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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
The only way you will ever be able to maintain/charge a "toad" battery is with a DC-DC charger. Have it permanently mounted in the toad, close to the battery. You can pick up B+ from the tow vehicle via the standard 7 pin connector.
You need to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that B+ from the tow vehicle does NOT connect to B+ of the toad ! Thus way require some relays to keep these two systems isolated ! Using separate brake/turn signal lamps is a good first step !!
I was considering a dedicated charge wire from the MH battery to the car battery with a connector and a fuse in line next to the battery. That seems to be the easiest and least complicated approach.
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way2roll
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01/25/23 01:35pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
Hey, Way2Roll,
I have always had a charge line wired in with our towed vehicles, although our current one (Jeep Wrangler) doesn't use it or need it.
With a 4 flat connector, you are right, there isn't a wire to use for charging battery. You will need to switch to a 6 round setup, as the 6 wire setup does have an extra wire you can use for the charge line.
You don't have to spend tons of $$ and install a battery charge kit or anything (I guess you could if you want, but I didn't). I just ran a charge wire from the Motorhome to the towed vehicle's positive terminal of the battery, I believe it was 14 or 16 gauge. Just make sure you install an inline fuse or circuit breaker on that wire as close to the battery as possible!
My previous towed vehicle (2014 Ford Taurus) would have a dead battery after just a few hours of towing. Charge line solved that problem completely. Same thing with the hybrid Ford Fusion we had before that.
PM me if you need more specific info on how to do this. :)
Thanks, sent you a PM.
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way2roll
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01/25/23 07:35am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
Interesting. I don’t know the specifics (the reason I let CW do it), but there are wires going from the connector directly to the tail lights to power the turn signals and brake lights. The lights are controlled solely from the rv not from the brake pedal in the Jeep.
Anyhow, good luck with a charge line.
Thanks. My guess is they installed a diode on yours - something I considered but was in over my head in terms of wiring so I just did it the easy way.
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way2roll
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01/25/23 06:47am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Dinghy charging from MH
I know nothing about a CRV and what’s required for towing. But I do have a ready brake system for my 2015 Wrangler. I had CW install the wiring to drive the tail lights. It does use the 6 pin connector but my RV doesn’t currently provide a charge line. (Newmar decide not to wire it) The lights are driven from the MH, no power needed in the Jeep, no charge line, Jeep key is in my pocket while towing. (Or in the MH somewhere)
Does the CRV need the key set to ACC for towing?
I ran a set of wires/lights completely independent of the car that run from the 4 pin connector on the MH. (it was a blue ox kit that actually installs a bulb in each lens so it looks factory). The issue is that the ready brake still pulls on the CRV brake pedal and activates the factory toad brake lights also. They would work no matter what position the key is in. So they pull on the car battery with no recharge. It happens enough (usually in NOVA I95 stop and go for hours) that it drains the battery.
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way2roll
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01/24/23 03:01pm |
Dinghy Towing
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Dinghy charging from MH
We have a 2011 CRV toad. I have installed separate tail lights that run from the MH 4 pin connector. We have ready brute elite tow bars and so the car's brake lights still activate and after hours of driving and in heavy stop and go, sometimes the battery is very weak when we get to our destination. Aside form pulling a fuse, or a battery disconnect which will reset everything, isn't there a charge wire I can run from the MH to the toad? And if so, how does this work if I am already using the 4 pin connector on the MH for the car's tail lights?
Do I just get a toad charge kit and splice the wires into the existing 4 pin harness? and if so, which wires? I assume the 4 pin harness controls right brake, right signal, left brake, and left signal. If that's the case the current wouldn't be constant would it?
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way2roll
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01/24/23 01:05pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Bill giving residents priority at booking FL state parks
What happened to first come first serve? If you're a Floridian that didn't get a site, you didn't book early enough. It's same with every other CG in the US. Why do I get ads for other state's tourism and state parks if they don't want me there?
