Looking to get a Newer Toad - my 2001 275,000 mile MDX is almost done.Options?Jeep Commander Limited - Good - is Off Road 4x4 - BAD - Jeep.Explorer Limited - Good - Ford, tame off road nicer - Bad?MDX 2006 is the last year with the Toab able transmission. Been a great car but just want to be sure there is something else that I should consider. Good - I have a great History with the old MDX - Bad hard to name anything I dislike other than would like a little more off road ability.The MDX has been great and owes me nothing - but need to have a Toad that can haul at least 4 Granddaughters, would love the Jeep but it's a JEEP (Four Letter Word, in my book) Needs to be tame enough that DW will drive and use if we are out on the road for a while.Looking on the Class A forum as these are the ones who IMHO Know what's out there.Thanks, Give me as much info as possible - good, bad and OTHER.Busskipper

My informal study (looking at what everyone was towing over the winter on the road) shows that the most popular toad is the Honda CRV (pre-2105 models can be towed flat) followed by some kind of jeep, presumably with a manual transfer case so it can also be towed flat.Saw a smattering of Chevy Malibus, GMC and Buick SUVs.

I have a 2003 with 104K driven and 84K towed and have been keeping my eyes open. Would like to know what you have decided. I'm thinking that when I replace it I just might have to order over seas to get a stick again. Please keep us informed

Our 2011 Jeep Liberty has close to 100K on it and has had NO problems. It is flat towable and very comfortable on long trips.

It all depends on what you're looking for. Friends of ours owned a Jeep Commander, I wouldn't own one. They now own a new Grand Cherokee and what a nice vehicle. I'm a fan - although I'm not sure you can get that in a 7 passenger. On the Explorer, we now own an Explorer Limited. It's a great vehicle, comfortable, quiet, decent on fuel, etc. The terrain management system they have works as advertised for the on-road stuff we do, we don't do any off roading with it. Also take a look at a Ford Flex. Thats what we owned before the Explorer, all I can say is drive one. That too was a great vehicle. The Explorer and Flex share the same basic driveline so that part is about the same. The Flex has a bit more of a car feel to it.

Bruce Brown wrote:It all depends on what you're looking for. Friends of ours owned a Jeep Commander, I wouldn't own one. They now own a new Grand Cherokee and what a nice vehicle. I'm a fan - although I'm not sure you can get that in a 7 passenger. On the Explorer, we now own an Explorer Limited. It's a great vehicle, comfortable, quiet, decent on fuel, etc. The terrain management system they have works as advertised for the on-road stuff we do, we don't do any off roading with it. Also take a look at a Ford Flex. Thats what we owned before the Explorer, all I can say is drive one. That too was a great vehicle. The Explorer and Flex share the same basic driveline so that part is about the same. The Flex has a bit more of a car feel to it.Thanks, Bruce, that's what I was looking for - 7 Passenger info - the Flex is not an option just will not go Off Road (a little too Car Like and is really BIG - sure a nice driving vehicle though) Been twenty years since my last Explorer, and it is a strong option as it too is off road worthy(IMHO) I'm, looking to do the smoother Off Roads in Colorado - the Trails are to die for but most are not a big challenge, just need some clearance and to be able to lock up with one wheel off the ground. (Ford will do that? Right ?)Thanks for the feed back,Busskipper

Need a Newer Toad - 7 passenger SUV - Commander orExplorer

MPond
Explorer
Jun 17, 2016
What about the Toyota 4Runner? Is has a 3rd row (seats 7), and is a proper 4x4 SUV.

According to Remco, it's flat towable if you add a lube pump.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2016
O.K. Busskipper, you've obviously thought out all the issues and the Commander is for you. Enjoy!
kalynzoo
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Very happy with my 2015 Ford Explorer. Weighs in at 4700lb, tows beautifully, seats 7 comfortably, supper easy hookup. Put in Aux and go. I do have a trickle line in the umbilical, but is was available in the MH so I used it. I understand (perhaps incorrectly) that the 2016 model wants you to disconnect the battery. I have no idea what that would do to system memories, such as driver favorite seat position, radio, clock, etc.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Mr. Brown,

Those pictures are amazing. The LR4 could handle that pretty good I'm sure. It has air leveling and will raise 7 inches from the low setting. Normal is in the middle. I will lower the Rover all the way down to get out easier.

Normally, I keep the LR4 in the mid-south as we do get some snow but mostly ice when the winter storms come through. When I was out West, that snow storm was unexpected. The two places that we live don't handle ice/snow very well.

That's also why I bought the Honda in AWD..... it's a not a true 4x4 but it's better than just FWD.

