Toad

[tatcha n reddog]

Well, we bought the beautiful Dolphin, but now we need a toad. We want to get a good used something, preferably fuel efficient and able to be towed without modifications. Any suggestions? I can't download the dinghy guides from MH Magazine.

[tatcha n reddog]

Well, we bought the beautiful Dolphin, but now we need a toad. We want to get a good used something, preferably fuel efficient and able to be towed without modifications. Any suggestions? I can't download the dinghy guides from MH Magazine.

[TXiceman]

Saturn is the first one to come to my mind. Them someof the smaller Chevies, Hondas and Suzuki

Also note that you are fairly new to the website. Glad you found us.

Ken

[jerseyjim]

GM seems to make the most "towing friendly" vehicles. Then it's "how much you wanna spend"?

My choice, after considerable research was a 2007 Chevy HHR. (18 thou out the door) Tow 4 down with an automatic tranny. Only modification (if it can be called that) is to pull one fuse (#8??). In fact, the owners manual tells you NOT to put the car on a dolly!

No matter what car you choose, you will spend somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 bucks for the baseplate and the electrical stuff.

[Route 66]

Motorhome Magazine's towing guide was unavailable for a day or so, but I was able to access it this morning.

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/

[GaryKD]

If you want something a bit larger, the GMC products are available in flat towing configurations.

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

We are very happy with our Jeep Wrangler. Lots of versatility and pulls very nicely with out mods.

[bdpreece]

Check out the Suzuki's. We have a 2005 Suzuki XL7 and love it. It tows great. If you don't need seating for 7 the Vitara will work also.

[Blue Ribbon]

Saturn Vue

Do NOT buy the 4C. We bought one in Jan. and it's lack of power causes the mileage to go down LOWER than the 6C. Even on the slightest grade, it shifts from 4th (not 5th - it does not have a 5th gear) to 3rd, and if it is fairly steep (4% - 5%) it shifts to SECOND.

I am so very very sorry I got it. After dropping money into tow equipment, I would really take a bath if traded it or turned it in.

I don't know if the '08s have a different 6C (it used to be a Honda engine) than the '04s like what we had. City driving on a 6C '04 I used to get 23 mpg and highway at 70 I got 27 mpg.

An average of 8 tanks on the '08 4C, I'm getting 19.8 mpg!! and it is a dog driving!!

I really thought I'd get used to the power, but I'm not, after 8K miles.

[becks]

Many good choices as others have stated. We tow a Honda CRV and a Ford Ranger. Both are light and easy to tow. We have two toads so as to be able to take motorcyle in pickup box when we choose. Both were easy to install brackets on.

[two2go]

I see quite a few rigs towing something over the 4000 lb. gas chassis limit. May be OK for flatlanders but our Dolphin had all it could handle to go from Dillon to Eisenhower tunnel on I70 at 28 MPH. 11000 ft and 7% grade. Next time, the DW can drive the HHR, which is a fine toad BTW. And maybe not bring 8 cases of microbrew home

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

Our W24 under the 5376 is rated 5000lbs tow and 500lbs toung weight

[RV 4 2]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Blue Ribbon:
Saturn Vue

I don't know if the '08s have a different 6C (it used to be a Honda engine) than the '04s like what we had. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes the '08 VUE's have a different engine. It is now a GM product. the VUE's really changed from 07 to 08. All the plastic body panels are gone and 07 was the last year of the Honda engine/trans. Now it all GM with a metal body. I have heard the 08's gained at least 500lbs too.
We love our 07.

Like Rick, our W24 has a hitch rated for 5000 tow and 500 hitch weight. We run close to 21280 lbs and with a 30K GCWR, we have plenty of room but on larger steep hills (up or down) I dont really notice the car back there but I know it is. I just don't get in a hurry.
I also recommend the Motorhome toad guide to start too. The towability of the Saturns was a BIG part of the decision to buy it for us.

[tatcha n reddog]

Thanks everyone for the comebacks. We decided on an '06 Chevy Malibu. No modifications; just pull a fuse. A friend has one and gets great mileage so we're hoping for that, too.