doghouse_owner
Seattle
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Joined: 01/20/2008
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I use my "B" for onsite camping and a place for the dogs to hang out at when competing in weekend dog agility events around the Pacific northwest.
I'm in the process of getting my 2009 Honda Fit set up to tow behind my 2008 Roadtrek RSA on the 2007 2500 Sprinter chassis - while I agree that I will lose out on ease of parking while connected, there is a tremendous gain in that I can leave behind my Roadtrek on site, all set up, including exterior dog ex-pens, patio mats, etc and play tourist in the evenings scooting around in just the Fit.
Granted, most B's are shorter than mine; with a semi-permanent Stowaway2 storage box on the end of mine, mine rivals some smaller C's for length. Parking absolutely means 2 slots front to back - I would rather go around the block again than parallel park it, but this just reflects my laziness ;-) to try.
I would have greatly appreciated having my Fit last weekend when the Sprinter's steering wheel ignition module went dead while down in Redmond, OR(thankfully in front of the destination RV park office). I was extremely lucky that a friend was able to share space in their RV and give us (2 adults, 3 dogs) a 7 hr lift home at the end of the weekend while the Sprinter was towed to the nearest Sprinter certified dealership for repairs (thankfully not in the opposite direction to home).
Everyone's uses and needs will be different. I will not always tow the Fit, but I do think it worth having the option, and will certainly take advantage of it over the next few years.
BTW, I did look seriously at the Smart car, but ultimately found more comfort in the handling, safety features and room in the Fit - my Fit easily transported 4 adults (2 over 6' tall) with storage in the back down to Portland this past week. Couldn't have done that in the Smart Car. The Sport Automatic Fit was cheaper than the base model Smart Car and weighs in at only about 700-800 pounds more, so it is well within the range of safety as a toad for any of the Roadtreks.
Wendy A
Wendy
Owned and trained by Cocoa, Mikey and the Ollie-man
2008 Roadtrek RS Adventurous
2009 Honda Sport Fit (ribbet  )
Stowaway2 on swingaway tow frame
2002 Honda Odyssey EXL
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RetiredArmy
Zephyrhills
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Joined: 03/21/2007
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Well, we did it. Got a 2009 Smart Car to tow behind our 2001 RT Versitile. Like a couple of other folks we have a small dog. Should we do anything, sightsee, etc, we would have to park the RT and run the generator in order for our little Pasco (part yorkie) to survive the heat. Hopefully we won't have any problems.
Larry G.
Brenda and Larry - Retired
2001 RoadTrek 200 Versatile
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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Joined: 10/20/2005
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RetiredArmy wrote:Well, we did it. Got a 2009 Smart Car to tow behind our 2001 RT Versitile. Like a couple of other folks we have a small dog. Should we do anything, sightsee, etc, we would have to park the RT and run the generator in order for our little Pasco (part yorkie) to survive the heat. Hopefully we won't have any problems.
Larry G.
Congrats!
Please post pics of your 'Smart Car' tow hook-up!...anxious to see how the rig looks...
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CJBill
Rockville Md.
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Joined: 10/09/2005
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Just a note of caution. Many do not consider it safe to rely on the generator to keep the AC running to protect a pet. I know the one in my RT190P is not that reliable.
"Like a couple of other folks we have a small dog. Should we do anything, sightsee, etc, we would have to park the RT and run the generator in order for our little Pasco (part yorkie) to survive the heat. Hopefully we won't have any problems."
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Handbasket
Asheville, NC
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Joined: 01/17/2003
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There are wireless / pager-type alarms that will signal you if you're away and the generator quits. I don't have one, so can't comment on how well they work.
Jim, "We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on the butt.... then things get worse."
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
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baywoodbill
California
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Joined: 11/10/2005
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Most of those who are recommending specific toads are owners of Class A or C Rvs. As you've seen, nearly all of the B owners can't see the value of a toad. We are highly mobile without one. Yet, the responder who uses her B as a kennel for dog shows has a point.
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bbennick
Houston
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Joined: 02/15/2006
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We have a 2005 PT Cruiser that we outfitted for towing when we had a class C.
When we go to city destinations where parking is an issue, we sometimes bring the toad with the B.
We also have the Casita TT.
Nothing beats the freedom of driving the B without anything connected to the hitch, but sometimes the TT or the toad makes the trip better.
2006 Sportsmobile Sprinter
Modified 19S Floorplan
2008 Casita 17' Deluxe
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RetiredArmy
Zephyrhills
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Joined: 03/21/2007
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Hit The Road Jack: As soon as the work is done with the tow bar, etc, I will post a picture or 2. Waiting now for an appointment for the installation.
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Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
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RetiredArmy wrote:Hit The Road Jack: As soon as the work is done with the tow bar, etc, I will post a picture or 2. Waiting now for an appointment for the installation.
Thanks Larry!...awaiting the 2 pics anxiously...
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mandofrog
Reno, NV
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Joined: 08/17/2004
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Congratulations on your Smart! We tow ours, also. We purposely bought an E350 for it's towing capacity and had it converted to a camper. There are many times when we want to leave the van set up, awning out and plugged in to power and water. The Smart is a perfect toad and lets us come and go from our camp site without having to set up, take down, set up...
Randy and Lori Wilson
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