Jeep or CRV - the search for a toad continues

[Effy]

Narrowing down the search for a new toad that we can tow 4 down. DW's current Civic requires a dolly and it's a pain. So we drove the CRV and frankly she's not crazy about it. It's a great toad based on everything I have read but she just wasn't feeling it. She loves her civic BTW but she's committed to getting a 4 downer. We are also looking at the Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Again this appears to be a great toad. However it's about 1k heavier than the CRV and has a worse crash rating. Not horrible just not as good. Based on my numbers I can pull either although the Jeep gets me close to the max I can tow. I know I am opening this up to a perference thing but let me ask a few technical questions. Is one easier than the other to set up? Baseplates, brakes etc? Is one easier to hook up (riser vs drop reciever, the transmission prep for tow)She will require an automatic trans. Are the baseplates the same price? Does one tow better? You get the idea. The Jeep sure does have the fun factor for vacations but whatever we choose it will also be a daily driver. Not a commute per se as my wife works PT and very close to the house but it will be used as a standard vehicle. We are also considering relocating south - SC, Fla etc where the Jeep would be better suited but that's a bit down the road - pardon the pun. Ok, I digress, but back to basics. Is one technically easier, more suited for towing? Is one better as far as an overall vehicle ie; as maintenance and repairs and reliability? Thanks

[Tom_Barb]

Your cheapest option is the car hauler. the best of those are the U-haul type. 4 up allows you to back up. load and go. no new car to buy. no light harnesses, no electric brake harness to fail. Loading isn't that much of a job.

[Tom_Barb]

We use our 07 jeep as the daily driver and it tows great. ready made harness are available, and the plates are easy to install. pop the transfer case in neutral and tow.

Things to remember about towing any 4X4, both differentials and most of the transfer case will be turning when you tow but the electric instrument panel will not have power to record the milage. Be certain the steering wheel is unlocked prior to rolling away. some must be in the on position and the battery disconnected to get this done.

[wa8yxm]

In this case I'm going to point out that there is a magazine (Car and Driver) that each year conducts a "Bang for your Buck" contest.. What they do is rate many vehicles to see how much fun they are, they are assigned points according to how much fun they are then they take points/price and figure out which ride is the most fun per dollar.

The winner: JEEP. nearly always JEEP.

The fact that you can tow it 4 down if it has a manual transfer case (4wd only) is not a factor in the calculations.. But if it were then you'd be able to drop the word "Nearly" in that statement of JEEP, always JEEP.

[cochise49]

Bought the CRV based on Honda reputation (perceived anyway). Great car to drive. Poor "over the shoulder" visibility when changing lanes or backing. It is a 2013 and the "Engine" light just came on and stayed on meaning something is up with the emissions control system, Gas cap is on tight. The more electronics involved, the more you will have to address. Probably the same with a newer anything. Whatever you get, happy travels and don't look back.

[Effy]

Jeeps are really cool for sure, but I am wondering about the fit and finish, reliability, comfort and what you actually get for the money – especially as a daily driver. The CRV seems to have all that at a lower price point and lower weight. Jeeps are downright expensive for what you get. I think you pay for the “jeep thing” but sacrifice a lot of tangibles. Not that it’s a bad toad, I am sure it’s great, versatile etc. If I could swing it, I would get her both; a nice car and a jeep for a toad specific. But since I need one vehicle that can do both I am wondering if the Jeep is a wise choice. The CRV seems to be a clear winner for our needs, but DW is not sold on it. We go back and look at it again next week. I will say I can get a MUCH better deal on a CRV. Jeeps are expensive and the Honda will be traded at the same place we bought it. And at that dealership is not one but 3 friends that I went to school and played soccer with – 2 salesmen and the finance manager (lil’ small town who ya know). I know I am getting the best deal I can with the Honda. And we have been very happy with the reliability of the Honda and the dealership as a whole. I don’t know anything about Jeeps or the dealerships that sell them. This all may be moot. At the end of the day we get what DW wants.

