We tow a 2013 Smart Car behind our 2011 Winnebago View. We always tow with a bungee through the steering wheel to the seat below. We Velcro a strip of fluorescent green tape to the top of the steering wheel, which also has a strip of white reflective tape on it. It makes it very easy to view the steering wheel position day or night through our rear view camera.
Greetings Eric, Even though you can get away with backing up your car, if you must back up with the car, it is best to only back up straight and not attempt to turn. The reality is, the base plates and the frame on your car is not designed to take the push and side load stresses. On your first turn, you can actually see your front tires scuff the pavement a bit, as the car was being forced to turn. This puts very hard stresses on where your frame and base plates are attached. This eventually will fatigue that area and the base plates can dis-attach from from your car frame while you're tootling down the road. There have been many situations of base plate dis-attachment, just from normal towing stresses and it is not a pleasant situation when that happens. These systems are already under a lot of stress under normal use, so please consider avoiding any turns while you are backing up with the toad. As the saying goes, we often mistaken the difference between luck and safety. All the best, and safe travels!
A rare commentor here. Want to acknowledge taking your video quality a step up, going from super to what ever is above that. Certainly is top of the line. Setting a really good, high bar for the TH-cam industry. Picture quality, videography, sound, content and presentation - all whatever is above super, in my opinion. Thank you.
My daughter watches your channel and recommended it. Now I am trying to catch up 10 years! I truly enjoy your enthusiasm and realness about life joys and challenges on the road. This episode 2as extremely informative. I pull a Fiat Abarth behind my class B with a Blue Ox set up. (Thank you for showing the quick fix when less than ideal circumstances arise.)
Thanks Eric. I have been RV'ing for 40 years. You can teach an old dog new tricks. There has been many times I only needed 10 feet but was afraid. THANKS
"Hi Eric". I've been critical of a few of your past videos but this one was decent because you had more Jax in it and you didn't do any complaining about much of anything. I understand life isn't always roses and there is problems we all face but it's all relative, so I like it when you do your videos with WAY LESS complaining about things. I don't mind watching when you feature Jax more. You should give him equal time on the videos and keep them more like this one was. This video was fun & more enjoyable to watch. MORE JAX!! :)
Hey! Just caught your latest, the takin a chance thing, backing up the car? Ain't it great when it works.. I just hit the road yesterday. Left Concho. Az. For Quartzsite. At dusk I almost got run off the road by a careless Simi truck& trailer. Crusin along in my 1/2 ton chev. stepside with a 30 ft. Trailer RV..,I look in my rear view. and his trailer and mine were about to have a very HOT kiss. There was about 3-4 inches, and I did a no no, knee-jerked the wheel just slightly enough to get me started going "Fishy". Out of the gas, and down from 60, to 48 mph and saved it. I found the next place to pull over for the nite a got stoned. Today is a new day. Anyway thanks for the ride along, never been east of Oklahoma, always good to see some new ground. Safe Travels, RT.
Hey Eric, I found your channel a couple months ago and have been loving your channel. Last year I started converting a bus for travel, but got worried that it would be too big for serious travel, however watching you in your rv has given me renewed hope. Thanks!
I will tell you as a 67 year old that's your taste will change with everything as you get older, in reference to your change for the movie you watched.
If you have another person, they can steer the car same as the RV and backup at a pretty astonishing angle like those fire trucks that steer from the rear.
Great video again Eric. I commented on someone's comment on Sailing Doodle's latest vid, commenter mentioned your generator issue, as Bobby is already having problems with his rear generator on his powerboat shutting off after 3-4 hours...oil is fine, temp is fine. Here we go again. BTW his sidekick is a little cuter than yours....LOL
"Can't live in fear". So true in 2020-2021. Every time I watch one of your vids, I get a tad bit jealous that you are living life. Seems like too many of us (me included) just go through the motions, either by choice or by moronic rules & regulations forces upon us. Keep on living life...on your terms. Rock on Nomadic & Mr. Jax!!!
Love the security idea. As full time RVers, we know full well the need for personal security while on the road. Fortunately, while visiting Texas, we've been able to enjoy the State parks with the Park Pass and save a lot of cash while enjoying some security and the world around us. Stay safe and Squeeze the Day.
