lanerd wrote:
Or is it better to tow with a automatic according to the book?
Book??? ....what book are you referring to?
Most manual trans vehicles can be towed four down with just the addition of a tow bar (plus the base plate that the tow bar attaches to). Notice I said "most". There are some that cannot be. That said, auto trans vehicles that can be towed four down are not as common, but plentiful just the same. The CRV is one of them. 4WD vehicles with a T-case that has a selectable neutral can typically also be towed 4-down....newer 4WD that have the electronic t-case without a selectable neutral typically cannot.
I have a good friend who has the older model CRV (probably what you would be looking for at your price range) that he takes 4-wheeling all the time. It has a higher ground clearance than the FWD version and is very a very capable off road vehicle. Typically they probably weigh in the neighborhood of around 3600 - 3800 lbs. The engine is a 4 banger with about 180 hp....not real swift but adequate and fairly decent gas mileage.
Those vehicles that the manufacturer indicates that are NOT 4-down towable...typically can be converted with the addition of either a transmission lube pump for FWD vehicles or a driveshaft disconnect for RWD vehicles. If you have a specific vehicle in mind, go to REMCO and plug in the make, model, and year and it will tell you what needs to be done. Be aware that there are some that cannot be converted.
However, at a $5K price range, I really think you would have to put your mechanical skills to work to insure that it would a dependable vehicle.
Hope this helps
Ron
RCtime mentioned that he read this from his manual?
& Now I'll check that link, should prove to be VERY helpful, thanks.
