Anybody have any experience with the systems used to disconnect the drive shaft to make a car ready for flat towing? We're thinking seriously about a toad for the Barth and it will probably be a Volvo with an automatic.
Jim

I haven't personally done it (I use a tow dolly), but I've read a lot about toads at RVforum.net where the topic is discussed almost daily. If you haven't already do so, you need to see if your Volvo is even capable or recommended for 4-down towing. The owner's manual should have a section on how to tow the car. All Volvo's are probably not created equal, so it will depend on your year/make/model.

Beyond that, there's generally a lot of equipment to add. The drive shaft disconnect, baseplate for towing, and some sort of supplemental braking system. You may be talking several thousand dollars for the convenience. That's why I decided to spend a few hundred dollars on a tow dolly instead.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim and Tere:
Anybody have any experience with the systems used to disconnect the drive shaft to make a car ready for flat towing? We're thinking seriously about a toad for the Barth and it will probably be a Volvo with an automatic.
Jim

Yeah. We towed an automatic Toyota RWD truck for years using a Remco driveshaft disconnect. Worked fine. I had gotten pretty good at crawling underneath and unbolting/rebolting the driveshaft, but grew tired of it as age and stiffness caught up with me. The Remco disconnect required just pulling a handle in the cab.

On the street, it was trouble-free, but required a little cleaning and lube when used off-road in mud or really loose sand. Just a water hose, air hose and Dri Slide. I finally stitched up a canvas boot/cat food can kluge that kept it pretty grit-free.

Remco also makes disconnects for FWD, I think.

Scotty is right about checking the particular model. It can get complicated, what with lubricatione and all.

Some parks are tacky about where or even if you store a dolly.

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it will probably be a Volvo

Jim, according to today's WSJ, your future parts support will be coming from China

Unfortunately, many rv parks charge to park a trailer and you must not leave it on your lot. If you go the tow dolly route and there is a selection of rv parks in the area of your destination it would be worth calling ahead.
Since it was time to replace our "second" car anyway I bought a used 01 Tracker 4 door when we got the Barth. Great little towed, because it has a transfer case and 4X4 is handy here in Az and at home in bad weather.
Don

I'm willing to bet that parks charging for a tow dolly would be a minimum, but probably depends on your region. I've never run into one in the 4 states where we camped FWIW. I just unhook our dolly and roll it most of the way under the rear of the RV, takes up almost no additional space.

Jim, Any Volvo questions you have I can answer. If you are towing A volvo with an A/T and rear wheel drive you need to disconnect the drive shaft or you will damage the transmission. If it is front wheel drive use a tow dolley. We tow our Volvo V70 with a tow dolley that has brakes on it so no need for a "Brake buddy" type braking system. The tow dolly can be a pain but we can deal with it. We have a hitch on the back of the Volvo to move the tow dolley around. We usually unload the Volvo and transfure the toy dolley before we get to the gampground. We also have a SAAB convertible 5sp that we tow with a tow bar, much easier to deal with but the wife wont drive the 5sp.

I saw this and thought it might be worth talking about.
http://sarasota.craigslist.org/rvs/1680048891.html

Neil, I'm thinking about making the '73 142 into a toad for the '85 Regal. Do you think it's a little heavy for that 454?
Jim

Wow, an old 142. And I thought my 88 SAAB was old.

You should not have any problems towing the 142 on flat ground, The mountains of TN be a little slow. I pulled my V70 with my old Budget Barth up I40 at rush our, it was a bad idea. Next time I will let the wife drive it up the mountain. The gear venders you have should help I would think. The problem would be the brakes. You will need trailer brakes on the tow dolley or a "Brake Buddy" if using a tow bar.