Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Toads
| Toads [message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 08:50  |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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What do we see behind GMCs, and why? The Suzuki SUVs seem popular (Tracker, etc.). I have the only Kia Soul as a toad I've seen, no idea why. The little car is cheap reliable and comfortable. One look at the electrics, which I suspect were designed by Kim Jung - Un, sent me to get two stop/turn/tail sockets and stuff them in the huge taillight assemblies in lieu of trying to get the fitted ones working from the trailer connector. The odometer doesn't update on mine while towing either.
I see pickups, Rangers and S10s mostly but some full size. My Ranger is set up as a toad, I used it for a years or so. Problem is, it isn't really a runabout when I get where I'm going. A stock one would be a good choice - the original body which is fairly light weight.
Various Honda models seem popular, not surprising when you look at how many are sold. I have heard of but haven't seen the Cruze and the Focus being used.
It's getting harder and harder to find a manual shift car, but some of the automatics are now towable four down.
What do you tow, and why?
Accessory brake system, or using the coach brakes? I happened to have mine when I got the coach Ranger) and added a tow plate when I bought the Kia. I use the coach brakes.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Toads [message #343327 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 09:28  |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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1992 Geo Tracker. 5 speed manual tranny, with a drive shaft disconnect.
I use the coach brakes. Another reason I would like to have disc brakes in the rear.
Scott.
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: Toads [message #343328 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 10:04 |
JohnS
Messages: 126
Registered: December 2014
Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
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I pull a 3013 Honda Fit with automatic transmission four wheels down. It weighs just under 2600 pounds. The odometer does not register when towing. Honda says after towing for 8 hours, start engine & run for 3 minutes before towing farther. Not a problem for me, I dont't like to drive very long legs anymore. The newer Fits use a CVT transmission which cannot be towed four wheels down. The standard transmission can be towed, but they are probably pretty rare.
I installed a SMI Stay in Play brake system in the Fit. It's a proportional system that senses brake lights on the coach and an accelerometer to determine how much braking is needed. Works really well and gives me a little peace of mind since the Stretch is so heavy. JohnS
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
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| Re: Toads [message #343329 is a reply to message #343328] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 10:06 |
JohnS
Messages: 126
Registered: December 2014
Location: Vacaville, CA
Karma: -2
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Looks like I am 100 years ahead of my time! JohnS
John Shutzbaugh, Vacaville, CA, ncserv@aol.com;
78 Buskirk stretch, "What were we thinking?"
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| Re: Toads [message #343331 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 10:13 |
roy1
Messages: 2126
Registered: July 2004
Location: Minden nevada
Karma: 6
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Towed a 1995 5 speed Toyota pickup for 15 years. It was never a problem.
Roy Keen
Minden,NV
76 X Glenbrook
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| Re: Toads [message #343332 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 10:16 |
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SteveW
Messages: 538
Registered: June 2005
Location: Southern California - Ora...
Karma: 1
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A Suzuki X-90. 4x4. 1996 or 1997.
Same chassis and drivetrain as a Suzuki Sidekick and Chevrolet Tracker.
US Gear Brake System (no longer available). I think we might actually stop better with the toad attached !
We like the uniqueness and oddity. But it takes a long time to get gasoline... if spectators aren't asking about the coach they're asking about the Zuki. 😜
Steve W
1973 23'
Southern California
Steve W
1973 : 23'
Southern California
[Updated on: Wed, 15 May 2019 10:51] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toads [message #343338 is a reply to message #343327] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 11:20 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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We tow ourfavorite vehicle - a 65 Corvair Monza, 140 hp, auto, w/ AC. It’s a blast.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 15, 2019, at 9:28 AM, Scott Nutter via Gmclist wrote:
>
> 1992 Geo Tracker. 5 speed manual tranny, with a drive shaft disconnect.
> I use the coach brakes. Another reason I would like to have disc brakes in the rear.
> Scott.
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: Toads [message #343339 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 11:37 |
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Tom Lins
Messages: 372
Registered: February 2004
Location: St Augustine, FL
Karma: 1
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Johnny Bridges wrote on Wed, 15 May 2019 09:50What do we see behind GMCs, and why?
