Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: Class A Motorhomes: Looking for a small dinghy
Open Roads Forum Already a member? Login here.   If not, Register Today!  |  Help

Newest  |  Active  |  Popular  |  RVing FAQ Forum Rules  |  Forum Help and Support  |  Contact

Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Class A Motorhomes

Open Roads Forum  >  Class A Motorhomes  >  All

 > Looking for a small dinghy

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next
Purpleheart

Redondo Beach, California, USA

Full Member

Joined: 02/02/2004

View Profile



Posted: 01/15/12 09:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We have a 35' Itasca Meridian and are looking for a small towing dinghy like perhaps a Geo Tracker automatic. It will be ideal that this car will already be set up for towing. Where can I look for something like this???

Thanks for any tips you can give me.

Purpleheart

hershey

Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA

Senior Member

Joined: 06/04/2003

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 01/15/12 10:07pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Check The Auto Trader, Craigs list, the Used Vehicle listing in your local news paper, Thrifty Nickle (or similar type free for sale papers). Advertize the similar avenues that you are looking for such a vehicle.


hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Superman was an illegal alien.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra

NASCAR 14 - 99



Executive

California/Arizona/South Dakota

Senior Member

Joined: 02/07/2008

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 12:26am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Click Here....Dennis


Dennis and Debi
Monaco Executive M-45PBQ Quad Slide
525HP Cummins ISM 6 Spd Allison
Chevy HHR W/ ReadyBrute
Full Timing and Living the Dream


jerseyjim

New Jersey

Senior Member

Joined: 09/02/2005

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 04:09am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

"Motorhome Magazine" has an annual list of cars that are towable 4-down. If you don't want to go 4-down (4 tires on the ground, tranny in neutral, etc.,) then you must get a "dolly" or even, in some cases (all wheel drive cars) a full car trailer.
Research the topic here on the forum. You'll find lots of info. Personally, I have a 2007 Chevy HHR and a 2011 Ford Ranger that I "toad" 4-down. One, the HHR (automatic) took no modifications (other than the baseplate and diode lighting)...just put in neutral, pull a fuse, and off y'go. The Ranger, took a bit more....it's 4 wheel drive, so I had to get a Ford only transfer-case neutral switch kit. About 500 bucks installed.
There used to be a driveshaft disconnect system by REMCO, but as far as I know, they sold that part of their business and the new company isn't making these things anymore. However, REMCO still makes their transmission pumps....that I found (for me) waaay to expensive (installation included) and drilling and tapping holes in the oil pan, etc., to me, simply invited oil leaks. JMO.
There are, however, folks on the forum here, who say they have it and like it. Not I.
You can forgo all or most modifications (outside of the baseplate) by simply getting a car with a stick shift. But, believe it or not, stick shifts are getting more and more difficult to find. And they KILL the resale value. But if that doesn't bother you, go for it. (But again...no all-wheel drive vehicles)

Most important...after you decide on a "toad", go to BlueOx.com (my baseplate mfr of choice...there are others) and make sure they MAKE a baseplate for the car you want. The dealer that sells it to you will install it. 99.9% of the time.

bsinmich

Holland, MI

Senior Member

Joined: 11/18/2000

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 05:20am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

jerseyjim wrote:

"There used to be a driveshaft disconnect system by REMCO, but as far as I know, they sold that part of their business and the new company isn't making these things anymore. However, REMCO still makes their transmission pumps....that I found (for me) waaay to expensive (installation included) and drilling and tapping holes in the oil pan, etc., to me, simply invited oil leaks. JMO.
There are, however, folks on the forum here, who say they have it and like it. Not I.
You can forgo all or most modifications (outside of the baseplate) by simply getting a car with a stick shift. But, believe it or not, stick shifts are getting more and more difficult to find. And they KILL the resale value. But if that doesn't bother you, go for it. (But again...no all-wheel drive vehicles)

Most important...after you decide on a "toad", go to BlueOx.com (my baseplate mfr of choice...there are others) and make sure they MAKE a baseplate for the car you want. The dealer that sells it to you will install it. 99.9% of the time.


The Remco pumps that I have looked at do not require tapping into the oil pan but rather just putting a T into the transmission cooler lines with an automatic valve for fluid direction. I used one for 8 years with no problem so this is personal experience, not just my ideas.

* This post was edited 01/16/12 05:27am by bsinmich *


2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake

bigred1cav

ohio

Senior Member

Joined: 09/14/2009

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 10:27am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I found one via here. A nice PT all set up to tow.





Bea PA

Waynesboro, PA, USA

Senior Member

Joined: 12/28/2000

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 10:53am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Check Escapees.com, lots of people sell their toweds.

Boonedocks

Texas

Senior Member

Joined: 06/23/2006

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 11:09am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Found mine via a national search of all Craigslists.

Here is the all-craigslists search engine that I use:

Search All Craigslists


2003 Country Coach Intrigue towing 2006 Ford Focus. Follow our full timing adventures at The BooneDocks


jassrnj

Bath, PA

Senior Member

Joined: 09/26/2011

View Profile


Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 01:53pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I got lucky and found a 2000 Chevy Tracker automatic, with 77,000 miles in great shape. It already had the complete tow bar, brackets and wiring for the rear lights. Paid $3400 for it and am very happy with the way it tows. All I have to add is the brake unit. Found it on craigslist within an hours drive.

Alan_Hepburn

San Jose, Ca, USA

Senior Member

Joined: 05/02/2003

View Profile



Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline
Posted: 01/16/12 04:27pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

If you want the smallest car available that is towable 4 down take a look at the smart car! Weighs 1800 lbs and we don't even know it's there when we tow ours!


----------------------------------------------
Alan & Sandy Hepburn driving a 2007 Fleetwood Bounder 35E on a Workhorse chassis - Charter Member: International Brotherhood of Weight Police - Proud to be a Blue Star Family!

Reply to Topic  |  Subscribe  |  Print Topic  |  Post New Topic  | 
Page of 2  
Next

Open Roads Forum  >  Class A Motorhomes  >  All

 > Looking for a small dinghy
Search:   Advanced Search

Search only in Class A Motorhomes


New posts No new posts
Closed, new posts Closed, no new posts
Moved, new posts Moved, no new posts

Adjust text size:

© 2012 Coast Resorts | Terms & Conditions | PRIVACY POLICY | YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS