Shopping for a toad

[Ramblin]

I recently bought a new 2012 Ford Focus hatchback that I plan to tow 4-down. Less than $20k brand new, gets 32mpg, can be towed 4 down without modification.

[Hudsoner]

I just bought a 2013 Subaru Outback with manual transmission. Lots of room, comfy ride and easy to tow.

[srh]

Originally Posted by johnmbeard

...I like the idea of the CR-V and there is no denying that folks tow them year in and year out, and yet Honda and Remco say no to towing this vehicle.

The CR-V is on my short list...

I bought a 2010 CRV, automatic w/28Kmi last May from a dealership, have been towing it since (~1200 mi). The manual does not say not to be towed! We have 50K mi on it now.

[rick h]

be careful with jeep cherokee we have 2005 it's all wheel drive not 4wheel drive can't be towed 4 down or on a dolly.

[Oscar Mike]

Over the last week I've looked at a 2013 Jeep Sport (base model) $25k MSRP, 2013 Jeep Sahara (32K MSRP), 2013 Honda CR-v (25-31k MSRP), 2005 Honda CR-V (71,000 miles, 14K asking price), 2012 Jeep Wrangler (repossession auction....I missed the bid by $550.00. it went for $17,500.00), 2008 Jeep Rubicon (51,000 miles, $19,995.00)...

I have sticker shock looking at the new vehicles.

The search continues...

[flaggship1]

Originally Posted by johnmbeard

Over the last week I've looked at a 2013 Jeep Sport (base model) $25k MSRP, 2013 Jeep Sahara (32K MSRP), 2013 Honda CR-v (25-31k MSRP), 2005 Honda CR-V (71,000 miles, 14K asking price), 2012 Jeep Wrangler (repossession auction....I missed the bid by $550.00. it went for $17,500.00), 2008 Jeep Rubicon (51,000 miles, $19,995.00)...

I have sticker shock looking at the new vehicles.

The search continues...

I recently asked an RV friend - when did a new truck become a $40k vehicle. I have sticker shock myself. This is a tough one to figure out - and I thought the MH buying was tough. Keep us in the loop.

[hogdriver]

There is a place called "Toad Suck" Wyoming by the way

I tow a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is awesome to have on those trails. The down sides are it gets poor mileage and is sort of heavy (4500lbs). It however is very simple to tow.

I formerly towed a 1999 CRV. It is a easy to park and to drive car that is rather lightweight (3100 lbs) but the auto transmission required you stop at intervals (I recall every few hours and/or 300 mi) and circulate the Fluid thru the transmission. It also had a max tow speed of 65mph, I think, which is a player on those long Wyoming and Kansas highways. We were most disappointed by the mileage which I recall never exceeded 20 mpg.

The lightest, cheapest, and easiest 4x4 I ever towed was a Suzuki/Chevy Tracker. That thing sat 4 people, got 30mpg, and weighed 2000 lbs.

CRVs are nice but don't rule out vehicles like a Tracker or something like a Ford Edge. I see a lot of Ford Edge tow cars behind MHs.

[Mike_Harriet]

A newbie question. I see quite a few Chevy Trackers being used as toads here on Fl. Is there one certain model better than others? Does it need to be a 4WD with manual lockout? Any help/opinions appreciated!

[Oscar Mike]

Originally Posted by Mike_Harriet

A newbie question. I see quite a few Chevy Trackers being used as toads here on Fl. Is there one certain model better than others? Does it need to be a 4WD with manual lockout? Any help/opinions appreciated!

A good place to look is REMCO.com.

[t55watson]

I tow a Tracker. Stick the transfer case in neutral, the tranny in park the key in the ignition and away we go. I have towed it for 4 years without a lick of trouble. It drives great and about 28 MPG. When it dies I will look for another one.

[RudyD]

I am towing with a 60000 lb 2013 Tiffin Zephyr.I used the approved toad list and it has some inaccuracies. I test drove vehicles from Scion's to Lincolns to Jeeps to Hondas to Chevy to Fords. I probably drove 40 vehicles. yes I'm picky. I needed a practical vehicle didn't want a 4 wheel drive as I dont do offroading. It had to be a vehicle I could drive around town and put some gear in and Costco stuff. Manual or Auto didn't matter. I had decided on a 2013 Ford Escape and then found that the toad list was inaccurate. Ford no longer approved Escapes to be towed and found a bunch of complaints online. My 2nd choice a Hyundai Elentra GT which was pretty economical reliable.I often have to haul people with luggage on my journeys. I realized this was too small for me after talking to some friends who would be my journey mates along the way.

So I put a little more into it an took my first choice a 2013 Cadillar SRX - its the right size, lots of whistles and bells for comfort, little sporty looking an fun to drive. And it has a blue ox base plate thats nearly invisible in the grill. it also was not that much difference in price from the Hyundai. I decided to lease it for 3 years because in 3 years i know i'm going to want something else.......the difference in cost between the Hyundai and Caddy lease was $5000. Plus it looks good behind my Zephyr.

[Oscar Mike]

Originally Posted by rdostal

Plus it looks good behind my Zephyr.

Just about anything would look good behind a Zephyr...and you know what they say....you ain't lackin if you're Cadillacin...

[Gadget63]

Originally Posted by johnmbeard

Just about anything would look good behind a Zephyr...and you know what they say....you ain't lackin if you're Cadillacin...

X 2
Had a few over the years Loved those cars! But love RV'n more

[Oscar Mike]

I found this 2005 Jeep on Craig's List and went to look at it yesterday. It is very clean due to it being professionally detailed, but under the "clean" it looked like a pretty decent Jeep.



Too bad she is asking too much, I made an offer of $13,750.00...she came back with $17,500.00...now I wait...