When to unhook

[Curt_and_Marie]

OK, I am sure some of my questions are kind of stupid but I have to ask them anyhow. I have never towed a dinghy before. Today I installed the base plate for my Falcon II on my Durango and am in the process of wiring the lights. I am curious as to just what to expect when towing? I have driven 18 wheelers and successfully towed just about every type of trailer in the Army and for pleasure have towed a 30 foot Silver Streak camper for the last 20 years, I pride myself in my trailer backing ability but I just don't think I should ever back up with the dinghy. Is it recommended to disconnect dinghy and use it to recon campsites? Any issues pulling into gas stations? I suppose every situation is different, size of gas station / campsite ect. Just don't want to get into a situation and have to back out.

[John_Wayne]

And when unhooking it is usually easier to get the pins out of the tow bar when it is straight behind the MH and not in a bind if the Toad is at an angle.

[tenbear]

When buying gas I try to use the outside islands, rather than ones in the middle. Usually easier to get out. I also leave more space between the RV and the pumps than I would in my car, in case I have to turn right, away from the island. That way I can make a sharper turn without taking out the island.

[Bumpyroad]

my book "the Next Exit" shows RV friendly sites in red. it is usually correct.
bumpy

[j-d]

When in Doubt, I disconnect. Our towbar is not an "all-terrain" type so if the vehicles are not pretty close to straight ahead, I have problems releasing the bar. Suspension theory and good fortune aside, the flat tow setup isn't meant to go backwards.

[traveylin]

Always have an escape route.......Applies to gas stations and local roads that dead end. All three times I have had to disconnect were due to the local road situation.

I did see an 18 wheeler back a tandem trailer set out of a parking lot in Anchorage. I was very very impressed....

[Popsie]

Johno02 wrote:
The problem with backing up a car behind anything is the tendency of the front wheels to caster, or turn to the limit on one side or the other. If the front steering is locked straight, an experienced person should be able to back one. What actually happens is that the wheels turn hard to one side, and you can severly damage either the steering or the tow bar and brackets, or both. Most people have backed one up for a short distance, especially if taking it very slow, and generally in a straight line.
So the correct answer is anytime you want to back up! If we are going to a campground, one of us will go in and register or whatever, and the other will disconnect the toad. Its not a big thing, usually less than a minute with our Blue Ox towbar and brackets. Generally the rule is if the toad is hooked up, you don't have reverse.

In the old days, front suspension reaction to backing up could be simply determined by the positive or negative caster angle. Some cars now have front suspensions like the McPherson strut. In these cars, the steering axis inclination and the offset between center of the tire and the intersection of the steering axis and the ground coupled with the camber can be designed so that the front tires attempt to remain straight whether you are going forward or backward (when the front wheel turns to either direction the turning action tends to lift the front end, and the weight of the front end pushing down {gravity at work} tends to straighten the wheels). Also, with some of these newer front suspensions, the caster is set negative (some BMWs come to mind).

So, with some cars, the front wheels tend to try and stay straight when backing up instead of trying to swing to max left or right when backing up.

Depending on your cars front suspension characteristics, you may find it relatively easy to back up, including backing through turns. On other cars, you may experience the sharp turn to one side described above.

I suspect that this is why some people can back up with the toad attached with little difficulty (including making turns), and other people experience severe problems. It's not the skill of the driver as much as it is the design of the Toad front suspension! AKA one size doesn't fit all.

YMMV :B

[Golden_HVAC]

Hi,

It is "Possible" to back up a dingy, attached to the motorhome a few "INCHES" not really feet. You might need to do this if you end up to close to the gas pump or something. Any more than about 4" you would need to at least release the buttons that allow the hitch to get smaller, then back up the RV about 5" and then try pulling away again.

It is better to just give up, separate the RV and car, then move both and hook up again.

Yes taking the car for recon is a great idea when you arrive at a National Park, and want to find a empty 30' site, or something.

If you are spending the night someplace, and can get a full hookup with pull through, normally you can leave it hooked up all night. Sometimes I unhitch to go get dinner, then hook up that night, then am all ready to go in the morning. No need to kneel down on the wet (damp from dew) grass or pavement then hook up in the morning.

Always remember to unhook the safety cables last. Once I saw a Bronco that was unhooked safety cables first, and it rolled away, because the driver had not set the parking brake before taking off the two hitch arms. It was only a short hill, but still the owner had to open the door, jump in, and set the parking brake. I also did the same thing with my 1500 pound Manx buggy. However I was in a nearly level parking lot (Albuquerque hot air balloon fiesta field) and it was easy to hold on to it while setting the parking brake.

Fred.