[Effy]

Big Katuna wrote:
People tow your Civic. Call Remco and ask. I believe they will tell you it towable. People tow Accords too.

the 2012 civix EX is not towable 4 down. Dolly - yes, 4 down - no. I would love someone to prove me wrong but the dealership, remco and all other sources confirm.

[Big_Katuna]

People tow your Civic. Call Remco and ask. I believe they will tell you it towable. People tow Accords too.

[Berner2]

I have a 2008 Wrangler Unlimited. I've had it about a year and a half ago and I'm not real happy with it. I don't hate it or love it, kind of indifferent to it. I bought it to tow, haul my dog around as a daily driver and because the top comes off, I wanted a convertible. I feel it is very cheaply made, noisy with either top, and not very comfortable. There isn't much inside storage and there are no little dash or door compartments like most newer cars or pick ups.

For some reason, maybe the spare tire, door pillars or rear head rests I feel like outward visibility is bad. Maybe it's the way I position the seat, not sure.

There is a huge parts aftermarket which helps you add the things you might want to make it more live able. The rear seats fold down very easily and fairly flat.

The Jeep is easy to tow, put the transfer case in neutral, leave the transmission in park and go. Sometime in the 2008 model year the steering wheel lock was eliminated, I had to remove mine. I installed the base plate, wiring and ready brake cable myself. Very easy and can be done in a few hours. Plenty of access to the frame and engine compartment

I would suggest spending as much time test driving as you can and try the different trim levels. Take a good hard look at the fit and finish, especially compared to the Honda.

Just my opinion, I know plenty of people who love their Jeeps and the same goes for Honda.

[Trackrig]

I've always owned at least one 4X4 since I started driving. Had my first Jeep at about 15 so that's of course what I chose as a toad. Found a RoadMaster II tow bar on Craig's list at a good savings and bought the baseplates from a local RV shop. Installed the baseplates one evening myself and did the wiring a couple of nights later. Saved a lot of money that way. On my 2002 Wrangler there was no cutting of anything in the baseplate area like there on some of the cars to do the installation. I could unbolt everything in two hours and you'd never know anything had been installed and move it to another jeep.

If you're anywhere in the western half of the country you'll get a lot of enjoyment from the Jeep even if you're doing only very mild off-roading.

Bill

[univmd]

We chose CRV for reliability and because it drives most like a Civic. We got the tow bar and had the brake and light setup by Jim Donnies RV by BWI Airport in Maryland. So if you get the CRV, his guys are very familiar with getting the CRV hooked up.

[Biggyniner]

bsinmich wrote:
Being born and raised in Detroit I don't ride in foreign cars. Try the Chev. Equinox. It the newer version of my Saturn Vue and is easily towable.

My family is from Michigan too :B (originally), however, a lot of American made cars are not made in America (though some of that is changing). I don't care if the CEO is American or Japanese, I'll give my money to the company that has the manufacturing state-side as to support the American worker.

[wcjeep]

Have you considered the New Jeep Cherokee? Not all models of the Cherokee can be towed 4 down. The crash ratings are top notch. It's also a better vehicle for around town commuting. I'm not talking about the Grand Cherokee. The Cherokee has 10 air bags.

edit: consider the Technology Package. It comes with 360deg radar coverage. Really good at slow maneuver around a crowded parking lot. Test drive one and you'll see.

[mowermech]

Never a Honda, ALWAYS a Jeep! THAT is the ONLY way to go, IMO!
Preferably a Rubicon Unlimited.

[Effy]

Per my original post, it has to be an automatic. Also reliability is a must. I do not have the time or patience to deal with a vehicle I cannot depend on, nor am I in the position for a shadetree DIY vehicle. I have enough projects. This will be a new or 1yr old used with a warranty. It must be reliable/dependable.

[Mr_Mark1]

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