You’ve pulled into the cramped campground late that night. After all day of travel, you slowly maneuver your RV into the tight campsite, hook up the water and electric, and level the camper. Now, finally, you can get some sleep.
But as you lay your head on your pillow a bittersweet realization dawns on you. You’ll have to set it up all over again tomorrow when you make your run to the store.
Now, if you had a vehicle that you could tow behind your RV, you wouldn’t have to deal with all that hassle. You could set up your RV with the knowledge that it’s staying put. Then, use your towed vehicle for all of your day-to-day travel needs.
Yep, that’s what you need: a toad.
Key Takeaways
- Most small cars can be towed, but you should check the manufacturer’s instructions for recreational towing.
- If your selected vehicle can’t be towed on all four wheels, then find a tow dolly for your RV.
- You will need after-market equipment like a tow bar and perhaps supplemental braking systems.
- The best RV tow vehicles are class A diesel RVs for maximum towing capacity.
What is a Toad for an RV?
No, we didn’t misspell “road” and we’re not talking about frogs. A toad is RV slang for a vehicle that you tow behind your RV. So the “toad” gets towed by the towing vehicle…gotta love homophones.
The best tow vehicle for a toad is usually a class A or C RV. Triple towing behind a travel trailer is allowed in some places, but requires you to operate within some stiff parameters.
Talk to your DMV to learn more about triple towing.
How to Choose the Best Toad for Your RV’s Towing Capacity
There are three factors you want to weigh before you either buy or choose to use your everyday vehicle.
Check Towability
You can’t flat tow – that’s towing on all four wheels – just any vehicle. The vehicle must have a transmission that can be set in neutral (or have a manual transmission). That way, all four wheels spin freely without overheating your transmission.
Check the manufacturer’s guidelines for recreational towing.
If you can’t flat tow, but really want to use a certain vehicle, then consider getting a tow dolly. The tow dolly keeps the front two wheels off the ground to tow the vehicle.
Towing Weight Rating
So your RV is rated to tow 7,000 lbs. Does that mean you can use your F-250 as your towed vehicle and then load it up your Harley Davidson motorcycle?
Probably not. While it’s possible to use your toad to haul other toys, you need to remember that the tow weight rating includes what you already have packed in your RV.
Pro tip: To maintain safe towing conditions, it’s important to factor in the weight of the vehicle, the weight of the trailer, AND the weight of the cargo. It isn’t enough to verify that the weight of the vehicle falls within the approved towing capacity and gross vehicle weight rating. Your RV kitchen essentials will also count toward the total weight.
That’s why toads are typically smaller, lighter vehicles.
What are you using your toad for?
Are you planning to stay on paved roads or do you like to do some off-roading adventures? Do you need a vehicle with four-wheel drive? Do you plan to use your toad to haul other vehicles when you get to your destination?
Planning ahead of time will help you decide the right toad for the job.
What Vehicles Can Be Towed behind an RV?
This all depends on the vehicle, of course, but typically, you can flat tow 4WD vehicles and vehicles with manual transmissions.
But even if your vehicle can be towed, you need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for recreational towing. Some transmissions can only be towed for a few hours before the transmission starts to overheat. Other vehicles require special lubricant to avoid that same problem.
Bottom line: Read the instructions. It could save you thousands of dollars in repairs.
Top Toads for Flat Towing Behind Your RV
With the basics of choosing a toad covered, let’s look at six options for the best toad for RV towing. These toads tow easily and are versatile vehicles for the adventurous soul.
Best SUV Toads
The SUV is a great toad option because it can handle unexpected terrain while fitting passengers comfortably.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeeps go anywhere. A popular toad for the more adventurous among us, the Wrangler has 4WD, heavy-duty axles, and high-strength steel construction that make it perfect for off-roading adventures.
But all that steel does make the Wrangler weigh more. This toad weighs in around 4,000 lbs. So make sure you’ve got an RV that can tow it.
Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
The Trailhawk is a versatile option because it can both tow and be towed. So if you have a small camp trailer that you like to take camping with the kids, then your Trailhawk can tow it.
But if you’re headed on a road trip in your RV, it’s also a reliable toad.
Best Hybrid Toads
Hybrids keep you fuel efficient, while you’re doing your sightseeing and daily excursions. Here are our favorites.
Ford Maverick (Hybrid)
This little truck gives you the ability to haul ATVs and dirt bikes for your excursions, while still providing room for five people — all with 41 mpg around town.
An important note here is that the hybrid model of the Maverick is currently the only one that can be flat towed.
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is one of the few hybrids that can also come with AWD. Its spacious cargo area has plenty of room for gear or groceries. Plus, it can transport you and your family to your sightseeing destinations with ease.
The Ford Escape gets a combined 40 mpg.
Best Truck Toads
Trucks are good toads for those who like to haul their toys around.
Whether you plan to haul your ATVs or your prized Harley Davidson, trucks can haul your toys while they’re being towed. But only if your RV is up to towing a 7,000 lbs load on top of what your RV weighs.
Ford Ranger (2023)
This trusty truck has a towing capacity of about 6,000 lbs, which is substantial for its modest size. The Ford Ranger only weighs about 4,000 lbs which makes it a great option for being towed.
F-150 (AWD)
The F-150 with AWD gives you the benefit of a full-sized truck on your travels with the option of having an 8 ft bed. That’s more space for more toys. Depending on your truck, of course, your seating options here may be limited.
Best Car Toads
The classic toad can be a daily driver or a car purchased specifically for towing. Nothing fancy. This toad type simply gets you from point A to point B while out on the open road.
Honda Fit (Manual)
While you don’t need all the bells and whistles, you might consider a Honda Fit if you need to pack along a lot of gear (while still leaving ample space for your friends).
And at 2,500 lbs, they don’t add much weight either.
Kia Rio
The Kia Rio is a great option if you’re looking to buy a car whose sole purpose is to be towed, as it has a low price point and a superior suspension system. At about 2,300 lbs, this toad is a featherweight.
Alternatives to a Flat-Towed Vehicle
Though towing a car behind your RV provides convenience and flexibility, you might want to consider alternative transportation methods.
Mopeds and e-bikes can be a great way to explore local attractions without towing a car. These options are lightweight, easy to store, and can be carried on bike racks attached to your RV.
Another option is to use public transportation when available. This eliminates the need for towing a vehicle and allows you to choose a car that best suits your needs for each specific trip.
Finally, if you have a prized sports car or antique car that you like to bring with you, consider trailering it to be pulled or find an RV that can store it.
Now you can tailor your RV adventures to your needs and travel style.
Summary
If you need more inspiration for your toads, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) puts out a Vehicle Towing Guide every year that can help you narrow down your choices based on tow rating and other factors.
Now, if you’re planning on using this vehicle solely as a toad, then you’ll want to store it in a safe place—preferably with your RV. That’s where Neighbor can help.
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace where you can easily store your RV and toad close to home.
Remember, towing could potentially impact some manufacturer warranties, and a vehicle’s ‘tow-ability’ can vary based on its model year. The responsibility rests on your shoulders to select a vehicle with adequate towing capability for safe towing behind your RV.
