Tuesday was both a happy and a sad day. After a hectic weekend of locating and test driving four sub compact cars from the Motor Coach Magazine dinghy car list, we made our decision and purchased a white, 2012 Hyundai Accent Hatchback.
It was sad to drive our red Prius for the last time. It was a very good, solid ride. In five years and 84,000 miles, it never gave us any trouble. If it didn't weigh so much, and could have been towed, we would have kept it for long time.
But if we want to ride together in the Alfa, we need a car we can tow.
Good-by Prius.
Speaking of price, we were both a bit shocked by the cost of a tow package! We haven't bought one yet, but we're leaning toward a Blue Ox and an Air Force. We got an estimate on a Roadmaster and an Air Force One from the place that's doing our Alfa body work.
The repair estimate was a shocker too! We usually just pay for such things out of pocket without filing an insurance claim. But as it turned out there was more damage than just the fiberglass corner. It seems the back panel separated both along the side edge and the roof edge. And they will need to repaint the entire back end! The estimate was over $5000. Big Ouch!
Too bad Alfateers is way down in Southern California.
Our insurance adjustor has been to take a look, and has authorized the work. It will take a couple of weeks before she is home again. Meanwhile we have to make a decision on the tow package and get it ordered and installed before the Crater Lake trip.
If you have a class A, what tow package do you have? Do you like it? Any advice will be appreciated.
so no tow package here..but my parents have blue ox and a brake buddy..they tow a honda civic.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the purchase of your new toad! We hope you enjoy many fun and carefree miles!
ReplyDeleteWe have a Blue Ox tow bar and baseplate and a US Gear Unified Tow Brake. Love it! No air connection between the motorhome and toad. Just safety cables, power and a breakaway cable. Very simple, and safe!
Have fun with your research!
We just bought the Blue Ox and my husband just installed it on our new Subaru. Have not bought the brake unit yet. We have a 32' Holiday Rambler Vacationer.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a Class A but we do have a Roadmaster tow package for our Fit. Love the Roadmaster - so easy to hook up even if you are unlevel or not lined up straight. Good luck in finding what works best for you. And congratulations on the new car.
ReplyDeletewe have roadmaster and brake buddy... although I would prefer the air force one...
ReplyDeleteWe tow our HHR with a Blue Ox. Very well built tow system, and hooking/unhooking is simple. Our setup is like Paul and Mary's--a toad braking system is unnecessary, in my opinion, with such a light car. Never had a bit of problems and it's so easy.
ReplyDeleteYes, towing systems are expensive. We've had our Roadmaster for 5 years with no problems. We do not have a brake package & have never needed one towing our Hyundai Santa Fe or our Jeep Wrangler. Couple emergency stops over the years & no problem. If it wasn't for the back up camera we would never know we are towing anything.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your research on the toad. Looks like you got the perfect one!
ReplyDeleteOuch on the cost of the repairs..
Congrats on the new car. I'm sure you'll find it nice to have a car when you go someplace.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Roadmaster Tow bar that is on the truck. We bought it years ago from Craigs list and didn't even know they made tow bars that fit on the back of the motorhome...Or we would have gotten that type. It works fine though, I would just prefer it to be attached to the motorhome.
We have the Air Force One braking system and we love it. I believe it was $1400 installed.
Just read a few other comments about not needing a braking system for such a small car, but I believe it's a law in most states to have a braking system.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car. I know what you're saying about not filing insurance claims, but sometimes it's just a good thing to have the coverage and use it.
ReplyDeleteCalifornia is one of the states that requires towed cars to have braking systems.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car Merikay, I wish I could offer advice but we were told my wifes 2008 Escape couldn't be towed four down so we opted for a dolly.
ReplyDeleteNow I find out people are towing 2008 Escapes 4 down all over the place, go figure.
Good luck with the repair the the tow choice. ;)
Erik
Merikay - You can tell by the pictures that you have lost weight. Congrats on that as well you look great!
ReplyDeleteErik
Like Paul and Mary, I have Blue Ox and the US Gear Tow Brake. Works like a charm. Yes, brakes are required by law in some states.
ReplyDeleteLike the choice on your new toad. Sure is going to make the Oregon trip nice.
ReplyDeletePaul and Sandy:
ReplyDeleteYou are obviously practical people, well grounded in reality.
We live in the state of California, which doesn't always follow practicality and reality.
Far as I know, CA requires braking systems on all toads regardless of weight.
Thanks for responding,
Craig MacKenna
Hmmmm. We have a lightweight tracker and no braking system. Clueless perhaps? We have traveled in 40 or so states without it. We have a Roadmaster Stow-Master hitch and love it. Fast and easy and solid. A break away safety chain and electrical hookup to the Tracker.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you got a car you can tow. Looking forward to seeing all of you soon!
First of all congrats on the purchase of white Hatchback. i think , you had good experience and also enjoyed lot while driving Hyundai Hatchback. According to me, you want to do more and more research on red Hyundai Prius.
ReplyDeleteCheap Used Cars
Like many of the others on here we have the Blue Ox and have towed with it through several MHs. Same setup as Paul and Mary.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new car!! Enjoy!
What a cute toad! We are looking into a system that our Miata can use. We know it cannot be towed.
ReplyDelete