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I'm intrigued by what I've read about the Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, and wondering whether anyone has experience with it, or any other PHEV, as a tow vehicle. Rated tow capacity is 2,500. When I'm camping, it's usually at sites with electric, and the tow vehicle often just sits for...

Demonstrating another of his many talents, Cary did a fine job explaining the teardrop mystique and the Camp Inn difference in a WHBY interview for their "Made in Wisconsin" series this week. Click below to hear the piece and learn all the secrets, including what they call Craig. Cary, now I...

My 550 was new in August 2014. Now has in the neighborhood of 25,000 miles on the original tires. Tread is in good shape, but a friend with a Brand X teardrop tells me they should be replaced every seven years regardless of wear. Is that right?

We'll be heading to Aspen (from the east) with our 550 next week for a family gathering. We hate driving on interstates. Is Independence pass doable towing with a 2.4L, 4 cyl, 6-speed automatic and NO trany cooler? (2014 KIA Sportage)

If you are within range of an Aldi’s, they currently have a 12 v electric blanket for $15. It looks to be a one-off item, so if interested, get there quick. I’m testing it now, and it’s pretty cozy. It’s rated at 50W, but seems to cycle off/on frequently using a fixed preset thermostat that...

Wondering whether anyone has experience with the BAL trailer leveler that works by raising a tire. With age, aftereffects of a broken wrist, and stiffness of the stabilizer jacks, I find it increasingly difficult to level the trailer side-to-side using the scissor stabilizer jacks. This thing...

Nice video showing the effects of weight distribution on a trailer. The TV is not actually pulling the trailer in the video; not sure what difference, if any, that makes. But, it nicely illustrates my rule: Load up that front storage box!

On our brakes, which direction does the star wheel move to expand the shoes? Up or down?

We have the luxury of enough garage space to keep our 550 "inside" when we're not on the road. So, I have this theory that keeping the hatch up and the doors ajar (including the little access doors to the FSB) while she's garaged will extend the life and usefulness of the seals because...

We did a border-to-border bicycle transect of the Sunflower State in June.* I did the pedaling and A.W. provided personal SAGing at its finest, pulling Toad Away for the overnights. The very first day, one of us failed to connect the umbilical to the trailer -- foolishly thinking it would...

When hooked to shore power, what's the preferred way to hook up a 12 volt DC appliance with an optional 110v AC inverter/power supply? A) Plug the appliance's male 12v DC cannon plug into one of the trailer's 12v DC receptacles? B) Hook the appliance up to its 110v AC inverter/power supply...

Anybody else get loose balls? On our last outing, I noticed lurching and bucking of the TD on the hitch ball that seemed to get progressively worse. Had experienced a bit of that before, which Cary attributed to our 550 being on the light end of the optimum weight and weight distribution...

You know how keys for some locker type applications have the butt end of the key embedded in a round plastic knob? Could just leave the key-knob in the lock while in camp for frequent access w/o searching for keys.

Stabilizer is 3/4. Lug nuts are 13/16.

So, we picked up 678 on Friday, and spent a couple of blissful nights in the Kettle Moraine State Forest in SE Wisconsin. Picked up a cute little park sticker as a keepsake of Toad Away's first nights out of the nest, which brings up a question I haven't seen addressed elsewhere. Where do you...

So, I spent the weekend installing a hitch, a brake controller, and a seven-pin connector. Looks good, but won't be sure it all works until we get hooked up in Necedah (this week!) There's an additional wire coming off the brake controller that I don't think I need. The black one goes through...

First set of build pictures having arrived, the countdown to pick-up at the nest has commenced for our 550. Spent the weekend rearranging the garage because -- having measured 18 ways from Sunday about a million times -- we have persuaded ourselves that the 550 will fit, just barely...

In the 550 Special, the Upper or Duffel Storage Shelf has a face frame with (doorless) openings for gear stashing. I'm thinking of asking Cary if they can just leave off the face frame, so that it's just an open shelf, like in the base model, so we can toss a couple of duffels up there without...

Our state does not require a title or tags for trailers under 2,000 lb., but will do it if desired. What's been the experience of folks who pull a TD w/o a tag? Does it invite stops by law enforcement? --- GhostOrchid & Adorable Wife

So after months of lurking, thought we'd check in. Our 550 is scheduled for a July birth. This forum has been so useful. Lots more questions coming your way, folks. ---- GhostOrchid & Adorable Wife