Harbor Freight Reviews

Link: http://HarborFreightReviews.com

This guide to "The Poor Man's Toad" is subtitled "How to get your toad on the road economically." Before describing the components, a brief explanation of the terms is in order for the non-RVers starting with, eh, "RV" which stands for "recreational vehicle" and includes motor homes ("MoHos") and travel trailers. Even pick-up trucks with camper tops that are actually used for sleeping are included in this category. An "RVer" is obviously one who uses an "RV" or more simply put one who "RVs."

Technically, the word is "towed" which is the truncated expression for "towed vehicle" -- that little tag-along car or SUV that is towed behind a MoHo for use once the RV is parked in the campground. RVer's have much more fun with the expressive term "toad," so it's fitting that we introduce an new acronym "towed often and driven" or "T.O.A.D." which shortens to "toad" in popular use. Remember, you heard it first here on Harbor Freight Reviews, the introduction of an original acronym justifying spelling and pronunciation of "TOAD" which would otherwise just be "towed" .

Toads are typically seen behind the larger, over 35' motor homes. They simplify touring an area or going out to eat where parking a large motor home can be an inconvenience to put it mildly. And of course they save on gasoline when touring from a campground base, and for "boondockers" they ensure that your camping spot won't be taken by some intruder while you're away exploring the area with your motor home on a day trip. Toads are sometimes also seen with mini motor homes, those less than 30' long, and perhaps a state or two allows toads to be pulled behind a fifth wheel (that's a special type of travel trailer for you non-RVers).

Components for "The Poor Man's Toad"

1. 5000-lb capacity adjustable tow bar ($49.99 or less),
2. 12-volt magnetic towing-light kit ($9.99), and (optional)
3. 12-volt portable electric winch or equivalent ($49.99).

So what's the purpose behind the optional winch? Well, that's really quite simple and rather ingeniously solves the common problem of hooking up your toad to your motor home. (Remember, you read it first on Harbor Freight Reviews.) Move your toad close to your motor home and then attach your winch to either the motor home (the Harbor Freight model listed above has a coupling to attach to your hitch ball; click here to read the review) or the toad. You might even consider a permanently mounted winch. Now simply winch your toad to the hitch on your MoHO (you did put the toad in neutral and unlock the steering column, didn't you?) and BINGO, you have a matching connection. This system could be particularly helpful when using the Harbor Freight tow bar which is rigid and thus requires a perfect match between the hitch ball on your MoHo and the tow hitch coupling on your toad. And the same approach (pun intended ) should also work well matching up any towed device that requires a perfect match with the hitch ball and coupler.

Bottom line: A quick and easy "poor man's toad" can be assembled from two Harbor Freight products: their 5000-lb tow bar and their 12-volt magnetic towing-light kit. Add an optional 12-volt electric winch to your set-up and you can align your vehicles even easier than most people using those expensive tow bars.