CHOOSING TOAD (DINGHY) FOR A MOTORHOME
By Bob Gummersall
Choosing an appropriate Toad, sometimes called a "Towed" or a "Dingy", to tow four wheels down behind a motor home is a challenge. There are many individual preferences that must be considered along with several major technical considerations. First and foremost, the weight to be towed behind a motor home is a very important safety issue. The heavier the toad the worst the problem. The Trailer Life Campground Directory lists the legal weight limit that can be towed without on board brakes. Most State Regulations limit the brake-less toads to 3000 lbs. Many of the older Ford and Chevrolet Chassis limit the brake-less towed weight to 1500 or 1000 lbs. I have personally evaluated accidents where a brake-less toad was high on the list of causes. Lighter is better from a safety point of view.
I do not recommend Tow Dollies for several reasons. First is because they add from 500 to 1500 lbs. to the towed weight. That means that the towed weight is increased to 4000 or 5000 lbs. Using a dolly adds one more vehicle to the combination and in some states they must be licensed. Maintenance of that additional vehicle's tires and wheels is added to the already long list that Rvers contend with. When you get to a destination, what are you going to do with the dolly? It usually takes two people to man-handle it somewhere out of the way. Because of the added weight, the dolly requires on board brakes which significantly increases the price and maintenance. Two sets of safety cables are required between the motor home and the dolly and between the dolly and the vehicle. I have seen many tie-down straps fail on dollies. It is very difficult to back up a dolly/vehicle even a few feet. If I'm careful, I can back up my four down toad 50 feet without any binding. Brake, stop and clearance lights are difficult to connect on a dolly towed vehicle. All in all it is a pain to use a dolly and the only real advantage is that the dolly towed vehicle does not require any special modifications.
So where can you find a list of approved toads? Motorhome Magazine publishes yearly a list of approved toads in their January or February issue. The 1998 model list is posted on their web page at http://motorhome.tl.com/tech/index.html. There are many choices and the list grows a little each year as manufacturers see this marketplace potential. I have towed an 89 Tracker, 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 95 Plymouth Neon, 96 Dodge Dakota 4x4, and a Honda CRV. My total miles towing is about 150,000 miles and about 100,000 miles driving those toads. The Tracker was a 2 door and I traded up to get a 4 door for easy egress to the rear seat for guests. The Neon allowed me to experience a light sporty car. I used the Dakota pickup when I hauled Motorcycles along on the trips. I find the CRV to be the best overall toad that I have owned. My only complaint is that it needs a few more ponies.
Which toad is for you? Only you can answer that question. If you select a toad that is not on the list, then you should became very familiar with REMCO at 800-228-2481. They manufacture many products that can modify the chosen non-approved toad. Some of their products are auxiliary transmission pumps, drive- line disconnects, auxiliary locking hubs, and others. If you choose to tow non-approved vehicles unmodified, you risk causing serious damage and voiding the manufacturers warranty. They only way I know of to verify that a vehicle can be towed four down, is to read the fine print in the Owner's Manual. If there is a doubt, get the approval in writing from the Selling Dealer, Service Department, and Manufacturer. Honda only officially approves the CRV to towing four down even though thousands of Rvers tow them without trouble. You can get a conditional statement for the Honda Service Department that almost gives you approval to tow four down.
In general you are legal if the chosen toad weighs less than 3000 lbs. If it weighs more, you must add a toad braking system to be legal even if your motor home is rated to tow more. To be safe I recommend adding a toad brake to any vehicle being towed behind a Ford or Chevrolet chassis and for that mater behind any motor home. I wish you many safe miles and days or Rving.