What do you tow, and why?
Accessory brake system, or using the coach brakes? I happened to have mine when I got the coach Ranger) and added a tow plate when I bought the Kia. I use the coach brakes.
--johnny
We have a 12 Jeep Liberty 4500 lbs. and a 15 Mini Roadster S 6 speed 2500 lbs. both with tow plates and we use a Brake Buddy (because it is the law in most states and we like to be able to stop quickly) We tow the Mini mostly due to the lighter weight. The jeep is setup to tow mainly for our Diesel Pusher SOB where you barely know it is back there.
Tom Lins
St Augustine, FL
77 GM Rear Twin, Dry Bath, 455, Aluminum Radiator Quad-Bag Suspension Solar Panel
Manuals on DVD
YOUTUBE Channel: GMC Dealer Training Tapes
http://www.bdub.net/tomlins/
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| Re: Toads [message #343340 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 11:46 |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma: 10
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We tow either of two vehicles.
1991 Honda Civic SI with manual transmission. Weight is 2260lbs Has AC, PB, PS, Cruise. Clocks milage towing. Gets great gas milage, comfy on the highway, and cheap to insure.
1996 Geo Tracker 4WD, manual transmission. Weight is 2460lbs. Has AC, PB, PS. Fair gas milage, rough ride on highway, great for off road use, cheap to insure, and have used it to push the GMC when it would not move on wet grass.
Use a Brake Buddy for towd braking, but in the process of installing a different braking system from M&G Engineering.
Just what we tow.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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| Re: Toads [message #343355 is a reply to message #343326] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 17:18 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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I started towing a 97 jeep wrangler. Bought used stowmaster
Tow bar and roadmaster even brake.
It was a little heavy, was not a good MN winter vehicle and was getting ready to need expensive tires.
I sold that and bought two other towds. A 73vw thing project. For super lightweight and fun car. Still not ready for prime time. Maybe next summer???
I also bought a 99 honda crv. All wheel drive, automatic, power windows, power locks. a/C. Flat towable with no tranny pump or other cost. I am also able to daily drive this, 12 months a year. Also la decent of room behind the back seats. The wrangler I could not even store the even brake. So now chairs, bbq and misc fit in towd and if I want to use it, no need to move things.
Crv- $3000. Has 130000 miles on it and is ready to go another 100-200k. I easily found a used base plate set for the crv and use the stowmaster I had on the wrangler. I did just find a roadmaster stearling tow bar I will switch to this year, as I learned I like a tow bar that stays with coach rathwr then towd. Easier to hook up with bike rack I have on coach.
Vw thing hopefully will be my summer towd because of weight. But with comforts of a modern car, it may stay home more then the crv.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toads [message #343358 is a reply to message #343338] |
Wed, 15 May 2019 18:48 |
k2gkk
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
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Senior Member |
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Anybody know a source fairly close to Oklahoma where I could find a 1965 or later Corvair coupe (or ragtop) in good condition at a reasonable price? My first ever new car was a 1962 Corvair Monza coupe with a motor at least one step above the "standard" horsepower.
D C "Mac" Macdonald​
Amateur Radio K2GKK​
Since 30 November '53​
USAF and FAA, Retired​
Member GMCMI & Classics​
Oklahoma City, OK​
"The Money Pit"​
TZE166V101966​
'76 ex-Palm Beach
________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Mike Kelley via Gmclist
Sent: Wednesday, May 15, 2019 11:20
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Cc: Mike Kelley
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Toads
We tow ourfavorite vehicle - a 65 Corvair Monza, 140 hp, auto, w/ AC. It’s a blast.
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 15, 2019, at 9:28 AM, Scott Nutter via Gmclist wrote:
>
> 1992 Geo Tracker. 5 speed manual tranny, with a drive shaft disconnect.
> I use the coach brakes. Another reason I would like to have disc brakes in the rear.
> Scott.
