Towd Recommendation?

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Towd Recommendation?

September 13, 2020, 07:49:17 am

We are looking at reducing our redundant car fleet by selling our older 06 Wrangler (towd) and DW's sporty sedan so we would have a towable daily driver. First thought was a newer (2014-2017) Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee or Grand Cherokee, are there better suggestions?
We do not have the largest engine so forget pickups, we do not want to tax our 350hp Cummins! Any thoughts?

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #1 – September 13, 2020, 10:09:29 am

David, be aware that the jeep Cherokee(don't know about grand Cherokee) does have some transmission problems,
We like our jeep Cherokee but had to have transmission replaced fortunately it was still under warranty. When we questioned the service rep at first he was in denial then DW said "look I googled the problem" then he told us that it was a problem that Chrysler was having and he thought Chrysler needed to change transmissions( but he didn't impress me as being the sharpest pencil in the box) BTW we have not had any problems since the tranny change and others on the forum have not had any problems at all
Chris

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #2 – September 13, 2020, 10:25:00 am

Out toad is the DW's daily driver, she loves it. It's a 2015 Jeep Wrangler unlimited(4 door). Ready and easy to pull as you know. She also has a sporty caddy but it stays parked most of the time. Plus the Jeep gives me the option to "play" it we go somewhere fun.

Keith

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #3 – September 13, 2020, 10:28:11 am

We tow a 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 4 cyl automatic with Active Drive 2 which it must be to flat tow since 2016. We added the electric steering wiring harness in 2017. We tow it and it is a daily driver. We have towed it 40,000 miles and driven it 25,000 miles. Tires and reg main is all that it has needed. Just the right size, level of comfort, drivability and functionality for us. Sold our Wrangler for this one, a good change. No transmission issues here.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #4 – September 13, 2020, 10:47:16 am

2005 RAV4 Manual W/240K Toyota reliable, great AC, 2990 lbs, goes off road like a mountain goat. Unfortunately, the last year of the U.S. manual transmission. Only downside is that they are never cheap used.

Pierce

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #5 – September 13, 2020, 10:56:34 am

Do you want/need the towed to do anything other than be a general daily driver? If so, that should drive your choice. If not, take a look at the Lincoln MKT or MKX. I believe someone has an X for sale now in the Classifieds. We've had our T for a couple of years now and really love it. ANY version of these is towable four down, doesn't matter which engine or FWD or 4WD. Ours is the base model and I've gotten >30 mpg on the highway several times. In town is about 15. Since Ford isn't making them anymore (weren't all that popular, it seems) they may well be cheaper than expected.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #6 – September 13, 2020, 11:24:40 am

If this is going to be a primary vehicle (daily driver), I would start with one of the "towable" lists which include curb weight numbers, narrow it down to those which you would consider (both from a weight perspective for towing and as if towing weren't a criteria - what would you actually LIKE to drive of that group), then go test drive the finalists.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #7 – September 13, 2020, 12:21:00 pm

We are towing an '06 Jeep Liberty Renegade which weighs as much as a newer Ford f150 (alum. body), so be sure to check the weight of anything you buy.
I really regret having sold my Suzuki Sidekick some years ago and have been looking for another one that hasn't been thrashed. I would say that it was the perfect tow vehicle.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #8 – September 13, 2020, 03:50:01 pm

I have a 98 Sidekick sport and my wife has a 2003 Tracker which could could be a tow vehicle too. Up here the Sidekicks are going
up in price.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #9 – September 13, 2020, 05:30:09 pm

We easily tow a fully loaded Grand Cherokee 5,000+ lb Jeep. Best auto we have ever owned. Coach engine is not taxed.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #10 – September 13, 2020, 05:51:23 pm

06 Honda Element...awesome towed with lots of room...

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #11 – September 13, 2020, 06:15:16 pm

Quote from: oldguy – September 13, 2020, 03:50:01 pm

I have a 98 Sidekick sport and my wife has a 2003 Tracker which could could be a tow vehicle too. Up here the Sidekicks are going
up in price.

I've noticed. Let me know when you want to part with your '98 (if it is manual). I also had a Samurai - great off road, not so much anywhere else. Other one was a Grand Vitara V6, nice car when not doing an oil change or when leaking oil.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #12 – September 13, 2020, 07:58:24 pm

Had a Grand Vitara........nightmare when a timing chain tensioner needed to be replaced....did the work and dumped it...ughhh

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #13 – September 14, 2020, 01:40:53 am

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – September 13, 2020, 10:28:11 am

We added the electric steering wiring harness in 2017.

Roger,
Did you convert to electric steering?

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #14 – September 14, 2020, 06:55:08 am

The harness is needed to prevent a speed wobble when the Jeep is towed on all four wheels, required for certain model years

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #15 – September 14, 2020, 07:28:23 am

The new Ford Bronco with the smaller engine and manual transmission.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #16 – September 14, 2020, 07:34:34 am

We use our everyday car a 2014 Equinox with all four on the ground. Not very heavy, room for 4 people, room for additional storage, great gas mileage and with over 145,000 miles runs great.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #17 – September 14, 2020, 01:41:29 pm

My 2018 JL Wrangler is my daily driver and I sure like it.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #18 – September 14, 2020, 08:11:23 pm

We have had Jeep wranglers 06, 12, 17 every day ride plus a bunch of off road. Just about as easy to set up and pull as you can get.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #19 – September 14, 2020, 10:33:11 pm

Yes, we have our 2017 Lincoln MKX for sale. It tows well, easy to put in Tow Mode with a few selections on the settings screen via the buttons on the steering wheel. It is a very comfortable car. I want to get a half ton pickup. Deb is not so excited about the truck as she likes the MKX very well.

PM me if you would like to discuss MKX's (even if you do not want to buy ours).

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #20 – September 15, 2020, 12:03:10 am

Quote from: TGordon – September 14, 2020, 01:40:53 am

Roger,
Did you convert to electric steering?

No the 2014 Jeep,Cherokee has electric power steering. The wiring harness leaves it powered while towing so that when going over rough terrain (potholes, railroad tracks) it more actively returns to center.

Re: Towd Recommendation?

Reply #21 – September 15, 2020, 07:29:04 pm

Quote from: oldguy – September 13, 2020, 03:50:01 pm

I have a 98 Sidekick sport and my wife has a 2003 Tracker which could could be a tow vehicle too. Up here the Sidekicks are going
up in price.

My current towd is a '95 Sidekick convertible two door 4x4 5 speed I've had since 2008. It has both removable hard tops and still runs like a top. It has a fold-a way Blue Ox towbar on the front, a/c, and will get 27+ mpg on the highway. At only 2700 Lbs. no auxiliary brake needed. I just put an antique License plate on it to match the '93 U300. I've had a lot of offers to sell but just can't part with it!

My other future towd is a '99 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 Automatic. They also make great towds and are better for longer trips on the highway. It's easier for Cindy to drive and has more room in the back for my stuff and big Max (95 Lb. Golden Retriever). When I can find a good cheap towbar and baseplate I'll start towing it also. There's a ton of aftermarket goodies for these older Jeeps and good used ones are getting harder to find. I lucked up with this one as it only has 60,000 original miles!

Jerry

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