Buying a Toad- Websites? April 23, 2020, 11:40:53 am Trying to think ahead a little (yes, I know I need a RV first) but looking for websites that list toads for sale. Just sold my little pickup so need a second vehicle that could double as a flat-tow vehicle. Any suggestions? 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #1 – April 23, 2020, 12:29:10 pm Greg,We recently camped with Will G. (Syspig). He has a flatbed mini-truck with a manual transmission. He tows it behind his Lazy Daze with his bikes on the flatbed. It is a really nice towd, useful and lighter than a Wrangler. It is not 4x4.Details will have to come from Will.Harold
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #2 – April 23, 2020, 01:10:21 pm Quote from: HiLola - April 23, 2020, 11:40:53 amTrying to think ahead a little (yes, I know I need a RV first) but looking for websites that list toads for sale. Just sold my little pickup so need a second vehicle that could double as a flat-tow vehicle. Any suggestions?Neven seen a toad-for-sale website or know would you would find a site for used, set up toads, we see them here in the Classified section occasionally.There are many towable vehicles that weight too much to easily tow. Deciding on if a manual transmission is OK or if it must have an automatic transmission is your first decision and if it needs to be back road capable or will be used only on good roads.Street toads, with automatics, such as 2014 and older Honda Fits tow beautifully, being lightweight but think twice about leaving improved roads, they get stuck easily with small tires and minimal ground clearance. Ford has the automatic Fiesta and C-MAX available. GM has the Sonic, Cruz, Malibu, and Equinox.Jeeps are heavy but are common toads, avaialbe with either manual or automatic transmissions. Older Wranglers are much lighter than the newer models.Manual transmission cars are more available, with a Subaru on the top of my list, usable on rougher roads, as well as the street.Manual Honda Accords are also towable. Be aware that not all manual transmissions are towable, it depends on the transmission's internal design, some do not lubricate properly when towed.So, what are your needs and desires?A lot of information is available below in the yearly Motorhome Magazine's toad guides.Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome MagazineRemco is a good source on what vehicles are towable, a larger group than what is shown in the MH toad guides. They also sell equipment for toads including a powered oil pump for non-towable automatics. I wouldn't want to depend on an expensive battery-powered pump to protect a $5000 transmission but that's me. Too many possibilities for faiure.Towing – RemcoThis is a topic that has been on my mind for a long time with two aging toads, there is no perfect replacement.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #3 – April 23, 2020, 01:52:27 pm Quote from: Larry W - April 23, 2020, 01:10:21 pmStreet toads, with automatics, such as 2014 and older Honda Fits tow beautifully, being lightweight but think twice about leaving improved roads, they get stuck easily with small tires and minimal ground clearance.Larry, you can be such a pessimist...Steve 4 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #4 – April 23, 2020, 02:07:31 pm Quote from: Steve - April 23, 2020, 01:52:27 pmLarry, you can be such a pessimist...That's the Australian "Mad Max" edition, we can't get it here.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #5 – April 23, 2020, 02:15:59 pm The iRV2 forum has a "toad classified" section.Toads - RV & Motorhome Classifieds 2 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #6 – April 23, 2020, 02:26:10 pm If one wants a Jeep, this site might be a place to look!JEEPS FOR SALE! Buy Jeeps For Sale at Jeeps For Sale. Used and New Jeeps for...
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #7 – April 23, 2020, 06:38:52 pm In my mind, there are 3 key things you need to decide.(1) Do you want any offroad capability at all?(2) How much weight are you willing to pull(3) How much are you willing to spend.You can pick up a used manual transmisison mini-cooper for $4k, but will make some serious sacrifices regarding (1). On the other end, the new 4WD Ford Ranger pickup us listed a 4-down towable. The escapees forum has a marketplace section for toads.RVs, Tows, and Toads for Sale - Escapees Discussion ForumMany also sell by word of mouth, or as an optional part of a RV sale.Rich'03 MB in NC 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #8 – April 23, 2020, 07:50:02 pm Quote from: rich - April 23, 2020, 06:38:52 pmIn my mind, there are 3 key things you need to decide.(1) Do you want any offroad capability at all?Some, yes.(2) How much weight are you willing to pullI would like to keep it under 3,500 lbs.(3) How much are you willing to spend.Since this will also double as a second vehicle, a little more is fine.You can pick up a used manual transmisison mini-cooper for $4k, but will make some serious sacrifices regarding (1). On the other end, the new 4WD Ford Ranger pickup us listed a 4-down towable. The escapees forum has a marketplace section for toads.RVs, Tows, and Toads for Sale - Escapees Discussion ForumMany also sell by word of mouth, or as an optional part of a RV sale.Rich, my answers are above in bold. I’ve pretty much decided on a Subaru Forester, just trying to dial in the year. Probably a 2014 or 2015 but I’m researching 2016’s as well. I know of at least one member who tows a ‘16. Ideally, mileage would be under 50K.I was really just wondering if there are some web resources that have listings for toads, which a couple of you have provided already but keep ‘me coming, please. Thanks! 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #9 – April 24, 2020, 05:39:32 pm Greg, figure on budgeting about $3,000 to outfit it with towbar, base plate and aux braking system et al.That's about what it cost me in 2013 to add the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain II tow and SMI braking system.Don't forget 4 extra TPMS sensors for the tow'dJoel 2 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #10 – May 03, 2020, 11:40:40 am Found our future toad yesterday, a 2015 Forester w/manual 6-speed which had just been traded in at a dealership in Sonora, CA. A bit of a day trip for us but worth it, I think. Who knew buying a car during a pandemic would be so easy!Just need something to pull it with now. Making slow but steady progress . . . 7 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #11 – May 03, 2020, 02:54:20 pm Congratulations, Greg! A Forester makes a great all-around toad. I towed a 2014 for several years.Do make sure all applicable recalls have been done, and check the oil level frequently--Foresters tend to burn oil faster than most makes. 