Hi Eric and Jax. Thats pretty cool how ya backed up. I have a motorhome with toad as well. Im gonna try that myself. Even tho you don’t recommend it.. haha.. thanks for the vids and you get a thumbs up on every video from the hillman home in Iowa where gas is climbing fast. From 1.95 a few months ago to about 2.77 right now
I have been backing up our RV ever since we started flat towing. It makes some people apoplectic when I tell them. I once backed up about 50 yards with the toad attached. You just have to be careful and watch the tires on the toad.
Love your "disclaimers". The wife burst out laughing. Hey when you pass by ho-us-ton or maybe Sanant-on-io you could give the "corrected" pronunciations. Poke the picky people.
NOTE, NOTE Eric it is a good idea to have that bungie in place all the time when towing. In some situations the car can start wip lashing and that stops it from happening. And backing up with it in place is good on most towing systems. Works fine on my Roadmaster system. And isn't the town you are in Baton Rouge not baton ROAD?
Hey Eric! Enjoyed the "Baton Rogue" jabs! 😄 Totally with you on not living a life of fear. Also, I didn't know Walmart carried RV lights with two brightness settings. Thanks for sharing!
I have a tow bar like u have, always put a bungee n steering wheel. We were told by friends, to release our brake cable from rv to tow car while backing up. Never have tried backing up, so it was interesting to c this video. 🤗
The front end of the car has "caster" that makes the wheels center when it's moving forward. It doesn't work that way when you move backwards. The bungee might work, but I wouldn't want to try it at more than a crawl. I think the light just needed a new rocker switch, but it looks like the new unit has some features the old one didn't.
I've towed many cars over the years with all sorts of tow bars and I always used a bungee to limit the steering wheel, you should use it ALL the time when towing.
The French are cringing Eric LOL ... for pronunciation, If you want, check out the song by Mary Chapin Carpenter ... 'Down at the Twist and Shout' ... and I have backed 4 wheels on the ground towed vehicles also, had to go slow enough to follow a 'double hinged' trailer ...i.e. hitch and the front steering of the towed vehicle ... started as followed front wheels around and had to reverse the rig at a point once the direction of the car in tow went my direction, in a snaking motion. Learned from a trucker who backed 'doubles' and had to make a few adjustments since he had 3 hinge points not 2... had the 5the wheel, the 1st trailer, a 'truck' for the second 5th wheel (dolly) and then the second trailer. Thereby he actually had a third pivot point ... have to work back from the front to get the back trailer to pivot the direction desired then follow it around from the rear back to the front, forward through each successive hinge point till you get the correct curve ... having said that your answer of the bungie, is fantastic ... makes it much easier, applying to a towed vehicle anyway ... awesome Eric! Thanks ... I can and will use that! Love your work; hope my teasing you occasionally doesn't bother you ... it's just for laughs you know ... again ... awesome video stile you have! I guess "it's Mickey Mouse" wouldn't really apply here ... LOL (again)
Don't blame you for not wanting to go through New Orleans. I'd have to go over there to the VA hospital and I was sure that I was going to die once I hit I-10. It's insane driving, I'd regularly get lost taking the wrong exists or finding the correct streets, the two ways would change to one ways and only by the grace of God I never ran over anyone. Exists would often be closed for no reason as well. Once I called my daughter and told her I'd send her post cards as It appeared that I would never escape from New Orleans. lol
Hi Eric, Cristol here and I like that your working on how to back up with the ox and love to see you stopped at our little oasis in Mississippi again! Hope Jax’s is still enjoying his special treats from Teddy and I. Stay safe and enjoy the freedoms of Texas!!
The seatbelt looped through the bottom of the steering wheel will also work if long enough. Just be careful you don't push the front tires sideways so much that you cause flat spots and extra ware on the steer tires or push them off the rim. I-12 is the short cut so you don't have to drive thru Atlantis. 😎 Good video. 👍🏻
The reason you shouldn't back up a four wheels flat car when toed behind your RV is because the front end steering has caster that makes the front wheels turn with your RV when you turn while going forward. However, because of caster settings, that does not work when you back up, the front wheels turn the wrong direction. Backing too far can mess up the caster on your towed vehicle and create a problem when you go back forward as the caster may be messed up.
