If you decide to purchase a motorhome, it’s likely you’ll tow a second vehicle behind you.
The whole point of traveling is to explore new horizons. Folding up camp and driving a big motorhome around everywhere isn’t very practical.
You’ve got to pack up everything right down to the lawn chairs. Plus, driving around town in a vehicle that gets poor gas mileage and takes up 3 or more parking places can be both expensive and difficult.
Sometimes you simply won’t have parking options for your motorhome, making certain places or businesses inaccessible.
Enter the RV Toad.
My RV Toad of Choice
An RV Toad is a nickname for the vehicle that you tow behind your motorhome.
Towing a vehicle behind your rig has several advantages and allows you to:
- keep your motorhome parked in one location
- save on gas money
- quickly and easily drive to businesses for supplies
- transport additional large items
- and the list goes on…
I flat tow a 2012 Jeep Wrangler behind my 36’ motorhome.
In the short time I’ve done so I’ve come to realize it’s the best vehicle you could choose as your RV Toad.
Curtis Carper and his Jeep Wrangler Toad.
I used to own a Jeep CJ5 many years ago.
It was excellent at what it was designed for: off road applications or getting to the grocery store when the snow was knee deep for a giraffe.
But it was hardly a comfortable or enjoyable ride at more than about 45 mph.
Today’s Jeep Wrangler has a lot more to offer than that old CJ5.
It’s certainly not your Granddad’s Jeep.
1. Off-Road Capabilities
The Jeep Wrangler’s off road capabilities initially caught my eye.
The southwest is a favored destination for snowbirds, and being able to explore desert trials and ghost towns is a great way to entertain yourself during long winters.
One of the great features of the Jeep Wrangler is its transfer case, which gives you a very low range transmission that’s well suited for off road travel.
Here’s how a transfer case works:
2. No Problem to Flat Tow
Since the transfer case has a neutral position, you can flat tow the vehicle without racking up mileage on the odometer.
You can also tow your Jeep if it’s got an automatic transmission.
Flat towing is OK with a Jeep Wrangler Toad.
3. No Locking Steering Column
Newer models of Jeep Wranglers have no locking steering. This is the best possible situation for flat towing with a tow bar.
You don’t have to worry about what position you put the key in to avoid draining the battery.
Since the steering doesn’t lock, you don’t have to keep the keys in the ignition.
For vehicles with locking steering though, you’ll need to keep the keys in the ignition so that the front wheels are free to turn and track around corners.
This means in most instances you need to leave the key in the car in just the right position to allow the steering to be unlocked, but not have the ignition turned on.
My motorhome towing a Jeep Wrangler.
Leave it in the wrong position and you’ll find your battery dead when you go to unhook it from the motorhome.
But for a Jeep Wrangler, putting the transmission in park and the transfer case in neutral is all you have to do. You can be hooked up and gone with confidence in about five minute’s time.
I have a 2007 Wrangler two dr auotatic. It tows great except for a battery drain even tho the key is on acc. so the steering doesn’t lock. Is there a fuse i can pull to stop the drain or do i have to disconnect the battery?
Thank
Ron
Good News for Jeep Enthusiasts. I own a 2013 Jeep Wrangler with the V6 engine and manual transmission and regularly achieve over 25 mpg with 32 mpg being the highest (albeit with a tail wind). Having just purchased a 36′ Monaco LaPalma we are anxious to find a proper tow hitch for our Wrangler and head out on the open road.
Just two comments to this article: 1) all Jeep Wranglers DO NOT come ready to tow or be towed. Some do, but tow equipment is not standard equipment. 2) I am on my 5th Wrangler and I’ve never known nor heard of anyone getting 25 mpg in a Jeep Wrangler. And, just so you know I’m not trying to be negative here, a Wrangler is my favorite all-around vehicle to drive. There’s just nothing like one. 🙂
A Tracker, seriously? They have been out of production in the USA for over 10 years and had questionable build quality then. Yes, 29 MPGWOW. My Wrangler only gets 20 but they still make/sell/service them and is a lot less likely to break than a15 year old Suzuki.
Curtis my 1990 Jeep Wrangler weighs 3500 lbs. I have a 2000, 40′ Monaco Diplomat 330 HP. I keep hearing that I do and that I do not need a brake controller. Whats the real answer. Thanks Bill
Thanks for sharing your experience Keith.
We started full timing towing a Wrangler. After two years of poor performance, dismal mileage, noise and rough ride we traded it in on a Mazda Escape. Towing a Wrangler may be OK for a part timer, but for a full timer there are better choices. I found that the Jeep phrase “proven technology” meant using up the warehouse of 1960 vintage straight 6 engines. Now we have a Honda CRV AWD. Doesn’t have the off-road capabilities of the Jeep, but then again it won’t break down out in the middle of nowhere, plus it gets 30 MPG, rides quiet, and has great resale value. There’s a reason the Wrangler is Consumer Report lowest-rated vehicle with a score of 17 out of 100.
Michael, Looking up the weight of a 2012 Jeep Wrangler the various 2 door models range from just under 4,000 lbs to just over 4,000 lbs. Assuming the tow rating of your motorhome is accurate, it appears a Jeep is within the weight limits of what it can tow.
Cool looking Jeep, orange is my favorite color!
Wright Richard – I have looked for a decent Tracker and have had no luck finding one in good shape. I do not want to buy one and then have to sink a lot of money in it. Thanks – Mike W.
Curtis, enjoyed your article. I do have a question. We own a Coachmen 25′ Sprinter RV with a towing capacity of 5,000 #s. We have a 6 cyl diesel engine. Would we be OK towing a Jeep Wrangler two door (not the big four door)? We were thinking about a Fiat due to the light weight. Would like your thoughts. Thank you – Mike Wagoenr
My Tracker will do everything you Jeep does and gets 29mpg instead of the lousy mileage you say is good.