I just bought a 2001 30' Winnebago Brave with 42,000 miles and good condition.It has a Chevy Vortec engine, but I don't know which one. I'd like suggestions for a light weight vehicle to tow. We have Subarus and I don't want to tow with a dolly, plus I think 3,800 lbs is too much for an older RV. I'm hoping to pick up a car that's closer to 3,000 lbs. Any suggestions? Any comments would be appreciated.

I think your tow capacity with the big block Chevy will be the same as mine(5000lbs). My "old" Ford v8 has no trouble with what I tow. I love my Honda Accord with a curb weight of less than 3200lbs. Up until 2012, they are towable 4down and are a nice ride when you get there.

To find out what you can tow:On the manufacturers label, find the GVWR. For your vehicle, it may be 15,17 or 18K lbs (Assuming a 2001 Workhorse P-32 chassis). Next, find your GCWR from the same label. It could be either 19 or 21K lbs. That means that your total weight available for a towed vehicle could range from 3K to 4K. It is also dependent on you hitch weight rating (Class III or IV).

First question on a toad is do you drive a stick shift or need an automatic? That will help define what can be towed 4 wheels down.

wolfe10 wrote:First question on a toad is do you drive a stick shift or need an automatic? Automatic

2wheeler wrote:I just bought a 2001 30' Winnebago Brave with 42,000 miles and good condition.It has a Chevy Vortec engine, but I don't know which one. I'd like suggestions for a light weight vehicle to tow. We have Subarus and I don't want to tow with a dolly, plus I think 3,800 lbs is too much for an older RV. I'm hoping to pick up a car that's closer to 3,000 lbs. Any suggestions? Any comments would be appreciated.Honda'a are popular and fairly light. Just depends on how light and what your budget is, but for us, if it doesn't qualify as a DD,then it doesn't qualify as a toad either. Most 4 x 4's are towable and the Wrangler fits the bill there, as being one of the most popular.Specs are always for the weakest link, so hitch rating, then GCWR less GVWR. If a tad heavy, don't drive 70 mph, which is taken into account and especially with the wheelbase consideration. If more than a bit heavy, you'll still never know it's back there until maybe for climbing long 6% grades and in which case the transmission might overheat, so disconnect or get over in the right lane and limit your speed to 25mph in low gear. This will give you an extra 25% rating in itself.Lastly and before towing, look or have a pro look it all over, for being structurally sound.Your engine will handle anything, but some of the older ones, have been known to overheat on occasion. Your vortec, is most likely a 7.4 liter, should be fine and you're riding on a P30 chassis. Tranny is a 4L80E or 85E and yes will overheat under heavy load and steep climbing. Then again your coach is light. The good news is, that it will go into limp mode and save itself, if this should happen. Again, pull over and crawl a bit, unless you're in a race for being King of the hill.Disclaimer: There's a lot of doom and gloom stories on this subject, so don't take anything I say here as fact. Just saying that I've been there and done that for quite a number of years. Nothing broke, nothing fell off, no one died or had any other mishaps. Just sayin...........

New (to me) RV--lightweight toad recommendations

16 Replies

tatest
Explorer II
Jun 14, 2017
If automatic is necessary, older Honda Fit (pre-CVT) is towable and about 2600 pounds. Chevy Cobalt and other GM compacts in that family (like HHR) are towable and right around 3000 pounds, as were the Cavalier and Sunbird that preceded the Cobalt. I don't know about the next generation (e.g. Cruze) which got all new drivetrains.

If you'll drive standard transmission, you have a wide range of front-wheel-drive subcompacts and compacts to choose from. Subcompacts ranging from 2500 to 2800 pounds, compacts just under 3000 to about 3800, with SUV crossover variations running somewhat heavier than sedans and low profile hatchbacks.

I'm towing a Fit, but mine is manual transmission, just a personal preference.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jun 14, 2017
I would look for an older Corolla, Accent, Sonic, Fiesta, Forte with a std transmission the older ones will be closer to 2500 lbs, the newer ones will be heavier. Get a steel tow bar that is rated for 10,000 lbs and you will have a good safety margin very safe. Just check the bolts for your base plate and hitch often.
ArchHoagland
Explorer
Jun 14, 2017
What cars are towable

Remco will tell you if a car is towable 4 down and also what you can do to make one towable if it doesn't come that way.

If your engine is the 8.1 you can tow 4,000 lb with it. My toad is 4,000 lb.
RE_Todd
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017
the silverback wrote:
I had good luck with my Ford Edge automatic. About 3900 pounds.
What year Edge? Are you using a braking system, and if so, how do you manage the battery? I have a 2016 that will get it's maiden long distance tow next week, just concerned with battery management.
Manual says neutral, disconnect negative terminal.
wborst
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017
We tow a 2010 Chevy Cobalt. Less than 3000 pounds. Automatic. Only need to remove one fuse, put in neutral and unlock the steering wheel. Then you are ready to tow.
Bill
the_silverback
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017
I had good luck with my Ford Edge automatic. About 3900 pounds.
dougr5150
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017
Fiat 500 Pop, Front wheel drive with manual transmission. does not have locking steering so no need to have the key in ACC position while towing and it only weighs 2300 pounds.
Dance_Chick
Explorer
Jun 13, 2017
If you go with a Honda CRV prior to 2015, they are towable 4 down. That's what we tow - a 2012 automatic.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jun 12, 2017
Auto Subarus are generally not towable 4 down. Honda CR-V went with the same transaxle in 2015 and therefore are also not towable 4 down. In fact, as of 2017, there are no imports with automatic transmissions on the towable list.
Heisenberg
Explorer
Jun 12, 2017
Chevrolet Sonic.