Narrowing down the search for a new toad that we can tow 4 down. DW's current Civic requires a dolly and it's a pain. So we drove the CRV and frankly she's not crazy about it. It's a great toad based on everything I have read but she just wasn't feeling it. She loves her civic BTW but she's committed to getting a 4 downer. We are also looking at the Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Again this appears to be a great toad. However it's about 1k heavier than the CRV and has a worse crash rating. Not horrible just not as good. Based on my numbers I can pull either although the Jeep gets me close to the max I can tow. I know I am opening this up to a perference thing but let me ask a few technical questions. Is one easier than the other to set up? Baseplates, brakes etc? Is one easier to hook up (riser vs drop reciever, the transmission prep for tow)She will require an automatic trans. Are the baseplates the same price? Does one tow better? You get the idea. The Jeep sure does have the fun factor for vacations but whatever we choose it will also be a daily driver. Not a commute per se as my wife works PT and very close to the house but it will be used as a standard vehicle. We are also considering relocating south - SC, Fla etc where the Jeep would be better suited but that's a bit down the road - pardon the pun. Ok, I digress, but back to basics. Is one technically easier, more suited for towing? Is one better as far as an overall vehicle ie; as maintenance and repairs and reliability? Thanks

Being born and raised in Detroit I don't ride in foreign cars. Try the Chev. Equinox. It the newer version of my Saturn Vue and is easily towable.

We love our CRV. But, it also is a stick. Put it in neutral, unlock the steering and off you go. One of the better cars both company and personal, that I have owned

Mr.Mark wrote:Effy, obviously we like the Honda CR-V. It just does everything right.-AWD-Seats five-Good fuel economy-Comfortable ride-Weighs 3,400 lbs.-ReliableSince we have the Navigation, we had a switch put in to cut off the Radio/Nav as you are required to pull a fuse. Same with the 2007 we had.I had owned two Jeeps in the past and they were not the most reliable... both had to be towed back to the dealership while under warranty. I just didn't want to go that route again.Both Honda's have been flawless (current one owned 15 months).To get our Honda set up with the Blue Ox baseplate and SMI braking and cut-off switch was about $3,000.We don't really take a vehicle off road as the Honda is not a true 4x4 like a Jeep. That might be your deciding factor. The Honda's drive so well I'm surprised that your wife wasn't impressed.Safe travels,MM.I agree CRV is great vehicle and it's not that she wasn't impressed with it, she just didn't "feel" it if you get my meaning. technically it's a winner but she just wasn't crazy about it. We may still go that way. It might grow on her, the RV certainly did.

Jeep or CRV - the search for a toad continues | Good Sam Community

Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
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bsinmich
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Being born and raised in Detroit I don't ride in foreign cars. Try the Chev. Equinox. It the newer version of my Saturn Vue and is easily towable.
hottubkid
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
We love our CRV. But, it also is a stick. Put it in neutral, unlock the steering and off you go. One of the better cars both company and personal, that I have owned
Effy
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2014
Mr.Mark wrote:
Effy, obviously we like the Honda CR-V. It just does everything right.
-AWD
-Seats five
-Good fuel economy
-Comfortable ride
-Weighs 3,400 lbs.
-Reliable

Since we have the Navigation, we had a switch put in to cut off the Radio/Nav as you are required to pull a fuse. Same with the 2007 we had.

I had owned two Jeeps in the past and they were not the most reliable... both had to be towed back to the dealership while under warranty. I just didn't want to go that route again.

Both Honda's have been flawless (current one owned 15 months).

To get our Honda set up with the Blue Ox baseplate and SMI braking and cut-off switch was about $3,000.

We don't really take a vehicle off road as the Honda is not a true 4x4 like a Jeep. That might be your deciding factor. The Honda's drive so well I'm surprised that your wife wasn't impressed.

Safe travels,
MM.

I agree CRV is great vehicle and it's not that she wasn't impressed with it, she just didn't "feel" it if you get my meaning. technically it's a winner but she just wasn't crazy about it. We may still go that way. It might grow on her, the RV certainly did.
Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
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Effy
Explorer II
Apr 09, 2014
Per my original post, it has to be an automatic. Also reliability is a must. I do not have the time or patience to deal with a vehicle I cannot depend on, nor am I in the position for a shadetree DIY vehicle. I have enough projects. This will be a new or 1yr old used with a warranty. It must be reliable/dependable.
mowermech
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Never a Honda, ALWAYS a Jeep! THAT is the ONLY way to go, IMO!
Preferably a Rubicon Unlimited.
wcjeep
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
Have you considered the New Jeep Cherokee? Not all models of the Cherokee can be towed 4 down. The crash ratings are top notch. It's also a better vehicle for around town commuting. I'm not talking about the Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee has 10 air bags.

edit: consider the Technology Package. It comes with 360deg radar coverage. Really good at slow maneuver around a crowded parking lot. Test drive one and you'll see.
Biggyniner
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
bsinmich wrote:
Being born and raised in Detroit I don't ride in foreign cars. Try the Chev. Equinox. It the newer version of my Saturn Vue and is easily towable.

My family is from Michigan too :B (originally), however, a lot of American made cars are not made in America (though some of that is changing). I don't care if the CEO is American or Japanese, I'll give my money to the company that has the manufacturing state-side as to support the American worker.
univmd
Explorer
Apr 09, 2014
We chose CRV for reliability and because it drives most like a Civic. We got the tow bar and had the brake and light setup by Jim Donnies RV by BWI Airport in Maryland. So if you get the CRV, his guys are very familiar with getting the CRV hooked up.