Thanks Eric! We are soon to be motorhome owners after many years of towing a TT. I saw a comment by someone a while back where he said he got boxed in a parking spot and actually pulled his MH back 10 feet or so with his toad! Like your bungee idea and demo! Stay safe and thanks again 😻
Hi Eric, when you get to Texas you should stop for some great BBQ in Lockhart. Stop at the Buc-ee's first, of course! I went to Smitty's Market and Kreutz Market a few years ago on a cross country road trip. It was SO good. I live in SC and I love our pork BBQ here, but the beef was great for a change. Hi to Jax!
I saw a gas station in Central Florida at $2.89 a gallon and I was yelling, cussing while driving. Time to go on a gas strike and park the car for a while or just plan all in one trips.
Eric, no bungee needed. All you had to do is wrap your seatbelt through the steering wheel and click your seatbelt like normal... I drive a tow truck and tow cars for a living that system has never failed... take care, drive safe...
I hadn't seen this video yet, and was very happy to see Jax in all his beauty, and healthy before he got sick. It was a special treat, and one I will always remember. I love Jax, he is such a sweetie, and I know he is waiting for you on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
Just found your channel in the wee hrs of the morning. You're awesome! I live in Olympia, WA and that's how I found you. Great personality, editing, love Jax, etc. Be safe out there! Looking forward to more vids.
We tow a 2013 Smart Car behind our 2011 Winnebago View. We always tow with a bungee through the steering wheel to the seat below. We Velcro a strip of fluorescent green tape to the top of the steering wheel, which also has a strip of white reflective tape on it. It makes it very easy to view the steering wheel position day or night through our rear view camera.
Greetings Eric,
Even though you can get away with backing up your car, if you must back up with the car, it is best to only back up straight and not attempt to turn. The reality is, the base plates and the frame on your car is not designed to take the push and side load stresses. On your first turn, you can actually see your front tires scuff the pavement a bit, as the car was being forced to turn. This puts very hard stresses on where your frame and base plates are attached. This eventually will fatigue that area and the base plates can dis-attach from from your car frame while you're tootling down the road. There have been many situations of base plate dis-attachment, just from normal towing stresses and it is not a pleasant situation when that happens. These systems are already under a lot of stress under normal use, so please consider avoiding any turns while you are backing up with the toad. As the saying goes, we often mistaken the difference between luck and safety.
All the best, and safe travels!
A rare commentor here. Want to acknowledge taking your video quality a step up, going from super to what ever is above that. Certainly is top of the line. Setting a really good, high bar for the TH-cam industry. Picture quality, videography, sound, content and presentation - all whatever is above super, in my opinion. Thank you.
My daughter watches your channel and recommended it. Now I am trying to catch up 10 years! I truly enjoy your enthusiasm and realness about life joys and challenges on the road. This episode 2as extremely informative. I pull a Fiat Abarth behind my class B with a Blue Ox set up. (Thank you for showing the quick fix when less than ideal circumstances arise.)
Thanks Eric. I have been RV'ing for 40 years. You can teach an old dog new tricks. There has been many times I only needed 10 feet but was afraid. THANKS
"Hi Eric". I've been critical of a few of your past videos but this one was decent because you had more Jax in it and you didn't do any complaining about much of anything. I understand life isn't always roses and there is problems we all face but it's all relative, so I like it when you do your videos with WAY LESS complaining about things. I don't mind watching when you feature Jax more. You should give him equal time on the videos and keep them more like this one was. This video was fun & more enjoyable to watch. MORE JAX!! :)
Hey! Just caught your latest, the takin a chance thing, backing up the car? Ain't it great when it works..
I just hit the road yesterday. Left Concho. Az. For Quartzsite. At dusk I almost got run off the road by a careless Simi truck& trailer. Crusin along in my 1/2 ton chev. stepside with a 30 ft. Trailer RV..,I look in my rear view. and his trailer and mine were about to have a very HOT kiss.
There was about 3-4 inches, and I did a no no, knee-jerked the wheel just slightly enough to get me started going "Fishy". Out of the gas, and down from 60, to 48 mph and saved it. I found the next place to pull over for the nite a got stoned.
