I emailed Ken and Donna my current truck short list and Ken was quick to reply that my top contender was the only real contender. I was advised to eliminate anything over 300,000KM and that mileage trumps age. So a 1994 with fewer than 200,000KM is better than a 1997 with more than 200,000KM. I was also advised not to get a ‘side step’ since that means a smaller bed.

So unless anything better shows up between now and Monday, I’ll start by visiting the dealership see how the top contender looks. It does have three strikes against it:

1) It’s a 4X4, which are trickier to tow, even as a manual.

2) The listed price is outrageous. Of course, if it were to come with a good warranty that would eliminate the extra expense and hoops of a super thorough inspection, I might be willing to add a couple hundred to the bill, but that’s it.

3) This truck does not have a topper, but I’ve decided that there’s no sense eliminating a good truck that doesn’t have one. I can keep my eye out for a topper on the way back and I can even buy one here, although the extra sales tax makes that a less attractive option.

I went to the Remco website and found a couple of businesses nearby that might be able to do the conversion for towing. One thing that is becoming apparent to me is that I would be best off to pick up all my parts in the US on the way back here and then have the installation done here. Another option would be to take the truck to the US from here and have the work done, but that makes me nervous because:

Repairs or modifications to your vehicle

If you intend to have repairs or modifications made to your vehicle outside Canada, check with us before you leave. Under customs law, we can no longer consider your vehicle, vessel, or aircraft to be Canadian if you increase its value, improve its condition, or modify it while abroad. As a result, you may have to pay duty on its entire value when you bring it back.

So the option that is the least likely to bankrupt me really does seem to get the parts in the States and have the work done up here.

I’m not too concerned about the cost of the towing set up parts and installation in that if it goes over the $2,200 that I was allotted, Intact will reimburse me the difference as long as I can provide supporting documentation. I am convinced that the appraiser neglected to include the tow bar itself (the male part that fits in the motorhome’s female hitch receptacle).

But the braking system is giving me pause. A ‘brake in a box’ system could set me back over $1,000, money I would much rather apply to repairs to Miranda. There is another option, the ReadyBrake, which Andy Baird describes in great detail. It is compatible with a Ford Range, the price is so much more attractive, and it looks easier to use. I just checked their list of Canadian dealers and there are only four, one of which just happens to be VR Expert, who is doing my motorhome repairs! This tells me that they could very well be capable of converting my new toad for towing, so I will ask them when I take the rig in for repairs.

But no point putting the cart before the horse. I need a new toad first!