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!
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
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.)
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.
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 UA-cam industry. Picture quality, videography, sound, content and presentation - all whatever is above super, in my opinion. Thank you.
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!
"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!! :)
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.
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.
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.
I love watching your video's because I had to sell my RV because they doctor's don't want me driving long distance's any longer by myself. I traveled with my little dog. We had a great time. So thank you for your video's. I love the beach so I try to go there in my car when I can even by myself.
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'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.
"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!!!
Hi Eric and Jax youtube I really enjoy your video's, its the only good and positive thing to watch on tv. Please don't feel like no one is watching you two, bc we are. I thought it was strange to see a Q-tip having from your jacket...lol love to see Jax's in the videos. :)
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
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 😻
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.
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.
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!!
I loved the Q-tip idea. Maybe more videos like it but hiding different details in videos and maybe not even mentioning it and let the viewers find it. It feels more interactive. I love it.
Yo eric, and jax,,, thanks for the videos, i watch you all the time at least you dont hang out and do nothing like the other vlogers,,, good content every time,,, thanks,,,garygary
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. 👍🏻
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.
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?
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
I started binge watching your channel from the very beginning and I'm amazed how far your channel has come.ive been watching you since you first released the "rv electrical for dummies" and I've been hook ever since. Keep up the awesome work👍👍👍
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. 🤗
Hey Eric if you put the driver seat all the way forward you can put the seatbelt through the steering wheel I connected to the seat and it will hold the steering wheel steadyYou won’t need the bungee cord
Gas $2.59 best price at Woodman's up here in northern IL. Cool to just be able to go to the movies and enjoy a bowl of popcorn. I miss waffle houses, wish they would bring them up north.
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
Just wondering if you changed from halogen bulbs to led in the kitchen light. I had so much trouble when I changed from halogen to led with flickering and tv inference.
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!
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
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.)
Good morning from Alberta, Canada 🇨🇦
Have a fantastic day, you two!
Eric you always have wonderful ideas!!!
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.
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 UA-cam industry. Picture quality, videography, sound, content and presentation - all whatever is above super, in my opinion. Thank you.
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!
You DO know how to make a video Eric. Informative and entertaining. Keep 'em coming 👍 - Hal
Wow now I have a new understanding of under thinking THANK YOU ERIC I have a OX for my antique car
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
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!! 🐶😻💕
"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!! :)
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.
It took me awhile to realize you were saying baton rouge weird. lol. I know you did it on purpose. Thanks eric!
I just love how much Jax shows you so much love! I think your great too!
Backing up looked like it will be fine for those tight spots! Boycott Coke now Eric 😉😎✌
nice to see you found a way to back up, thats convienent when needed
On a level lot only, IMO.
Hey man. I really like your videos. Been watching for over two years. Stay safe. Tell Jax hey.
Yeah, Jax wants the treats. You ate them not too long ago...😺💯⚠️
I love watching you and Jax interact. He loves you so much. Makes me smile. 🙂
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.
You would love Old Man's Caves in Ohio. There are a lot of gorgeous waterfalls
Ohio is filled with wonders.
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.
Your pronunciation of Baton Rouge cracks me up!
I was looking for this comment lol
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.
I'm glad you kept on the backup issue to the point of finding that convenience to your travels! Cool!
$2.79 Martinsburg WV. Backing up was interesting. Thanks for doing the research and sharing. Safe travels.
I love all the travel you do. I have been watching for a long time and our gas is 2.86 a gallon
$3.59+ per gallon for regular at the discounts in Southern California. Thanks for the video. Jon
I love watching your video's because I had to sell my RV because they doctor's don't want me driving long distance's any longer by myself. I traveled with my little dog. We had a great time. So thank you for your video's. I love the beach so I try to go there in my car when I can even by myself.
$4 a gallon San Diego...very clever on the tow!
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
Insulation dust gets into the switch, Take the lens off and vacuum!
Hey Eric good work on these vids. Thank you
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 always give a thumbs up on my favorite UA-cam videos. You vlogs are fun to watch. Love to Jax.
You make us smile, keep doing your life your way. You and Jax be happy
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.
"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!!!