Today is a new day. Anyway thanks for the ride along, never been east of Oklahoma, always good to see some new ground. Safe Travels, RT.
Wow now I have a new understanding of under thinking THANK YOU ERIC I have a OX for my antique car
I just love how much Jax shows you so much love! I think your great too!
nice to see you found a way to back up, thats convienent when needed
On a level lot only, IMO.
i also seen tow drivers use the seat belt to do the same thing
@Alejandro Francis yea, I've been using flixzone for years myself :D
Hey Eric, I found your channel a couple months ago and have been loving your channel.
Last year I started converting a bus for travel, but got worried that it would be too big for serious travel, however watching you in your rv has given me renewed hope.
Thanks!
Good morning from Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦
Have a fantastic day, you two!
Eric you always have wonderful ideas!!!
It took me awhile to realize you were saying baton rouge weird. lol. I know you did it on purpose. Thanks eric!
I will tell you as a 67 year old that's your taste will change with everything as you get older, in reference to your change for the movie you watched.
PS- you can just run the seatbelt through the steering wheel and click it in 🤙🏼
If you have another person, they can steer the car same as the RV and backup at a pretty astonishing angle like those fire trucks that steer from the rear.
That’s a great point!!!
$2.79 Martinsburg WV. Backing up was interesting. Thanks for doing the research and sharing. Safe travels.
Your pronunciation of Baton Rouge cracks me up!
I was looking for this comment lol
Great video again Eric. I commented on someone's comment on Sailing Doodle's latest vid, commenter mentioned your generator issue, as Bobby is already having problems with his rear generator on his powerboat shutting off after 3-4 hours...oil is fine, temp is fine. Here we go again. BTW his sidekick is a little cuter than yours....LOL
Eric, you need a full length RV mud flaps to protect tater tot from the road garbage coming off your rear tires.
Problem with that is it cuts down your mph.
@@tombair9597 he doesn't care about gas mileage anyway
Nice fix with the light! The old one may have had the issue if it was originally designed for NON Led bulbs
I love AMC theaters too. Those chairs are so comfortable. Hi Jax!!
"Can't live in fear". So true in 2020-2021. Every time I watch one of your vids, I get a tad bit jealous that you are living life. Seems like too many of us (me included) just go through the motions, either by choice or by moronic rules & regulations forces upon us. Keep on living life...on your terms. Rock on Nomadic & Mr. Jax!!!
It was nice to see Jax showing the love.
Rainy weather is perfect for movie going.Glad to see you enjoying the moment!
16:48 - Like get drunk and eat cat treats? 🤣
CHEERS!
I'm glad you kept on the backup issue to the point of finding that convenience to your travels! Cool!
You DO know how to make a video Eric. Informative and entertaining. Keep 'em coming 👍 - Hal
$3.59+ per gallon for regular at the discounts in Southern California. Thanks for the video. Jon
Love the security idea. As full time RVers, we know full well the need for personal security while on the road. Fortunately, while visiting Texas, we've been able to enjoy the State parks with the Park Pass and save a lot of cash while enjoying some security and the world around us. Stay safe and Squeeze the Day.
$4 a gallon San Diego...very clever on the tow!
I love watching you and Jax interact. He loves you so much. Makes me smile. 🙂
Backing up looked like it will be fine for those tight spots! Boycott Coke now Eric 😉😎✌
Insulation dust gets into the switch, Take the lens off and vacuum!
Damn Gas Prices here in CA is $3.71 😱
Hi Eric and Jax. Thats pretty cool how ya backed up. I have a motorhome with toad as well. Im gonna try that myself. Even tho you don’t recommend it.. haha.. thanks for the vids and you get a thumbs up on every video from the hillman home in Iowa where gas is climbing fast. From 1.95 a few months ago to about 2.77 right now
That was a good idea with the bongie . Ive seen tow truck drivers wrap the seatbelt through the steering wheel.
Thanks for the info on the car towing, backing up ect. 👍
Hello. Love the Jax footage. Could watch hours of just Jax.
I have been backing up our RV ever since we started flat towing. It makes some people apoplectic when I tell them. I once backed up about 50 yards with the toad attached. You just have to be careful and watch the tires on the toad.