> --
> Scott Nutter
> 1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera
> installed MSD Atomic EFI
> Houston, Texas
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: Toads [message #343372 is a reply to message #343326] |
Thu, 16 May 2019 09:31 |
Chris Tyler
Messages: 458
Registered: September 2013
Location: Odessa FL
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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I had also thought of rigging my 69 Vette convertible for towing for the same reasons. A bit worred about road damage. Do you have a rock shield?
Normal Toad is a 99 tracker Vert, auto 4x4. I would want to hook up a break buddy outside FL though.
Had considered getting an older jeep CJ for better off road capability but the tracker does pretty well.
76 Glenbrook
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toads [message #343374 is a reply to message #343372] |
Thu, 16 May 2019 10:25 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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I talked to a GMC couple, long timers, who towed a VW Rabbit many tens of
thousands of miles. They had to replace the toad when they pulled onto the
freeway that surrounds Las Vegas and the front of the Rabbit broke off from
metal fatigue or some such thing, leaving parts of the bumper and related
stuff attached to the Blue Ox tow bar, and the rest of the Rabbit dead in
the middle of the underpass. They continued to drive for a couple of miles
until they realized that they were missing their road. One good thing they
learned, their brake buddy did its job of stopping the rabbit. Made for an
interesting story.
Jim Hupy
On Thu, May 16, 2019, 8:02 AM Chris Tyler via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> I had also thought of rigging my 69 Vette convertible for towing for the
> same reasons. A bit worred about road damage. Do you have a rock shield?
>
> Normal Toad is a 99 tracker Vert, auto 4x4. I would want to hook up a
> break buddy outside FL though.
>
> Had considered getting an older jeep CJ for better off road capability but
> the tracker does pretty well.
> --
> 76 Glenbrook
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] Toads [message #343378 is a reply to message #343374] |
Thu, 16 May 2019 12:06 |
jimk
Messages: 6734
Registered: July 2006
Location: Belmont, CA
Karma: 9
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The way the newer Base Plates of Blue Ox is cabled it cannot separate also
you must inspect them after few thousand miles
On Thu, May 16, 2019 at 9:45 AM James Hupy via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> I talked to a GMC couple, long timers, who towed a VW Rabbit many tens of
> thousands of miles. They had to replace the toad when they pulled onto the
> freeway that surrounds Las Vegas and the front of the Rabbit broke off from
> metal fatigue or some such thing, leaving parts of the bumper and related
> stuff attached to the Blue Ox tow bar, and the rest of the Rabbit dead in
> the middle of the underpass. They continued to drive for a couple of miles
> until they realized that they were missing their road. One good thing they
> learned, their brake buddy did its job of stopping the rabbit. Made for an
> interesting story.
> Jim Hupy
>
> On Thu, May 16, 2019, 8:02 AM Chris Tyler via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>
>> I had also thought of rigging my 69 Vette convertible for towing for the
>> same reasons. A bit worred about road damage. Do you have a rock shield?
>>
>> Normal Toad is a 99 tracker Vert, auto 4x4. I would want to hook up a
>> break buddy outside FL though.
>>
>> Had considered getting an older jeep CJ for better off road capability
> but
>> the tracker does pretty well.
>> --
>> 76 Glenbrook
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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| Re: Toads [message #343387 is a reply to message #343385] |
Thu, 16 May 2019 17:09 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Toad 2010 Honda Fit, Base model. 2300 pounds? Installed M&G braking system, works great and no moving equipment in and out of the Fit.An interesting point on the Fit. It has power door locks, but base model does not get a remote fob. A careful purchase on Amazon and a good locksmith, I now have working remote fob.
much cheaper than Honda dealer, who wanted $65 for a non-remote key blank and $135 for cutting a key. I did 2 with remote for about $200.Tom
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Toads [message #343429 is a reply to message #343326] |
Fri, 17 May 2019 18:04 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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K2gkk if he's still around, get hold of MikePhillips in Tulsa. He used to be the E.F. Johnson dealer and had many many Corvairs. If he's gone find out who got the collection or was it sold off piecemeal.
Here's an article on him, Dunahugh might have contact info via the Stingers. I haven't seen him in 20+ years, more like 30+.
\
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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