Towing Advice

[dbs944]

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

[tropical36]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Sooboy]

F1bNorm wrote:
Depending on what year CRV, you might want a 12V charge wire installed with the hook-up harness. Ours is an 09 and I haven't added the wire so I use an underhood battery disconnect. Pulling the fuse or batt disconnect means resetting the clock and radio code. No big deal but it would be nice not to have to do this.

The CRV tows like it's not there (except climbing hills) so it's nice to have a full time rear view cam.

Norm

Very good advice. I added the charging line last spring and am happy to avoid reprogramming the radio each time. I experienced a dead battery on a couple of long towing days that no longer appears to be an issue.

[F1bNorm]

Depending on what year CRV, you might want a 12V charge wire installed with the hook-up harness. Ours is an 09 and I haven't added the wire so I use an underhood battery disconnect. Pulling the fuse or batt disconnect means resetting the clock and radio code. No big deal but it would be nice not to have to do this.

The CRV tows like it's not there (except climbing hills) so it's nice to have a full time rear view cam.

Norm

[427435]

Check your MH manual about what can be towed without toad brakes. If you don't already have them, you should consider adding them.

As others have said, no backing up------------so look for a way out before pulling into a gas station or whatever.

[lanerd]

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