Best Used Dinghy

[Dano18]

I know a lot of this will be opinion based but that’s ok.

What do you think ithe best USED flat tow Dinghy is, both in value and performance?

Two categories, of car and SUV, might be good. Also, only models that do not require modifications, other then of course the base plate etc.

GO!

[ROUGHRIDER3]

Jeep Wrangler, easy to set up and have good resale value.

[Unicorn Driver]

Jeep Wrangler for me also.

[Dano18]

I have always liked the Wranglers. Owned two but they have gotten ridiculously expensive lately, especially the Unlimited. Hard to find a good used one that’s not ragged out.

[okcnewbie]

Early 2010's Cadillac SRX for about 10- 12k. We're very happy with our 2012. Folding ebike fits in back and two more bikes outside on hitch.

[Dano18]

Cadillac’s are a sleeper of a deal in the used market. I didn’t realize that the SRX could be flat towed. Might have to check them out!

[lllkrob]

Chevrolet Equinox all years and certain engine / transmission models can be towed 4 down with no modifications.

[Isaac-1]

My knee jerk reaction here is Jeep Wrangler, the problem is that it is hard to find a less than 20 year old Wrangler for under $10,000, and for $10,000 you can buy a 3-4 year old Chevy Sonic or any of a number of other relatively cheap cars that are reportedly good TOADs.


If you don't mind manual transmissions then I think the Fiat 500 can make a great little lightweight TOAD, with 5 year old models often selling in the $5,000 ballpark.


p.s. I see people have mention the SRX above, before buying one I would suggest test driving, my mother in law has one which I have driven probably a couple of hundred miles over the years, and I hate the way it drives.

[Mr_D]

I had a very nice '14 CR-V set up for towing with only 20,000 miles and paid for. I traded it for a '14 wrangler with 48,000 miles with no towing equip. I was tired of the time/speed constraints the Honda had and worrying about the trans. Plus I can do some offroading.

[Wrascal]

With that said - I'm never gonna be off a paved road (nor even in snow conditions) so a FWD Honda CRV (limited to years 2014 and older) fit my expectations wonderfully.

My RV dealer set it all up (with a battery charge line) so it requires very little effort to connect it up and go.

Full disclosure: I'm a Honda fan, going back to the late 80's.
Still sorry to upset you Dad (RIP) - a GM Dealer whos' (1980s) products really let me down.

NOTE: I actively try to keep it 5 MPH under most posted interstate limits; less stress and more economical = more smiles.

YMMV.

[TampaDave]

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

If you don't mind manual transmissions then I think the Fiat 500 can make a great little lightweight TOAD, with 5 year old models often selling in the $5,000 ballpark.

And Fiats are getting crushed in the market right now, wasn't clear to me what would happen when they stopped importing the 500, now we know. There are some GREAT deals out there.

The baseplate is a DIY job and it weighs < 2500 lbs, you could go without a braking system in most states if you really wanted to.

Great little car for the money, not sure how you beat it sub- $7000. Honda's FIT "fits" in that price range, although with a lot of miles on em. Fiat parts are expensive and not everybody works on em. Make sure the clutch is working perfectly before you buy.

We traded in on a 2014 Lincoln MKX, looks like that or the Ford equivalent shouldn't be too hard to set up, there's a speed limit and you have to start it up to lube the transmission every six hours. Never had to do that with the Fiat, you just sling that sucker around however you want. But, the Lincoln is pretty plush, has some room in it and it rides soooooo smooth. Oh and the A/C works. Freeze to death if you're not careful. I agree, a clean trade-in from one of the domestic "luxury" brands like Lincoln, Caddy or Buick could be a sweet spot depending on what your needs are.

Jeep is king of course but you pay for the privilege.

[becks]

CRV or Jeep

[wolfe10]

No such "animal" as best toad. Any more than there is any best RV, car, truck etc.


Basically you want the lightest vehicle that meets your needs that is easy to tow 4 wheels down.


That could be a Honda Fit or a Suburban-- depends on your needs and the capability of your RV to tow that weight.

[mike brez]

After having a Wrangle for the past 20 years it doesn’t get much easier,can go just about anywhere and they can look pretty cool.
Was a sad day for me last Thursday trading my wrangler for a hybrid. I’m traveling 100 miles a day and wanted something a little better on gas.