Choosing a Toad

[revfloyd]

Any suggestions about choosing a toad for 2017 Interstate EXT GT? New to the RV game so any advice is appreciated.

[InterBlog]

This recent thread may help get you started.

[DBinSD]

Originally Posted by revfloyd

Any suggestions about choosing a toad for 2017 Interstate EXT GT? New to the RV game so any advice is appreciated.

We are selling (mid-May) our 4dr VW Rabbit (TOAD) that we used behind our 2016 Prism.

We obviously don’t need it anymore but, it is all set up, runs great tows easy. FWIW

Dan

[Pahaska]

Love my Smart ForTwo. Lightest thing I could find to tow and it is fun to drive. I installed my own base plate and I use wireless tow lights. Very little effect on mileage except in hilly country.

[Protagonist]

First thing is to decide WHY you need a toad. That will help guide your selection.

Possible reasons for needing a toad are:
1 - To go where an Interstate won't, namely off-road, while using the Interstate as a base camp. In which case a Jeep or other small 4wd toad works best. Though many Airstreamers (who don't own Interstates) would suggest trading the Grand Tour for a trailer and getting a 4wd tow vehicle, because a trailer makes a better base camp.
2 - To make day trips in semi-civilized areas while camped so that you don't have to break camp to make grocery runs, etc. with the Interstate. For this purpose, any toad will do. But again many non-Interstate-owning Airstreamers would suggest getting a trailer and tow vehicle instead.
3 - To carry things you can't carry on or in the Interstate while you travel. In which case a toad with a roof rack, especially a hatchback model, would be best. A hatchback with a roof rack can carry small canoes or kayaks, a bike rack loaded with bikes, and/or a significant amount of stuff inside. But if that's all you want, a box trailer may be better than a toad.
4 - My own reason, because I live alone in a hurricane-prone area where evacuation requires me to either take both vehicles or else leave my daily driver to the mercy of the storm. In this case, having a toad as my daily driver gives me peace of mind compared to having a non-toad as my daily driver. As with reason 2, in this case any toad will do. But I went with a hatchback and added an aftermarket roof rack, as in reason 3, because hurricane evacuation also involves taking along anything and everything moveable I don't want to lose.

Once you've decided why you need the toad, the next selection criterion is the toad's weight. A Grand Tour can theoretically tow up to 5000 pounds. But if you take GCWR (15,250 pounds) minus GVWR (11,030 pounds) the maximum weight you can be assured of always towing is just 4220 pounds. The toad's gross weight should ideally be lower that this amount.

Beyond these criteria, it's all a matter of personal preference and choice.

[wachuko]

Or get this on a hitch mounted carrier?

We have been thinking about this as this would allow us to wonder around while the AI is parked... Works within the weight limits of the AI's hitch... Can carry the both of us... would be fun even if we look like Dumb and Dumber





So yes, back to the comment from Protagonist... why you need it and for what purpose...

Oh... found another photo from a forum member... the issue is that you can't load just any bike... weight capacity of the AI limits what you can carry...

[Land Stitchy]

We are still new and learning having just purchased our 2017 two months ago. This summer we plan a few long get-aways where a toad might be nice. I am considering a gas powered, street legal golf cart. Roughly $8k new, rolls onto a simple 5x10' trailer. 30 mph.

I can keep the golf cart at my business where I have a dozen battery carts so storage when not traveling is no problem.

Still in the early thinking stage and will do a few trips this summer before making a decision.

[revfloyd]

Originally Posted by DBinSD

We are selling (mid-May) our 4dr VW Rabbit (TOAD) that we used behind our 2016 Prism.

We obviously don’t need it anymore but, it is all set up, runs great tows easy. FWIW

Dan

Could very likely be interested in the Rabbit but no time to get your way for awhile. How much $ are you asking for the set up?

[BurntAsphalt]

One alternative that also comes up on Toad discussions is to rent a car when you get to your base camp. We have never stayed in one place long enough to do this but when considering the expense of purchasing a Toad and its associated costs(depreciation,insurance,taxes,etc) it might make sense for some folks. (I am not anti-Toad but my wife hates frogs)

[DBinSD]

Originally Posted by revfloyd

Could very likely be interested in the Rabbit but no time to get your way for awhile. How much $ are you asking for the set up?

Sent you a PM.

[LB_3]

The new Ford Bronco is built on the Ranger platform which can be flat towed. If it can also be flat towed, it could become a nice alternative for those not interested in a Fiat owned Jeep.

[Pahaska]

My smart toad is no longer. I donated it to the local public radio.

I now have a Ford Fiesta hatch and I am very happy with it. The Fiesta, with the exception of the smart, is the lightest automatic that can be towed 4-down without a lot of expensive add-ons. My wife can not drive a manual and at pushing 88, my left hip really appreciates not having a clutch.

The Fiesta is a peppy car with more hp than most sub-compacts. It has a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Put both clutches in neutral and off you go. It is light enough (about 2300#) that I hardly know I am towing. Not much back seat knee room, but the hatch provides some appreciated storage room on long trips.

Some folks complain about the dual-clutch transmission, but I have found it to be very good. I think much of the problem is the drivers.

[85MH325]

My '16 Wrangler Unlimited 4dr behind my '04 T1N AI. Pictures speak louder than words.

Airstream Interstate and Jeep JKU by Roger H, on Flickr

[toskeysam]

Pumping life into and old thread.....

Ditched my Smart Car "toad"...just didn't work out. Found a new Chevy Spark, manual transmission, one of the easier cars to tow it seems. Started to order the baseplate, towbar and the rest, but decided to take the lazy route and have it done for me. It goes into the shop week after next. Until then, I'm having a blast driving this little bug.
Photos after it gets done!!!

[Salvagediver]

I know it adds a measure of pain-in-the-shorts-ness, but does anybody use a dolly (with surge brake version)?