I do find it funny when we visit family in MD at state parks, we notice there are several spots vacant in the CG but booked. Locals book them and lock them up because they are cheap, and only use them if they feel like it. It's almost impossible to book a state park anywhere on the east coast for the spring or summer and we aren't even through January. I feel like the days of winging it are over. We used to travel and if we got tired, looked for a cg for the night. Now if you don't have things booked months in advance, you have nowhere to go.
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way2roll
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01/24/23 09:09am |
RV Parks, Campgrounds and Attractions
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
There is no such thing as being cited for "violation of accepted towing practices". You can be cited for a legal infraction. However, being under GCWR accompanied with the fact there is no law in NC that requires a car being towed to have supplemental brakes means there is no legal issue here and thus no violation.You have to meet the rules of each state as there is no reprocrity other than a drivers license. If any state requires brakes and you don't - well I wouldn't want to be in that situation.
Then how does Uhaul rent dolly's without supplemental brakes - in all states? And how do tow companies get around it?
This has come up many times on this forum. I don't recall ever seeing any state that had a law that referenced supplemental brakes on a towed car. Lots of references to a trailer but no cars. If you have anything stating it I am sure lots of people here would love to see it.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 12:06pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
2018 CRV is not listed as towable including dolly. Have you considered liability if you were involved in a serious accident and in voilation of accepted towing practices? And that can include "not your fault". Don't think for a second that any towing violation won't be determined with a serious accident and claims can exceed insurance coverage.
There is no such thing as being cited for "violation of accepted towing practices". You can be cited for a legal infraction. However, being under GCWR accompanied with the fact there is no law in NC that requires a car being towed to have supplemental brakes means there is no legal issue here and thus no violation.
On edit - this from Etrailer:
Expert Reply:
The only way to tow a 2018 Honda CR-V FWD behind a motorhome is on a tow dolly
I would add trailer to that.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 11:03am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
I think you'll be fine with the dolly, just take it easy. How many RVer's towing a car with no supplemental brakes, and we just learned that apparently everyone using a Uhaul tow dolly doesn't have them. My guess that stopping distance isn't that much longer. Looks like you have a shorter, light coach with some pretty heavy brakes. Even with the CRV you probably aren't near your GCWR.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 10:21am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Slides out or autolevelers down first?
So we just brought home our new MH and my perspective has changed a bit. The new one the MBS chassis requires the engine to be running to put the slides out, but requires the engine to be off to put down the jacks. This literally forces me to put the slides out first - something I have never done on any RV I have owned. granted this is a C but wanted to note that the process really is unique to the unit.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 10:13am |
Class A Motorhomes
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
How long is the drive? Granted it's a long day in the saddle but certainly do-able in one day. Seems like you have a few drivers. And if you are driving the MH why would you need to stay in hotels if you decided to break the trick up?
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way2roll
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01/23/23 09:04am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
How about driving it up?
Good point. Even if someone drove it following the MH. Then it costs nothing other than Gas and mitigates any concern you have.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 08:53am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Towing a Honda CRV one time - NC to Maine
A few opinions; tow dollies can go faster than 55 and that restriction is likely due to some insurance mandate from Uhaul as a company to rent them. I doubt 90% of the people that rent a tow dolly from U haul maintain under 55. I have personally seen them go much faster. Secondly, while I am always in favor of a supplemental braking system, I think you can get by with this one-time, one way trip. I mean, no one else has a supplemental braking system when renting a uhaul dolly and I've seen some towed with vehicles that would probably really need it. Your MH is big enough I doubt it will matter significantly provided you drive safe and with enough cushion. Does the flatbed trailer rental have brakes? and are you sure about the tongue weight? If the towed car is centered over the axles of the trailer I would guess it's designed to minimize tongue weight. Uhaul should know the specs.
Lastly, if you decided to buy a tow dolly, I doubt you'd be stuck with it for long. When we sold ours people were falling over themselves to buy it.
