What is your favorite toad for a 2015 Itasca Sunstar 27N

[Alcinda]

Hi everyone, we just joined the Motorhome community. We recently purchased the Itasca Sunstar 27N with the Ford V10 engine. We are in the market for a toad and we'd love to hear some advise from those of you who have towed a car with the V10 gasser. I'm assuming we want to stay as light as possible. We just need a small car that will fit 2 sets of golf clubs and 2 adults.
Thank you all so much in advance for your input.
Happy Trails,
Alcinda

 

[creativepart]

Here’s the thing, there are not that many vehicles that are capable of being flat towed behind your motorhome. And there are fewer every year.

You are limited by the 5000 lb hitch rating but going lighter can save a tiny bit on gas mileage and make hills slightly easier to traverse. You have enough HP and torque to do fine towing anything below that limit.

You asked for favorites and historically the two favorites have been Jeeps and 2014 and older Honda CR-Vs. But there are lots of GM and Ford options that work just as well.

Do a Google search for Dinghy Towing Guides and see what the limitations are for each model year and go from there.

We’ve had 3-toads:
1. Fiat 500 (Manual Transmission)
2. 2016 Lincoln MKX
3. 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid

They all towed about the same. The Fiat was the lightest but made little difference in actual use.

 

[Lv2Roam2]

Welcome to a new set of friends! Our toads have been Jeeps - some are bigger / heavier than you may want. Search for the annual 'Motorhome Dinghy Towing Guides' put out by RV Life and Motorhome Magazines / sites. Lots of good info. Do not trust a salesman to know what works 4-down and how and think carefully about dolly-towing (my bias). Putting my bias aside - nearly all vehicles can be towed on a dolly. Please consider posting on IRV2 also - lots of experienced RVers. Safe travels...

 

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Alcinda-

I owned a 2009 Honda Fit Sport (automatic) when I bought my first motorhome. I added the parts to make it into a toad. It was a great car- much larger inside than it appeared on the outside. I used it as a "portable storage shed."

As "creativepart" said, the most popular toads are Jeeps of various years and models and 2014-and-earlier Honda CR-Vs.

You may want to look at the toad section of the iRV2 Classifieds (link here) to get an idea of models and prices. If you don't have a vehicle that you can modify to become a toad you may be better off buying one already modified, per the Classifieds.

Notes:

1) A complete towing system consists of:
a) Baseplate (except for some Jeep setups)
b) Towbar (should match the baseplate attachment points)
c) Braking system
d) Breakaway system (often part of the braking system)
e) Rear light system (turn and brake lights activated by motorhome)
f) Optional: Braking system activation light easily observed from the driver's seat

2) You should always read the manufacturer's owner's manual for the year and model of the vehicle, to see what it says about "recreational towing" or "towing behind a motorhome." If the manual says it can't be done, even if you find a vehicle already modified to be towed, then if you buy and tow the vehicle you may be taking a risk of damage/loss for which the manufacturer will not reimburse you.

3) You may as well find out about this now: You should not back up with a flat-tow. Can it be done: Yes. Should it be done: No. You can damage the towbar and the coach, and most towbar manufacturer warranties will not cover damages incurred by backing with the toad connected.

 

[Alcinda]

Thank you all, you are so informative! I will check out those links provided. We did purchase the Blue Ox system the previous owner had setup with a Jeep Sahara, but we didn't like the ride of the Jeep, so we didn't purchase that. So we have 'half' of the equation I guess.

Again, thanks to you all who took the time to give me some great info!
Happy trails!
Alcinda

 

[JimBath]

Wow, which toad is best. Like asking what's best Coke or Pepsi. LOL Over the years I have towed Sizuki Sidekick, Ford Ranger, Jeep Wrangler, and now since downsizing, I have towed a Mini Cooper since 2012. Must be a stick shift; only weighs less than 3,000 LB. Lost the 2012 in hurricane Ian, so bought a 2022 Mini convertible. Love it, of course it is only a two-seater, but goes anywhere and gets 40-43 MPG on premium fuel. Semper Fi, Jim

 

[powercat_ras]

I have a 2015 Vista 27N. I suggest you consider getting the 87 Octane RV Tune from 5 Star Tuning, it will slightly improve power and torque curves and will adjust transmission shift points which will help you when flat towing.

