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Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #30 on: January 05, 2012, 11:32:15 am »
Quote from: gophoenix on January 05, 2012, 08:21:38 am
With rear seats folded down, we can pile the back full of stuff that won’t fit in the PC (grill, etc.) and the five dark rear windows hide it all.
Just as you say, we too with darkened glass rear of the driver, quickly learned to take advantage of our tow vehicle in other ways.  Last vacation, we decided to bring our golf clubs with carts.  I also bolted up a 3500 pound hitch to secure a bike rack, so the bikes came along as shown.  That worked out extremely well.

« Last Edit: January 05, 2012, 11:35:28 am by ron.dittmer »
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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer
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NHWanderlust

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #31 on: January 06, 2012, 04:35:55 pm »
Quote from: DownBy TheRiver on January 04, 2012, 07:31:02 pm
If only there were a good, reliable, fiscally-economical full-down standard 4x4 diesel available us!



The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be offered with a diesel. Not sure if any of the other models will get the diesel. That wont be a cheep vehicle though. This new Grand Cherokee has gotten very good reviews. Autoweek finished their 1 year long term road test and gave it really high marks. This version of the Grand Cherokee was developed when MB owned the brand.
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Bob Mahon

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #32 on: January 06, 2012, 07:10:20 pm »
As "Buy American" as I am, I'd sure like to see Hyundai bring their 5-speed manual Tucson Diesel  over here.
My Son had one for a few years and my driving impression was very favorable. Torque galore.
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DownBy TheRiver

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #33 on: January 09, 2012, 04:50:51 am »
Had an HHR for a loaner for a week and loved it.

Not too many wagons left to choose from.

Chevy discontinued it, but plenty of them made, so resale market should be bountiful and reasonably priced.
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DownBy TheRiver

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #34 on: January 11, 2012, 12:18:54 am »
For additional privacy/security, there was also an HHR panel.  The rear doors remain, but are popped open by interior switch.  Rear window only retained.  Deleted rear seat provides additional lockable storage where bottom seat cushions used to be.
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DownBy TheRiver

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #35 on: January 11, 2012, 02:53:32 pm »
Here's link to a current HHR Panel for sale with quite a few photos:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2009-CHEVROLET-HHR-PAMEL-VAN-CARGO-VAN-W-LADDER-RACK-PERFECT-CAR-FAX-/300646919041?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item45fff3eb81

As a toad/trucklet/rolling storage unit, including factory option roof rack for cargo bag/ladders/and/or kyaaks, could be an ideal choice for many........
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pyrthkr

Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #36 on: January 18, 2012, 03:08:05 pm »
Kind of narrowed down our toad selection to a Honda Fit (light, possibly no brake assist, good mpg).  The base plate is easy to zero in on but the tow bar & harness (7 pin on the 2552) appear to have a variety of selections.  Any recommendations?
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Barry-Sue

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #37 on: January 18, 2012, 07:37:09 pm »
Mike;

We use a Blue Ox tow bar and it works great and is easy to use.  As far as the harness goes buy a 7 pin connector for the PC and a 4 or 6 pin connector for the car plus a little cable and make your own.  If you need a diagram let me know.

Barry
« Last Edit: January 20, 2012, 11:42:05 am by Barry-Sue »
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Barry and Sue 
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #38 on: February 20, 2012, 01:03:06 pm »
Quote from: pyrthkr on January 18, 2012, 03:08:05 pm
Kind of narrowed down our toad selection to a Honda Fit (light, possibly no brake assist, good mpg)
We towed a 2100 pound Toyota MR2 Spyder and considered it "Getting By" without brake assist with our 2007 E350 chassis.  Given you have the newer E450 chassis with bigger brakes and more powerful brake booster, and have a relatively light motor home for an E450 chassis, I anticipate you would feel better yet.  Just don't load up the Fit with heavy stuff...at least not until after your first road trip.
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classact

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #39 on: February 27, 2012, 12:14:11 am »
Pontiac Vibe/ Toyota Matrix, 5-speed, 4 down.

Back seats fold down flat to create a perfectly flat surface, much light an SUV. 
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pyrthkr

Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #40 on: February 27, 2012, 12:01:01 pm »
Picked up the Honda Fit from Cliff's Welding in Mesa, AZ last week & hooked up the Blue Ox bar, elec & safety cables to it.  We had the split hitch installed so we can try out the bike rack in the top portion.  The 2552 is a bit more sluggish - but that is to be expected I guess.  All things considered, we're still doing fine & are comfortable with the ride.  Thank you all.....
 ;)
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GoPhoenix

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #41 on: February 27, 2012, 12:37:46 pm »
We tow a Chevy HHR, 4 down, automatic, no body mods (but do remove a fuse).  Tows great, no mileage registers, lots of room in the back for everything.  Best, it’s from an American car company – none of the profit on the car left the American economy and went to a foreign country. (nod)
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begentle

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #42 on: February 27, 2012, 06:31:51 pm »
Our "toad" is a 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (about 3700 lb), which can be towed four down, pop her in neutral, set the key so accessory is not on, and off we go!  Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain tow bar, and a US Gear Unified brake system. 

Have used this set up with two other rigs as well, and for some reason, in the short 400 or so miles that we've towed the Escape behind the PC, we do "notice" the car.  Previous experience with other rigs, it just rolls along nicely, not talking back.  But with the PC we experience a little sway and some up and down motion.  Hard to describe. On a wavy road (some up and downs) there is up and down re-action from the car.  In addition to swaying in some circumstances.  Not severe, but noticeable.  Our 2010 - 2551 has new Bilstein shocks, and Roadmaster sway bars front and rear.  Last thing to double check (can't do it here in our lumpy driveway) is whether we're "level" when on the hitch.  It appeared to be by eyeballing, but haven't done a precise measurement. 

Hate to think we'd have to also get a rear track bar.

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DownBy TheRiver

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #43 on: February 27, 2012, 06:40:39 pm »
On “imports” vs “domestics”; on “profits” vs “jobs”:

As for profits, EVERY single auto manufacturer is a multi-national corporation.  And so it’s benefiting shareholders that span the globe.  In these times particularly, one need pay MORE attention to jobs generated, not profits generated.  “Auto” generates slim profits, but does produce many well-paying jobs at the point of assembly.

We are all familiar with the “Monroney Sticker” – the window sticker on every new vehicle we purchase.  This sticker shows, among other things, “domestic content”.  This is the US/Canadian value of the PARTS content of a given vehicle, but does little to illuminate the additional value inherent in where it’s assembled.  The sticker very accurately accounts for jobs, profit and input for RAW parts content, but does not accurately account for assembly input.  Assembly input is MAJOR – assembly provides HUGE benefits as regards well-paying assembly jobs, as well as additional jobs in the building domestic factories and the domestic payroll that services said factories and assembly lines.  All such jobs as provide high payrolls, as well as copious income tax revenue.
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DownBy TheRiver

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Re: Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?
« Reply #44 on: February 27, 2012, 06:41:15 pm »
One example – the full-size Toyota Tundra pickup.  By Monroney Sticker “domestic content” values alone, it scores the highest as far as domestic content.  Further, they are assembled entirely in Texas.  So not only are these Toyota pickups the highest in “domestic content”, but they are also built in Texas as well.  Say what you will regarding “domestic” benefits as regards assembly – whether here or in Canada.  I’m more worried for the US than Canada.  Meanwhile, many “American” vehicles are often assembled in Mexico.  Take the Monroney Sticker’s “domestic content” values into account certainly – but do ALSO take into account the point of assembly as well.

It’s very complicated, but suffice to say, the most “American” vehicles are not necessarily Ford, GM OR Chrysler any longer.  Who cares where the “profits” go?  Care more where the jobs go.  Payrolls GROSSLY exceed profits.  Payroll is ANY organization’s greatest expense by far.

PS – if you haven’t noticed – Chrysler/Jeep is now really owned by Fiat.  Prior to that, Renault owned it at one time.  DO look at domestic content.  BUT ALSO know where your vehicle was assembled as well.  If you’ve saved your window stickers, take a look – you might be surprised.  As but one example, your Toyota could very well be “more American” than your Ford, Chevy or Mopar vehicle.
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