Love your "disclaimers". The wife burst out laughing. Hey when you pass by ho-us-ton or maybe Sanant-on-io you could give the "corrected" pronunciations. Poke the picky people.
Eric you're good to go on that back up trick. My dad taught me that 50 years ago for towing cars with a tow bar. Happy travels from Tacoma.
Good research that will be helpful in backing up with Tator hooked up.
great video, neat trick with the bungee, keep em coming Eric!
He's such a sweet boy! Truly one of the best cats! You can tell he loves you!
You are so right!! We are blessed in life when we have a pet buddy we really connect with!! 🐶😻💕
Really enjoyed your video. Everything seemed good and peaceful. Keep on keeping on.
One time I realized I didn't thumbs up your videos and so I went back and thumbs uped your last 100 videos.
Thumbs up
Lol that’s dedication. 👊
Nice trick. I have similar setup with Jeep Cherokee & class C MH.
Jax is the coolest cat ever.
Hey Eric good work on these vids. Thank you
NOTE, NOTE Eric it is a good idea to have that bungie in place all the time when towing. In some situations the car can start wip lashing and that stops it from happening. And backing up with it in place is good on most towing systems. Works fine on my Roadmaster system. And isn't the town you are in Baton Rouge not baton ROAD?
It makes me so happy to see that only you are going to the movie theater
I always give a thumbs up on my favorite TH-cam videos. You vlogs are fun to watch. Love to Jax.
Well done mate I use the wife she sits in the holds the steering wheel works perfectly for backing. Appreciate your videos 👍
We used to tow a chevette and we bunji corded the steering wheel also. Works great.
Hey Eric! Enjoyed the "Baton Rogue" jabs! 😄 Totally with you on not living a life of fear. Also, I didn't know Walmart carried RV lights with two brightness settings. Thanks for sharing!
I have a tow bar like u have, always put a bungee n steering wheel. We were told by friends, to release our brake cable from rv to tow car while backing up. Never have tried backing up, so it was interesting to c this video. 🤗
Jaxs is the real ⭐️ you know it!
You make us smile, keep doing your life your way. You and Jax be happy
I love all the travel you do. I have been watching for a long time and our gas is 2.86 a gallon
Night owl needs to sponsor you, thats cool!
Hey man. I really like your videos. Been watching for over two years. Stay safe. Tell Jax hey.
The front end of the car has "caster" that makes the wheels center when it's moving forward. It doesn't work that way when you move backwards. The bungee might work, but I wouldn't want to try it at more than a crawl. I think the light just needed a new rocker switch, but it looks like the new unit has some features the old one didn't.
The seat belt is much stronger. That's what tow truck drivers do it.
You seriously need to get that tow bar level!
I've towed many cars over the years with all sorts of tow bars and I always used a bungee to limit the steering wheel, you should use it ALL the time when towing.
We love both of you and watch all your videos. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The French are cringing Eric LOL ... for pronunciation, If you want, check out the song by Mary Chapin Carpenter ... 'Down at the Twist and Shout' ... and I have backed 4 wheels on the ground towed vehicles also, had to go slow enough to follow a 'double hinged' trailer ...i.e. hitch and the front steering of the towed vehicle ... started as followed front wheels around and had to reverse the rig at a point once the direction of the car in tow went my direction, in a snaking motion. Learned from a trucker who backed 'doubles' and had to make a few adjustments since he had 3 hinge points not 2... had the 5the wheel, the 1st trailer, a 'truck' for the second 5th wheel (dolly) and then the second trailer. Thereby he actually had a third pivot point ... have to work back from the front to get the back trailer to pivot the direction desired then follow it around from the rear back to the front, forward through each successive hinge point till you get the correct curve ... having said that your answer of the bungie, is fantastic ... makes it much easier, applying to a towed vehicle anyway ... awesome Eric! Thanks ... I can and will use that! Love your work; hope my teasing you occasionally doesn't bother you ... it's just for laughs you know ... again ... awesome video stile you have! I guess "it's Mickey Mouse" wouldn't really apply here ... LOL (again)
Don't blame you for not wanting to go through New Orleans. I'd have to go over there to the VA hospital and I was sure that I was going to die once I hit I-10. It's insane driving, I'd regularly get lost taking the wrong exists or finding the correct streets, the two ways would change to one ways and only by the grace of God I never ran over anyone. Exists would often be closed for no reason as well. Once I called my daughter and told her I'd send her post cards as It appeared that I would never escape from New Orleans. lol
Hi Eric, Cristol here and I like that your working on how to back up with the ox and love to see you stopped at our little oasis in Mississippi again! Hope Jax’s is still enjoying his special treats from Teddy and I.
