Alternate TOAD ideas?

[HB of CJ]

Cheap.  Even one that has been very well rebuilt can be had for less than $4000.00.  The problem is finding one.  Our 1982 4 door was built up using various junk yard parts and we had less than $3000 in it.

Five speed manual.  Later 1984 Jetta engine.  Factory cold A/C.  Got over 50 mpg on diesel fuel.  Easy to work on if you have the few necessary special tools.  Can be towed 4 down.  Parts are cheap and available.

Edited by HB later;  I forgot to add that they weigh about 2400 pounds with about 60% of that on the front.

Worked for us.  Traded it off.  Now wish we had not.  HB of CJ (old coot)

[muldoonman]

Towed a Front wheel drive, Auto V6 2011 Ford Edge. It was pretty light. It was easy and Rigged to tow. Now have a 2014 Auto 4WD Super Crew Ford F150. It's not so light.

[gg04]

Just pull what ever you really like. Have pulled everything from a 18000lb step van to my wifes 1600lb Honda racecar... Really makes not much difference at all,. just a little slower up long grades..Only makes a difference if your always in a hurry ..Retired on pemanent vacation never in a hurry ..rdw

[Tikvah]

Love pulling my Chevy Tracker.  Weighs 2200 lbs, 5-speed manual.  Fun to drive, great gas mileage.
What more can a person want.  I have the two door model, you could go just a little larger with a four door for more adult back-seat comfort.
We take two kids easily with ours.

[oltrunt]

The body of my toad rests on a Tracker 4X4 automatic frame and drive line.  I do make sure the lock out hubs are disengaged and that the TC is in neutral when I tow.  I follow the mfg's recommended 200 mile start up procedure which is a god send as after 200 miles I really need to get out and---stretch---.  My "Tracker" is a little heavier than others  at 2700# because of all the wood in the woodie body.  Mine trails very well even up steep right hand turns into fuel stations.  I paid $750 for a driveable Tracker ready to go--and then spent mega bucks and time to fit it under the woodie.  I'm pleased with the simplicity of the Tracker and if I were a normal person I'd have been well pleased with it just as it came from the factory.  Jack

[gumpy]

Ford Explorer with a neutral tow kit. We've had 3 of them (first on was manual tranny with a driveline disconnect). Now we're towing the Ranger with a neutral tow kit.
Our last two Explorers had the third seat, so we could easily fit 6, 7 if necessary. The Ranger has jump seats, so not very comfortable for long drives, but still workable in a
pinch.

[Brian Diehl]

Yes - that is definitely one way to look at it!  More Power!

[Scott & Heather]

Hey jack, post a photo of your woodie tracker!


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[Tom Y]

Brian, We tow a Wrangler. Takes about 10 percent more fuel. And you will not find a auto with worst gas mileage, 13 mpg tops. But I do like em. First pic is an 06, sold an bought an 05.

[Tom Y]

Sorry that pic was the 05 in ID hunting last year. Had the bus on top of a mountain, and I was happy to make it off. Here is the 06 had it out west a couple times and up to MI also. We do some Jeeping with them and ran the Rubicon Trail last year in the 05. So I like the Wranglers.

[Brian Diehl]

Hi Tom - nice to see a picture of your bus "in action"!  How is the L10 working out for you?
Yes - poor fuel mileage on the jeep is one downside.  
I'm leaning towards the Grand Vitara right now, but may change my mind after finding one to drive.  Still plenty of time to decide!