best vehiles to tow - Page 3

Bob Denman · 09-05-2017, 10:26 PM

Command-Trac, and Selec-Trac...
If memory serves me correctly... (and it may not!)
look for a Command-Trac style transfer case!

dw1gator · 09-15-2017, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laco

Used to be that virtually any GM car could be flat towed. I don't know if that is still true or not, but I have towed our 2007 Chevy HHR five speed, thousands of miles.

I have a 2010 HHR automatic. Loves to be towed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halibut214

There's hundreds of posts on this and that many different answers. It doesn't get much easier, cheaper, or lighter than a Jeep Wrangler and I would challenge anyone to dispute that with facts. Talk to some hitch places that install RV hitches on a regular basis.

As far as easy, takes me less than 15 min, by myself to hook or unhook. Put in N, dont exceed 65 mph, flip one switch to kill a fuse. And its very light. Cheaper depends on what set up you want and who does thew work.

Jimi · 03-09-2018, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmc

Quite a bit under 4000 for my Wrangled 2 door softtop... Closer to 3200 until we put stuff in it.

DW wanted the softtop Jeep before we had the MH... Knew a MH was in near future, so made sure it could be towed...

But maybe a better answer... It"s a Jeep thing... Lol..

Yep true that!

Thortogo · 03-09-2018, 02:11 AM

ford c-max, 42 mpg

gulfcoasters · 07-04-2018, 01:49 AM

Got a 2017 Jeep Patriot FWD standard shift. Weighs in around 3000lbs
\

With the Blue Ox it tows like a dream

gary d · 07-09-2018, 03:39 PM

Surprised, most fords are 4 wheel down towable. I just purchased the c max which is 4 wheel down.. would double check with Ford. They have a chart.

Bob Denman · 07-09-2018, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gulfcoasters

Got a 2017 Jeep Patriot FWD standard shift. Weighs in around 3000lbs
With the Blue Ox it tows like a dream

Jeeps are always a favorite...

Find the right one; and you can add locking (and unlocking) hubs at all four corners.
Easy-Peasey!

lo-tek · 07-09-2018, 09:55 PM

I tow a 2017 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk myself. Love it.

On Edit: Bob is not 100% correct on the newer Jeep models. There are no hubs to lock or unlock. On mine, I put the (not really a) transfer case into neutral, put the transmission in park, and turn off the ignition. Many of the Cherokees and Grand Cherokees require a switch to enable power steering with the key off that's a bit of a hack but it's not insurmountable.

Mustang46555 · 07-10-2018, 12:53 AM

Just returned from a week in Tennessee. Towed our Jeep Liberty down with us. The V10 handled it just fine through the hills. And the Liberty was a blast to drive around the back roads sight seeing. Prep for towing is simple as has been said, transfer case in N, transmission in P, key off and you're done.

jabrabu · 07-10-2018, 05:56 PM

The Honda CR-V (pre-2015) is a popular toad. Economical, AWD, reliable, good cargo room for its size, not too heavy. I have a 2012 CR-V EX-L AWD that is my daily driver and toad.

You first need to determine your requirements for a toad. Do you just need to transport a couple around town, or do you need to transport a larger family, dogs, kayaks, etc.? Do you need/want AWD/4WD? What's the tow capacity of your RV?

Pete'sMH · 07-10-2018, 06:30 PM

Ford Focus with a manual transmission is an easy four down dinghy. With the stick the car is fun to drive and even good ones are cheap because automatics are much more plentiful and are widely disliked because of the unusual and problematic design of that transmission. Mine is getting 34mpg in daily use.

PAtrailtrimmer · 07-10-2018, 09:25 PM

I’m flat towing a Chevy Sonic as my dinghy.

Blue Ox with a brake controller under the hood. Tech at dealership wired things so car battery charges during tow. No need to pull a fuse when in tow.

Brakes activate on hills and needed stops but not when in stop and go traffic. Awesome system.

The Sonic is a small car that tows smooth and easy. Tracks well behind the RV.

