tow vehicle

Topic: tow vehicle (Read 1288 times) previous topic - next topic

tow vehicle

August 12, 2011, 07:36:15 pm

I am looking for some type of vehicle to tow behind my 98 u295. Would prefer something in the early 2000 years. Any suggestions please. Thanks Ron

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #1 – August 12, 2011, 07:43:25 pm

Ron: I tow an HHR by Chev. Light weight car. Lift back for extra storage. Just put in neutral and turn the key to acces. Remove one fuse or do as I do I put in a fuse switch. Brake off.
Recommend tow not over 65 miles per hour. Auto Trans. I have Blue ox with M&G braking and break away. DAN

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #2 – August 12, 2011, 08:10:30 pm

With our 1997 U295 we tow a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It's moderately heavy at 4160#. The 4-WD allows towing with the transfer case in neutral. The 4-WD was great when we encountered four days of snow in Billings, MT. The dog really likes entering through the tailgate and riding in the back.

Our Jeep came with the coach. It was hooked up and ready to go. It works well for us. We like having 4-WD with transfer case. It eliminates problems of towing a vehicle with automatic transmission.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #3 – August 12, 2011, 08:29:17 pm

There are many simple vehicles to tow, I have towed the VW Rabbit, Ford Escort, Ford F150, all manual gear box, plus a Honda Element auto, all very successfully. Just swapped the Element for a 2011 CVR, not sure if we will tow it, it is like the Element so should not be a problem. The F150 does nice at this time.
JD makes a great point for the 4 wheel drive with manual transfer case and it works great. Do not know about other vehicles.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #4 – August 12, 2011, 08:38:03 pm

Nearly any Saturn - Pre 07 Vue had Honda running gear and are about bulletproof. 07 and up all were towable 4 down. Saturn prices are dropping fast since they are orphans. Jeeps are a no brainer. Make sure the model you select are towable 4 down. There are a few options that don't.

Most midsize GM 'non all wheel drive' SUVs are a good bet. GM 4x4s with a 2 speed transfer case are easy but heavy. No Denali/Escalade all wheel drives.
Ford Flex/Edge.
Honda CRV, Element, Accord - newer auto models can't.

Any front driver you can throw on a dolly. I towed my 04 TDI wagon that way for 4 years, no drama, no hassles. Electric brakes for 2 yrs, surge brakes for 2 yrs.
I now tow a Z71 Tahoe - about 5600 lbs.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #5 – August 12, 2011, 09:10:28 pm

We've towed a Honda Element since 2004. Going thru the 5 speed stick shift is more fun than an automatic - and faster.

The rear seats fold UP (not back) and you end up with as much floor real estate for carrying whatever as a small pickup. We took THREE full size bicycles to Mexico in there - and they were fully assembled (and out of the weather).

Try one. You'll like it.

best, paul

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #6 – August 12, 2011, 09:17:21 pm

We tow a 2001 Toyota Echo with a manual transmission. Right at 2000 pounds - you will not know it is there. We have 110,000 miles plus probably another 40,000 towed. Still gets 39 MPG on the highway. A lot roomier than you would think, and an impressive safety record.

We towed a 1997 (?) Honda CRV for a while, but it was a bit too heavy to be towed well by the 3.9 liter in our old motorhome.

I am outfitting an FJ Cruiser for dragging to Arizona and California for off-roading. I decided to just remove the driveshaft, rather than use a trailer or a driveshaft disconnect. We wouldn't likely use it along the road to get to the destination. I think I can remove the shaft in less than ten minutes without lifting the car.

oldMattB

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #7 – August 13, 2011, 12:01:28 am

We liked our Saturn but we think Subaru's are hard to beat, manual transmission only. We are on our fifth Outback. Everyone excluding our current Outback has gone over 250K miles without a major problem. The biggest benefit is they will go almost anywhere, all wheel drive, light weight and they have far more interior room than one might expect. The back end storage is far greater than most crossovers, small SUV's or any other Sport Utility Wagon. They have good leg room front and rear, I am 6'3", and are easy on brakes and tires. A 2002 Outback is will cost about $5,000 and get 28 mpg.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #8 – August 13, 2011, 10:31:51 am

Pull a 2009 Ford Focus with manual transmission.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #9 – August 13, 2011, 11:18:16 am

We tow a 2005 RAV4 manual AWD. This is the last year a manual transmission was offered. It weighs about 3300 lbs. Excellent ground clearance along with a fairly short wheelbase mean it will go easily through fairly deep snow and also do really well in rough off road conditions. About 27 mpg on the highway, a couple less than the 2 wheel drive version with taller gearing. Have to stop every 300 miles and run the engine for 5 minutes when towing it. Excellent air and heat. Absolutely trouble free in over 100K miles with orig. spark plugs replaced at 106K. Tight construction with NO rattles or squeaks and nothing loose or falling off.

Do we know it's back there? On trips to Yellowstone and Southern California, it was noticeable on grades but not bad. Around here it really slows us down on all the steep mountain roads. The Jake handles it very well going down but would sure like another 100 hp heading uphill. Could use a 6 speed in the U300.

