CRV vs. Jeep.

[Topman]

I have been looking at purchasing a used tow vehicle.
I want to tow 4 wheels down. I have so far narrowed my search to these 2 vehicles. A 10 year old crv costs about the same as a 4 year old jeep.
I'm fairly familiar with the Honda but I don't know much about the jeep models which can be flat towed with no modifications.
Any recommendations between these 2 vehicles? Pros or Cons?
As well as being a toad, this will be our second daily driver vehicle so I would prefer a 4 cyl. model.
Thanks, Iver.

[ih8ag8r]

I tow a 2005 wrangler 4wd on all 4 's.I pull it with a class C Ford chassis V-10 and have no problems at all.I read where my Jeep weighs 3700 lbs. dry so I barely feel it back there.Only issue with my Jeep is I have to leave a key in the ignition to keep the steering free (tried keyless and steering locked up 20 miles down road)

[nodine]

Originally Posted by ih8ag8r

I tow a 2005 wrangler 4wd on all 4 's.I pull it with a class C Ford chassis V-10 and have no problems at all.I read where my Jeep weighs 3700 lbs. dry so I barely feel it back there.Only issue with my Jeep is I have to leave a key in the ignition to keep the steering free (tried keyless and steering locked up 20 miles down road)

You also have to leave a key in the ignition on the Honda CRV and I think most modern vehicles. I always carry a spare key and use it to lock the doors on the Honda after going through the gears with the engine running. You must make sure that the last shift is from Drive to Neutral and then turn the engine off leaving the key in the ignition and the shifter in Neutral. We do not need to pull any fuses because we use the Brakemaster which does not consume any power from the tow vehicle.

Bob

[nodine]

Originally Posted by Topman

I have been looking at purchasing a used tow vehicle.
I want to tow 4 wheels down. I have so far narrowed my search to these 2 vehicles. A 10 year old crv costs about the same as a 4 year old jeep.
I'm fairly familiar with the Honda but I don't know much about the jeep models which can be flat towed with no modifications.
Any recommendations between these 2 vehicles? Pros or Cons?
As well as being a toad, this will be our second daily driver vehicle so I would prefer a 4 cyl. model.
Thanks, Iver.

Topman,

We have a Generation 2 Honda CRV 4 Wheel Drive. You might want to stay away from the Generation 2 with the 4 Wheel drive if your intention is to tow it behind a motorhome. I suspect that the 2 Wheel drive will not have the problem nor will the Generation 1, 3, and 4 CRV. Now you are wondering what is the problem. The problem is that with the Generation 2 4x4 when towing it behind a motorhome the rear tires will toe out causing heel/toe wear on the inside edge of the rear tires. This wear will soon start to make a very annoying tire noise when you drive the Honda. Once the heel/toe wear is pronounced to the point you have tire noise it is to late. You can rotate tires until you are blue in the face and the noise will still be there. What I have ended up doing is to buy a new set of tires and then take the Honda to an old fashion alignment guy that is willing to change the manufacturer settings. What he did was to slightly toe the rear wheels in. I now rotate my rear tires side to side every 2000 miles. That changes the direction of rotation so you must use tires that are not directional.

Not wanting to start a brand war, but have you looked at GM 4 cylinder automatic transmission cars? They make quite a few that are towable 4 down. I like Fords but they seem to have a problem with their automatic transmissions when towing 4 down. Dodge does not have a lot of choices for a 4 banger.

Good luck,

Bob

[tncruiser]

i dont know where you can buy a 4yo jeep as inexpensive as a 10 yo anything wrangler hold ther value as well as anything you could buy, when i traded my 2010 jeep in it was advertised on the lot for 1k more than i paid for it a year earlier
brianj

[moisheh]

Nodine: How do you identify the different generations?

[Triker56]

Check out a used HHR. They are 4 cyl.

Easy 4 down towing, with only one fuse to pull. And you can put a switch on it.
Then put the automatic in N and go.

