Community Forums

faye · 07-11-2009, 11:13 PM

Would appreciate those of you who tow with 4 wheels down to give a list of light weight cars with automatic transmissions that can be towed and if they have automatic transmissions do you have to alter or do something to the car or are there some with automatic transmissions that do not have to be ? Thanks walter

kuldaddy · 07-12-2009, 06:29 AM

Go to Motohome Magazine (www.motorhomemagazine.com) and see the Dinghy Guide about half way down on the right. This will provide a list of all towables and any special requirements (i.e. speed limit, stop every x miles, 4x4, manual trans, etc.). The list is by year model of the Dinghy.

Hope this helps.

wa8yxm · 07-12-2009, 08:45 AM

The list changes from day to day.. Plus you can retrofit many automatic tranny cars for 4-down towing

IN many cases a lubrication pump from Remco towing (Who's web page did not work last time I tried) will get you rolling (I do mean rolling) safely.

For Rear Wheel Driver cars Remco makes an "Drive Shaft Disconnect" Basically this is a spline clutch on th end of the drive shaft. You pull the lever/cable and the rear wheels are disconnected.. You tow in park. Proven technology with a mean time between failures that is....... Very high (Though they do, on occasion have failures.

For Front wheel drive cars, there is an Axle Lock, Basically the same thing. It "Breaks" the right front axle so that wheel spins free. The left front turns the differential but without a right weel that turns free too, and it runs in an oil bath so lubrication is not an issue.

Again the transmission is in PARK

Now...Some cars can be towed with no modification

I would (For assorted reasons) suggest a 4wd car with a transfer case of the genunine gear type.. Many of these have a genuine NEUTRAL position which is as good as the Remco products. again you leave the tranny in park.

Plus many Campgrounds are not in the "Best of road" area so that 4wd vehicle is kind of handy

Bob (WA0MQE) · 07-24-2009, 07:25 AM

Look at the Chevrolet Cobalt. They are light weight, under 3000 lbs, one of the few that can be towed with automatic transmission without any limits. They are plentiful, and can get a good used one and reasonable price or even a new one at good discounts.

JC2 · 07-24-2009, 07:51 AM

Up until last year, we towed a 2004 Chev Cavalier(now called a Cobalt) behind our MH and couldn't tell it was even their. The only thing I didn't like was the lack of headroom for the driver.

doc · 07-24-2009, 11:11 AM

We tow a Honda Element. Last year Honda OK'd for towing (I believe was 05) Idle in neutral for at least 3 minutes, turn off the switch and go.

Triker56 · 07-25-2009, 03:41 PM

2006-2010 HHR Automatic ready to Tow 4 down
Pull 1 2AMP fuse

Happycarz · 07-25-2009, 10:33 PM

Here is another lightweight option, 1800 lbs. 2009 Smart Car

Room behind the seats for about 4 grocery bags, but no large dogs.
I got 50.2 MPG breaking it in at Yellostone N.P.

Triker56 · 07-26-2009, 04:20 PM

Forgot to list weight 3,200 lb. HHR 30 MPG

Bill Killen · 07-30-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happycarz

Here is another lightweight option, 1800 lbs. 2009 Smart Car

Room behind the seats for about 4 grocery bags, but no large dogs.
I got 50.2 MPG breaking it in at Yellostone N.P.

That's better gas mileage than my Sportster! LOL! good stuff. great alternative for a small toad!
bk

Tom N · 07-31-2009, 08:10 AM

I tow a 2003 Honda Civic EX coupe with automatic transmission that weighs 2800#s.

No need to mention Honda's gas mileage, reliability and resale value.

-Tom