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dennys67 · 05-12-2018, 07:31 PM

I presently tow a 2017 Ford Escape with a tow dolly but am thinking about going 4 down. Although I have never leased a vehicle my Son is a firm believer it doing that and has been telling me that I should go that way too. My question is, if a person leases a vehicle is towing it an option? Does adding a tow bar alter anything that would be a problem at the end of the lease? And when towing 4 down does it accumulate miles on it while being towed?

Mr_D · 05-12-2018, 07:35 PM

Won't accumulate miles, but as I remember the contracts pretty much prohibit you from making the modifications needed for dour down towing. Call a dealer and ask.

msturtz · 05-12-2018, 07:41 PM

I would strongly recommend against it unless:
It is installed by the selling dealer.
It is listed as part of the vehicle at purchase by the selling dealer.
The modifications are listed in the contract with the leasing company.

The reason for this is in general the vehicle must be returned to the condition that you took delivery of it. Since any tow package requires cutting the front fascia and or air dam, installation of supplemental brakes, wiring modifications for lighting and fuse or battery disconnects. Leasing return inspectors will charge you to return the vehicle to the way it was delivered. Do not trust anything a dealer says that isn’t in writing. They can and will say anything to sell a vehicle. Remember you are renting the vehicle from a finance company not the dealer.

Craig1960 · 05-12-2018, 07:49 PM

If I was going to do it I would lease a Jeep. Buy an aftermarket bumper and put the original in storage. A plug and play Hopkins wiring harness and an easy to remove brake system like the Brake Buddy. No one would ever know the difference.

nothermark · 05-12-2018, 07:52 PM

FWIW the other thing you want to ask yourself is how often you want to replace your vehicle. If you rotates vehicles on a 2 or 3 year schedule leasing makes more sense that if you buy and keep a car longer.
The way the industry is shifting I would be thinking along the lines of buying and setting up a 4 down toad then driving it until it came close to dying. That could be 10 years or more in today's world. That is assuming you can find a new car that is capable of 4 down and meets your requirements.

wjohnson913 · 05-12-2018, 07:58 PM

I've leased a lot of cars and never returned them at the end of the lease. I just list for sale near the end of the lease. Never had a problem of getting more than the risidual value.
Seems to me the market for a good clean used toad is pretty good now and hopefully that holds for two or three years.

dennys67 · 05-13-2018, 08:31 AM

Thanks for all the great info. Many things i would not have thought of. We are leaving for a 4200 mile 3 month trip in 10 days so we will go as is this time. But in the future I would like to go 4 down but if I go that way I probably won't lease. It just seems like too many things could go wrong. Thanks again.

c1andc2 · 05-19-2018, 01:41 PM

We are leasing our 2018 Acadia, and equipped it to be towed 4 down. I will have to replace the fascia when I return it, but that part is $155.

CWSWine · 05-19-2018, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjohnson913

I've leased a lot of cars and never returned them at the end of the lease. I just list for sale near the end of the lease. Never had a problem of getting more than the risidual value.
Seems to me the market for a good clean used toad is pretty good now and hopefully that holds for two or three years.

I agree or we sell it one of the kids giving them the chance to buy it for the residual which makes a good deal for them.

NXR · 05-09-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothermark

The way the industry is shifting I would be thinking along the lines of buying and setting up a 4 down toad then driving it until it came close to dying. That could be 10 years or more in today's world. That is assuming you can find a new car that is capable of 4 down and meets your requirements.

With used car sales at a complete standstill right now and leasing companies offering deals to keep people on a lease, because the auction companies cannot sell or store anymore, you may be able to get a good deal on a newer used car.

If Hertz declares bankruptcy there is a big likelihood that even more recent year cars will flood the used car market. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...y-within-weeks

New car sales have also hit a wall and we're looking for a 4-down toad as well. With the amount we're all driving cars now these cars could last longer than me.

Ray