I had decided to go full timing toad-less...that is until everyone on the forum said I would really, really, really regret it!
I want a used HHR but they are no where to be found up here so today I hit the dealership looking for a toad.
First of all, how DID all of you deal with these car salemen telling you that every single car they have can be towed behind your MH and going on and on about each car?
I explicitly told him I wanted one that could be towed four down.
Wasn't really interested in hearing all the fine points about the car, cause I am NOT going to be driving it 24/7's. The darn car is going to spend 'most' of its time being dragged behind my MH.
The look on his face at that point 'should' have alerted me to the fact that this was NOT going to be an easy job to buy a toad. He contined to follow me around telling me which one he thought would be just 'perfect' for me, I told him the 'manual' in the car will be the one that will tell me if it's going to work for me.
I got to the point that I told him to stay at his desk and don't move. I went and looked at what I thought would fit my weight requirements and THEN I went back in and asked for the keys to them to look at the manual to see if they could be towed four down AND told him to sit,stay at his desk until I returned. Geeze what a day.
Did you all run into this same problem when going to buy a car for the sole purpose of a toad?
rock
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
rockhillmanor wrote: I had decided to go full timing toad-less...that is until everyone on the forum said I would really, really, really regret it!
I want a used HHR but they are no where to be found up here so today I hit the dealership looking for a toad.
First of all, how DID all of you deal with these car salemen telling you that every single car they have can be towed behind your MH and going on and on about each car?
I explicitly told him I wanted one that could be towed four down.
Wasn't really interested in hearing all the fine points about the car, cause I am NOT going to be driving it 24/7's. The darn car is going to spend 'most' of its time being dragged behind my MH.
The look on his face at that point 'should' have alerted me to the fact that this was NOT going to be an easy job to buy a toad. He contined to follow me around telling me which one he thought would be just 'perfect' for me, I told him the 'manual' in the car will be the one that will tell me if it's going to work for me.
I got to the point that I told him to stay at his desk and don't move. I went and looked at what I thought would fit my weight requirements and THEN I went back in and asked for the keys to them to look at the manual to see if they could be towed four down AND told him to sit,stay at his desk until I returned. Geeze what a day.
Did you all run into this same problem when going to buy a car for the sole purpose of a toad?
rock
Do your research first. Decide on a couple of candidates, then go car shopping. I would check out MotorHome magazine's Dinghy Towing guide as a start. It lists all the vehicles that can be towed 4 down. Walking into a car dealer and expecting them to know of the specialized needs of a toad is a prescription for failure.
No I didn't because I knew that the Honda CRV could be towed 4 down and I have been a happy Honda owner for many years and I liked the CRV. It was a no brainer for me. Have been towing my CRV for 6 years with no problems.
Othertonka
2004 Southwind 32VS
2002 CRV Toad
U. S. Gear Unified brake system
Retired Fire Captain, SFD
rockhillmanor wrote: Did you all run into this same problem when going to buy a car for the sole purpose of a toad?
I've always known what I needed to tow behind our motorhomes, and I've never relied on the salesman's knowledge of the subject. In fact, I'd be suprised if any of them knew much about that subject at all.
Nope - knew what we wanted when we went in. It happens that dealer & his sales people are familiar with the needs/wants in a toad and even install baseplates, etc. so no problems (Baton Rouge Saturn) but I understand your frustration. It is unusual to find informed personnel these days.
I don't think you are to the point where you should be looking for a toad. First, you need to do your research and decide on a few models that you "know" can be toad. This site is as good a place as any to do this.
Then you need to visit a few dealers of the makes you know can be toad just to drive them to see if they fit you needs. Next, go the web site of a dealer that carries what you want and get their internet sales staff to give you their best price. Do this for two or three other dealer of that make and work out a deal from home with the dealer that will give you the best price. You never have to even have contact with a "live" salesman at the dealer if you take this approach.
Make a trip to the dealer to sign papers and pick up your vehicle and you are ready to go.
Take my word, this works. You can buy a vehicle at a good price with no hassle and no stress.
Allegro 32 BA
Jeep Liberty Toad
Buster, 3 lb. Yorkie
Most car salesmen don't know the product. However, there are a few rarities out there.
Local dealerships should be concentrating on service and technical assistance, but can't keep salespeople on the lot. Every dealership I went to in the last year had 20-somethings waiting for a paycheck. The only thing they study up on is their deal closing lines.
No wonder Internet sales are up. That's how I bought my new TV. Couldn't see giving the local guy $2300 more for allowing me to teach him about his product.
You would think they could study up a little --don't think it happens.
Same thing two years ago. DW wanted a Camry. We saw a hybrid on the lot. Went home, did some research. Went back and knew more about it than the salesman and sales manager. Now you would think something like that, with gas prices on the climb, they just might learn a little about it --NOPE!
I think all that funny math they have to learn keeps them from learning the product.
If a salesman would have started spouting the differences between a 3/4-ton and a half-ton, the GVWR and GCWR, or weight carrying and weight distributing hitches, I would have dropped over!
Then I would have asked him if he was a member of RV Net! lol
Chuck, Heidi, Jessica, Nicholas & Tan Puppy
2008 3/4-ton Yukon XL, Flagstaff 831BHSS
Equalizer Hitch and Prodigy
I decided on a Honda CRV and I have only bought one new car over the years and I wasn't going to go for new with the toad. I looked for two months before I bought from a '98 from an individual, well taken card of, relatively low miles. It has done fine so far.
I like that - Stay at your desk and don't move. Add to that, Just nod when I tell you what I will give you for your car.
2000 Sea Breeze with 1998 CRV Toad in Dawson Creek - Start of Alaska Highway
Don't Forget - USS Liberty, June 08, 1967
I decided on a Honda CRV and I have only bought one new car over the years and I wasn't going to go for new with the toad. I looked for two months before I bought from a '98 from an individual, well taken card of, relatively low miles. It has done fine so far.
I like that - Stay at your desk and don't move. Add to that, Just nod when I tell you what I will give you for your car.
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