I have used 3 towed in the 10 years that might meet your criteria. I have always used Blue Ox Baseplates and the Blue Ox 6,000 lb tow bar.

All of these weigh under 5,000 pounds even when they are carrying some stuff when they are flat towed. They all can be equipped with a hitch receiver to allow carrying a bike rack.


2016 Honda HR-V 4 door with 5 speed manual. Only about 1% of HR-Vs were made with the manual transmission, and in recent model years the manual is not even offered anymore. Only the 5-speed manual version is flat towable. Assembled in Mexico.

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid.
2024 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid (current toad)
Assembled in the United States.

Note that only the Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions are flat towable.

 

[HiBanky]

A lot of good answers to your question here. Just to add to that I've been towing a 2014 Honda CRV with an automatic transmission for several years and with over 30,000 towing miles. Had only one issue on the first day out which was a dead battery. I resolve this problem by adding a switch to the dashboard that disconnect the accessories via the accessory fuse. Since then no problems. It is very Important to follow the preparation procedure in the owner's manual before driving off.

 

[Alcinda]

A lot of good answers to your question here. Just to add to that I've been towing a 2014 Honda CRV with an automatic transmission for several years and with over 30,000 towing miles. Had only one issue on the first day out which was a dead battery. I resolve this problem by adding a switch to the dashboard that disconnect the accessories via the accessory fuse. Since then no problems. It is very Important to follow the preparation procedure in the owner's manual before driving off.

Great advise! Thank you!

 

[marudnick]

We have a 2019 Sunstar 29VE, which has the same engine as yours. We have been towing a Ford Focus and are very pleased with it. The Focus automatic can be towed, which is great. My wife is no longer physically able to use a stick shift. The car is fun to drive and gets reasonable mileage. Unfortunately, Ford stopped selling the Focus in 2020, so you would have to find a used model.

As others have said, it's getting harder to find a new model that can be flat towed. Good luck!

 

[Alcinda]

Great advise! Thank you!

I have a question for you on that Accessory Fuse.

A lot of good answers to your question here. Just to add to that I've been towing a 2014 Honda CRV with an automatic transmission for several years and with over 30,000 towing miles. Had only one issue on the first day out which was a dead battery. I resolve this problem by adding a switch to the dashboard that disconnect the accessories via the accessory fuse. Since then no problems. It is very Important to follow the preparation procedure in the owner's manual before driving off.

Hello, can you give me more information on that accessory disconnect fuse switch? My 2018 GMC truck says I need to disconnect the battery, of course, because the key will be in Accessory mode, but when you disconnect the battery, you lose all your settings every time! What a pain. Can you share how and what you installed in your CRV?

 

[Alcinda]

I have a 2015 Vista 27N. I suggest you consider getting the 87 Octane RV Tune from 5 Star Tuning, it will slightly improve power and torque curves and will adjust transmission shift points which will help you when flat towing.

I have used 3 towed in the 10 years that might meet your criteria. I have always used Blue Ox Baseplates and the Blue Ox 6,000 lb tow bar.

All of these weigh under 5,000 pounds even when they are carrying some stuff when they are flat towed. They all can be equipped with a hitch receiver to allow carrying a bike rack.


2016 Honda HR-V 4 door with 5 speed manual. Only about 1% of HR-Vs were made with the manual transmission, and in recent model years the manual is not even offered anymore. Only the 5-speed manual version is flat towable. Assembled in Mexico.

2020 Ford Escape Hybrid.
2024 Ford Escape Plug In Hybrid (current toad)
Assembled in the United States.

Note that only the Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions are flat towable.

Hey Randy, so I went to the 5 star tuning website and there are no results when I searched on the 97-2015 Ford 6.8 L Class A Tuners. How long ago did you tune your 2015 Winnie? Can we use the newer version they have?

 

[HiBanky]

I have a question for you on that Accessory Fuse.

Hello, can you give me more information on that accessory disconnect fuse switch? My 2018 GMC truck says I need to disconnect the battery, of course, because the key will be in Accessory mode, but when you disconnect the battery, you lose all your settings every time! What a pain. Can you share how and what you installed in your CRV?

So here are the details. You will need a 20 amp single pull single throw switch, I used a rocker switch with an indicator light, another fuse of the same value and some 12 gage wire. Shrink wrap is better than electrical tape but use what you like.

Locate the ACC fuse and pull it out.

Drill and 1/8" hole through the plastic and the element of a new fuse so to create an open circuit.