[F1bNorm]

As path1 stated, we always unhook after entering the campground to avoid the extra car fee. BTW is this a real problem?

When leaving, often we gas up first then go to a flat, open, parking lot and then hook up the towd. This routine has worked well for us, a good days worth of driving is about 3/4's of a tank.

Norm

[path1]

From one towbar manufacture I just picked model and make at random:


From Roadmaster "NEVER BACK UP WHEN TOWING
YOUR VEHICLE
Backing up while the towed vehicle is attached, will
easily "jackknife" the vehicle being towed. This will
result in damage to the towed vehicle, hitch, tow bar
assembly, and/or motorhome.
Roadmaster, Inc. assumes no responsibility for any
damage that is caused by improper use. Backing up
with a towed vehicle is considered "improper use".

http://roadmasterinc.com/pdf/85-1364-02.pdf

Some people wait till inside the "gate or campground" before they unhook to prevent extra vehicle charge if any. Some campgrounds if you come in as "one" unit they count that as "1" vehicle even though it is 65 feet long.

[Alfred622]

My experience is consistent with a lot of advice you're getting. I have backed up with the toad attached but only for VERY short distances (a foot).

When driving, I don't really know the toad is there - my mileage and performance are pretty much the same towing or not.

I am very picky about where I get gas. I need a large area not only for parking the motorhome + toad by the gas pumps, but also a good entrance and exit area. I usually aim for truck-stops on the major highways although a few Flying J's and Pilot's have been rather snug.

I have a "Protect-a-tow" that I very much like and I think it helps my gas mileage while towing. This is a very heavy mesh fabric that runs between the back bumper of the RV and the front bumper of the toad. In addition to keeping rock chips off of the toad, it also prevents air turbulence between the RV and toad. This contributes to better gas mileage.

I'd strongly advise developing a towing check-list. For me it is too easy to forget a step here or there...like "Turn off radio in car". I know if I follow the list, the towing will be uneventful. I have one list for the motorhome (setting up camp and tearing down camp) and another for the Toad (hookup and detatch). My helper just reads the steps to me. It goes fast!

[othertonka]

The first thing about dingy towing is do not put your self in a position where you have to back up. It is not advisable to back up with a dingy, you can damage the towbar or the dingy suspension. The second thing is tow the dingy into the camp and register first before unhooking. Many state and federal camps will charge you for a second vehicle if you unhook and drive it in separately. Towing a dingy is nothing special, just observe the front dingy wheels are steering properly when making turns. Try to not make back to back sharp turns in opposite directions without driving straight for a short distance between turns. If not your wheels can slam sideways and you end up dragging the front wheels sideways. A back up camera is helpful. if you get in a spot where you have no choice but to back up, bite the bullet and just do the unhooking.

[rav]

we usually unhook after we check in, seems there is always a larger area to park. DW goes ahead so she can help me get into the site, so far no trouble at gas stations. I would never try to back up with it attached. JMHO

[Johno02]

The problem with backing up a car behind anything is the tendency of the front wheels to caster, or turn to the limit on one side or the other. If the front steering is locked straight, an experienced person should be able to back one. What actually happens is that the wheels turn hard to one side, and you can severly damage either the steering or the tow bar and brackets, or both. Most people have backed one up for a short distance, especially if taking it very slow, and generally in a straight line.
So the correct answer is anytime you want to back up! If we are going to a campground, one of us will go in and register or whatever, and the other will disconnect the toad. Its not a big thing, usually less than a minute with our Blue Ox towbar and brackets. Generally the rule is if the toad is hooked up, you don't have reverse.

[jerseyjim]

If you want to back up with the dingy hooked up, y'gotta make sure the dingy is backing up STRAIGHT....any variation and the steering wheels will almost immediately turn (in either direction) and lockup. Not good.
I have been unable, sometimes to back up even 5 feet without the dingy steering wheel turning. Other time...I was able to back up almost the length of the motorhome (34 ft) and everything stayed straight.

As far as gas stations are concerned...I always have to make a snap decision just before I turn into one. Question...and ONLY question is "do I have an "escape route" to get outta there?

That question..,.I found out when my motorhome was brand new. In Florida...pulled into for gas at one of these places where the pumps are opposite the the store. NO room to turn left or right. Had to unhook the toad, wife backed it up almost to the street...I had to back up the motorhome...then we hooked it back up. Only did that once. I learned fast.

As far as campgrounds go...mostly you unhook before you back into your site...if you have a back-in site. Otherwise, with a pull-thru,you don't have to bother. However...once I pulled into a campground and they TOLD me to unhook right there in front of the office. I did. They knew their campground...