TOAD

SATURN INFORMATION
Since the topic came up a while ago, and we just purchased a 2001 Saturn SL2 as our toad, I asked the service manager at Saturn about the fuse thing on the 2001 and 2000 models. We went through the service bulletin book. and came up with two service bulletins. I've included the major parts of the bulletins below: Also the owners manual recommends A MAXIMUM SPEED while towing an
Saturn with automatic trans of 65 MPH. Possible damage to transmission above that speed.

FWIW: I pulled the fuse on our SL2 and put a amp meter in-line and turned the key to the ACC postion. I measured a .5 AMP current as long as the key was in the ACC position. So there is a continous 1/2 AMP draw on the Saturn battery at all times with the ACC postion. I guess 8 hours of towing would not cause a problem, but extended towing periods without starting the toad might cause a problem, thus the reason for the service bulletins.. There is NO report I could find to any possible damage to the car if you leave the fuse's in, just the possiblity of a dead battery. Current Draw with key OFF is Zero. but you can'nt tow in the off position since it locks the steering wheel..
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Bulletin 00-T-19 covers all 2000 L series Saturns.
Dated March 2000

Cause: body control module being active when ignition is in
the ACC position.
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Cause: body control module being active when ignition is in
the ACC position.
John & Brenda Szalay
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TOAD CHARGER
About a year ago, someone posted that they were able to charge the GMC batteries by running the TOAD which was plugged into the towing connector on the GMC. This sounded like a neat trick but would have several problems if the two were connected directly together.

1 Two dissimilar batteries should not be connected in parallel
2 If either vehicle battery ran down, so would the other

Connecting with a diode isolator would not help since charging would occur in only one direction.

The answer is to use a BATTERY COMBINER connected to the TOAD. The features are the following:

1 All batteries can charge from any source, GMC alternator, Smart charger, TOAD alternator.
2 All batteries are separated during discharge.

So now it is possible to jump the GMC from the TOAD or Jump the Toad from the GMC. The TOAD will charge while being towed which will stop that unpleasant surprise that you left a light on in the TOAD.

It is a very easy tow, and at about 2300 lb, only a saturn seems to weight less. I have a 4wd and have not had to use that yet but it is a real easy tow with the standard transmission. I am very happy with the ease of hooking up to tow, takes only minutes and we will disconnect when we enter a town to go look for a place to stay or have dinner. My tracker has a hard top as you can see on the net and I like that since I have had enough of soft tops.

It is a real comfort to have a Toad. When I broke down in Santa Barbara, I drove to Tracker the rest of the way to LA for the funeral I had to attend, and then when I got back, used the Tracker to get repairs and back on the road.

I use the tracker when I am home to pull my trailers. I like it so much I am selling my full-size van because I no longer need it to pull trailers and the arround-the-home trips. The tracker is easy and fun to drive arround town for those little pickup trips and the rear seat folds down so I can carry stuff in the back. It has my vote as you can see. gene

RECEIVER HITCH
I finally found a 2 inch receiver hitch for the Tracker that will use the same accessories that I use on the Motorhome. This is a bolt on and fits.

GMC NAME PLATES
Are you aware that GM sells Trackers in Canada that are called "GM Tracker". A friend and I purchased the GM nameplates and put them on in place of the Go nameplates. If it is tracking a GM why not call it a GM Tracker! You can purchase the nameplates here in USA.Chuck

1 "Also looking for a 1.3L engine for my 88 Suzuki Samurai.
Would you believe an improperly stowed lawn chair pushed the transfer case lever
into 2 wheel drive at 70 mph?"Walter

2 Fire wood stored in his Corvar Bug, hit the shift lever and took out the transmission of the Baha Bug. Gary

TRACKER TOWING WEIGHT
My 87 S15 Jimmy 4X4 weighed 3645.
I sold my Jimmy and got a Geo Tracker 2 DR manual trans 4 wheel drive. It weighs in at 2275. I have towed it about 5K miles this year and don't even know it is there. Generally the lighter the better when towing with a GMC. In our club there is a mix of Honda's, GEO Trackers, Saturn's, Jeeps and even small vans. The choice is really yours to make. The heavier you go the need for auxiliary brake is needed. J.R. Wright
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year/model/doors/curb wt/engine
'98 Tracker 2 dr 2392 lbs 1.6 L
'99 Tracker 2 dr 2600 lbs 2.0 L

Chilton's Suzuki : Samurai/Sid $18.36---------------good book, covers many models
Haynes Suzuki Samurai & Sidekick Geo $14.36------waste of time, some good pictures

Fold Away Tow Bar for Tracker
The one that came on mine is available from campers choice www.camperschoice.com you have to search for this listing.
Z142 tracker tow bar 189.98---Stow Master

It is really excellent, bolts on, and easy adjusting for hookup.

The wiring kit is available from Camping World
16888 Stormaster accessory kit $150.30

tow bar cover, coiled safety cables, uhniversal wiring kit, 4 wire Flexo-coil, set of keyed-alike padlocks and free vinl tow bag.
pricey but great stuff gene
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Try this site for a reconditioned $195.00 tow bar.
Order the Tracker attchment plates here also.

Tow Wiring

This wiring is placed inside the rear light assemblies. The diode blocks are cut into the wiring at the light assemblies. The input socket is mounted in the plastic under the front bumper of the Tracker. A coiled cord with a connector on each end runs between the Tracker and the GMC. I put a 20 amp circuit breaker into the fuse block in the glove box of the GMC. This fuse controls the running lights of the GMC .

Universal Wiring Kit from Camping World $52.99- diodes, wiring,connectors etc
Here is a description that shows pictures of the diode connections

You will have to use a test light to find which wires go to the lights and the sockets

VW Toad
or
how to turn a Bug into a Toad !
Excellent DIY by J Harper
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=14576

It weighs 2028 lbs. This is a 1971. It needs a little work but nothing major. My current problem is that it appears that a super beetle can not be raised up for more road clearance. Update 10/18/05. Well after quite a discussion on the net the solution to getting more road clearance on a Super Beetle was to buy a set of rear air shocks from JC Whitney. It was also pointed out that the front ends on a Super Beetle are weak. A kit is available form JC Whitney to add reinforcements to the front end.

I think I\'ll document the hitch setup. I have a Blaine Merrill through the bumper hitch and a blue ox tow bar (from Ebay) so far but not yet installed. I purchased a Blue Ox tow base plate also. There are 2 base plates for VW bugs. BX3810 is for a Standard Beetle and BX3809 is for a Super Beetle. It should be noted that the preferred Beetle for off road conditions is the standard beetle.