Hook up or detachment super easy 5 min exercise.

dw1gator · 07-23-2018, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon70

There's hundreds of posts on this and that many different answers. It doesn't get much easier, cheaper, or lighter than a Jeep Wrangler and I would challenge anyone to dispute that with facts. Talk to some hitch places that install RV hitches on a regular basis.

I wont dispute it with facts, but my Chevy HHR was pretty cheap and easy. Wanted an Automatic. Flip one fuse switch, and put in N. Hook up tow bar. Takes me 10 mins, tops.

Pete'sMH · 07-23-2018, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dragon70

There's hundreds of posts on this and that many different answers. It doesn't get much easier, cheaper, or lighter than a Jeep Wrangler and I would challenge anyone to dispute that with facts. Talk to some hitch places that install RV hitches on a regular basis.

Beg to differ! I wanted to tow a Wrangler but couldn’t find a decent one for less than $13,000. I bought a 60,000 mile 2014 Ford Focus and can get all of the towing equipment and still be under $10,000.

Bob Denman · 07-23-2018, 10:05 PM

Rather than figure out the brakes, electrical, and hitch for the Toad: wouldn't it just be easier to put it on a nice tandem axle trailer that has all of those issues already figured out for you?

gary d · 07-23-2018, 10:23 PM

Read a lot about tow vehicles. Ended up buying one of the last of the ford c max. Very happy with the car . Probably gonna go to St. Louis and have it installed by e trailer. Thanks

TurnerFam · 07-23-2018, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarTrekFan

I had my Ford Escape and F150 looked at to see the cost to get one of them ready to tow. Both are 2012. Seem my vehicles aren't 4-wheels down friendly. The company that was going to do the install suggest that I not do either because of transmission issues.
So my question is what vehicles are 4-down friendly?
I had no idea it would be this difficult.

I guess by this time you already know that BOTH of your vehicles may already be 'tow ready' from FORD. I would not care in the least what a install company 'suggests' otherwise, as the transmission has nothing to do with it WHILE you are towing it.

here's the link: http://webcontent.goodsam.com/DinghyGuide2012.pdf

use what you already 'got'!

**16ACE27** · 07-23-2018, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnerFam

I guess by this time you already know that BOTH of your vehicles may already be 'tow ready' from FORD. I would not care in the least what a install company 'suggests' otherwise, as the transmission has nothing to do with it WHILE you are towing it.

here's the link: http://webcontent.goodsam.com/DinghyGuide2012.pdf

use what you already 'got'!

Yep, the Escape can certainly be towed 4 down per the Owners' Manual which is the final/only source; not what someone tells you or what you read on a forum. The F150 may be as well.

And actually, the transmission has everything to do with it while it is being towed. What do you think the wheels are connected to/turning as you head down the road? If the transmission does not have the ability to pump fluid to lubricate/cool the moving parts of the transmission as the vehicle is being towed then it will be damaged. This does not apply if you have 4WD with a manual transmission case but it does apply to all 2WD automatic transmissions and some manual transmissions.

Check the Owners' Manual!

TurnerFam · 07-24-2018, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tfryman

Yep, the Escape can certainly be towed ...
And actually, the transmission has everything to do with it .

my point was to the OP's original statement that the 'shop' said that those models didn't have good transmissions, was them referring to the 'drivability' of them, not the 'towability'. The transmission, in itself, has nothing to do with '4-down' towing of these models, if they are designed to be towed by the manufacturer.

My '14 Fiesta and '14 Focus both tow very fine, and drive fine as well.

FORD actually makes possibly the most towable vehicles of any.
Whether or not a shop or dealer suggests that they are the best 'transmissions' is subjective, but little to do with whether they are good and easily towable vehicles.

gary d · 07-24-2018, 01:35 PM

I did extensive research and was surprised on how many cars you couldn’t tow 4wheels down. I found most fords can. With the exception of one new redesigned one . Forgot which one. The c max just put it in neutral and go. Mostly al pickups also. That digny guide is great. Very few Toyota’s and chevys
Probably the best overall tow vehicle is Honda CR-V before 2015. Besides my c max lol

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