tizeye
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Re: SUVs that can be towed
Sam Spade wrote: jepalmer wrote: 1) Does anyone know what SUVs can be towed? I'm pretty sure that they ALL can be towed with a dolly, two down. And I am positive that they all can be towed on a trailer, four up. I understand the small extra hassles of a dolly but that gives you maximum flexibility. ALL SUV's cannot be dolly towed. Essentially, FWD can be dolly towed but AWD and RWD generally cannot - ignoring towing a RWD backwards which is not recommended. Additionally, foreign makes are really bad about even addressing it in their owners manual, leaving out "Recreational Towing" and forcing you to look at the general towing (i.e. tow truck) section. There they will show the wheel supported lift which simulates a dolly, but then put other restrictions like 35 mph and 50 mile max while noting full trailer/truckbed towing preferred with all 4 wheels up.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: SUVs that can be towed
While the Motorhome list is excellent, it is a starting point. The 2017 should be published in Feb, so for new have to rely on 2016. As noted earlier, weight and towing capacity of the RV (some Class B as low as 3000lb) is a critical issue. The Motorhome list includes vehicle 'published' weights which may help you rule out vehicles if over the weight (plus buffer) limit. When narrowed down, go online and review the owners manuals as Ford, GM, and FCA are good about having a "Recreational Towing" section. YOu may find discrepancies within models. While not an SUV, I know there is a discrepancy with the Chev Malibu, where Motorhome indicated that is, the owner's manual indicates only the base 1.5L engine is. Likewise with the Ford Edge SUV, only the 2 optional engines are 4 down towable, where the base 2.0L in the Edge or any other Ford/Lincoln vehicle using it is not 4 down towable - but dolly towable if FWD. If looking at dolly towable, most dollies have a 5000lb weight limit which even the FWD Jeep Grand Cherokee (diesel or hemi) would exceed and V6 'maxing out', where the 4WD version is flat towable if the RV can handle that weight.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Ford Fusion
WILDEBILL308 wrote: carringb wrote: WILDEBILL308 wrote: I had a Ford Fusion 2.7 ecoboost Platinum last week for a rental Note: the Platinum model only comes with a 2.0 EcoBoost (hybrid optional). The 2.7L adds AWD and another 85 horsepower, but only comes in the Sport trim. The Sport trim also adds magnetic fluid shock absorbers, with a pot-hole algorithm to hold the tire above the hole! All I can tell you is what it said on the paperwork and on the car. It was a little pocket rocket in sport mode.It was a 2017. Bill No doubt the 2.0L is very responsive compared to the base gas engines in the Fusion, however, when shopping Ford automatically rule out the 2.0L PERIOD! No vehicle using it, such as Fusion and Edge, is 4 down flat towable. For the Fusion/MKZ plus C-Max the only models flat towable are the 2 hybrid engines (top 3 trims only) and the 2.7L (Sport trim only). While I am transitioning to the RV world as I retire, my research is to get the "correct" vehicle as VW buys back my diesel, and preferably not dolly tow. Initially considered the Fusion but realized want to sit higher, but otherwise great - and better than the base engine (only) Malibu which is the closest alternative. Just tired of climbing out of a sedan and want to sit over. Concentrating on smaller (less than 4000 lb) SUVs. May relook at CMax, but 4 down short list is the 3.5 or 2.7L Edge (or MKX equivalent) again ruling out the 2.0L base engine in the Edge and only engine in the MKC. The other on the short list is the slightly smaller Buick Envision where all variations - 2 engines and FWD/AWD - are 4 down towable. Ruled out the Chev Equinox/ GMC Terrain twins as they are ancient with 2018 replacements announced based on the Buick frame, plus the current base engine is lethargic with the V6 very inefficient compared to Fords, and no announcement if any of the 3 engine choices in the replacement will be flat towable.425Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford Fusion
http://www.fleet.ford.com/resources/ford/general/pdf/towingguides/Ford_Linc_17RVTTgde_r3_Oct19.pdf Interesting, on the Edge but not on the Fusion is footnote 11. "Disconnect the negative (black) cable from the battery." Does that erase all secondary settings, like the radio and clock, which would then have to be re-set each time when finished towing?426Views0likes0CommentsRe: Ford Fusion
theoldwizard1 wrote: That 2.7L EcoBoost has a lot of "get up and go" and some people find that keeping you foot out of the accelerator is hard to do ! Plus they charge $$$ for that option. The 2.5L is a good engine and so is the 2.0L EcoBoost. I have the later one in my new Edge, which can also be towed, "4 down". I am considering the Edge...but read the manual as the salesperson may have mislead you about the 2.0L. It is online as HTML under 'brochures' on Ford.com. and clearly notes that the 2.0L is NOT 4 wheel towable but FWD version can be dolly towed.... Copied from the manual, "2.0L EcoBoost vehicles with automatic transmission (6F35) CANNOT be flat-towed (all wheels on the ground) as vehicle or transmission damage may occur." 3.5L and 2.7L Ecoboost (and 3.7L in Lincoln MKX) are 4 down towable....Copied from the manual, "You can tow your 2.7L EcoBoost or 3.5L (6F50 or 6F55) equipped vehicle with all four wheels on the ground." http://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Index?bookcode=O33761&marketCode=US&languageCode=EN&VIN=&div=f428Views0likes0CommentsRe: 2015 chevy malibu
