We bought our class A last fall and have used it a couple of times. I'm getting used driving and manuevering it - it isn't as bad as I feared it would be. This week we're having the baseplate installed on our CRV so we can tow it behind the moho. In 3 weeks were going on our first out-of-town trip with the trailing toad.Sunday I'm going to practice on a quiet nearby military base - trying to get used to having that additional 20' behind the already long vehicle. We did just get rid of a 28' TT so I have some towing experience. Any advice from you towing experts out there? Things to practice / watch out for?Thanks

if the CRV is narrower than the Honda it will turn "inside" the RV making turns much easier for you. "inside" means that when making a turn if the MH's rear wheels clear the curb, signs, etc. then so will the CRV. beyond that you likely won't even know it's back there.

BEFORE pulling in anywhere make SURE that you have a straight shot of an exit. There is no backing up with a toad attached!After hooking it up 'always' take a hold of the steering wheel and turn it back and forth to ensure it's not in the locking position before you take off.Buy a set of keyed alike locking pins. Locks tow bars to base plate and locks receiver hitch to prevent theft. If you don't buy the locks be SURE to check the clips on the tow bar each and every time you leave it unattended in a parking lots. If it's not gone when you get back many times kids will also think it's cute to pull the clips out.Good Luck have fun with your first Toad!

You don't say what year crv you tow. Check your owners manual for specific procedures to be followed before towing each day. We tow a 2010 crv and had issues after long days towing. We installed a switch for fuse #34 which is the clock on the radio. Sounds crazy - but this fixed a known issue where the battery drains after a day of towing. Again, I stress follow the Honda manual instructions and your honda will provide great service. We put the switch in because it is difficult to regularly pull the fuse manually.

Never back up. Always drive forwards with a flat-towed car. A trailer you can back up all day long, a car on a dolly you can get maybe 10 feet, a flat towed car will bind the front wheels in 2 feet.Brian

I hope you have a rear view camera...otherwise you won't know the CRV is back there.Always have another person double check your tow bar hookup, ignition, parking brake, gear selection, and the pulling of the fuse (or switch). You can eliminate the fuse pulling if you run a 12v wire from the mh to the CRV's battery to keep it charged. In our case, I installed a switch (with an in-line fuse of the same amperage) in place of the fuse, so I simply just have to push a button.Another must have, is a good supplementary braking system. Not all states require them specifically, but for for safety's sake, get one. It's a known fact that you can stop faster if your toad is equipped with one than without.Ron

Towing Advice | Good Sam Community

tropical36
Explorer
May 10, 2013
dbs944 wrote:
tropical36 wrote:
dbs944 wrote:
Thanks for the good advice - we're leaving in the morning for our first open road w/toad.

My back up camera only works when the coach is in reverse. Is there a universal way (not knowing what the make/model is at the moment) of making the BU camera work all the time? I'm going to replace it soon but not before this trip.

Should be a switch right on the camera. Mine was viewing like yours when we got it and I changed it immediately.
On the camera? I never looked there. I'll climb up and take a look tomorrow. Thanks.

Sorry, my bad and a typo, as I meant to say the monitor and there should be some buttons and/or switches on it.
dbs944
Explorer
May 10, 2013
tropical36 wrote:
dbs944 wrote:
Thanks for the good advice - we're leaving in the morning for our first open road w/toad.

My back up camera only works when the coach is in reverse. Is there a universal way (not knowing what the make/model is at the moment) of making the BU camera work all the time? I'm going to replace it soon but not before this trip.

Should be a switch right on the camera. Mine was viewing like yours when we got it and I changed it immediately.
On the camera? I never looked there. I'll climb up and take a look tomorrow. Thanks.
tropical36
Explorer
May 10, 2013
dbs944 wrote:
Thanks for the good advice - we're leaving in the morning for our first open road w/toad.

My back up camera only works when the coach is in reverse. Is there a universal way (not knowing what the make/model is at the moment) of making the BU camera work all the time? I'm going to replace it soon but not before this trip.

Should be a switch right on the camera. Mine was viewing like yours when we got it and I changed it immediately.
rk911
Explorer
May 09, 2013
dbs944 wrote:
Thanks for the good advice - we're leaving in the morning for our first open road w/toad.

My back up camera only works when the coach is in reverse. Is there a universal way (not knowing what the make/model is at the moment) of making the BU camera work all the time? I'm going to replace it soon but not before this trip.

I would think so. our rear camera is on 100% of the time when we're moving so I gotta believe there's a way to do that with yours. post the year/make/model of your MHG and I betcha that someone on this forum will have the answer for you.
dbs944
Explorer
May 09, 2013
Thanks for the good advice - we're leaving in the morning for our first open road w/toad.

My back up camera only works when the coach is in reverse. Is there a universal way (not knowing what the make/model is at the moment) of making the BU camera work all the time? I'm going to replace it soon but not before this trip.
Jagtech
Explorer
May 07, 2013
Another thing to be aware of... don't attempt a sharp turn from a dead stop, such as pulling away from a fuel pump or a curb, etc. The wheels on the toad can slam to full lock and drag, rather than turning gently as you pull forward. Always ensure that you are rolling, no matter how slowly, before making a sharp turn.
rk911
Explorer
May 04, 2013
tommy salmon wrote:
Sorry to butt in, but why do you need to charge the battery or pull the fuse? How is a vehicle being towed using any electricity to run the battery down? I just wired my 2004 Jeep, and now I'm wondering if I missed something?

some vehicles require a key be left in the ignition and switched to the ON position (usually to unlock the steering wheel). doing this can activate some accessories (a clock, etc) which can run down the battery. our 2003 wrangler is a bit unique in that we need to leave the key in the ignition but turned to the UNLOCKED OFF position when it is towed. that in itself is strange since the steering wheel does not lock when the jeep is parked but we do it anyway since that's what the book says to do.
tommy_salmon
Explorer
May 03, 2013
Sorry to butt in, but why do you need to charge the battery or pull the fuse? How is a vehicle being towed using any electricity to run the battery down? I just wired my 2004 Jeep, and now I'm wondering if I missed something?
tropical36
Explorer
May 03, 2013
dbs944 wrote:
lanerd wrote:
. . .

You can eliminate the fuse pulling if you run a 12v wire from the mh to the CRV's battery to keep it charged. In our case, I installed a switch (with an in-line fuse of the same amperage) in place of the fuse, so I simply just have to push a button.

. . .

Ron
Do you have more information on this? Where do I pull the 12v from on the MH? Would having a trickle charger plugged in in the MH and run the POS lead to the battery work?

Dave

My system which we don't use has an inline fuse where it connects to the chassis battery and is connected to one of the pins on the coach's 7 pin receptacle. I also wired this 7, the same as my Ford F-150 which seems to be pretty standard and if you'd like to go with that configuration that is easily found online. This also allows me to pull the Jeep with the truck as well.
dbs944
Explorer
May 01, 2013
lanerd wrote:
. . .

You can eliminate the fuse pulling if you run a 12v wire from the mh to the CRV's battery to keep it charged. In our case, I installed a switch (with an in-line fuse of the same amperage) in place of the fuse, so I simply just have to push a button.

. . .

Ron
Do you have more information on this? Where do I pull the 12v from on the MH? Would having a trickle charger plugged in in the MH and run the POS lead to the battery work?

Dave

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