Flat towing vehicles

[Don2466]

Looking at getting a new vehicle to tow behind our class A. Would like an all wheel drive. I've read the ford explorer owners manual and its a "no" for it.
Does anyone know what SUV vehicles can be towed? Besides a Jeep, been there, done that.

Thanks

[ArchHoagland]

Shows what vehicles can be flat towed or modified to do so.

[JetAonly]

We have a 2013 Silverado extended cab 4x4 that tows easily. Put the transfer case in Neutral, transmission in park and go. Tracks well and pulls easy. It is over 5k, I even put my motorcycle in the bed without issue.

[stvdman]

We have a 2008 Dodge Dakota 4x4 that we yank along behind us. Its about 4500lbs, so not lightweight, but it is extremely handy having a pickup truck to use.

Ultimate goal is to have a golf cart in the bed, kayak strapped to the top of the golf cart, and the bikes sitting alongside it in the bed. And then wander around the US taking in the views from bike trails, rivers/lakes, and golf cart touring! Ahhh, the dream...

[jplante4]

I'm also thinking about towing something on the next Big Adventure so last winter's trip I did an informal survey of toads (I looked at what everyone else was towing). The overwhelming majority towed either a CR-V or some kind of Jeep. I did see a few Saturns.

[Mike_and_Trish]

OP, I'm curious as to why you dismiss all Jeeps with a "been there, done that." We replaced our 2008 Jeep Liberty toad (after 110k or so miles) with a 2014 Honda CR-V. The Jeep was a dream to tow, but as a near-daily driver, I hated the lousy mileage (15-20 mpg). The CR-V was fine, but more work to tow than the Jeep, and a bit small for our tastes. After 2 years, we sold the CR-V to an RV-ing neighbor, and upgraded to a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. We couldn't be happier with it -- very easy to hook up and tow, lots of room, full 4WD capability, and WAY better mileage than the Liberty ever got (we're seeing 26 mpg on the highway).

This wouldn't be everybody's choice, I know, and it's about 1000 lbs. heavier than the CR-V. But Jeeps have continued to evolve, and they cover a wide range of models. You might want to give them another look.

[Mr_Mark1]

Mr. Brown, you're the man!

Thank you for posting those pictures and towing information. I haven't figured out how to do that yet.

Safe travels,
MM.

[catkins]

The manufacturer (owners manual is a great source) is always the ultimate authority. The MH guide is great but I'd be checking before purchasing.................

[Bruce_Brown]

Mr.Mark wrote:
Bruce Brown,

The Motorhome Magazine towing guide states the following....


Explorer 3.5-L V6, FWD and AWD can be towed all wheels down


Explorer 3.5-L V6, ECO-BOOST AWD can be towed all wheels down (this engine configuration is AWD only)


Explorer 2.4 I-4 ECO-BOOST, FWD and AWD cannot be towed


Mark

Thanks for the updated information. Just 2 years ago the FWD one's couldn't be towed.

Here it is directly from Ford - confirming the latest information;

[Mr_Mark1]

Bruce Brown,

The Motorhome Magazine towing guide states the following....


Explorer 3.5-L V6, FWD and AWD can be towed all wheels down


Explorer 3.5-L V6, ECO-BOOST AWD can be towed all wheels down (this engine configuration is AWD only)


Explorer 2.4 I-4 ECO-BOOST, FWD and AWD cannot be towed


Mark

[Bruce_Brown]

Don2466 wrote:
Looking at getting a new vehicle to tow behind our class A. Would like an all wheel drive. I've read the ford explorer owners manual and its a "no" for it.
Does anyone know what SUV vehicles can be towed? Besides a Jeep, been there, done that.

Thanks

Check that manual again. The front wheel drive Explorers can't be towed 4 down, the AWD Explorers CAN be.

My wife drives a '14, I just double checked the manual. The way it is written I can see how you may have come to the conclusion it couldn't be - it can.

[Jim]

Here's my blog post about setting up a car for 4-down towing. I bought a Saturn automatic for that because it's designed with towing in mind...

Towing blog story...

[RayChez]

I towed a 2013 CR-V for two years, fine vehicle for towing. I would have bought me a new 2016, but they are not towable anymore. So I bought me a 2017 GMC Terrain SLE. It seems like it might be a good one. It handles the road really good, and when I towed it I could not even tell it was back there.

[cvbdsl]

I bought a 2016 Chev Colorado this year to eventually use as a toad.
It is 4x4 and can be towed four down but does need the negative battery cable disconnected due to the electric steering.

Chris

[Mr_Mark1]

aboeck3 wrote:
Mr Mark, do you use a brake assist unit when towing your CR-V?

Mr. Aboeck3,

Yes, we use the SMI Air Force One supplemental braking system. As I apply the coach brakes, it will proportionately apply the CR-V brakes. We also have the break-away switch too.

On our previous Honda CR-V, we had the M & G system. Both systems work well.

The reason why we chose the SMI for the '13 Honda is that the M & G required a lot more labor to install as the engine compartment changed from our 2007 Honda to the 2013. It was something like 3 hrs. for the SMI vs. 8 hrs. for the M & G.

MM.