Questions about our toad

Disclosure: We only recommend products we use, and all opinions expressed here are our own. The links below may contain affiliate links that are no additional cost to you. When you use our links, we may earn some extra beer money, but it won’t be enough for Phil’s ice cream habit or a batch of Stacy’s famous margaritas (recipe here).

WHAT IS THE MAKE AND MODEL OF YOUR TOW CAR?

We have a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. We purchased it used from a rental company.  It was a compromise as Phil wanted a Jeep Wrangler for off-roading, and I wanted a better ride for day-to-day driving.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR TOW CAR?

Yes, we love it! The main reason we chose a Jeep is for the ability to flat tow. We hated our tow dolly and couldn't wait to unload it.

If you plan to flat tow, never trust anyone on a vehicle's ability to be towed four wheels down. Always check the owner's manual. The Dinghy Towing Guide is another excellent resource.

How long does it take to put the jeep in tow mode?

It only takes a few minutes to shift into tow mode. We can usually have the Jeep hooked up to the RV and placed in tow mode in as little as 10 minutes.

WHAT COMPONENTS ARE YOU USING TO FLAT TOW, AND WHAT DID IT COST?

Our flat tow setup includes the Air Force One braking system, Blue Ox tow bar, and base plate. We were lucky to have already the air compressor for the braking system installed on Ruby by the previous owner, which is not included in our costs. 

We had the tow bar, base plate, and braking system installed on our Jeep at Texas RV Supply in San Antonio, TX, for $4800. Three quotes for the installation ranged from $4-6k.

WHAT IS BETTER: FLAT TOW OR DOLLY?

The answer to this question depends on who you ask. Both have many pros and cons. Some RVers opt not to bring a car and use public transportation. 

We outline the pros and cons of each in our video below.

WHY DID YOU GET RID OF THE TOW DOLLY?

When we started RV life, we had two cars that were paid in full, a 2015 Acura TLX and a 2014 Fiat 500. With the many RV expenses adding up, we chose to dolly tow one of our cars because it was the cheapest option.

The Fiat was not a good option. The wheelbase was so narrow if we were just a few inches to the right or left while loading it, the car could slide off and fall between the ramps of the dolly. I hated driving up the dolly in that car, especially while slipping and sliding in the rain.

The Acura was not a good option because it sat too low on the dolly. The ramps hit the spoiler, causing a lot of damage. We also damaged the driver's side door when the wheel cover dug into during a sharp turn at a gas station. Although Phil loved the Acura, it was not practical with the dolly. 

The tow dolly took up a lot of space at our campsites, especially at state parks. The dolly could also be hard to move around on hills, gravel, & when we had to push it on and off concrete pads. It just was not for us.

We answer many questions in our video below.