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

[EsoxLucius]

Subaru Crosstrek XV

[RayChez]

I agree that the Jeep Cherokee is like driving a station wagon very comfy, but they told me at the dealership that some of those are not towable.

[scarpi]

If you buy without checking out the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, you would be making a big mistake. As the owner of one I would say it isn't what many people think if as a "typical Jeep". It has a sporty great ride and all the latest technology and comforts, but also the capability to take you anywhere.

[az99]

We had the same problem. I went to buy a CRV but after driving it neither of us liked it even a little. She would never consider a Jeep of any model. We wound up with a Ford Focus. Great car to drive and great toad.

[et2]

RCtime wrote:
I have had both, a Wrangler 2door Sahara and now a crv.
Both were great toads, The jeep being more problematic. With constant changing of the rear differential fluids or you would get noises do to the limited slip differential.
If off roading is your thing, its the way to go, however the wife got tired of stepping up and in, the harsh ride and not so good freeway manners. Maybe the 4 dr. is better.
The CRv has been flawless, much more civilied

You haven't the opportunity to drive the new Cherokee? I think you would be surprised. Many comfort levels to choose from along with drive trains for dolly towing or 4 down. One of the best riding cars we've owned. To me the jeep is a more rugged platform and well suited to tow behind a MH adding the extra experience if your so inclined to use it.

[RayChez]

I had problems with my jeep towing it four down, so I had to carry it on a trailer. The problems I had was when making a sharp turn the wheels would just not track well. Jeep has some nice looking Grand Cherokees now, but the one we were looking at they told us it was not towable.
I also had a 2005 Honda Pilot four wheel drive and it was a great vehicle for towing, four wheeling or carrying eight passengers, but it was a little on the heavy side for towing. Now I have the 2013 CRV which is perfect for towing, but it does ride a little on the stiff side in comparison to the Pilot. The Jeep wrangler road real rough, but it was designed for rough road use.

[RCtime]

I have had both, a Wrangler 2door Sahara and now a crv.
Both were great toads, The jeep being more problematic. With constant changing of the rear differential fluids or you would get noises do to the limited slip differential.
If off roading is your thing, its the way to go, however the wife got tired of stepping up and in, the harsh ride and not so good freeway manners. Maybe the 4 dr. is better.
The CRv has been flawless, much more civilied

[PSW]

Just bought a new Cherokee Trailhawk and it gets its towing gear installed next week. I went through the specs on all the vehicles that could be towed four down. I crawled under the CRV and decided I didn't want to take it some places I planned on taking the Cherokee. The CRV is a neat vehicle.............but it ain't no Jeep!

PSW
2013 Phoenix Cruiser 2350
2014 Cherokee Trailhawk

[scarpi]

I own a 2014 Jeep Cherokee (not the Grand Cherokee). It is a great vehicle. If you need one that can be towed flat you would need to get the option that I got. The Cherokee has various four wheel drive systems. The four wheel drive system you would need is called Active Drive Two. The Cherokee with Active Drive Two has an off road suspension, higher ground clearance, select terrain for various conditions (snow, sand, mud, and sport), and hill descent control. It has a neutral button for towing. Normally you leave the select terrain dial in the auto mode for general driving. The inside has the latest amenities and appears like a luxury car. Go to the Jeep website and check it out. There are too many features for me to describe here. We love ours, and no I don't work for Jeep. Had mine for about four months now. No problems at all except I did have to take it in to have the software updated on the nine speed transmission. There were two technical service bulletins put out by Chrysler for the transmission because owners were having some harsh shifting but since I had the TSBs done, no issues at all. Anyway take a look at it. I think you'll find it is a highly capable vehicle and one that you can enjoy on and off road.

[Heisenberg]

Jeep ... when you want to go to places other than the zoo or botanical gardens.

[John_S_]

I have pulled my Wrangler for over 300K miles. It was an 01 and I traded it in last may. I bought it new ffor 21K and got 9500 when I sold it. I put on five sets of tires and we wore them out. I went everywhere with that Jeep: Forest service roads to one of the top 10 off road courses in the country. It went where you pointe and if you did your job it was amazing where it would go. Was it loud, yes. I had a soft top only. Was it great for long trips, no. Was it fine for 300 or so miles yes. I loved that jeep but needed a jeep that I could lock so I looked around. I looked at every brand and they had to be 4 wheel down. I ended up with a 2012 Grand Cherokee and it is amazing and very comfy. I an not go quite as many places but I will get another wrangler later on maybe but for now I am very happy with the Grand. It was a screaming deal or I would have bought a new Unlimited. I got a one year old GC overland for 23K. Otherwise it would have been a rubicon unlimited. It is a jeep thing and yes it is not a luxury inside but it is comfortable enough and it tows very easy. And you can get aggressive thread tires that will last longer towing.

Oh and over the 13 years I only had to change the oil and the coolant.

[Happily_Retired]

Effy,

We just completed a similar search for an automatic new toad. Has your wife seen the Ford C-Max? From all I have read and seen on the forum it's an easy tow with no fuses to pull. It is also a hatchback like the CRV. Has amazing headroom and lots of interior space. Great deals out there right now on some new 2013's, and you get a hybrid with mpg in 40's! Bought ours last night! Can't wait to get it set up to tow! 🙂

[Dale_Traveling]

Surprised no one has mentioned it, but I might have missed the posting, is the Civic four down towable with a lube pump? Plus you know the saying "If Momma ain't happy,,,," need to go with what she is comfortable with. Plus the best toad is what you already own.

Two Honda's in our driveway. 05 CR-V with 100K miles and a 98 Accord with over 200K miles. Only the Accord has a base plate, for now. Both have never seen a repair shop or left us stranded with a break down.

[Monaco_Montclai]

hey man we have a hhr, its a chevy, but extremely good on gas.the car is round -3100lbs. and is is smooth at highway speeds. and we were surprixed at the room inside too. now its all happy-camping

[tbred]

Honda has a 7 yr. 100,000 mile powertrain warranty on their CERTIFIED used cars. Also adds an additional 1 yr. 12,000 miles to the remainder of the existing bumper to bumper warranty. My in-laws just bought a 2013 certified CRV w/ 4800 miles on it for thousands less than new, and it is basically brand new but with a longer warranty.

Love my CRV!!