If you search “top ten TOAD (towed flat behind RV) vehicles” the top seven are all Jeeps. Essentially, it’s the only vehicle that appears to be designed from the factory to be flat towed.
As a result, they have cornered the market and are essentially the only thing towed behind RV’s.
I don’t like Jeeps. It’s why I built a Scout many years ago. I modified a Mini Cooper Clubman to be my toad, but you have to be very specific as to which model, and the latest one available is a 2013.
I’m very interested in a Scout SUV, and all of the marketing adds up to it being capable of being an incredible toad. Most RV parks have 50A plugs, so charging is easy. Many RV’s have giant generators (mine is 8K) so could top it off in a pinch, and the obvious capability to have the vehicle regenerate while braking is a slam dunk.
A Scout, or any EV designed with “Flat tow mode” would be a first. There are so many wonderful possible ways to make it even better, but merely the ability to unlock the hubs/axles and do it I would call a 95% victory.
For bonus points:
1) Make it brake itself in tow mode. No need for supplemental braking system.
2) Make sure the lights integrate with a tow package so that you have brake lights and indicators and don’t need extra lighting.
3) Even more points if you can have some form of light regen under way, so that you could choose to make the tow a little harder, but recharge the battery in the Scout while you drive. Mileage will suffer on the tow vehicle, but it might be something I’d be happy to sacrifice to be topped off in the next stop.
4) Integrate hard points for a tow bar hookup. Might just work perfectly with the existing tow cleats, might be something more rugged and advanced.
5) It is possible that the Scout could even “carry its own weight” so to speak in mountainous terrain. Just enough assistance to only be a moderate drag on the RV, but would allow smaller RV’s to crest higher summits. I would have this speed-limit to something pretty low (55mph or so) but I could see it being a massive help to smaller RV owners.
Almost none of this has ever been done. Jeep dominates merely by being able to be flat towed, with zero further integration necessary.
RV’ers have money, and our selection of a toad is restricted completely to what is available.
Lastly, this is a fixed requirement for my interest in a Scout. I ordered a Bronco Raptor because it can be flat towed, but then didn’t like the truck much when it came out and have stuck with the Mini. I won’t get a Jeep, but I should.
Pic of my old Scout for attention.
As a result, they have cornered the market and are essentially the only thing towed behind RV’s.
I don’t like Jeeps. It’s why I built a Scout many years ago. I modified a Mini Cooper Clubman to be my toad, but you have to be very specific as to which model, and the latest one available is a 2013.
I’m very interested in a Scout SUV, and all of the marketing adds up to it being capable of being an incredible toad. Most RV parks have 50A plugs, so charging is easy. Many RV’s have giant generators (mine is 8K) so could top it off in a pinch, and the obvious capability to have the vehicle regenerate while braking is a slam dunk.
A Scout, or any EV designed with “Flat tow mode” would be a first. There are so many wonderful possible ways to make it even better, but merely the ability to unlock the hubs/axles and do it I would call a 95% victory.
For bonus points:
1) Make it brake itself in tow mode. No need for supplemental braking system.
2) Make sure the lights integrate with a tow package so that you have brake lights and indicators and don’t need extra lighting.
3) Even more points if you can have some form of light regen under way, so that you could choose to make the tow a little harder, but recharge the battery in the Scout while you drive. Mileage will suffer on the tow vehicle, but it might be something I’d be happy to sacrifice to be topped off in the next stop.
4) Integrate hard points for a tow bar hookup. Might just work perfectly with the existing tow cleats, might be something more rugged and advanced.
5) It is possible that the Scout could even “carry its own weight” so to speak in mountainous terrain. Just enough assistance to only be a moderate drag on the RV, but would allow smaller RV’s to crest higher summits. I would have this speed-limit to something pretty low (55mph or so) but I could see it being a massive help to smaller RV owners.
Almost none of this has ever been done. Jeep dominates merely by being able to be flat towed, with zero further integration necessary.
RV’ers have money, and our selection of a toad is restricted completely to what is available.
Lastly, this is a fixed requirement for my interest in a Scout. I ordered a Bronco Raptor because it can be flat towed, but then didn’t like the truck much when it came out and have stuck with the Mini. I won’t get a Jeep, but I should.
Pic of my old Scout for attention.
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