Rainy weather is perfect for movie going.Glad to see you enjoying the moment!
I love all your videos they just keep getting better and better
Hi Eric and Jax youtube
I really enjoy your video's, its the only good and positive thing to watch on tv. Please don't feel like no one is watching you two, bc we are.
I thought it was strange to see a Q-tip having from your jacket...lol
love to see Jax's in the videos. :)
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. 👊
I love AMC theaters too. Those chairs are so comfortable. Hi Jax!!
We used to tow a chevette and we bunji corded the steering wheel also. Works great.
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
great video, neat trick with the bungee, keep em coming Eric!
It was nice to see Jax showing the love.
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 😻
Thanks for the great video. Keep up the good work.
PS- you can just run the seatbelt through the steering wheel and click it in 🤙🏼
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.
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!!!
Well done mate I use the wife she sits in the holds the steering wheel works perfectly for backing. Appreciate your videos 👍
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.
That is a absolutely wonderful trick
Nice fix with the light! The old one may have had the issue if it was originally designed for NON Led bulbs
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!!
Thanks for the info on the car towing, backing up ect. 👍
I loved the Q-tip idea. Maybe more videos like it but hiding different details in videos and maybe not even mentioning it and let the viewers find it. It feels more interactive. I love it.
Yo eric, and jax,,, thanks for the videos, i watch you all the time at least you dont hang out and do nothing like the other vlogers,,, good content every time,,, thanks,,,garygary
Funny to see that sign (Hammond) I used to live for about 3 months little north of there...Got out of there, Went to West TX,Lubbock for 9 years...
Dude you crack me up!
Gas pice are are over $3 a gallon in AZ and going up every day it seems.
I'm glad you are able to back up now. I'm sure it was a pain in the arse not "able" to do so. As always I love your videos. 👍
Thank you for the video. It looks like Jack's is in true form. I'm glad you were able to go to a movie. Wishing you a safe travels. 🚌😺
Really enjoyed your video. Everything seemed good and peaceful. Keep on keeping on.
Congrats. Seems you are enjoying life!!
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. 👍🏻
I love your travelling and "fixing" videos the best.....thanks Eric
phew the open road again, totally what i needed
Hey Eric! Travel safe..waiting for your next adventure!🤩🤩
Great video, thank you for your time. Jax is awesome too.
It makes me so happy to see that only you are going to the movie theater
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.
Nice trick. I have similar setup with Jeep Cherokee & class C MH.
my dad used to love to mispronounce names just to be funny and now I do it too.
Problem with that is it cuts down your mph.
Great info Eric,, I , ‘ve been unhooking & re-hooking my toad every time I got into a jam. Thank you
‘
Enjoyed the video! Thanks!
I think you watched Nomad Land, not just Land. I loved it.
That was a good idea with the bongie . Ive seen tow truck drivers wrap the seatbelt through the steering wheel.
good info on towing today.......very helpfull.......
Thanks for letting us travel vicariously thru your videos.
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.
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?
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
Love your videos! Keep em coming ! Wish I could live the Nomadic Lifestyle. Some day..
I started binge watching your channel from the very beginning and I'm amazed how far your channel has come.ive been watching you since you first released the "rv electrical for dummies" and I've been hook ever since. Keep up the awesome work👍👍👍
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!
Great video Eric, thank you
Hey Eric if you put the driver seat all the way forward you can put the seatbelt through the steering wheel I connected to the seat and it will hold the steering wheel steadyYou won’t need the bungee cord
Gas $2.59 best price at Woodman's up here in northern IL. Cool to just be able to go to the movies and enjoy a bowl of popcorn. I miss waffle houses, wish they would bring them up north.
Good research that will be helpful in backing up with Tator hooked up.
Safe travels!!! Cannot wait to get on the road myself. I have to admit, a bit jealous here! Take care!
Instead of buying a bungee cord, you can also use the seat belt to hold steering wheel and now I want popcorn!
Safe travels. Love you Jax. 💜
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
Hello. Love the Jax footage. Could watch hours of just Jax.
Just wondering if you changed from halogen bulbs to led in the kitchen light. I had so much trouble when I changed from halogen to led with flickering and tv inference.