is exactly the info im looking for

[CA_Traveler]

Toad Hookup Procedure
Stop close enough to be able to hook up adjustable length towbar – Roadmaster All Terrain, set ebrake.Start the CRV 3 minute flat tow procedure.
Connect PS side bar pin and safety cable.
Connect DS side bar pin and safety cable.
Connect power cable.
Connect break away cable.
Release ebrake.
Attach white cloth to top of steering wheel, ie can be seen from the camera.
When the 3 minute CRV procedure is completed turn the key to Aux, key remains in the car and the steering wheel is unlocked.
Lock the car, second key needed, remote will not lock the car because there is a key in the ignition.
Step on the MH brake and observe that Roadmaster Invsibrake red light comes on – it’s on the MH dash, ie toad auxiliary brake working.
Drive slowly forward with a slight left/right turn to engage towbar into locked position.
With the next turn observe that the toad steering wheel is turning.

Notes:
With the Invsibrake it turns on automatically, no switches, etc.
I never needed to pull the CRV fuse but later added a charge line from the MH.
Leaving the CRV ignition on overnight will drain the battery.
DW and I also check the turn signals, brake lights and she observes the first initial movement for any problems.

Takes about 5 minutes.

[bocanut50]

One other thing. Don't forget an auxiliary braking system for your car. There are many brands out there. I happen to have the RVI2 http://www.rvibrake.com/. I bought this after much research and having a Roadmaster Evenbrake box in a prior life. Easy to hook up and go. Light weight. that was my main reason, other than cost, to change.

[duane124]

bocanut50 wrote:
I do it the same way Bud does, the only difference is I have a Blue Ox towbar. Principles are the same. It will take you several tries the first time, and then you will be a pro. There may be a video on you tube or one of the manufacture's web sites, and then you will get an exact view.

ive tried to youtube it... maybe not the right search criteria... gonna try again with manufacturers

[duane124]

enblethen wrote:
It is fairly easy to hook up by yourself if you have a telescoping towbar. It doesn't matter whether it is a MH mounted(Roadmaster Falcon. or a toad mounted(Roadmaster Stowmaster).
I pull up straight behind MH to about the correct distance.
Lower towbar in my case a Roadmaster Stowmaster.
See if I am close enough to go over ball on MH. If not move car forward or back as needed.
Hook up ball, padlock ball latch safety chains and lights.
Get in toad, put in reverse so as to lock at least one of the arms.
In Toad, in my case put transfer case in neutral and transmission in park
Release parking brake.
Get in MH and pull forward somewhere around 50 feet and verify that the second lock has engaged.
Only takes a few minutes.

thanks

[bocanut50]

I do it the same way Bud does, the only difference is I have a Blue Ox towbar. Principles are the same. It will take you several tries the first time, and then you will be a pro. There may be a video on you tube or one of the manufacture's web sites, and then you will get an exact view.

[duane124]

bocanut50 wrote:
I've been towing a toad for well over 20 years and just bought a new one and wouldn't do it any other way. It's much easier hooking up/unhooking than dealing with a dolly.

what is your procedure? im still trying to get a mental picure

[enblethen]

It is fairly easy to hook up by yourself if you have a telescoping towbar. It doesn't matter whether it is a MH mounted(Roadmaster Falcon. or a toad mounted(Roadmaster Stowmaster).
I pull up straight behind MH to about the correct distance.
Lower towbar in my case a Roadmaster Stowmaster.
See if I am close enough to go over ball on MH. If not move car forward or back as needed.
Hook up ball, padlock ball latch safety chains and lights.
Get in toad, put in reverse so as to lock at least one of the arms.
In Toad, in my case put transfer case in neutral and transmission in park
Release parking brake.
Get in MH and pull forward somewhere around 50 feet and verify that the second lock has engaged.
Only takes a few minutes.

[bocanut50]

I've been towing a toad for well over 20 years and just bought a new one and wouldn't do it any other way. It's much easier hooking up/unhooking than dealing with a dolly.

[duane124]

rk911 wrote:

duane124 wrote:
recently got a 40 foot MH and i obtained a dolly to tow my front wheel car home from where i purchased the unit almost 700 miles from home

being just me and 3 dogs, i need to know real world experience in hooking and unhooking a toad by yourself...i personally would like to forgo the dolly if realistically possible however all my experience to date has been hooking up my 5th wheel which is quite easy as a solo RVer

experiences? and i dont need opinions...i would really like to read real world experiences

it honestly takes me no more than 10-min to hook-up or unhook...and I do it alone. I actually prefer doing it alone as I have a mental checklist and routine. it's really no big deal. if you're competent enough to drive a 40' MH then you're more than competent to flat tow.

what is your procedure? i have towed and drove just about everything there is.... except this scenerio.... im pretty certain if io had a grasp of the procedure as a solo operation, it would make more sense

[rk911]

duane124 wrote:
recently got a 40 foot MH and i obtained a dolly to tow my front wheel car home from where i purchased the unit almost 700 miles from home

being just me and 3 dogs, i need to know real world experience in hooking and unhooking a toad by yourself...i personally would like to forgo the dolly if realistically possible however all my experience to date has been hooking up my 5th wheel which is quite easy as a solo RVer

experiences? and i dont need opinions...i would really like to read real world experiences

it honestly takes me no more than 10-min to hook-up or unhook...and I do it alone. I actually prefer doing it alone as I have a mental checklist and routine. it's really no big deal. if you're competent enough to drive a 40' MH then you're more than competent to flat tow.