[njs42]

Good question on how you tell Generations on a CR-V. My 04 is just fine and I have been whipping it around behind the MH since it was new. Cr-V's have always been criticised for road noise, mine is no exception. However Wranglers are not a good competitor in the noise department.

CR-V and Wrangler? Take your pick. I would guess that if you do a Consumers Report for safety, frequency of repair. resale etc; you will probably give an edge to the CR-V. But a lot depends on the use you will give these cars when you are not towing. Are you adventuresome and want to go "off road". The Wrangler is the logical choice. I think if you want to carry a bunch of stuff and crave a bit more freeway comfort then the CR-V would serve you better.

These two cars are perennial favorites. both are easy to hook up and tow. However they seem to be better for one market or the other based on their preformance characteristics and what they were designed to do. Rough and ready, Wrangler. Smoother, more family friendly CR-V.

When I consider getting a Wrangler (which is a fine tow vehilce with an almost cult like following) I eventually get flooded with a lot of practical thoughts about how really convenient by comparison it would be to my CR-V.

[ahicks]

I think the Gen II are 2002-06? I have one, and also have the tire (road) noise. It's a common complaint, and not unusual for cars of this size/age. One of the reasons for that in the CRV is the almost complete lack of engine noise and wind/air leaks? This is the first I've heard of the rear toe in/out setting causing that (will check into that further). On ours, the majority of the noise seems to be coming from the front of the car?

Regarding the Jeep vs. CRV argument, much may have to do with gas mileage vs. real off road capability? Both are expensive used. Never saw a clear advantage either way there. What I see often, are people on the left coast preferring the Jeeps for off road, the right coast the CRV's for their utility value - and mileage.

Ours is the first "foreign" car we've ever owned, and also the smallest - and we love it.

One other note I write with some hesitation as it's pretty controversial, other opinions may vary. I can back up with the CRV attached easily if necessary. The Jeeps from what I understand, will turn the wheels to one side and lock almost immediately. FWIW....

[vsheetz]

I have had multiple Jeeps - great toad and easy to tow, and great fun for exploring trails and out of the way areas. We are into of-roading so the Jeep is a natural fit. That said, the Jeep does not offer the car-likeness of the Honda CRV. The Jeep will last forever, has great reliability, and is easy to maintain DIY. Honda are known for their logevity and quality as well. Either make a good toad - go with what your usage will be when not dragging it around behind the RV.

As an aside, the pricing comments do seem out of line.

[roadmap]

We have a 2000 Jeep Wrangler we toad,2nd one for us.Had problems with steering locking up.Our mechanic took steering wheel off and took the locking device out,no more problems.Tows like a champ,takes sharp turns easy.

[gmadams]

Originally Posted by Topman

I have been looking at purchasing a used tow vehicle.
I want to tow 4 wheels down. I have so far narrowed my search to these 2 vehicles. A 10 year old crv costs about the same as a 4 year old jeep.
I'm fairly familiar with the Honda but I don't know much about the jeep models which can be flat towed with no modifications.
Any recommendations between these 2 vehicles? Pros or Cons?
As well as being a toad, this will be our second daily driver vehicle so I would prefer a 4 cyl. model.
Thanks, Iver.

Is the jeep 4WD? If it is a 2WD, I don't believe that it can be towed.

[JMonroe]

The Honda will go for ever, as long as you keep it on paved roads. With the Jeep you'll never have to wonder if you should take that beat up looking stretch of goat path that heads off toward the river. As for resale, Honda is very good, Jeep Wranglers are unsurpassed. I was just paid $22,500, by my insurance company for our '07 Rubicon, K miles, that was unfortunately totaled when rear ended at a stop light. I paid something just under $28K for it new, including tax. Lastly, nothing's easier to set up for flat tow than a Jeep Wrangler (assuming you don't buy one of the rare anomaly's known as a 2 wheel drive Jeep - a total crime against nature)

[roadmap]

Yes ours is 4WD,had this one about 1 1/2 yrs with no problems at all.our other Jeep was a stick shift,didn't like it in the mountains so we traded for this one.