I like having a large vehicle for guests and the LR4 comes in handy. It's a good all weather SUV and people mover.

MM.
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Bruce Brown wrote:
Mr. Mark,
Please don't take this the wrong way but around here 6" is kind of a joke. If you want to talk snow this was a 36 hour storm in 2015, and this is actually pretty typical for us.

This was the winter I never got the snow tires on my wifes Explorer. It managed just fine. :W

My brother, after I pushed the snow back at his daughters house;

My plow truck is a '16 Super Duty Crew Cab w/ a 8.5' V-Plow. When things get backed up I bring out thing big toy;

This is way off the OP --- Snow is not a rock - I've owned all and an Explorer is good in the snow - never took it on an extreme off road and really don't see a lot out west on the Trails

(Bruce -we took care of the Race Tracks in Maryland - 50 acres of snow - so yes I know snow)
Busskipper
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
.
2gypsies wrote:
The Commander has a long wheel base which makes a big negative difference. I understand but if it were just me it would be different. and Yes I have chauffeured the entire party while in the Mountains of Costa Rica 17 all told for ten days so I understand the long wheel base, bounce.

In the two videos I would have taken the routes to the right with our Jeep Liberty over the left approach. :) I think we all would have done it differently but the fact remains that the Jeep is the best in many off road situations.

The Cherokee or Grand Cherokee won't work for you? Let the wife stay home when you take the grandkids if you need more room? Or switch off riders for the rides? :) How often will the grandchildren be with you? You don't know my DW - that will never happen, and the only reason to do this is because we want to enjoy the State of Colorado with them, not separated from them.

Also, have you ever ridden in a rear seat while 4-wheeling? Only once - then I became the driver. It's not enjoyable and you might want to carry some barf bags! Not allowed, on my watch. Like said i did it 8 times a day for ten days not A Barf, not even after the late nights with the JWB and a lot of Wine. All you do is sway from one side to the other. You need to ride with me, we take it easy, realllllly EASY.The driver has the steering wheel and the front passenger has a hand hold. It's kind of loose in the rear.

I Respect you knowledge but this is not my first rodeo either - and the MDX served me well on and off road - but I really want to see a few of these harder to get to spots before I give it up. I may no longer be young and crazy but I am still crazy and the Commander looks like the only chance to get 6 to the places We ant to go (Slowly)

Jeeps have never really been high on any list of mine - but the facts are it is a Jeep and it will lock up and go just about anywhere.

Thanks for the advice,

Bill
Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Jun 16, 2016
Mr. Mark,
Please don't take this the wrong way but around here 6" is kind of a joke. If you want to talk snow this was a 36 hour storm in 2015, and this is actually pretty typical for us.

This was the winter I never got the snow tires on my wifes Explorer. It managed just fine. :W

My brother, after I pushed the snow back at his daughters house;

My plow truck is a '16 Super Duty Crew Cab w/ a 8.5' V-Plow. When things get backed up I bring out thing big toy;
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
Busskipper, I also own a Land Rover LR4. I feel that it could crawl up a mountain without missing a beat. Mainly, I have it for snow season and it's 7 passenger.

A few years ago, I was up in the mountains with it at Lake Arrowhead, CA, where it snowed 6 or so inches. The streets were a little slick too. I was driving around front-wheel drive cars and SUV's like I was on dry pavement. It just cemented the fact of owning a good 4x4.

The Land Rover's are not towable four down. You would have to get a trailer to haul it around.

This is my second Land Rover and both have been extremely reliable and pleasant to own.

MM.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Jun 16, 2016
RayChez wrote:
I never have liked Jeep. I had one before and it did not tow well. It was a wrangler so I ended towing it on a specially made trailer. But Jeep now is owned by Chrysler and might be better, not sure. Last time I looked at them was two years ago and some of those nice suv Jeeps were not towable.

Jeep is actually owned by Fiat.

I owned two, a new '96 and a new '99, neither were reliable and had to be towed under the warranties as they left me stranded. I never towed them as I wasn't into motorhoming then.

MM.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2016
The Commander has a long wheel base which makes a big negative difference.

In the two videos I would have taken the routes to the right with our Jeep Liberty over the left approach. :)

The Cherokee or Grand Cherokee won't work for you? Let the wife stay home when you take the grandkids if you need more room? Or switch off riders for the rides? :) How often will the grandchildren be with you?

Also, have you ever ridden in a rear seat while 4-wheeling? It's not enjoyable and you might want to carry some barf bags! All you do is sway from one side to the other. The driver has the steering wheel and the front passenger has a hand hold. It's kind of loose in the rear.