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

[Blaster_Man]

Mr.Mark wrote:
...Effy, obviously we like the Honda CR-V. It just does everything right.
-AWD
-Seats five
-Good fuel economy
-Comfortable ride
-Weighs 3,400 lbs.
-Reliable

...

That about covers it. Unless you need a true 4wd, the CRV is the perfect tow car.

[et2]

We've owned 4 Jeeps and never had one problem with any of them. One had 290,000 on it!

[becker]

We have an 08 Honda CRV and a 2013 Jeep Sahara Unlimited and have towed both. You did not state what you were going to tow it with but it may not make much difference. The CRV is about 1000 pounds lighter than the Jeep. We tow it with a Monaco Dynasty and there is no difference in handling or fuel usage. The "ride" in the Jeep is a little firmer. In the Jeep you set up higher which makes scenery viewing much more pleasing. We just got back from Big Bend National Park and definitely went places we could not have gone in the Honda (sets to low to the ground, different tires, etc.). The gas milege is about the same. When I put the base plate on the Jeep, I also put a 4" receiver on the front. My portable winch can pull me out from the front or rear. Call it a "man thing" but I feel much more at ease in the Jeep knowing I can go pretty much anywhere I want without hesitation (within reason). I use the Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All Terrain Towing System w/M&G Braking System. My wife loves and drives the Honda and I love and drive the Jeep. We are a happy family.

[RayChez]

I want to say one more thing about this two comparisons. If you are asking about a tow vehicle, the Honda crv wins hands down. It is very economical getting as high as 34 mpg.

Now if you want a vehicle for going out climbing rough roads on the mountains, deer hunting, prospecting or just four wheeling out in real rough terrain, THEN the Jeep is the vehicle to get. But Jeeps with the v8 engines used to get terrible gasoline mileage in comparison to the CRV.

So each vehicle excels on one thing, while the other excels on something else.

[JohnnyT]

Moved from Class A forum

[2gypsies1]

We've towed our Jeep Liberty since new in 2004. It has 170,000 miles on it plus another 65,000 towing. We have had more fun with the car doing serious off-roading. We take it in for oil changes and tires and that's it. It's been extremely reliable and fun to drive.

Last month we bought a new Chevy Equinox. It's extremely comfortable with quality touches. We're keeping our Jeep Liberty at least for one more 4x4 summer in Colorado and New Mexico. Our lifestyle has changed slightly and we're thinking off-roading will not be in our future. However, just thinking about it is pretty darn sad. We love that Jeep. If we wanted to continue with a Jeep we would definitely get the new Liberty replacement - the Cherokee. Note: Not the Grand Cherokee. The new Cherokee is outstanding in ride, comfort and quality.

Here's a article on recent crash tests that you should read:

New Crash Test Information

[RayChez]

I had a jeep once, now I own a Honda CRV. My vote is for the CRV.

[dubdub07]

Mr.Mark wrote:
I have no problem buying a foreign product because they buy our products. I lean towards German and English cars and have for nearly 30 yrs.

Buy and drive what you like.

Safe Travels,
MM.

This is not accurate. The fact of the matter is that they DO NOT buy our products on the scale at which we are buying theirs. Free market, for sure. But before you get all warm and fuzzy with the "global" car companies in the U.S.A, check the balance sheet and see who is pocketing the profits. It sure ain't Americans.

dub

[Bumpyroad]

John&Joey wrote:

To the OP, real simple just check out a Consumer Reports buying guide from the library. It will tell you point blank which is better based on thousands of owner surveys.

speaking of a bunch of hooey, that is Consumer Reports.

I checked out the rating on engine and transmission on my VUE vs on the Honda. Honda rated great, VUE bad, strange since VUE used a honda tranny.
bumpy

[Pangaea_Ron]

My 2014 CR-V: Transmission from Japan, engine from USA, and vehicle assembled in Ontario, Canada.

[Bumpyroad]

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 Vue was built in Mexico, where was yours built?
bumpy

[Pangaea_Ron]

I usually pay cash, but Honda has 0.9%/60 month financing this month!

[Effy]

JimM68 wrote:
I tow a jeep, a 2000 TJ Wrangler with 283,000 miles on it at last count.
I also drive it everywhere every day, and insist that I like it. Itsa jeep thing, you just wouldn't understand.

But with the addition of our third dog, we have outgrown it, and a month ago I put a blue ox baseplate on the wife's 2010 Jeep Liberty. We'll see how it tows, but it is a very nice little truck/suv/jeep thing. I never liked the first design liberty's, the rounded ones with the spare tire on the tailgate. But this body style looks good. Kinda like a Jeep Commander that spent too much time in the dryer?

You might take a look and a test drive of a lightly used last design Liberty. Maybe your DW will like it. A 2013 model would still have a warrantee and be buyable for maybe $19k (for a limited like we have)

My niece has a 2012 liberty my wife borrowed for a week. She sort of liked it but I don't think enough to buy it. If you haven't figured out by now, DW is picky. Not high maintenance but picky, and I don't mean that in a bad way. When she makes a decision she knows it's the right one but it can be a laboring process. Like I said before, all this analysis I do is to gently guide my wife into decisions and alert her to potential bad ones. But at the end of the day she'll get what floats her boat. I am just along for the signature.

[93mastercraft]

Effy,

Yeah, I'm the guy with all the Palazzo issues... But I pull a Jeep Wrangler sport s 2 door as my toad. I Purchased the Jeep purposely to tow behind the Palazzo. Unlike the Palazzo, I knew exactly what I wanted as a toad. Yup, it was a Jeep. It does not have any room. It is a straight drive and changes gears like a slush box. But as others will say... It's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand until you own it. I love my Jeep. I can't say that about the Palazzo. It's almost a shame to tow it behind the Palazzo.:) It can go anywhere, I can take it out on the beach. I have plenty of ground clearance and I feel like I am as high up as some of the large pick up trucks. You will not get that in a Honda. We really wanted a 4 door Jeep. However, given the fact that it is a toad and we just need something to get around in when we get to where we are going, it works our perfect. I can do without the 4 doors. Oh I forgot to mention it turns into a convertible too!!! It is easy to work on. Below is my installation of tow hooks and how I tow it...

[mena661]

Neither car is my favorite but the CRV would be my choice here.