Community Forums

griztim76 · 09-07-2014, 08:37 PM

We tow a 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon LJ. Automatic transmission and transfer case in neutral and ignition key in first position forward. No disconnects for steering back then . Great toad. Weighs in at about 4300# and affords miles of fun.

Tim Brunkow 2003 Monaco Executive 40PBT

Davdeb1 · 09-07-2014, 09:16 PM

This is the easiest car to tow! FORD yes Ford Focus 2012 manual trans. No key needed, no steering column lock. No fuses to pull. Averages 32mpg, I tow it with a ready brute elite. Nothing to do but hook up and go.

noserider · 09-07-2014, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Check out the 2015 Jeep Rondevous, $20,000 price range.

Jeep Rondevous??? You sure about that??

Barbara S. · 09-07-2014, 09:34 PM

I have towed a 1993 Suzuki Sidekick with a RoadMaster Falcon 2 tow bar. Loved that car but it was standard transmission and I broke my left foot (twice).
New motorhome and a new car came with it. Now I have a 2005 Honda CR-V with a Blue Ox tow bar. No problems in over a year.

Snomas1 · 09-08-2014, 06:35 AM

I towed a 04 Odyssey for 8 years and now tow our 2012 Explorer. 4800# and love it!!!

Heber Eason · 09-08-2014, 08:32 AM

I tow a 2009 Saturn Vue with Blue Ox hitch and switch to avoid pulling fuse. I have excellent results with zero problems including a cross country trip in 2011. As you know, a used one is hard to find, but the are still available.

gacamp · 09-08-2014, 09:00 AM

2011 Ford Edge Front Wheel drive, love it, will be keeping this one a long time.

**CountryFit** · 09-08-2014, 09:04 AM

crv is a good option so is gc.
but i tow a 2010 honda fit automatic. easy to set up and tow. over 10kmi no issues.

Crasher · 09-08-2014, 10:25 AM

Over the years I have towed a Chrysler Town & Country mini van, a Saturn wagon, and now on occasion, my Avalanche with M&G brake. You can pretty much setup almost any car to tow. On The Chrysler, I put on a tank that held a quart of transmission oil. When ready to tow, I opened a valve that drained the oil into the transmission overfilling it by one quart. When ready to unhook, I started the engine and opened the valve till the tank was full and shut the valve till the next time. Worked great. Now, I pull a 26' enclosed trailer with my welder, compressor, tools, spare parts and modified Jeep LJ. It's street legal in AZ & UT where we do most of our rock crawling. If I had to choose which vehicle to tow, it would be the Avalanche. The weight doesn't bother and it is nicer to tour around in than a lower to the ground car or other suv.

jhaig99 · 09-08-2014, 10:27 AM

Tow our 2007 Odyssey four down. No problems. need to follow simple procedure and repeat every 200-300 miles.

SomeDay · 09-08-2014, 01:43 PM

Have 2011 Ford Escape and told under no account to try towing it all wheels down even with the transmission mod suggested. So we haven't as read and heard of so many stories/ problems with them Love that vehicle overall - Oh well it is what it is.

Now intending to hit the road longer for a few months at a time here and there and thinking likely spend more time in one location.

Been researching several vehicles (definitely didn't want a dolly or trailer) for four down towing and looking at auto transmissions seems that the two most popular ones appear to be the CRV and Jeep. Hubby being hubby didn't like the CRV finish inside and general look, so looks like we will be going Jeep for short run arounds at destinations and for the ability of a little off roading in the dessert and mountain ranges. Up till now I've found Jeeps too juicy for every day use at SnB, but will be applying use differently moving forward. I will be so very sad to not have my escape for her fuel economy, cargo space, comfort level = just overall all round she's been awesome for me past 3 years. DD at University, feels the same about hers she's had 3 years as well. Hubby being a Tim the tool man Taylor type, detested them when she got hers and was livid when I told him I was getting one too after driving hers. Now he takes ours leaving his F350 sitting on the drive unless needing on his construction jobs (LOL). My oh my how the worm turns - Had a Durango Hemi for 10 years and a deep wallet at the pumps!

Till now, we've managed on extended trips of 5 to 8 weeks three or four times a year with RV, good walking shoes and our bikes and rafts/kayaks and truly never missed having a toad (Guess we are an oddity). If in an area wanting to not move RV for a few days (very rare) we've managed to hire a car locally for really cheap rates thru hotwire - $9 per day Vegas.

Not sure what but if considering a new CRV, I recall reading something about their proposed changes coming through that might affect that as a preferred tow vehicle. Just highlighting and am sure someone else with the knowledge will comment further.

What vehicle you finally decide on will depend on what you wish it to do for you, your budget and which one tickles your fancy. Seems there's quite a few options especially if looking manual tranny.

Southpark · 09-08-2014, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droberts9747

I've had a lot of trouble with my escape towing it for four down I'm wondering what other people use and if they've had problems using them?

Looks like you're not alone: Ford Escape - Flat Towing Problems & Procedures

Dale Pruitt · 09-08-2014, 03:06 PM

I flat tow a 2008 Buick Eclave CLX FWD just put in neutral run for 5 minutes remove Bat 1 50 amp fuse from fuse box under hood. Very easy tows like a dream. Some install a switch for the fuse I just remove fuse very easy. Hope this helps.

Davdeb1 · 09-08-2014, 03:12 PM

I had a 2008 Ford Escape. I loved it because it rode and handled very well, sat up nicely, had plenty of room for Cargo and was just the right height to take things in and out of.
If I could have towed it 4 down I would have. Being Fulltimers, a dolly would be a real inconvenience.