I've got a truck camper & also plan on buying the wife a Wagon/SUV?I'm thinking in about the $5K price range?& its gotta have room for 4 people a space in the back for our dog, that we will be putting up a divider to keep him from climbing over the seats.So it must be a Wagon or SUV, I'd like it to be light & if possible 4WD & so that being said I'm thinking an SUV with a transfer case that releases the front drive & is tall enough to allow me to just climb under without lifting it onto jack stands to disconnect & reconnect the rear drive shaft?The simpler the better.I'm thinking Explorer or maybe a Jeep Grand Cherokee?& wonder what you guys think & why?We are not buying it just as a dinghy but I figure if I'm looking to buy her another car, why not think ahead about this option?I'd be towing it behind this.

The most common vehicle used is the Honda CRV, which doesn't require any modifications to be towed. Since it is a SUV and will seat five, it shoud fit your needs. They have been built for many years and you should be able to find one in your price range. I tow a Hummer, but at 4,800 lbs it is too heavy for most to consider towing and still too expensive. However it also doesn't require any modications either. The Ford Explorer with an automatic can be towed but only after modifcations to the drive line system. The Jeeps can be towed (I believe) if they have a transfer case that can be put in nutral. Finding a Jeep that you would want as a dependable daily driver could be an issue since some have had a rough life in off road use. Good luck.

Fishinghat wrote:The most common vehicle used is the Honda CRV, which doesn't require any modifications to be towed. Since it is a SUV and will seat five, it shoud fit your needs. They have been built for many years and you should be able to find one in your price range. I tow a Hummer, but at 4,800 lbs it is too heavy for most to consider towing and still too expensive. However it also doesn't require any modications either. The Ford Explorer with an automatic can be towed but only after modifcations to the drive line system. The Jeeps can be towed (I believe) if they have a transfer case that can be put in nutral. Finding a Jeep that you would want as a dependable daily driver could be an issue since some have had a rough life in off road use. Good luck.1st off I doubt most Jeeps ever see dirt & no more than the Explorers, IMHO.I have considered a CRV & looked at them & they look like they might be large enough in back for our large dog, Probably close to 100 lbs when fully grown & small & easy to drive for the wife to drive & park & probably gets good fuel milage & the biggest bonus for me is that I'd not wanna hot rod that down the line & that would save me lots of money for my many other automotive projects, I've already be dreaming about fixing up the Jeep or Exploder if I got one of them...Now explain these mods or lack of mods needed for these you suggest?Does the CRV have 4x4 & if so a T-Case?I figure anything with a manual trans would be a better choice for flat towing...You've grabbed my attention, please give me more details... :h

I just did a search & found the CRV is either FWD or Full time 4WD & from what I understand neither of those makes a good choice for a dinghy?I DO NOT want to use a tow dolly for a FWD.

Blanco1 wrote:I just did a search & found the CRV is either FWD or Full time 4WD & from what I understand neither of those makes a good choice for a dinghy?I DO NOT want to use a tow dolly for a FWD.I don't know where you searched, but the CRV is one of the most towed dinghys. I know several that tow them. In fact, when my Cherokee wears out, that is what I will tow.

Chevy Tracker 4x4, 4 door.Seats 5 and still have small cargo area.Put down the back seat and have a larger cargo area.Do NOT have to disconnect drive train to tow four down.

So what have you found to be the best all around dinghy?

Blanco1
Explorer
Jun 23, 2013
Ok, I went & got myself a CR-V
mowermech
Explorer
Mar 23, 2013
Many (if not most) of the OLD manual transmissions were the same way. The cluster gear splashes the lube around, and the cluster gear is in constant mesh with the input shaft, so it only turns when the engine is running.
Subaru, however, is a front wheel drive transaxle modified for All Wheel Drive.
I have owned a couple of Outbacks, the wagon and the sedan, and they both said in the book that the manual transmission version was towable four down. NO Subaru can be dolly towed. The automatic transmission models must be put on a trailer.
beachcomber_1
Explorer
Mar 23, 2013
Some of the new standard trans missions do not lube the tail shaft bearings unless the mail shaft is turning, meaning that they will burn out the bearings if towed flat.
tropical36
Explorer
Mar 20, 2013
Jeep Wrangler's of course for any type of terrain and whether auto or manual, they're good to go and the later models have no steering lock to contend with either. COOLTECH makes a plug and play wiring harness, so no mods with diodes or separate bulb assy's required for the lights. The new JKU's are much more highway friendly these days as well and ours is DW's DD.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2013
In 2010, when I bought my current Subaru Forester to tow, the dealer's "manual transmission specialist" confirmed, face to face, that it was towable. However things can change.
az99
Explorer
Mar 19, 2013
V'ger wrote:
I'm new, granted. Just received an email from a Subaru dealer stating that if I purchased a (manual) Subaru Forester from them and tow it behind my motorhome they will not honor the warranty and that their technicians do not recommend towing that vehicle. I am really getting confused. We have not yet purchased a toad but would like to do so immediately
Then I sure would not consider a Subaru based on your correspondence. Look at the 2013 Dinghy guide. Lots of new cars suitable for towing.
mowermech
Explorer
Mar 19, 2013
Y'know, there is a very simple way to find a towable vehicle. I am somewhat amazed that nobody has mentioned it yet, so I will:
READ the OWNERS MANUAL that comes with the vehicle; FOLLOW the instructions contained therein!
If the Owners Manual says the vehicle is towable, and gives instructions on how to go about it (as, IIRC, Subaru DOES), and the dealer says he will not honor the warranty, show him the book and state that you plan to contact the Subaru Zone Representative about the issue. It really does not matter what they or their technicians think, all that matters is what Subaru states in the Book!
V_ger
Explorer
Mar 19, 2013
I'm new, granted. Just received an email from a Subaru dealer stating that if I purchased a (manual) Subaru Forester from them and tow it behind my motorhome they will not honor the warranty and that their technicians do not recommend towing that vehicle. I am really getting confused. We have not yet purchased a toad but would like to do so immediately
V_ger
Explorer
Mar 19, 2013
I'm new, granted. Just received an email from a Subaru dealer stating that if I purchased a (manual) Subaru Forester from them and tow it behind my motorhome they will not honor the warranty and that their technicians do not recommend towing that vehicle. I am really getting confused. We have not yet purchased a toad but would like to do so immediately
Blanco1
Explorer
Feb 13, 2013
Well...... The wife prefers an automatic & the subaru would have to be a manual trans for flat towing & to be honest living in Los Angeles & with all the traffic we have I'd agree with the preference of an auto trans.

That being said the truck that carries my camper is a Stick, yet it hardly driven, in no way a daily driver.

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