Help With Car to Tow

[KRex-Tampa]

I have a class A, 2014 Fleetwood Storm, that can tow 5000 lbs and has a tongue weight of 500 lbs. I have a tow dolly and am currently pulling a 2001 Mazda MPV. However, my mechanic just told me things do not look good and that one of the valve/cylinders is registering no pressure and two other values are registering pressure below their specs. He said he cannot tell what the source of the problem is unless he essentially tears the engine apart (4 hour job). He told me it will likely be one of three things, but none of them being cheap. So, now that I'm looking at a repair bill on an older vehicle (but only has 120,000 mile on it) that could be in the $3-$4,000 range. I'm thinking about getting another vehicle. I'd like one that can be towed with all four wheels on the ground and avoid the tow dolly (if possible/wise). It would also need to carry 6 people. (At least 3 adults and the little ones are getting bigger by the moment). Can anyone suggest a web site that might give details on cars regarding if it can be towed with all four wheels on the ground or list any vehicles that they are aware of that would meet my family's needs?

[Teeton]

If 1 cylinder has no compression and 2 other have low.. My guess is vales. Most vale jobs on a 4 cylinder in my area is about $1500.00.... A cylinder leak down test will 95% of the time will tell you where the problem is.. Was it good on oil before the problem? Is the body in good shape? $1500 is way better than 15k or more.. Funny I have a 1995 ford escort that I got years back with bad vales.. I paid,, Yes $125 bucks for it and it had 130k... Did a vale job and it now has just turned 300k miles.. Everyone thought I was nuts when I got the trans rebuilt about 2 years ago at 245k..
If I get,, hopefully next winter (2016) and than summer out of it, it should have 350-360k on it..

[fcooper]

A 1999 to 2004 Honda Odyssey would meet your requirements. About 4400 lbs, and 7 passengers.

You must run the auto tranny through a gear sequence and run for 3 minutes before towing. Honda's tow speed limit is 65 mph.

Fred

[KRex-Tampa]

NMDriver wrote:
Go to another mechanic. No pressure? He messed up or is scamming you.

If you are ready for a new vehicle regardless, then enjoy the shopping.

I probably did not do a good job of fully communicating the problem and driving it to another mechanic would be quite the challenge as it almost stops running whenever you lift you foot off the gas pedal. I've been going to the same mechanic for over 5 years and he has been very reasonable and helpful. He has never tried to upsell me anything, which is the first thing I look for when I was looking for a mechanic. One time he even showed me a part under the hood and told me if I wanted to save a little money I could go buy the part myself and install it. And if I had any problems to bring it in and he would take care of it.

I still may opt to get it fixed, but I have a least a week before he can even get started on the tear down. So, I figured it can't hurt to look around a little. Thanks for the input.

[Bumpyroad]

TOMMY47 wrote:
Stick shift Saturn Vue can be towed with 4 wheels down with no special adjustments except removing 1 fuse so the battery does not run down.
Mine is a 2004.

my 2005 Vue with automatic transmission was towable 4 down. I think that 2005 might have been the first year. I know when I first checked them out, they still had that lawnmower type automatic tranny and couldn't be towed.
bumpy

[sdianel_-acct_c]

Suzuki XL7 4 wheel drive (seats 7). We had one and loved it. We haven't used it as a toad. They made them until 2008. Make sure its 4 wheel drive and not "all wheel drive".

[TOMMY47]

Stick shift Saturn Vue can be towed with 4 wheels down with no special adjustments except removing 1 fuse so the battery does not run down.
Mine is a 2004.

[oldmattb]

I thought you were harsh, but you are probably right. Between testing coolant and oil for contaminants, compression test, leak down test, etc., it is not difficult to know the source of the problem without taking the engine apart.

Matt B

.

NMDriver wrote:
Go to another mechanic. No pressure? He messed up or is scamming you.

If you are ready for a new vehicle regardless, then enjoy the shopping.

[Ductape]

NMDriver wrote:
Go to another mechanic. No pressure? He messed up or is scamming you.

If you are ready for a new vehicle regardless, then enjoy the shopping.

You can diagnose from the internet? You haven't even read a description of the symptoms that caused the OP to put it in the shop.

[D_E_Bishop]

Bumpyroad wrote:
the only valid final source for that information is in the owner's manual of the vehicle you select out of those referenced sources. use them to cull the information, the OM to confirm. pay close attention to automatic/manual transmission, 4WD/AWD/FWD, etc.
bumpy

X2

[NMDriver]

Go to another mechanic. No pressure? He messed up or is scamming you.

If you are ready for a new vehicle regardless, then enjoy the shopping.

[Bumpyroad]

the only valid final source for that information is in the owner's manual of the vehicle you select out of those referenced sources. use them to cull the information, the OM to confirm. pay close attention to automatic/manual transmission, 4WD/AWD/FWD, etc.
bumpy

[Janss]

Dinghy Guides

[Old-Biscuit]

REMCO