Toad Suggestions

[stugpanzer]

I am looking at my options for a replacement toad for flat towing. Currently I have a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country which I pull with a dolly. It is cost prohibitive for me to do what I need in the Chrysler...namely the required oil pump. I have looked for used ones but haven't located one. I understand that I will need tow bars/plate, brakes and perhaps a driveshaft disconnect. Also, the Chrysler is starting to rust more and quite fast! Not that it can't happen with something else....

I am interested in looking at toad options as follows:

1) Must seat 4 people comfortably and have cargo space
2) Don't want to have to do much or very little modifications
3) must weigh under 4000 pounds
4) Looking at late model vehicles (2000 ~ 2010 range)
5) Not stuck on type of vehicle so cars, trucks, suvs can all be considered.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[Mr_Mark1]

Our first tow vehicle was a 2007 Honda CR-V and then we traded for a 2013 CR-V. Both were excellent tow vehicles and both AWD. I had the M & G on the first one and the Air-Force-One on the second.

When I wanted a new tow vehicle, Honda's that are 2015 and newer are not towable. So, I decided on the Lincoln MKX AWD. I had the Air-Forced-One installed.

Originally, I chose the Honda CR-V because it was higher off of the ground than a sedan. We don't off road so the clearance was fine for us. If we were to straddle an object going down the interstate, I didn't want it to get 'hung-up' on a lower sitting vehicle like a sedan, hence the small SUV has a higher stance.

And, I have seen a lot of 'stuff' on the roadway. It's amazing what we have had to dodge. LOL!

Safe travels,
MM.

[Dog_Trainer]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
All of the Chevrolet HHR's can be flat towed with automatic transmission. No modifications needed.

I agree I flat towed an HHR for 45,000 miles no problems I liked the old one so much that I just found an 2011 with 50,000 miles on it that I am now towing.

[becker]

I can speak to the 08 CRV and 2013 Jeep Sahara 4-dr as we have towed both vehicles and presently towing the Jeep. The CRV is a great towing vehicle (light and good milege).... we towed over 50,000 miles with no problems..... the only negative (if this is a negative where you are concerned) is that it's low to the ground and restricted us when we were sightseeing away from our base camp (within 200 miles) and on back roads which we love to travel.... we did a good bit of research and elected to go with the Jeep.... it's high off the ground, excellent sightseeing vehicle, 4-wheel drive (when we want it), pulls as well (maybe better) than the CRV, at 50,000 miles we put one size larger Michelins on it and it rides great, have no cons where it is concerned.
We bit the bullet and put a M&G Braking System on it (and we are super happy we did), when I put on the air brakes in the coach, it puts on the brakes in the Jeep (this is very reassuring).... when we get ready to go on the road, we hook up and we plug in the air hose, the DC connection, put the Jeep in neutral and away we go. We only looked at two braking systems (this was very important to us).... M&G and Air Force (both are excellent but not cheap).... we had the M&G system on the CRV also.... I almost forgot.... we have the Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terrain Towing System hookup.... sorry to be so wordy but I am returning the favor to the people who gave us great insight when we first started out years, and years ago.... Good Luck.

[2gypsies1]

Kavoom wrote:
As previously noted, Jeeps. . . . if you are driving a big Class A, you are already limited to parking lots for camping. A 2WD is going to severely limit where you can go when you get there. I can't imagine going to CO, MT, UT, WA,OR etc. and NOT being able to go into the mountains. 4WD will expand your horizons beyond the tourist traps.

I agree with the above except for having a big Class A and being limited to parking lots for camping.

90% of our 16 years of full-timing was done by staying in public parks of all kinds and extensive boondocking along gravel roads with our 40' motorhome. Absolutely no damage to the motorhome.

For going even farther a 4x4 is higher recommended for added enjoyment.

[stugpanzer]

So many excellent suggestions and great advice! I really appreciate the input!

[Mile_High]

2008-2017 JKU Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a 4 dr. Love mine and it has an amazing amount of cargo space in the back. The sport will come in at 4075 lbs. Additional trim models slightly higher (mine is 4,300 lbs).

The Wrangler can be easily towed with automatic or manual - no modifications required. Tow bar and base plate, wiring kit, and auxiliary brake system.

The 2008-2011 can be had reasonably if you negotiate. They had an under powered engine and temperamental automatic transmission, but there are tons out there still chugging along. The 2012-2017 had a smaller, yet more powerful engine and improved automatic transmission. The 2018 (mid year) is a new critter, JL series with many improvements, but priced like a BMW.

[tommy_g]

If you prefer a sedan, I would recommend Honda Accord or Chevy Malibu. The Accords of this age bracket are not 4-down towable per the manual. I never could understand this. Mine has 180k driving and 80k being towed.

[CA_Traveler]

Honda CRV through 2014. In 2015 the tranny was changed and it can't be flat towed.

After you review the owners manual, towing guides and Remco then do a detailed search for the vehicle of interest to learn of others experiences. Not all vehicles can be towed problem free as indicated in the documentation.

[Ro_n_Joe]

Google: Motorhome Toad list and you can go back to 2010 and earlier to look at what may be towed 4 wheels down.

[siggyd777]

The Honda CRV must be a 2014 or OLDER! The 2015's and up are not towable,because they have the new CVT transmission.
Siggy

[Kavoom]

As previously noted, Jeeps. I am still two years,three months, 10 days and about 18 hours from that kind of life, but have still researched, not that I am in a hurry or anything but, if you are driving a big Class A, you are already limited to parking lots for camping. A 2WD is going to severely limit where you can go when you get there. I can't imagine going to CO, MT, UT, WA,OR etc. and NOT being able to go into the mountains. 4WD will expand your horizons beyond the tourist traps. I live in MT now and my 4WD pickup set up for light off-roading is so much fun. I think of like Moab UT and if you don't have 4WD, you will miss about 70% of the potential fun you can have over a week or so. There are a lot of places like that in Colorado also and most mountain states.

Go look up Moonflower Road in Moab and take it beyond the pavement or any number of places along 70 in Colorado or the four corners area or even the frontage road along I-15 in between Butte and Helena MT or the road from I-15 from Bernice MT over to I-90 or Tizer lakes in the Elkhorns south of Helena MT and on and on and on...

[johnsonbert]

We had very good luck with a 2010 Chev Malibu, an just moved to a 2015, although do not have it set up yet. We towed it over 50k and drove it another 108k and it never seen the inside of a repair shop. Hope this might help, Happy trails Bert

[Bumpyroad]

lfeather wrote:
FMCA has a complete listing of all towables and nontowables. Larry, 2014 Reyo P

but confirm in the owner's manual
bumpy

[jplante4]

Heisenberg wrote:
Equinox

X2. Great toad and half the price of a Jeep or CR-V of the same year.