2 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #12 – May 03, 2020, 06:25:01 pm Will do, thanks Andy! Been spending the day cleaning the interior and getting familiar with it. I think it’s going to be a good little second vehicle for us, as well as eventual toad! 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #13 – May 04, 2020, 12:53:52 am Congrats Greg. A very nice car indeed! And hold out for that new Lazy Daze, I say. One of the best decisions we ever made was to spend the kid’s inheritance on a new Mid Bath. The only thing better would have been a LD with the new and improved power train. Warren 2 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #14 – May 04, 2020, 10:47:14 am Way to go Greg! I am very happy with our two Foresters. Andy mentioned the oil consumption. I found that on long trips at freeway speeds after 900 to a 1000 miles I will need to put in some oil. Around town at the same mileage is not an issue. Interestingly my wife's Forester with the CVT can do the same trip to Florida (1000 mi) and not need oil. The difference is the CVT keeps the engine revs slower at freeway speeds (55~65 mph). 2 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #15 – May 04, 2020, 11:10:24 am I don't have a Subaru, so I can't say if excessive oil burning is an issue, but there is a substantial amount of 'press' on the topic, including a lawsuit against Subaru, 'resolved' in 2014. (NHTSA recall list is for any issues with Subaru SUVs) Subaru settles in oil consumption lawsuit | Torque News2011-15 Subaru Oil Consumption Update | News | Cars.comExcessive Oil Consumption - Subaru ProblemsCheck for Recalls: Vehicle, Car Seat, Tire, Equipment | NHTSA 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #16 – May 04, 2020, 11:38:18 am Thanks for posting the links, Joan. Just checked for recalls and this car has no pending recalls due. I’m pretty obsessive about checking oil, tires, etc. so that shouldn’t be an issue. 🙂
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #17 – May 04, 2020, 12:42:28 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 04, 2020, 11:38:18 amThanks for posting the links, Joan. Just checked for recalls and this car has no pending recalls due. I’m pretty obsessive about checking oil, tires, etc. so that shouldn’t be an issue. 🙂Our 2015 Subaru Forester XT has been nearly trouble-free except, after a couple years it would intermittently it wouldn't start or even crank without trying dozens of times until it would catch, and then it would be fine.Calling the local Subaru dealer, the service manager told me he had 'never heard of the problem' and wanted us to bring the car in so they keep it for a few days. Since it didn't act up for days at a time, I declined and did the troubleshooting myself, tracking it down to a faulty brake switch, a $20 part at Napa Auto. The brake light switch has three set of contacts, one set had failed.Six months later we received a recall notice from Subaru for the faulty switch. Beyond that no problems.Oh, it doesn't burn oil and has never needed oil added between changes at the recommended intervals.The one thing that concerns me when driving on rough roads is the thin, easy to puncture sidewalls of the stock street tires, They are not what you want for durability or traction and do not belong off-road. If you plan on driving on dirt roads, consider replacing the street tires with an A/T tire, with stronger sidewalls.The Geolandar A/T G015 is a good choice, is available in your Subi's size, and has a severe snow rating, good for your winter storms.https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=Geolandar+A%2FT+G015&partnum=26HR7G015&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=Subaru&autoYear=2015&autoModel=Forester&autoModClar=2.5i#RatingsReviewsSeveral companies make skid plates for Subarus, consider an engine skid plate, the engine sits low and is the most vulnerable thing in the car. A Subaru will never go to the places a jeep can but it will surprise you how capable it is, until the rocks get too bigIt will drive and ride much better than any Jeep.Ideally, having both a Subaru and a Jeep toad would nice, being able to pick the perfect vehicle for a planned trip. Only in my dreams.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #18 – May 04, 2020, 01:46:42 pm Thanks for your input Larry. The current tires are highway tires so I will be upgrading them at some point, as well as the battery since it’s almost 3 years old. The previous owner lived in gold country and had a skid plate installed a while back so am assuming he took it on forest roads, etc. Checking underneath, it appears to be a fairly light plastic so not sure how well that will protect the engine.Guess I need to wash the valley bugs off! 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #19 – May 05, 2020, 05:51:15 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 03, 2020, 11:40:40 amJust need something to pull it with now. Making slow but steady progress . . .Greg, we ordered the rig in November 2013, purchased the 2011 Honda CRV in December, and had the tow pkg installed in Jan 2014. I pulled it around with my Nissan Titan to see how towing it worked. That practice helped.joel 1 Likes
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #20 – May 05, 2020, 06:58:35 pm Quote from: HiLola - May 04, 2020, 01:46:42 pmThe previous owner lived in gold country and had a skid plate installed a while back so am assuming he took it on forest roads, etc. Checking underneath, it appears to be a fairly light plastic so not sure how well that will protect the engine.Our 2015 Forester came with a thin, sheet metal bash guard, good for beating weeds to death with but not much else.The engine's turbocharger is mounted low, on the front of the engine, and it looks very vulnerable, this was installed to protect it.Front Skidplate 2014 - 2018 Forester XT - Primitive Racinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu5vVOAQ72oIf your Forester has a skid plate, it should be a substantial piece of either aluminum or steel plate, not a piece of any type of plastic.It would look something like this.Front Skidplate 2014-2018 Forester Non-Turbo - Primitive RacingLarry
Re: Buying a Toad- Websites? Reply #21 – May 05, 2020, 07:14:01 pm That’s more my idea of a skid plate, Larry. The Carfax I received with the car shows that a skid plate was installed in early 2017. Perhaps it was removed later. I might look into getting a proper one installed.
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