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Topic: Possible toad/scooter alternative (Read 239 times) previous topic - next topic
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Possible toad/scooter alternative
While looking for non-trailer, non-dolly, non-4-down car transport alternatives, I ran across this type of vehicle:

Joyner - off-road recreational, all terrain vehicles

According to enthusiast websites (not the factory site) some of these models are road legal in some states.
(Much more widely road legal in Europe.)  I did not do a state-to-state investigation, or call them up.  And the enthusiasts sites didn't go into the differences between 'road legal', 'highway legal', and 'interstate legal' with respect to towed or driven use.

Moving on, on European sites, they offer tow brackets that lift the entire front off the road, converting the vehicle into a two-wheeled trailer.  No dolly to store, maneuver, license or maintain. They're pretty light and seat two, albeit out in the weather. They're too wide to be considered an ATV for Ohio's 4' max on trails, but that limitation doesn't exist everywhere.

From a road safety aspect, I'd probably consider them about as safe as a 4-wheel motorcycle.  So, not without risk, but the larger ones are Smart Car sized...

Which begs the question: why isn't there a tow bracket for Smart Cars that lifts the front off the ground entirely, so they're just as maneuverable as a trailer?  If tongue weight was overly high, one of those 'helper caster road wheel' hitches would help out.   Since Smart Cars can apparently be towed 4-down, (based on RoadMaster setups) then 2-down would be possible.

Basically, 2-down instead of 4-down would let you back up without unhitching.  Of course, if you put electrically-depolyable low-speed casters on the tow bar, just enough to lift the front end, you could then back up without unhitching.  (Relay activated by backup light, of course.) But I digress, as I often do...

Hmmm...
I welcome the inevitable voices of reason and experience.  :)

This started by looking at "repo" style wheel lifts, that mount discreetly beneath larger pickups.  They hydraulically extend out and lift the toad by the front wheels on a platform that swivels for maneuverability forward and backward.  Downside, they are high in cost, weight, and undercarriage footprint.  Which would be fine if you had a lot of money, a full-frame coach, extra CCC to spare, and didn't really need those pesky gray and black water tanks back there.


(Full disclosure: my toads hop up on a trailer for the ride.)
Chip 
2000 Front Lounge
 
Re: Possible toad/scooter alternative
Reply #1 –
Well, I have a Polaris Rzr 570 that I carried in the back of a Silverado extended cab truck.  Pulled it for a few years behind my diesel pusher.  The last couple years I've pulled it inside a 6x10 enclosed trailer behind my Tahoe.  It is street legal and licensed in Arizona.  Utah and a few other states do recognize and allow it to drive on roads (except limited access 4 lanes).  So I can tow it behind my MB and have a highway/offroad vehicle in a few states.  I also just bought a used Jeep Liberty 4x4 and will be towing that also.  That gives me the option of bringing either depending on where we're going or what we plan to do once we get there.
I would not want to tow my Rzr behind anything 4 down even if it was ok to do so.  For one the tires would wear very fast since they're designed for off-road and driving is not recommended.  You can get different tires but still wouldn't want to tow it.  I don't think the frame is strong enough.
2004 26.5 MB
Enjoying retirement traveling, Rzr riding, photography, and of course the 2 grand girls!