Tow vehicle

We used to tow a 2100 pound Toyota MR2 Spyder with manual transmission. That was an easy-on-the-motorhome tow that tracked beautifully behind our rig. It was quite enjoyable sightseeing at our destinations with the top down. The reason why we switched to a 4x4 tow vehicle was to be more adventurous on unimproved and wash-out roads. If not for that, the Spyder was great. Actually we went through a few dry river beds with the Spyder. Surprising to us, it handled it without a scratch. But that particular experience made us take action and get the 4x4.

I'm flat towing the 1,800 lb smart car in my signature.

I tow a 2012 Hyundai Accent SE with a 6 speed manual transmission. Just over 2400 lbs., lots of storage for a small car, great warranty, and gets 40 mpg.

We tow a Honda Element 2011 EX 4x4 automatic and it's a great tow. The only draw back you can't go over 65 mph. We tow it behind a 350 Grand Sport Dynamax . The Element works like a garage or extra sleeping room for the grandkids. You can get a tent for the Element that mounts to the back of it .

I also tow a Honda Fit, behind my Winnebago Aspect. It is very lite and easy to tow and gets about 35 mpg and has lots of room. Great vehicle.

If you live in snow country, a Subaru is a great choice. As Grumpy said, only the manual transmission can be towed 4 down.

Whatever is light enough and meets your transportation needs.

I'm towing a 2500 pound Honda Fit. Mine is manual transmission, but the 5-speed automatic can also be towed. Roughly a 70% scale minivan, Fit has good space for four persons, seating for five, huge cargo space when only two seats are needed. SIL carries 2-3 bicycles in his.

Similar packages include Focus hatch, HHR, PT Cruiser, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, which are all 600-800 pounds heavier than the Fit without that much more room, and not all towable as automatics, though manual transmission versions of each can be towed.

Next step up is Equinox (and badge engineered siblings), Honda CRV, which are about 1000 pounds heavier. Toyota, Kia, Hyundai equivalent crossovers in this size are towable with manual transmission only. Probably also pushing towing limits of a C on the Sprinter chassis though within towing capacity of a Sprinter van.

If you don't need SUV or wagon space, most domestic and Japanese front drive subcompact sedans are towable with manual transmission, as are GM compacts with the 4-speed OD automatic (Cobalt, Cavalier and clones, compact Saturns). This transmission also reached up into mid-size cars like the Malibu, although there were other transmissions, not towable, used with larger engines in this body size. That's older cars, the 5-6-7 speed automatics and CVTs now used to meet the bigger CAFE targets are not necessarily towable.

My alternative tow is my manual transmission Ranger. It is an OK size for my E-450 based C (which can flat tow at least 5000 pounds) but would be pushing the limits for your C. Ranger and Frontier are two of the very few front-engine, rear-drive manual transmission vehicles OKed by the manufacturer for recreational towing.

If you need or want 4x4 off-road capability, look for a Tracker, or one of the Suzuki models on which the Tracker was based. These are about the lightest 4x4s with true off-road capability recently sold in the U.S. Even the lightest and most stripped down 4x4 Wrangler, Cherokee, or Liberty is going to be kind of heavy for a View.

I use one or the other, Fit or Ranger, or tow nothing at all, depending on the nature and destination of the RV trip.

jauguston wrote:
Dakzuki,

They are a great toad. I put a 1.6 TD out of a Jetta in mine.

Paid $900.00 for it 8 years ago. Mine is a tintop with factory AC. Fixed it up nice-turned down 10K for it.

I've got a tin top with a bad engine at home.

Dakzuki,

They are a great toad. I put a 1.6 TD out of a Jetta in mine.

Paid $900.00 for it 8 years ago. Mine is a tintop with factory AC. Fixed it up nice-turned down 10K for it.

Subaru's, which are all, all wheel drive, with manual tranny's, can be towed 4-down. I currently tow a 2013 Subi Crosstrek XV which is basically an Impreza on steroids. No modifications are needed and there are no restrictions as to towing them, manuals only. An auto cannot be towed.
And for info, my Crosstrek has the same ground clearence as a stock Jeep Wrangler, around 9 inches. Great if your going to do a bit of boondocking when you get to your campground.
Grumpy