While I am going through the same thing, I am thinking new Malibu vs Fusion which among the 2017 is limited - Base Malibu with the 1.5 engine only, and Fusion Hybrid (or Hybrid Energi) only for 4 down. The good news is that the 2015 Malibu owner's manual is online at Chevrolet.com (links at bottom of their web page in the owners section) and there was no engine/transmission restriction for 4 down or dolly tow the front wheels of the 2015. Just instructions on fuse pulls, typical of GM toads, and limit to 65mph.177Views0likes0CommentsRe: Help in choosing tow vehicle needed
falconette51 wrote: naturist wrote: I've since "graduated" to a BMW X5 a 3 liter, 6 cylinder diesel. Jeep, VW, Audi, and Mercedes all have 6 cylinder diesels as well capable of this. That sounds like what we would like to buy, small and not too heavy. I like Jeeps but does it have to be diesel since the vehicle would be used for everyday driving also? Test drive the Jeep and others. The new small V6 turbo-diesels are amazing and support the standard of a daily driver. Don't confuse them with the sluggish 60's vintage diesels used in cars of that era. Likewise, they are far more refined than the current 'big' diesels used in the 2500 and above trucks. With ANY purchase of a new tow vehicle make sure it has the tow package, as usually not standard on SUVs, while may have some of the upgraded components on 1500 trucks. With the tow package, not only does it provide the receiver hitch, it may bump the axle ratio, and definitely provide a heavier duty alternator and heavier duty cooling, and possible brake controller. Some of the components you can't add individually. That is also my major frustration as I shop...but time is on my side with March/April timeframe to include the new F-150. While I am focusing on Jeep/Ram, haven't ruled out other diesel SUV's, but they tend to be more than the Jeep. Biggest frustration when looking at inventory online, besides the few diesels, is the lack of inclusion of the tow package (plus Nav as a luxury) in the Jeep. The biggest frustration with the Ram is the lack of insight of the purchasing managers not to include a $50 option. Among the secondary additions with the diesel option is upping the axel to 3.55 from base 3.21, which is OK (and the max in a Jeep.) However, the eye-catching tow rating is based on the 3.95 axel and the $50 omission cost 1000 lb in the tow rating. Essential, no...but it is like buying a 23' trailer and later saying wish I bought the 25' trailer. Jeep, Ram (and Ford) web site is easy to search dealers, then new inventory when jumping to their site. And with 90% of them you can further drill down to the engine - where others you have to scroll through. When you find one of interest, click on the window sticker link. Also, use zip codes of cities/areas would travel to identify dealers in that 50 mile area if inventory doesn't support you locally372Views0likes0CommentsRe: Confused about dealer response to order inquiry
Understanding that you are limited by X Plan, but no plan requires you to purchase blindly. While I use to sell Lexus, perhaps these will help you as well as others who are not limited to the Fleet Manager. 1) Go to ford.com (or whatever brand) and search dealers in your area - which you probably already know. Exit out to each dealer's website and do an inventory search, which can usually drill down to new-ignore year-f150-cab-engine. You may actually see one spec'd to what looking for on X plan which raises a different issue - if in stock will the fleet manager 'claim' it to move inventory. May want to avoid initial tire kicking at that dealership. 2) GO to the dealerships that have your vehicles to tire kick. IMPORTANT - either park off-site and walk on or park in the parts/service area and in either case enter through those areas and walk into the showroom. Just tell them you are in service and they will leave you alone. If however, you strike up a conversation with someone, even take a test drive, AND YOU LIKE THEM, keep them in mind when ready to make a deal, specifically looking them up. Doesn't really work that way with X-Plan, but would with others. 3) When ready to make a deal (other than X-Plan) contact the person you feel comfortable with rather than just 'showing up.' While it differs from each dealers, salespeople typically work on an "Up" system, meaning they are "Up" for the next person who walks in then they go to the back of the line to wait their turn - but service, parts and other business with the dealership doesn't count against the "Up". Also, if you leave to 'think about it' and return to actually buy, commission payment typically goes to whomever hands over the keys so the dealer doesn't have to worry about splitting and settling arguments among sales staff. That is why it is important to coordinate with that person you had/have a relationship with. Believe me, other sales persons will snake a deal that was 95% complete in a heartbeat, handing you the keys and collecting 100%.315Views0likes0Comments
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