evanvalk
Tampa, Fl.
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Joined: 03/18/2004
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Would like to see some pro and cons about towing a dingy with my Four Winds 31p.F-460 with the V-10.Thanks. Ed.
ED. & ROSE.
THOR FOUR WINDS 31P.CLASS C 31FT.
FORD E 450 V-10 6.8 GAS.
TAMPA, FL.
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susan-y
North Bend Oregon
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Joined: 08/11/2003
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I have towed a 4X4 Ranger through many mountain ranges with absolutely no problems. Tow/haul works great. Cruise is VERY helpful in maintaining speed going down steep grades (can't use it going up of course). So I'm PRO!
2005 Chateau Sport w/slide, 24ft, E-450, V-10
Life looks better through a windshield.
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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As with any tow.......
- secondary braking needed if tow is 2500 pounds or more
- a rear trac bar for preventing the rear of the RV from tail wagging (we have a Henderson rear trac bar)
- heavy duty front and rear sway bars. Stock bars I think are 0.9" front and 1.1" rear, both with rubber bushings. Heavy duty ones are 1-3/8" front and 1-1/2" rear with poly bushings. The most affordable ones are made by Helwig.
The idea is to keep your rig with tow as steady as can be when circumstances are abnormal.
I have a Roadmaster Falcon-II hitch system, and it works very well. It's real benefit is ease of alignment for hooking and quick disconnect and swing-up when unhooking. With no secondary braking, we can unhook & drive the car in under 45 seconds when using big strong locks key'd alike, in-place of the smaller screw-link things that come with the kit.
The bulk of the hardware swings up and stays attached to the RV hitch. The tow vehicle has little. None if you spend another minute. It is a very safe and reliable hitch pin system, not a ball hitch. Look up Roadmaster Falcon-II on Google.
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 02:18pm by ron.dittmer *
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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Only con would be if you are pulling to heavy of a toad or not the correct equipment.
DeWayne & Judy
04 3810 Dutch Star
ISL 370
Frank's autoformer
01 Sahara Jeep-toad
F 374382
It is hard to kiss the lips at night, that has chewed your butt all day long!
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BaldyD1
Central Florida area
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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As you only asked for pro & cons, we say pros:
a) Towing dinghy saves renting a vehicle when at destination
b) Having a vehicle available if the MH has a problem anywhere
As you only asked for pro & cons, we say cons:
a) Cost to prepare dinghy for towing as well as the towing equipment
b) Towing places the V-10 into "severe" catogory for oil changes
c) Gas milage slightly less
d) People will insist that their rules apply to you & your dinghy
e) Some modifications to MH may be required to safely tow
f) Additional wear on steering system of some dinghies
g) Additional wear of front tires on dinghy
h) Dinghy must be selected in accordance with the GCWR & MH hitch rating
With the above said, we will not be without a dinghy as we travel. Towed a dinghy on a dolly with a 34' V-10 powered MH for over 4 years and had no problems. Now tow a dinghy 4 dn with a 39' DP.
We recommend the ReadyBrute Plus aluminum tow bar with integrated braking system for about $700 to $900 and any manufacturers base plate installed with the RED {permenant} thread coating versus the BLUE thread coating.
Good luck towing your dinghy.
Speedy, Jackie & Dusty {Shih-Tzu/Maltese}
2006 Kountry Star KSDP 3912
2005 Saturn Vue (dinghy)
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Westronics
Redmond, WA
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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One other minor "con." When towing a car, you can't back up more than a couple of feet without breaking something.
Of course, it's all about the flexibility of having a car when you reach your destination.
We do not tow, but, then, our rig is only 25', so we just take that anywhere we want to go.
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Cameras (RVCams), ScanGauge II/Blendmount, 300W Inverter, Airtabs,12' Portabote w/sail, Be kind to septic systems.
Ford motorhome customer service: 1-800-444-3311.
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wgander
San Diego
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Joined: 07/30/2002
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We never had need for a toad because we travel - and seldom spend more than one night anywhere. Except for Annapolis, MD, we never had a problem getting close enough to any tourist sights in the motor home.
Now that we travel and spend 4 months at one place, we tow out minivan on a dolly so we'll have it when we get there.
I went with a dolly because it was cheaper than equipping the minivan to tow.
I haven't seen a measurable difference in fuel consumption when towing. The only time I can feel the toad behind us is when initially accelerating or braking
I usually get a pull through space to avoid having to disconnect.
The one time I coouldn't get a pull through space, and didn't want to drive anymore to go somewhere else, it only took a few minutes to unload the minivan and unhitch the dolly.
2000 Four Winds Five Thousand 28A (Chevy 3500), Master Tow Dolly, 2000 Chevy Venture minivan TOAD
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map40
MI
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Joined: 01/15/2005
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I have done all of them. Renting, dolly and 4 down.
Dolly is the most uncorfontable. 4 down is just a little more problematic than renting.
I got my 4 down setup for $500 with brake system and everything, all new parts. Well worth the money.
2007 Four Winds 31F
Life rocks when your home rolls
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RetiredbutWorking
Central Texas
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Joined: 02/10/2006
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With our first class c we had no toad. Had to break camp when ever we 'needed' something. Trip to town to sight see, break camp. Go play golf, break camp. You get the picture. With our current setup, we have a toad and could not be happier. To us, the only 'con' is no toad.
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BaldyD1
Central Florida area
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Joined: 12/01/2003
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map40, all of those towing or planning to tow will be most appreciative of your listing of what and where you obtained full parts/equipment to setup a dinghy for towing. Help us all by listing you setup items, please.
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