? for those that have a TOAD

[norty1]

I am doing some research on the best TOAD. I see many are towing a Chevy Traverse 4 wheels down.
I'm interested in finding the best car that can be towed four flat without much modification. Our goal is to get our next car with the intention of being able to tow it behind whatever we down size to in the future. It will likely be a Class C with a 10k or less towing capacity.

Not interested in a manual transmission.

[cfisher523]

So, we tow a 2016 Traverse behind our motorhome. Only real modification above and beyond the usual rack (base plate) and wiring (we chose to wire in the Traverses tail/signal lights) was the addition of two switches to bypass the fuses that must be removed to dinghy tow. After installation tow prep is a snap... connect the vehicle, put the transmission in N, flip two switches, and we're on the road.

Now... the 2018 Traverse is no longer flat towable. The 2017 was the last model year that supported it. However, the new Equinox is flat towable and requires no fuse bypass so its basically connect and go. Only catch with the Equinox is that only the 1.5L Turbo (FWD) and the Turbo Diesel (FWD/AWD) are towable. The 2.0L is NOT towable. You can always go the Jeep route, but I'd imagine if you were into Jeeps you would've just gone that route right away. After that if you are looking at SUVs I think the Lincoln SUV and the Ford Explorer are your remaining options. In total I think 70 vehicles were towable in model year 2018, but most of them are cars.

We just jumped into the Motorhome/toad pool 10 months ago and I've learned a lot in that short time. Whatever you get, make sure you get a braking system for your toad as even with a light vehicle they make a huge difference and are required by law in most states at this point. Good luck!

[wabirch]

A buddy of mine just started this for his Class C set up. I'll see if he has finished and get him to chime in on this thread.

[WinnieView]

We have a GMC Terrain and it is the best TOAD ever, just ask us and we will tell you the same.

[cfisher523]

Originally Posted by 2008Seneca

We have a GMC Terrain and it is the best TOAD ever, just ask us and we will tell you the same.

Under the skin I believe Terrain=Equinox, no? So yea, also a great option!

That got me thinking though, what about the Acadia since it hasn't gotten the same updates as the Traverse and.... the 2018 Acadia is flat towable when equipped with the 3.6L. The 2.5L is not flat towable.

[TWP723]

From what I've seen through Edmunds, the Jeep Wrangler is the most popular TOAD because of it's manual transfer case and manual tranny.

[Grumpy]

Here's a link to Motorhome Mag Jan publication:

Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

We used to tow a 1500 extended cab. That way we still had a truck available.

[Bullitt6283]

I just finished setting up a 2009 Smart as a Toad. I used a Demco baseplate and RVI3 brake system.
The car has an automatic transmission and it's a hoot to drive around town.
Its maiden voyage as a Toad will happen in 2 weeks when we tow it down to Bristol for the NASCAR race weekend.
I'll be sure to report back...

[Robbbyr]

Originally Posted by Bullitt6283

I just finished setting up a 2009 Smart as a Toad.

If I had one of those I wouldn't tow it, I would just stuff it into one of my basement compartments!

We have towed our 2014 Explorer Sport thousands of miles without issue, love the room since the grandkids are usually with us.

[Camper_bob]

We are currently towing a 1994 Jeep Wrangler (YJ). That one is SUPER easy to tow. But it has manual transmission, no space, no AC, rag top, lift& large tires, it's 25 years old... But it sure is FUN and a great toad depending on destination activities (beach, offroading...)

However, long term, we'll be towing a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. It has the 3.6L V-6, 8-spd auto transmission, and this is the kicker: a low-range selectable transfer case. Once I get it set up for towing (baseplate, brake, wiring, towbar) I will be able to connect and disconnect in just a minute or two. During connection, you just shift the transmission to neutral, select neutral on the transfer case control panel in the console, shift into reverse to verify it's really in neutral, shift to park and turn it off. Really you don't even have to shift back to park, when you cut the engine, the trans automatically goes to park.

The Grand Cherokee has all the creature comforts we could possibly hope for in a daily driver, let alone a toad!! Plenty of zip for a 3.6L V-6, and a true low-range transfer case, so it can hold its own offroad too!

[norty1]

Looking at a 2016 GMC Terrain for a future TOAD. It's not equipped with the towbar, etc but is towable. The info I: Doe am looking at does not state 6 or 4 cylinder engine.

Question #1 : Does the odometer spin when towing?

[hoppers4]

Don't know how old you're willing to go but I'm towing a 2004 Honda CRV. The CRV is a popular tow car also, but in recent years their instruction manuals state that they are no longer towable 4 down. The only mod I did on mine was replace a fuse with a switch so I didn't have to pull the fuse when I wanted to tow. I moved the fuse to be inline with the switch so the circuit was still protected.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by norty1

Looking at a 2016 GMC Terrain for a future TOAD. It's not equipped with the towbar, etc but is towable. The info I am looking at does not state 6 or 4 cylinder engine.

Question #1: Does the odometer spin when towing?

I can't use a jeep. This will be a daily driver when we are home and needs room to transport 4 adults, wheel chair and walkers. My current daily driver barely has room for all that and a cup of coffee.

The model we are looking at is a 2016 Terrain SLE, 4cyl.

[WinnieView]

The Terrain is a fine car with no recalls to date (since 2010) and pulling the discrete logic fuse prevents miles on the odometer and battery discharge. Our previous towed was an '02 CRV and it was just as nice, as mentioned, until the teenager wrecked it.

From the owners manual;

To tow the vehicle from the front
with all four wheels on the ground:
1. Position the vehicle that will be
towed and secure it to the
towing vehicle.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON/RUN.
3. Shift the transmission to
N (Neutral).
4. Turn the ignition key to ACC/
ACCESSORY.
5. Turn all accessories off.
6. To prevent the battery from
draining while the vehicle is
being towed, remove fuse 32,
the Discrete Logic Ignition
Switch fuse, from the instrument
panel fuse block and store it in a
safe location.

[norty1]

My understanding is the 2017 is the last one that can be towed 4 down.