toad

[dgantz]

What is the best/easiest toad to tow?

[Jim_Shoe]

I tow a 2003 Jeep Wrangler. 4 cyl, 5 speed. Easy to set up for towing. I got it in 2004 for a steal. The previous owner bought it as a daily driver and got tired of having to downshift on any kind of hill. Since I'm single, I removed the rear seat and carry some stuff in the back that I don't need regularly.

[tenbear]

Subaru. No limit on speed, miles or anything else. Just hook it up, set the ignition to 2, and go.

Oh yeah, it has to be a manual transmission, not a big deal, I was brought up with manual transmission, and love the 4WD.

[Robocop]

CA Traveler wrote:
And the correct answer is: It's like a girlfriend - everyone has their favorite! :B

Sadly, I have no favorite girlfriend at the moment.

However, I do like my CR-V.

And I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once! LOL!

[Bumpyroad]

Butch50 wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:

Ro646a wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
an old Tracker needs manual hubs to be able to tow it. don't know what year that changed.
bumpy

I have had a 2000, a 2002 and a 2004. All of them were v6 4x4 automatic SUV models. None of those had manual hubs. All that is necessary is to put the trans in park, the transfer case in neutral and go. If you leave the key in the ignition without pulling it out after turning off the engine, the steering column remains unlocked, so it can be towed or steered with the key turned off.

My tracker was a mid 90s
bumpy

My 1997 Tracker was the same way. It came with auto hubs and I had to change them to manuals. It was no big thing. It stated that right in the owners manual on mine. Maybe later years did not require them to be changed out.

I found it interesting that J.C. Whitney sold an "upgrade" kit to manual hubs for them. 🙂
bumpy

[Butch50]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Ro646a wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
an old Tracker needs manual hubs to be able to tow it. don't know what year that changed.
bumpy

I have had a 2000, a 2002 and a 2004. All of them were v6 4x4 automatic SUV models. None of those had manual hubs. All that is necessary is to put the trans in park, the transfer case in neutral and go. If you leave the key in the ignition without pulling it out after turning off the engine, the steering column remains unlocked, so it can be towed or steered with the key turned off.

My tracker was a mid 90s
bumpy

My 1997 Tracker was the same way. It came with auto hubs and I had to change them to manuals. It was no big thing. It stated that right in the owners manual on mine. Maybe later years did not require them to be changed out.

[Bobbo]

CA Traveler wrote:
And the correct answer is: It's like a girlfriend - everyone has their favorite! :B

Or two! :B

[Bumpyroad]

Ro646a wrote:

Bumpyroad wrote:
an old Tracker needs manual hubs to be able to tow it. don't know what year that changed.
bumpy

I have had a 2000, a 2002 and a 2004. All of them were v6 4x4 automatic SUV models. None of those had manual hubs. All that is necessary is to put the trans in park, the transfer case in neutral and go. If you leave the key in the ignition without pulling it out after turning off the engine, the steering column remains unlocked, so it can be towed or steered with the key turned off.

My tracker was a mid 90s
bumpy

[CA_Traveler]

And the correct answer is: It's like a girlfriend - everyone has their favorite! :B

[Ro646a]

Bumpyroad wrote:
an old Tracker needs manual hubs to be able to tow it. don't know what year that changed.
bumpy

I have had a 2000, a 2002 and a 2004. All of them were v6 4x4 automatic SUV models. None of those had manual hubs. All that is necessary is to put the trans in park, the transfer case in neutral and go. If you leave the key in the ignition without pulling it out after turning off the engine, the steering column remains unlocked, so it can be towed or steered with the key turned off.

[derh20]

A stated above, an automatic is hard to find that can be towed 4 down. We purchased a 2012 Ford Focus which has worked great for us. One thing I especially like is you can go up to 70 MPH. Of course I don't travel that fast, but it is nice to be able to pick up speed before an incline.

[DrewE]

Many (most?) manual transmission cars can be towed four-down without much difficulty, particularly if they're not all wheel drive. Of course, double-checking specifically before buying would be wise.

If you want an automatic, Honda Fits through '13 with automatics can be towed four down. There is a bit of a special priming procedure, described in the owner's manual, that needs to be done before setting out towing—basically idling for several seconds in various gears in a certain sequence, then shutting off the motor—in order to ensure the transmission stays properly lubricated. (The current '15s which have a CVT, cannot so far as I know. There were no '14 Fits; that model year was skipped.)

I like my '12 Fit; it's a pretty fun little car, and carries a whole lot more stuff than it has any right to be able to hold. They also managed to find room in it for two glove boxes, a big one and a small one, which is two more than Ford was able to squeeze into the dash of my motorhome.

[Bobbo]

+1 on the Subaru. Be sure it is a manual transmission.

[Butch50]

We have a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek on order (supposed to be here the 15th of October) We had to order it to get a manual as they are the only ones towable 4 down. It weighs just over 3000#. So with it you just hook it up to the tow bar plug in you aux brake turn the key to ACC to unlock the steering wheel and put the trans in neutral and you are ready to tow. It is also a 4wd and that is the reason I wanted it. The Jeep is just to heavy behind our Sprinter and we already had one that is towable 4 down. My wife has a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[Bumpyroad]

an old Tracker needs manual hubs to be able to tow it. don't know what year that changed.
bumpy