With a utility knife cut some of the plastic on the drilled fuse away from the two terminals so to facilitate soldering wire to them.

Solder 2 wires to the exposed terminals of the drilled fuse.

Solder one of those wires to your new switch and the other to one end of the original fuse.

Solder a third wire to the other side of the original fuse and the other end of the wire to the other terminal on the switch.

Cover the exposed wire with shrink wrap or tape.

Install the switch in the dash and insert the modified fuse into the ACC location in the fuse block.

(The inserted modified fuse must be an open circuit and you must include the inline fuse or electrical damage, fire, injury or even death could occur.)

 

[Alcinda]

So here are the details. You will need a 20 amp single pull single throw switch, I used a rocker switch with an indicator light, another fuse of the same value and some 12 gage wire. Shrink wrap is better than electrical tape but use what you like.

Locate the ACC fuse and pull it out.

Drill and 1/8" hole through the plastic and the element of a new fuse so to create an open circuit.

With a utility knife cut some of the plastic on the drilled fuse away from the two terminals so to facilitate soldering wire to them.

Solder 2 wires to the exposed terminals of the drilled fuse.

Solder one of those wires to your new switch and the other to one end of the original fuse.

Solder a third wire to the other side of the original fuse and the other end of the wire to the other terminal on the switch.

Cover the exposed wire with shrink wrap or tape.

Install the switch in the dash and insert the modified fuse into the ACC location in the fuse block.

(The inserted modified fuse must be an open circuit and you must include the inline fuse or electrical damage, fire, injury or even death could occur.)

Thank you for the detailed and quick reply!

 

[Morich]

I might suggest doing the search in a bit different way as things are changing quicly and some of the cars we used to tow are no longer made as well as what we each like will vary so much!

you may know best what you like, so I might start with that and go on the smaller lighter end of things. Then to see if those cars are well set for towing, look for the owners manuals and read about recreational towing, etc. Different manuals may use different terms.
OR
An alternate is to do a search for cars to flat tow? Thee will be lists of what works and what doesn't and that can be a quick way to avoid searching out dozens of cars which are too difficult to mod for the job.
Generally older and stick shift are more likely to be good. But the problem is that those stick shift cars are getting scarce and may leave you looking at things you really don't want to drive!
Four wheel drive Jeeps may be good for some but not for us!
If this is not going to be a car that is used much for everyday, it may make sense to buy and older stick model if it may do lots of setting in between trips?
We found 2015 Ford Focus suited us well for a few years we towed using the V10! Going up hills was not a big problem as we just buckled in for a slow trip up. Coming down was the part I did not like and had to get used to engine braking and downshifts!

It's a trek to shop and it never gets exactly right around here!

 

[bigbAZ]

So here are the details. You will need a 20 amp single pull single throw switch, I used a rocker switch with an indicator light, another fuse of the same value and some 12 gage wire. Shrink wrap is better than electrical tape but use what you like.

Locate the ACC fuse and pull it out.

Drill and 1/8" hole through the plastic and the element of a new fuse so to create an open circuit.

With a utility knife cut some of the plastic on the drilled fuse away from the two terminals so to facilitate soldering wire to them.

Solder 2 wires to the exposed terminals of the drilled fuse.

Solder one of those wires to your new switch and the other to one end of the original fuse.

Solder a third wire to the other side of the original fuse and the other end of the wire to the other terminal on the switch.

Cover the exposed wire with shrink wrap or tape.

Install the switch in the dash and insert the modified fuse into the ACC location in the fuse block.

(The inserted modified fuse must be an open circuit and you must include the inline fuse or electrical damage, fire, injury or even death could occur.)

Very clever. This could save you some work: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CTRNYR1?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

 

[powercat_ras]

Hey Randy, so I went to the 5 star tuning website and there are no results when I searched on the 97-2015 Ford 6.8 L Class A Tuners. How long ago did you tune your 2015 Winnie? Can we use the newer version they have?

I bought mine from 5 star tuning about 7 or 8 years ago. Still works. I suggest you call them and talk to a representative. The tune comes with a device that plugs into the OBD2 port that allows you to switch back and forth between the OEM ECM program and the 5 Star 87 Octane RV Tune program. It also reads and resets fault codes and provides display of various things the ECM knows about the engine system.

 

[Alcinda]

Gotcha, thank you!