Community Forums

plasma800 · 08-30-2014, 07:57 AM

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

I'm a big fan of "beaters" as tows.

I personally want a car that is :

A) Cheap to buy
B) Cheap to fix and maintain
C) I don't mind getting filthy and don't care to wash - ever!
D) I don't mind climbing into with muddy feet, dirty shoes, wet clothes.
E) Takes cheap tires.
F) Is incredibly easy to hook, unhook and tow and go.
G) I don't mind if I break something because of my own stupidity.

So in my book the following tow vehicles fit this bill.

1) Subaru outback / legacy base model manual tranny. My top pick because it's rugged, 4 cylinder, all wheel drive, parts readily available, and because the car is mostly undesirable to the rest of the world, incredibly cheap to buy used.

2) Geo tracker - light, efficient, cheap.

3) Suzuki samurai - cheap, light, efficient, will out 4x4 any jeep.

4) Used mini cooper manual - cheap, light, efficient

5) Used chevy tahoe - but you might not be able to tow that weight!

Further, I like the M&G braking system. Air line to the car, uses compressed air to work the master cylinder of the car. No brake buddy, no silly unit I have to put in and out of the car.

With the mini cooper, you probably wound't need a braking system at all!

Ramets · 08-30-2014, 07:58 AM

Been towing a 2009 automatic Saturn Vue 4-down for over 4yrs. with out any problems. It pretty much is the same as a Honda CRV, but when I bought it they were practically giving them away since it was the last year of being built.

plasma800 · 08-30-2014, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libero

I currently have two "Toads" and at one time towed a Jeep Wrangler. When I had 40' DP'S , Toad weight was not a significant issue, but since I downsized to a Rig with a 5000/500 lb tow rating and a GCWR only 3500 lbs > than my GCWR - tow weight was more critical. I currently have a Malibu Max and a Smart Cat rigged for towing. (Would never consider towing our Ecalade or Chrysler Town & Country even if my rating allowed it.)

I put "Ready Brake" cables on both toads. Mostly take Smarty when I take a car at all but when I need a four seater, I take the Malibu. I do notice the extra ~1550 lbs with the Malibu over the ~1850lbs Smarty in terms of load and gas milage. Simply more wt = more energy required to move it. Do not notice any difference in stopping distance when the Ready brake is applied.

So IMHO, lighter is better, as long as the size of the lighter vehicle suits your needs. Smarty is fun to drive but with the shorter wheelbase it is a bumpy ride on rough roads.

I went the dolly route for a while and kept it around for several years but eventually sold it because my preference is 4 down.

Good luck in whatever option you chose. Hope my comments help.

totally right on the used smart car too by the way. your tow vehicle is simply something to get you around in my opinion. Now we are young, so we go places some might have no interest in - like boondocking in the middle of no where desert, or deep into the smokey mountains for some hiking, fishing, rafting that kind of junk. That subaru has been a great car for some light off roading, and it has 56 cubic feet of space in the back, only 3 cubic feet less than the range rover I used to own! We decked out the entire inside with rubber mats and have no qualms about loading her up firewood, wet feet, mud, all that jazz.

plasma800 · 08-30-2014, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramets

Been towing a 2009 automatic Saturn Vue 4-down for over 4yrs. with out any problems. It pretty much is the same as a Honda CRV, but when I bought it they were practically giving them away since it was the last year of being built.

x2 on the vue. I would choose this over the CRV - I thought the CRV's were too expensive, even used, for what you actually get.

spritz · 08-31-2014, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomandGloria

Spritz, nice set up. I'm an old Cadillac fan and have a 69 Eldorado. Does the Cad push the weight limit to the max for your rig?

I thought I responded yesterday but must of forgot to hit the send key!!!!! I also have a 64 deville.
Got any pictures of the 69 eldo? No on the weight but might be close If I remember it weights in around #3450