Backing up with toad

[Lin]

Everyone knows that you can't dependably back up with your toad attached.  That does not stop me from trying though.  Being sometimes too lazy to unhook to get myself out of a situation, I have been successful a couple of times backing up a bit.  There seems to be the best chance of success if you are on level ground and just want to go back straight a very short distance.  I have been foolhardy enough to attempt it on non-level ground and recently damaged (read as destroyed) my tow bar doing so.  I was probably lucky that I did not damage the Jeep. Anyway, the thought occurred to me that there might be a reasonably dependable way to accomplish this feat and wanted to see if anyone had tried it or had opinions of the subject.  Of course, I know that people on this board rarely have opinions, but why not ask?

What if one could ask a competent driver to get in the toad, start it up, put it in reverse, and gently try to back up sort of pulling the bus while the driver in the bus would have it in reverse and give it just enough fuel or brake to let it be pulled back?  It seems to be that going back in a straight line should be relatively easy.  Other maneuvers would require some coordination but still be doable.  What do you think?

[Lin]

Oh, I wanted to be the first to post to preclude the answer that one should not get into those situations to begin with!

[Geoff]

I have also backed up a toad straight back a few feet (usually at a fuel stop), but my Blue Ox is simple to disconnect or hook up as long as I am straight.  I mean the bus and toad.

--Geoff
P.S.  I am in back surgery recovery so bear my numerous posts.  I want to be working in my shop soon.

[HB of CJ]

Consider a nicer enclosed or open wheeled car trailer with the longest tongue practical.  The trailer wheel track can be as wide as the Bus Conversion.  Brightly colored corner markers or running lights also help.

This way one can see the corners of the trailer from the drivers seat using the rear view mirrors.  With todays available cameras much better.  Then practice backing up with the car trailer hooked on.  Lots and lots of practice.

When you can do figure eights backing up and back down around corners without issue then you are good to go.  I for one profoundly do not understand why ANYONE would want a rig that you can not back up in emergencies.

Not good.  Darwin.  Just me.  Respectfully.

[Tikvah]

I've often wondered if my wife was back there holding the steering wheel ... but never tried it.

[chessie4905]

Get a rear view camera to assist in doing it.

[luvrbus]

The caster on a tow vehicle keeps you from backing up with a tow bar for any distance without someone at the steering wheel.Lin you are not the first   BTDT and have the bent tow bars to prove it I don't even try it anymore.if there was a way to reverse the caster like you can do on some trailers with front steering you could back up for miles   

[Dave5Cs]

Lin we do it from time to time. Wife gets in Jeep and steers or holds it straight and I watch in Camera. Don't have to start it just have to watch the tow bar and only steer slowly as needed. It works.

[Geoff]

I bought a car hauler 20',102" wide enclosed trailer and had it painted to match the bus.  You are adding another 3500 lbs. or so with the trailer plus the weight of the toad.  Not good for tight cornering or fuel mileage.  I also have an 18' open steel deck trailer, same problems.

--Geoff

[muldoonman]

Backing up with a tow bar. Ain't suppose to do that.

[PP]

I've never tried it. Would surely mash something up if I did, but in an emergency, and I use that word heavily, what if you set the wheels straight and lock the steering column? Would that help? At least in a straight line. There is no way DW would ever get in the toad (Mini) and be behind the bus while I'm backing it up. She knows better than to play 'speed bump' 

I just had to chime in here to give Lin some more reading material   
Will

[Scott & Heather]

Done it and tried it many times. Problem is, the hitch on our coach is lower than the truck towbar so when backing up it lifts the front tires of the truck enough that you can't steer it. So I don't do that anymore. I just unhook


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[oltrunt]

MD man, I couldn't agree more.  Nevertheless, thanks to the marvels of GPS I found myself having been dropped off the Hwy one off ramp too soon on a hilly, sandy and narrow private drive which ended abruptly at a closed gate after a "U" turn and a bunch of ornamental boulders.  If I'd disconnected the toad I'd have lost it down the hill.  At that point neither the wife (not along) nor the rear camera would have helped me.  I spent an hour and 40 minutes getting turned around enough so I thought I'd be able to drive up and out through the landscaping of boulders and cactus.  It worked though I probably owe someone--It wasn't me who ran over the mail box----really!
Jack

[Dave5Cs]

Done it and tried it many times. Problem is, the hitch on our coach is lower than the truck towbar so when backing up it lifts the front tires of the truck enough that you can't steer it. So I don't do that anymore. I just unhook


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Scott not good if it is more than 3 inches off level. If you stop hard on the road it could do a wheel stand. They make compensator raised hitches for the bus. Amazon has them "Raise/Lower 2" hitch"

[Stormcloud]

I have used the toad ( Suzuki Sidekick 4 door) to pull the coach out of the fuel island when it wouldn't start, and push it out of the way. Lots of snickers and giggles as the DW climbed behind the steering wheel of MudFlap, but the giggles promptly stopped when it worked just perfectly.  She just held the wheel straight and reversed....

A David and Goliath kind of moment.

Of course, perfectly level asphalt helped immensely.