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way2roll
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01/23/23 08:27am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: FR Forester vs Sunseeker - what's the difference?
Thanks for all the replies. Per FR reps and any dealer I spoke to the Sunseeker and Forester are the same provided they are appointed the same. I ended up buying a 2023 Sunseeker 2400B MBS but without recliners. The recliner models are difficult to find and either the dealer wouldn't offer enough on trade for my FW or they didn't have paint or they were too firm on price - or any combination of those. I want paint and thought it was more important than recliners. I can add recliners later - I can't add paint. Same dealer I bought my FW 2 years ago offered me a great deal on trade (close to what I paid 2 years ago) and still beat everyone's price on the new unit. And to boot a local auto dealer is giving me my full asking price for my truck (which is more than I paid 2 years ago). I would have never thought either of those was possible. But I guess timing is everything. We bought our FW and truck when demand was low and prices were reasonable right before everything went nuts and I guess values haven't declined yet to pre-covid numbers. But I am not complaining. Pick up the new unit Saturday.
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way2roll
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01/19/23 06:12am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: RV Wholesalers - reviews/opinions wanted
Thanks for all the replies. Ended up making a deal with a more local dealer - the same place I bought the FW. They offered me a great deal on my trade and beat everyone else's price on the new unit (with the exception of RVW - they wouldn't deal on my trade). Local dealer said it was because I was a repeat customer - I don't care if that's true or not, but they treated me good the first time and so far treating me well now. Drop my trade and pick up the new unit Saturday. And to boot a local car dealer offered me my full asking price on my truck (which is more than I paid new 2 years ago) Times are odd. To think I'd get close to what I paid on the FW and more than I paid on the truck is odd for sure. But I'm not complaining.
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way2roll
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01/19/23 05:55am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: Generator question
A portable vs built in will allow you to use it elsewhere.
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way2roll
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01/18/23 12:48pm |
Fifth-Wheels
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RE: FR Forester vs Sunseeker - what's the difference?
The latest from the engineers at FR say; "Unfortunately we have two different slide floors for the U-dinette and the power theater seat option. The main things being the overall depth and backers for the power theater seat to mount to. Fwiw, the seatbelt holes/catches are in the same place… There just wont be much to screw the power theater seat to and both the seats and floor will be sticking out in an odd way…"
Hard to visualize what they are saying and it doesn't make a ton of sense. May be moot however, I was told that it would invalidate any warranty for that section of the slide if I were to swap them.
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way2roll
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01/17/23 11:59am |
Class C Motorhomes
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RE: lighter weight four down toad?
I googled looking for a toad to use as a dinghy for a 3500 Sprinter Class C.
The recommendations were vehicles like Jeeps, F150 pickups, Chevy Colorado, Equinox.
That's heavier than I want. Aren't there some scooters like a Kia Soul or Honda CRV or HRv that'll flat tow? A Honda Fit or BMW Mini are a little too small.
The Honda Element seemed to be what I had in mind but they don't make them anymore.
The CRV cannot be flat towed. In fact the 2022 dinghy guide from FMCA does not list any Hondas. They used to be one of the most popular.
The guide also gives the weight. Good place to look. If you are a member you can look at all the years' guides, all the way back to 1999.
Dale
I think pre 2015 CRV's can be flat towed. We have a 2011 and it towed just fine behind our previous class A's. Getting ready to buy a MBS class C and our plan is to tow it behind that.
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way2roll
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01/17/23 07:43am |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: RVIA Certificate?
I would bet dollars to donuts they won't even check. But it never hurts to call ahead of time and explain your situation and make sure.
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way2roll
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01/17/23 06:04am |
General RVing Issues
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RE: RV Wholesalers - reviews/opinions wanted
We have wholesale warranties and very satisfied. Have had them on our last three rigs
Is that the same as RV wholesalers the dealer?
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way2roll
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01/17/23 06:01am |
General RVing Issues
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