innovative way to toad

[Sebulba]

Hello all,

As I read and learn I think about options and ways to do thing when and if I jump into the fun in more than the "virtual" way.

So....

As I contemplate a toad I have come to the conclusion that 4 down towing is the best all around option, but...

Would it be possible to put something like this on a bus.

https://slik-pick.com/

It looks like it could work well if it could be.   

As I see it there are benefits of ease of hookup, no towbar on the toad and others.

The downside could be the extra weight on the back of the bus -- would that be a serious concern?

Any thoughts?

Seb 😊😉

[somewhereinusa]

Most uninformative website I've seen in quite a while. Gives price, no pictures of it loaded or how it attaches.

[oltrunt]

Looks like what the repo guys use around here---just think of the extra $ you could earn repossessing motor homes in all the campgrounds you visit.

I don't see any reason it wouldn't work of you can find a place to mount it.  Jack

[Utahclaimjumper]

Why even consider anything but 4 down?? You don't need extra equipment and work to do the job>>>Dan

[DoubleEagle]

It might work, but it costs thousands over the price of a tow bar, and it would sure increase your ability to drag heavy metal on dips and driveway entrances. Not practical. 

[Lin]

There is at least one video of it on Youtube.  I don't see it as that good for our purposes.  It is a device that allows you to use your vehicle as a tow truck.  It therefore lifts the front wheels of the towed vehicle.  It would therefore require a structure capable of supporting half the weight of the vehicle-- say comparable to a hitch taking a tongue weight of a ton.  I would guess most of our hitches do not have and maybe can't be made to have that rating.  Further, it would certainly back load the bus adding that weight to the rear wheels and surely affecting the handling of the coach.

[Sebulba]

This was my main concern, but wanted to see if anyone ever explored the option.

I like it due to ease of hookup and not having to put a towbar on the car.  It would also allow any front drive car to be a toad.

My wife always says I think outside the box.  Sometimes this results in some good ideas --- some times I just come up with dumb ideas.   .

Seb

There is at least one video of it on Youtube.  I don't see it as that good for our purposes.  It is a device that allows you to use your vehicle as a tow truck.  It therefore lifts the front wheels of the towed vehicle.  It would therefore require a structure capable of supporting half the weight of the vehicle-- say comparable to a hitch taking a tongue weight of a ton.  I would guess most of our hitches do not have and maybe can't be made to have that rating.  Further, it would certainly back load the bus adding that weight to the rear wheels and surely affecting the handling of the coach.

[chessie4905]

https://www.demco-products.com/rv-towing/tow-dollies/

This is commonly used for that situation. The two downsides are very difficult to back up more than 10 feet before it tries to jackknife with car on hauler. The other lesser issue issue is storage of empty hauler when using car. We used one for a few years behind our 4104 before towing 4 down, first with transmission pump, then going with small car that was approved to tow 4 down without any accessory or paraphernalia. We now have a 2003 Suzuki Vitara 4wd automatic with lockout front hubs and put transfer case in neutral. We now have a Roadmaster 5000 tow bar with appropriate adapters,  ofwhich I found on Craigslist very reasonable.

[Sebulba]

Yes, I have used tow dollies. They are good for certain situations, but if I was full-timing and had to deal with a tow dolly every time we moved I think  I would hate my life.

4 down would be much easier.

The contraption I found, I thought might get the best of both worlds, that was why I was exploring the possibility.

Seb

https://www.demco-products.com/rv-towing/tow-dollies/

This is commonly used for that situation. The two downsides are very difficult to back up more than 10 feet before it tries to jackknife with car on hauler. The other lesser issue issue is storage of empty hauler when using car. We used one for a few years behind our 4104 before towing 4 down, first with transmission pump, then going with small car that was approved to tow 4 down without any accessory or paraphernalia. We now have a 2003 Suzuki Vitara 4wd automatic with lockout front hubs and put transfer case in neutral. We now have a Roadmaster 5000 tow bar with appropriate adapters,  ofwhich I found on Craigslist very reasonable.

[chessie4905]

Trouble is, that contraption is another item to deal with when not in use. Can you back up with that? Remco or one of the companies made a lube pump to circulate transmission fluid while towing. It also had a pressure switch to warn of loss of pressure from pump. We had
one on a fwd 1984 Olds Ciera diesel. Put about 10,000 miles on towing it with no transmission issues. Changed over a Chevy (Geo Metro),  manual transmission, eventually, as didn't care for emergency stopping distance on Our 4104 with the Ciera. 3200 lbs.

[Sebulba]

Very good point.  Complications become troubles.  Simplicity is genius.

Seb

Trouble is, that contraption is another item to deal with when not in use. Can you back up with that? Remco or one of the companies made a lube pump to circulate transmission fluid while towing. It also had a pressure switch to warn of loss of pressure from pump. We had
one on a fwd 1984 Olds Ciera diesel. Put about 10,000 miles on towing it with no transmission issues. Changed over a Chevy (Geo Metro),  manual transmission, eventually, as didn't care for emergency stopping distance on Our 4104 with the Ciera. 3200 lbs.

[Sebulba]

Trouble is, that contraption is another item to deal with when not in use. Can you back up with that? Remco or one of the companies made a lube pump to circulate transmission fluid while towing. It also had a pressure switch to warn of loss of pressure from pump. We had
one on a fwd 1984 Olds Ciera diesel. Put about 10,000 miles on towing it with no transmission issues. Changed over a Chevy (Geo Metro),  manual transmission, eventually, as didn't care for emergency stopping distance on Our 4104 with the Ciera. 3200 lbs.

[Jim Blackwood]

Indeed.

I've wrassled this problem a long time. Still have the Suzuki Samurai that I used to flat tow. (well, no it's a different one actually) but the wife says it makes her back hurt to ride in it and she won't drive stick. So Unless I rework the suspension for a soft ride and put an auto in it that ain't happening. My solution? I'm looking for a Honda Pioneer 500 to modify and carry in the center bay. Likely to take some work but that's my field. In the end I think I'll be able to make it street legal. And it's an automatic.

Jim

[bobofthenorth]

I like it.  The opportunity for stealth repos is the best feature.  Who's gonna suspect a converted bus parked across the street is actually the repo man waiting for mama to move the mini van? 

On a more serious note - we towed 4 down with an antique Blue Ox.  It was frustrating at times but that was mainly because it was serial number 11.  I expect they have improved a lot and ours was still pretty good.  There's several vehicles now that you can essentially just put in neutral and go.  If you're happy driving a stick shift towed then its even easier.  K.I.S.S.

[chessie4905]

Maybe you could put an air ride seat in it.🤔