Community Forums

Entropy · 10-02-2017, 04:01 PM

Thanks, I’ll check those out.

collecter56 · 10-06-2017, 07:22 PM

Friend, I am using a 2007 Lexus GX470. Seats 8, albeit back seat not comfortable for adults. Fantastic vehicle. Purchased with 135000 miles, runs like new. Put transfer case in neutral, turn key off, and go. Best toad available in my opinion for 6 people and wanting 4wd. Btw, also quite stout off road.

bigben · 10-06-2017, 07:36 PM

We've towed our 2013 Explorer 4 down for 35k miles in the last 30 months. Curb weight is 4500 pounds, with bench seat in the middle, seats 7 fairly easily. Lots of terrific features (really like the power fold seats). We've got about 86k miles on the Explorer and still enjoy it.

Just our experiences.

tnedator · 10-06-2017, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

Buick Enclave and Chevy Traverse can meet your needs. We towed a GMC Acadia for several years but that model has been downsized a bit now.

The new Acadia does have three rows and can seat six to seven depending on the size of the occupants. Very little storage with third row up.

It is available with AWD.

Arch Hoagland · 10-07-2017, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collecter56

Friend, I am using a 2007 Lexus GX470. Seats 8, albeit back seat not comfortable for adults. Fantastic vehicle. Purchased with 135000 miles, runs like new. Put transfer case in neutral, turn key off, and go. Best toad available in my opinion for 6 people and wanting 4wd. Btw, also quite stout off road.

Does your 2007 Lexus GX470 manual say you can tow it as is? Reason I ask is Remco says it needs a drive line disconnect.

I tow a 2000 Lexus 4 down as is. I got a letter from Lexus stating I can tow it four down and yet Remco says I need a pump.

collecter56 · 10-07-2017, 04:43 AM

No disconnect needed, nor pump. I went on the advice of a couple guys on the yahoo forum. Seems a bit of a secret, with the lexus. Because none of the towing guides recognize it as a candidate. Yet, it really has everything you could want.
1.japanese reliability
2.4wd
3.seats 6+
4. Simple process for towing. Transfer stick to "N", turn key all way to left.
Incidentally, I use the car as a daily driver. It rides nice, has tons of power. (V8), and it's very nimble.
The only drawback as I've seen with this car, is poor fuel economy. But for the plusses, I will take the bad fuel economy.
Happy Hunting.

Entropy · 10-07-2017, 06:26 PM

Thanks all, those are some great responses!

Percival6 · 10-10-2017, 11:35 PM

I just wanted to throw the Honda Pilot into the ring as a possible contender. It can be towed 4 down up to and including the 2015 model year, after that Honda switched to a new 6 speed transmission and it can't be flat towed.

While it's not a true 4wd off road vehicle, it should do decent job and it does have Honda reliability. We tow a 2005 Pilot and have had no problems with it.

Entropy · 10-11-2017, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Percival6

I just wanted to throw the Honda Pilot into the ring as a possible contender. It can be towed 4 down up to and including the 2015 model year, after that Honda switched to a new 6 speed transmission and it can't be flat towed.

While it's not a true 4wd off road vehicle, it should do decent job and it does have Honda reliability. We tow a 2005 Pilot and have had no problems with it.

I'm pretty sure the Pilot cannot be flat-towed except for some models that are 10+ years old like your 2005.

Percival6 · 10-12-2017, 10:06 AM

While it is true that Honda "officially" stopped endorsing flat towing after the 2005 model year, the only thing that changed was Honda not wanting to providing warranty service on cars that belonged to idiots who don't know how to follow instructions.

There were no changes to the drive train of any of the Honda vehicles until the 2016 model year. All Honda vehicles with the V-6/5 spd transmission are capable of being towed 4 down because the pump that provides lubrication to the transmission is attached to the output shaft and is turned anytime the vehicle is in motion, whether the engine is running or not. Honda did away with this feature in the new 6 speed transmission after 2015.

I only know all this because I too believed that the 2005 model was the last year. Until after I purchased it and started researching what was needed to tow it. Then I found all the info about others flat towing their newer model and kicked myself in the butt for not buying a newer model year.

We've towed the Pilot about 10,000 miles so far with no problems whatsoever, I'm just regretting getting a higher mileage vehicle because now I have to get the timing belt replaced. $$$

Best of luck in your search!

Regards,

Tom