Community Forums

FlyingDiver · 05-18-2007, 02:43 PM

Seems like almost everyone tows some sort of SUV as a dingy. Why is that? Why not a "fun" car?

We've currently got a 2004 CRV and a 2003 Audi A4. The "obvious" choice is to tow the CRV. But we're thinking of using a trailer anyway, so why not the A4? Or (what DW wants) get a convertible?

joe

FlyingDiver · 05-18-2007, 02:43 PM

Seems like almost everyone tows some sort of SUV as a dingy. Why is that? Why not a "fun" car?

We've currently got a 2004 CRV and a 2003 Audi A4. The "obvious" choice is to tow the CRV. But we're thinking of using a trailer anyway, so why not the A4? Or (what DW wants) get a convertible?

joe

**NLOVNIT** · 05-18-2007, 03:08 PM

I see this is your first post. Welcome

You've come to the right place for answers.

We tow a Jeep Liberty. It's a fun car - at least I consider it as such. We got it because it's easy to tow 4 down (i.e. not needing to be trailered or put on a dolly). Now, I do have a really fun car - a 66 Mustang GT convertible -but I'd never tow her behind our motorhome. Don't want to risk stone chips. She'd need to be trailered & our hitch isn't rated high enough for that.

L-

Cruzer · 05-18-2007, 03:37 PM

Welcome to iRV2 Joe.

We all have diferent ideas about what "fun" is. If I'm going to the mountains I like to take my Jeep on the trails. I too have a fun car, but like Dave, I'm not about to tow my '72 Javelin behind my Bus. Still, it would be fun to drive on the right roads.

paz · 05-19-2007, 04:35 AM

Joe, welcome to irv2. One reason we tow an SUV is is is easier for my wife to climb into and out of than a car. She has bad knees and has trouble getting her feet over the relatively high door sill found on most cars. The floor of our Vue is almost perfectly level with the door sill.

The other reason we tow an SUV is that, like Cruzer, we happen to think an it IS a fun car for the type of traveling we do. It is not as off-road capable as something like a Jeep, but it does OK in a little mud, loose gravel, wet grass, or snow (although we try to avoid snow like the plague). It also has plenty of room in the back for our folding bikes, some chairs, cooler, dog, etc.

Route 66 · 05-19-2007, 05:13 AM

My Yukon XL just suits my needs, and it rides soooooo nice, as it's very comfortable, plus it's AWD.

Rick Coleman · 05-19-2007, 05:27 AM

I think the best reason is that many of them can be towed 4 down without a trailer. Makes for simple, easy towing. Trailers can be tough to deal with. Many places have nowhere to put that "extra" piece of equipment. Besides, your motorhome is your "fun" car. Seriously- I believe its the easy tow.

hondo122 · 05-19-2007, 07:09 AM

Drove my first Jeep in the Army, liked the go anywhere part. Didn't have another until I bought an '86 Cherokee, then a '93 GC, '95 GC ( son still drives that one with 182K on all original drive train) now '04 GC 50K no problems. The 4.0 I-6 is the toughest engine around, just change the oil every 3k, tranny fluid every 25k and water pump when they go at around 70k. You can stuff them with your junk and go where you want.

alvinc · 05-19-2007, 12:23 PM

One big reason, SUV's typically have a transfer case. The ability to put the transfer case in neutral make it ideal for towing 4 down.

Even in the case of the Jeep Wrangler, the two wheel drive version CANNOT be towed 4 down.

Many vehicles can be towed 4 down if you add an axle disconnect (probably not compatible with high horsepower vehicles), or for front wheel drive, a transmission lubrication pump. This can add $600-1500 to the price of the towing gear.

The degree of confidence that the auto manufacturers have that their vehicles can handle being towed 4 down is shown in the towing guide. Just look at the distribution of auto vs truck/SUV's. Less than half are sedans or coupes.

SteveR · 05-19-2007, 09:03 PM

We tow our SUV for several reasons:

DW's car can't be towed on all fours.

My car is much easier for both of us to get in and out of..we both have bad backs.

The car has plenty of storage space for extra water, nice big recliner chairs, tools, extra clothes, etc.

The car is very comfortable to drive once we get to where we are going.

I did not want to buy a car to tow...I already had a car.

park_ridge_dave · 05-20-2007, 01:11 AM

I tow a Ford Escape 2wd. It was one of several vehicles (the list seems to get shorter each year) that the Manufacturer supports as being towable 4 down. Almost all the units listed as towable are SUVs. The Escape is pretty roomy and fun to drive when we "explore" rustic areas.
It was also relative inexpensive, gets good gas mileage (26 mpg highway), and makes a great grocery getter.

OBTW my fun car is an airplane

FlyingDiver · 05-20-2007, 12:24 PM

Thanks for all the input, folks. We're thinking we might get one of the new CR-Vs, which are a lot more comfortable than our older model one. Tow it for now, and if that doesn't work out, we'll get a trailer.

What kind of plane, Dave?

Joe <- PP-ASEL-IA

Scrib · 05-21-2007, 06:15 AM

Easy answer for us: 3 kids! LOL

park_ridge_dave · 05-21-2007, 09:04 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by FlyingDiver:
What kind of plane, Dave?

Joe <- PP-ASEL-IA </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

76 Mooney Executive, 201 cowl and windshield, LoPresti speed seals, Garmin GPS 430, S-tec 50 autopilot, and a custom leather interior.