What Toad for 3051S?

[Creativepart]

We are closing in on purchasing a new Ford-based Forester. We're thinking about a toad and wondering what others are using?

[n-e-d]

2015 Cherokee with Active II . Did the base plates over a weekend. E-trailers has videos which fill in the blanks on the instructions. Went Blue Ox all the way. Cherokee tows without having to have key in transmission. I use a tow light bar

[ourflat]

Our toad is a 2013 Elantra GT that we tow wit an Acme Tow Dolly. The 3051 does a great job towing it even through the mountains!


Frank

[Creativepart]

Ourflat, how is towing with a Dolly? Do you have issues with loading the vehicle? How about dealing with the Dolly at campgrounds, etc?

[13larry]

We tow a Fiat 500, had to disconnect at going up vail pass, since entire rig would not go faster then 35mph, 12k feet.

without toad pass easy at 45mph.

fiat is 2350 lbs

[JimOneil43]

Originally Posted by Creativepart

We are closing in on purchasing a new Ford-based Forester. We're thinking about a toad and wondering what others are using?

We are going to be ordering a 3051S this fall, hopefully. We have a PT Cruiser that we plan to use and since it is not flat towable are going to get an ACME EZE-TOW dolly to use, which seem to be highly recommended. Using the tow dolly allows us to use other cars if we so desire and does not require any modifications to the car.

[ourflat]

We love our Acme Tow Dolly. It was the only dolly that would load/unload our toad without harming it. The ramps work great and I even installed a spare dolly tire on the front part of the dolly. You never know when you're gonna need a spare tire. We disconnect the dolly at the campground before leveling the coach with the hydraulic jacks then store the dolly next to the RV. Works great!

Frank


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[Creativepart]

I watched the Acme dolly video. I see a number of pluses, but it certainly looks like a ton of work to put the car on and off and store it at a campground if you can't get a long pull-thru spot. They don't show the guy getting on the ground to put the ramps on the dolly to remove your car.

We plan on purchasing a Toad - so, we're leaning toward flat towing a Mini Cooper with a manual transmission.

I've been driving BIG SUVs to tow my travel trailers for the past 13 years - Tahoes and Expedition ELs. They're nice vehicles, but I really don't need such a big vehicle for everyday use. Only when towing my TT.

So, now, with us buying a Forester I'd like to give up the big SUV and get something smaller.

The only positive I see with the dolly is I would have a wider range of vehicles to choose from AND I'd save some wear and expense on the Toad.

Also that Acme dolly with brakes and shipping is nearly $2,000. I don't know. Actual experience would make all the difference in this decision.

[SkipnTerri]

Originally Posted by Creativepart

We are closing in on purchasing a new Ford-based Forester. We're thinking about a toad and wondering what others are using?

We tow a 2013 Ford Focus (automatic) on all four. Weight is 4,000 lbs. and we towed it behind our 3051S through the Rockies out to Washington and back last summer. No problems at all. Takes 12 minutes to hook up and we use the InvisiBrake system.

[Jmsx2]

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the Damco Tow Bar. Plus a braking system with lights. Tracks extremely well behind the Coach.

[JimOneil43]

Originally Posted by ourflat

We love our Acme Tow Dolly. It was the only dolly that would load/unload our toad without harming it. The ramps work great and I even installed a spare dolly tire on the front part of the dolly. You never know when you're gonna need a spare tire. We disconnect the dolly at the campground before leveling the coach with the hydraulic jacks then store the dolly next to the RV. Works great!

Frank


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I was thinking it might work to unhitch the dolly and just push the tongue of it under the back of the motorhome while in the campground. Not sure if that would work since we don't have it yet. Have you ever tried that?

[Boso]

I flat tow a Saturn aura with 3050s dolly towing gives more flexibility but it looks like a real P I A


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[sonny bransom]

I flat tow jeep wrangler with roadmaster set up.love the ease of hooking and unhooking.i have a 3170ds, 2014 model

[widogmom]

Honda Element, flat towing (put in neutral, key in position 1, no problem) with an Aladdin tow bar and Blue Ox toad brake. They discontinued the Element in 2011 but you can still get used ones. Great cars with room for extra gear...rolling garage for DH's bicycle!

[HappyGuy]

We flat towed with a 2012 Ford Escape with a manual. Easy hook up and towing with an All Terrain bar. We tow behind a forester 3011 DSF. What got us aware from towing was that we realized that it would be easier to rent a car for the one or two times a year we needed one until we full time it in 15 years. So the Ford is up for sale!

[ourflat]

Several times. Never had an issue with campsite storage. I guess you could store it upright if needed but the dolly has such a small footprint that I haven't had a need to do so!


Frank
KM4FVI

[wesslvm]

Flat tow Honda CRV 2013 awd


2014 Sunseeker 3050S

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[SkipnTerri]

Originally Posted by wesslvm

Flat tow Honda CRV 2013 awd


2014 Sunseeker 3050S

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Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda

[rbetzwieser]

2014 Chevrolet Equinox flat tow. I have a 2014 Sunseeker 3050s.

[RichardP]

We have had two different Honda CR-Vs over the past few years. Tow 4 down great...BUT 2016 transmission is different and it won't tow. Nice size, ease blue ox setup.
Richard