Can't understand why we can't get the diesel RAV that is sold most everywhere else in the world along with manual transmissions on the new models. My daughter has the diesel version in Australia. That would add 10 mpg to it and make it just about perfect.

For all the snow, muddy roads, off road adventures here in the west, it is hard to beat. Downside is hard to find a used RAV and used prices are very high.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #10 – August 13, 2011, 11:42:11 am

Totally agree on Subaru. If you want auto transmission, all wheel drive, bulletproof, swiss army knife, tows four down at 80 without any modifications buy a 2003 - 2006 Honda Element. Add a Thule roof rack for Bikes. I use Sterling "l terrain, but Blue Ox great too

On Friday, August 12, 2011, Kent Speers <kentspeers@yahoo.com> wrote:

Quote

We like our Saturn but we think Subaru's are hard to beat, manual transmission only. We are on our fifth Outback. Everyone excluding our current Outback has gone over 250K miles without a major problem. The biggest benefit is they will go almost anywhere, all wheel drive, and they have far more interior room than one might expect. The back end storage is far greater than most crossovers, small SUV's or any other Sport Utility Wagon. They have good leg room front and rear, I am 6'3", and are easy on brakes and tires. A 2002 Outback is will cost about $5,000 and get 28 mpg.

Kent Speers
Blanchard, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) V692 DDEC Silver Engine
2002 Subaru Outback

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #11 – August 13, 2011, 03:59:37 pm

We have towed our '03 Honda Accord automatic transmission 4 down for more than 70,000 and have driven it another 85,000. Just normal maintenance and a few recalls. Too bad the new Accords can't be towed.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #12 – August 13, 2011, 09:17:33 pm

I'm also trying to choose a toadie - my 2003 Ram 1500 4X4 (auto) is too heavy and won't tow 4 down. Right now, it's going to be either a stick Subaru (a WRX wagon would be a lot of fun

), or an old jeep (could also be fun, but without the creature comforts). My U225 has a limited towing capacity, so the lighter the better.

Still searching.

Steve

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #13 – August 13, 2011, 11:20:28 pm

VW Thing?

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #14 – August 13, 2011, 11:28:11 pm

As Kent indicated, a Subaru is hard to beat. You'd be just fine if you get an Outback; plenty of room, and go almost anywhere AWD.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #15 – August 13, 2011, 11:57:19 pm

2001 Tracker, fine for towing and side roads, semi comfortable, and cheap.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #16 – August 14, 2011, 02:53:25 am

We tow a 2002 Subaru WRX wagon, and it is great fun to drive, plus ~25-28 mpg on the highway (depending on how much fun we're having...

. Quite bulletproof and reliable - only maintenance in the last 3 years has been oil/filter changes and an expansion valve for the A/C. The Outbacks do have more ground clearance and more carrying capacity, though.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #17 – August 14, 2011, 07:41:49 am

Quote from: Dave Head – August 13, 2011, 11:20:28 pm

VW Thing?

Yes - that is on the list. Kinda hard to find though, and parts availability could be an issue.

I've also considered putting a an old Mini in a motorcycle trailer and hauling that.

Leaning towards some off-road capability.

Steve

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #18 – August 14, 2011, 07:02:05 pm

Quote from: Merle Hench – August 13, 2011, 09:17:33 pm

I'm also trying to choose a toadie - my 2003 Ram 1500 4X4 (auto) is too heavy and won't tow 4 down. Right now, it's going to be either a stick Subaru (a WRX wagon would be a lot of fun ), or an old jeep (could also be fun, but without the creature comforts). My U225 has a limited towing capacity, so the lighter the better.

Still searching.

Steve

I towed the Outback with my 225, no problems.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #19 – August 14, 2011, 08:02:18 pm

I am going to be looking for a new to me toad. Had hoped to pull the truck I have, it is turning out to be too much, about 1000 miles now. Interesting in what is working for everyone else.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #20 – August 14, 2011, 10:55:18 pm

4 door, 4 wheel drive, dodge dakota auto v-8
works 4 me on the road and 4 me at home.

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #21 – August 15, 2011, 12:32:50 am

Honda Element -
Available reasonable
3200 lbs.
automatic can be towed four down with no modifications available in 2 and awd models
honda reliability
honda dealers and mechanics everywhere rear seats fold up or come out all the way individually huge inside space - mini SUV
seats fold flat to make two "cots" for sleeping - I have used this feature many times to expand the sleeping capacity of my Foretravel at NASCR events.

Lots of good choices out there, this is the one I like

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #22 – August 16, 2011, 12:28:52 am

I kinda think I may tow the Bentley Continental for a change. Has anyone had any problems with this??

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #23 – August 16, 2011, 01:02:27 am

No, but your phony "repair and install satellite and general handy guy" cover has been blown. Pretty clear to everyone here now that you have chosen the dark side with your lavish cartel "Bentley" lifestyle.

Any room for a partner?

Re: tow vehicle

Reply #24 – August 16, 2011, 09:07:36 am

I have been towing a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali 4WD since 2006. Great vehicle to tow and it doubles as my wife's everyday wheels. She is making noise about wanting a new vehicle so it might be for sale soon. I plan to tow my GMC Z71 4WD pick up thereafter.

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