Large toad problems

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I am not sure how any of us can properly evaluate whether towing exposes the toad to greater stresses and thus damage unless we have two identical vehicles and we tow one the same number of miles as the other is driven and compare service history.

But anecdotal evidence may help if enough people report their experiences.

The only vehicle we towed any substantial distance was a 94 Grand Cherokee with a manual transmission and 4 WD. We towed it about 200,000 miles and drove it another 60,000. I never had any repairs I could attribute to towing beyond a radiator replacement caused by constant exposure to the salt and sand spray kicked up by the bus when towing in the snow belt. I also had to replace the bus radiator for the same reason because the cooling fins disintegrated from the salt.

On the Cherokee I never replaced or repaired any rotating components including the front U-joints.

I just hope our Hummer or pickup truck serve us as well as the Jeep did.

[michaeldterry]

We had a problem with large toads when we lived in southwest Houston, next to the Brazos River. The huge suckers would be all over our patio and driveway in the mornings! Oops! My bad - wrong kind of "large toad!"

[LarryB]

So Michael, did you have to replace any parts on the Toad?

[Coloradobus]

We towed a 2004 Chevy Extended cab 4X4 short box truck that weighs in at 6440 lbs with no issues other than being overlength in California. We hve towed the pick-up for more miles than driven like Jon's jeep. Driven miles are 29,000, and towed miles is 38,000. I follow the driven mileage service intervals for fluid changes in "diffs' and tranfer case, and all is well. We have67,000 miles on the tires, which we are replacing this summer for towing airstreams.

[michaeldterry]

So Michael, did you have to replace any parts on the Toad?

No replaceable parts on those toads! They were either croaking or croaked!

[rbeecher]

While on the subject of toads, I would like to hear from those in the group who have or are towing Mini Coopers. We are going to take our first trip with a 2010 Cooper S(manual trans) and are wondering the proper procedure other than putting the car in neutral. Anything regarding the steering or other info we need to know?

I spoke to Fast Roger about this a while back but don't remember all of the conversation.

Thanks in advance to any who can offer suggestions.

Richard and Barbara Beecher
02 Marathon XLII 45
10 Mini Cooper S

[jack14r]

Richard,Carl Jensen with SVRA tows a mini behind his Beaver from Elkhart Lake, WI. to Palm Beach,FL. and to all the SVRA-HSR races and he told me that he just puts it in neutral.

[rbeecher]

Hi Jack,

I recall Roger saying the same. There are a few in the POG who have or do tow a Mini, Steve Bennett at one time, EDMARTINE with an '09, and of course Roger. I don't know if there are others.

Thanks for the note, it's good to hear from you, hope all is well.

Richard