Well if you want off road adventure you will need a 4WD and the options in the smaller ones are limited, a Suzuki is the popular universal choice, the Kia Sportage is another vehicle with good reports.
I assume you want to flat tow a vehicle behind your Motorhome.
I have a 27' MH and flat tow a Suzuki Grand Vitara.
I changed from a towball to a McHitch system for added security When you flat tow there is very little downward weight on the towball so if you Google McHitch it will give you an idea of what I mean.
I have a flat towing system from a Qld company but in retrospect I would have bought a different type.I would have gone for the type that has telescoping arms that autolock when you pull away.Much easier to line up and connect,gives you more latitude when connecting.It doesn't have to be a perfect alignment to connect like my version.
your spot on flat tow it is lookingor at hitch n go system following the forum looks to be the info centre any and all advice is more than welcome .....thanks trev
I have been looking into flat towing, as well. Definitely want something with some 4WD capacity. Not looking at taking the toad into extreme places, but want to be able to tackle dirt roads and tracks. (also, it will be my home run around and I am sick of getting the current Barina bogged on the grass where I have to park it!).
My initial idea was a Suzuki Grand Vitara, then son suggested a Jimny. However - the law is that whatever you flat tow must adhere to the 3.5 to 1 weight ratio. Our Coaster is 4.9 tonnes. Divide that by 3.5 and most of the vehicles I considered are too heavy. So I think we will have to go for a Terios.
So, you will need to find out ther weight of your motorhome first - and that will give you an idea of the possibilities.
I have been looking into flat towing, as well. Definitely want something with some 4WD capacity. Not looking at taking the toad into extreme places, but want to be able to tackle dirt roads and tracks. (also, it will be my home run around and I am sick of getting the current Barina bogged on the grass where I have to park it!).
My initial idea was a Suzuki Grand Vitara, then son suggested a Jimny. However - the law is that whatever you flat tow must adhere to the 3.5 to 1 weight ratio. Our Coaster is 4.9 tonnes. Divide that by 3.5 and most of the vehicles I considered are too heavy. So I think we will have to go for a Terios.
So, you will need to find out ther weight of your motorhome first - and that will give you an idea of the possibilities.
Hi Wendyv The 3.5/1 rule applies in most states to flat towing without brakes on the Toad. (not in NSW and upto 2ton limit in QLD and subject to combination braking performance)
You can tow up to 2 ton (GVM) with simple overide brakes (regardless of the weight of the motorhome but limited by the towing capacity) anything heaver needs brakes controlled by the driver and a break away device.
The 3 Door Suzi GV fits nicely (5 Door GVM is too high).
We are still debating if to go for a trailer or Flat tow..
I have spoken a couple of times to the man who runs the Hitch n Go company that makes A frames, and I am sure he told me that the 3.5 ratio rule applies, regardless of braking. Would love to have it confirmed otherwise, but I did specifically query him on that.
Some good info here http://hobohome.com/news/?p=614
You will see that in NSW the 3.5 to 1 rule dosent apply (you must have brakes over 750Kg)
Our rig has a tare of 5.5 ton (GVM 6.5 ton) but has a towing capacity of 3.5 ton..(Manufactureres rating and Towbar rating)
using the 3.5 to 1 rule I can tow 1.57 ton without brakes (not if regestered in NSW) or 2.0 ton with simple override or 3.5 ton with full braking controlled from the drivers seat Most A Frames can be fitted with an overide brake system ref the 5th line down on the hitch and go site http://hitchngo.com.au/faq.html if over 2 ton then one can use something like http://www.northcoach.com.au/products/Blue-Ox-Patriot-Braking-System.html which has a remote that can be operated from the drivers seat and can include a breakaway device.
My view is that to ensure I have no issues in any state I would use an overide if under 2 ton and over 750kg or a partriot if over 2 ton in most cases the overide is a simple cable system which all manufacturers have.
thanks for the info mike .it appears that buying a atoad is the easy part its the rules and regs that i will have to study .another spanner in the works. catch up with you later .alan.
thanks for the info mike .it appears that buying a atoad is the easy part its the rules and regs that i will have to study .another spanner in the works. catch up with you later .alan.
I really dont know .Its a aterm Ipicked up after becoming a nomad member and reading the forum.It sound sgood though.Now I would like ,to know myself .Probabaly making a a fool of myself ,once again .'ha ha
"Towed vehicle or "toad" A car or other vehicle that is towed behind motorhomes for use when the motorhome is set up in a campground and connected to utilities. Also called a "dinghy". Fairly common in the U.S. and Canada, less common in Europe, it becomes a virtual necessity for owners of motor coaches stretching 40 or 45 feet, difficult to maneuver in places like supermarket parking lots."
So my guess it simply came from the word Towed.. But who Knows :)
thanks for the help mike sorry for taking so long to answer ,still finding my way around the site.in my case confussion reins suppreme...alan the mongrel
Flat towing a vehicle becomes very complicated when you look into it. I now tow a Suzuki Sierra on a Hitch&go, From my research (not all that sure of how much is fact or fiction) In some instances you have to stop every 300k and run the engine, have no idea why. Power steering on the toad apparently means you need to tow in gear so engine turns to operate power steering, sounds a bit stupid to me. I settled on the Suzi because it has a neutral in transfer case, free wheel front hubs and no power steering. Semms to follow me everywhere I go! Like I said not sure how much is myth and home much is fact!
Suzuki recomend that every 300k you start the motor (leave transfer in neutral) put car in either 2nd or drive and run for 1 minute. this is to lubricate the internals of the transfer case. Often you would (in a manual) have the transfer case in neutral and the gearbox in second gear. This is to stop the gearbox turning not to turn the motor. I havent hear of the power stearing issue (dont make much sense to me) Some do add a 12v vacum pump to provide breaking assistance whilst towing.