Stay safe and enjoy the freedoms of Texas!!
The seatbelt looped through the bottom of the steering wheel will also work if long enough. Just be careful you don't push the front tires sideways so much that you cause flat spots and extra ware on the steer tires or push them off the rim.
I-12 is the short cut so you don't have to drive thru Atlantis. 😎
Good video. 👍🏻
Jax makes me smile and your Disney trip made me want to take a trip
Love your videos! Keep em coming ! Wish I could live the Nomadic Lifestyle. Some day..
French toast for me and movie sounded good. Excellent you figured out reverse on Tater Tot! That's a HUGE improvement.
I love all your videos they just keep getting better and better
Thank you for a great video.. Jax is such a love!! The seats at the theater were awesome, haven't seen reclining seats before. Stay safe.
The reason you shouldn't back up a four wheels flat car when toed behind your RV is because the front end steering has caster that makes the front wheels turn with your RV when you turn while going forward. However, because of caster settings, that does not work when you back up, the front wheels turn the wrong direction. Backing too far can mess up the caster on your towed vehicle and create a problem when you go back forward as the caster may be messed up.
Always like traveling along with you and Jax.
Melbourne FL
Thanks Eric! We are soon to be motorhome owners after many years of towing a TT. I saw a comment by someone a while back where he said he got boxed in a parking spot and actually pulled his MH back 10 feet or so with his toad! Like your bungee idea and demo! Stay safe and thanks again 😻
Hey Eric! Travel safe..waiting for your next adventure!🤩🤩
Safe travels. Love you Jax. 💜
Hi Eric, when you get to Texas you should stop for some great BBQ in Lockhart. Stop at the Buc-ee's first, of course! I went to Smitty's Market and Kreutz Market a few years ago on a cross country road trip. It was SO good. I live in SC and I love our pork BBQ here, but the beef was great for a change. Hi to Jax!
Gas is $2.69 in Marion, Ohio at 1:45 PM. March 6, 2021 " Never forget the bungie is on the steering wheel."
I saw a gas station in Central Florida at $2.89 a gallon and I was yelling, cussing while driving. Time to go on a gas strike and park the car for a while or just plan all in one trips.
I think you watched Nomad Land, not just Land. I loved it.
Great idea with the bungee cord. Thank you.
I love your travelling and "fixing" videos the best.....thanks Eric
Dude you crack me up!
Gas pice are are over $3 a gallon in AZ and going up every day it seems.
Instead of buying a bungee cord, you can also use the seat belt to hold steering wheel and now I want popcorn!
Great video Eric...safe travels.👍👍👍👍👍😊
My area of the world! Welcome to Luzian!! Bat-Ton Ruche
Thanks for letting us travel vicariously thru your videos.
Eric, no bungee needed. All you had to do is wrap your seatbelt through the steering wheel and click your seatbelt like normal... I drive a tow truck and tow cars for a living that system has never failed... take care, drive safe...
I hadn't seen this video yet, and was very happy to see Jax in all his beauty, and healthy before he got sick. It was a special treat, and one I will always remember. I love Jax, he is such a sweetie, and I know he is waiting for you on the other side of the rainbow bridge.
Great video, thank you for your time. Jax is awesome too.
Just found your channel in the wee hrs of the morning. You're awesome! I live in Olympia, WA and that's how I found you. Great personality, editing, love Jax, etc. Be safe out there! Looking forward to more vids.
Jax is just the best, cutest cat in the whole wide world!!!
In trucking we call it GOAL or Get Out and Look and you have a drone to do a quickie !
Thanks for the great video. Keep up the good work.
15:46 Baton Rough. Awesome dig at those who are so picky at your pronunciation of places.
Yeah, Jax wants the treats. You ate them not too long ago...😺💯⚠️