New Toad needed - suggestions please

[Upinsmoke]

We currently tow a 17' Prius. While we love the car, especially the mileage, it's a _itch getting it on the tow dolly. To enhance fuel efficiency, it sits too low and "hits" every time we load it, but not too bad when unloading. I've tried multiple boards in various arrangements and it's still a PITA and not a good way to start a trip. So, opinions on a different toad? Requirements: 4 door, reasonable height (for dog loading), not too heavy, capable of roof rack. I'm aware of the flat v. dolly debate and I'll address that at a different time - don't want to switch now unless clearly advantageous. Thanks for your ideas.

[slowmachine]

If you're committed to the dolly, you should be able to tow any front-drive car. I think the Honda Fit has a shorter front overhang than the Prius, and is very fuel-efficient.

[Dippytwo]

When I used a tow dolly we had a Kia Soul. Not to heavy, perfect for the dogs, and not bad on the budget.

[Sunny1]

What kind of tow dolly do you have? Have you considered getting a different tow dolly, instead of a different toad? We have an eze-tow dolly and it's been great (tow a Honda Accord). I've seen others towing a Prius with them. Might be well worth it for you to take a look at a different dolly.

If you're set on getting another vehicle I'd suggest you google the Dinghy towing guide and find a vehicle you like that can be flat towed in case down the road you decide you want to eliminate the dolly altogether and tow 4 down. You'll be one step ahead then with having a vehicle that'll work for that.

[Upinsmoke]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our dolly is a Master Tow and we'll stick with that one for now, and if we decide to switch, it will be to flat tow. I'll check out the vehicles mentioned, and buying something that can be flat towed as well is a great idea. Appreciate the help.

[Brockx]

We have a manual shift Kia Soul. We started out with a dolly (Acme) because it was cheap (used) and it had it's own brake system. Never a problem loading the Soul, has plenty of clearance and only weighs 2800 lbs, full of gas.
We switched to a tow bar set-up due to storage problems with the dolly. Using the NSA Ready Brute Elite system and could not be happier. The Soul is a high roof design which makes it very easy to enter and exit. Friends and family always remark on the roominess inside stop by a dealership and take a look.

[MO Fred]

Originally Posted by Upinsmoke

We currently tow a 17' Prius. While we love the car, especially the mileage, it's a _itch getting it on the tow dolly. To enhance fuel efficiency, it sits too low and "hits" every time we load it, but not too bad when unloading. I've tried multiple boards in various arrangements and it's still a PITA and not a good way to start a trip. So, opinions on a different toad? Requirements: 4 door, reasonable height (for dog loading), not too heavy, capable of roof rack. I'm aware of the flat v. dolly debate and I'll address that at a different time - don't want to switch now unless clearly advantageous. Thanks for your ideas.

You towed a Prius with a tow dolly?? We have a Prius too and was told by Toyota to definitely NOT tow it because it will damage the power generation produced by the wheels. It would also void the warranty. For that reason we tow a Mazda 3, manual shift. Just put it in neutral and go. So... did you suffer any problems after towing your Prius?

[seadaddler]

Try a Rava 4 for your toad or one of the new Honda.
I only use my MH 3 months out of 12 months so I want a tow car that I am happy all year and not want a car because it tows good.
With the dolly you can tow pretty much anything.
I tow aa 2012 fit flat tow it and from 2015 no more flat tow a Honda too bad and also have a Odyssey as my family car and is great but don't tow it.
CRV is a great tow car and very well liked family car.

Nick

[JohnBoyToo]

Jeep wrangler and no dolly !

[wildtoad]

We flat tow a Chevy Sonic automatic and its great. Can also be dollied.

[TripleE]

I flat tow a Ford C-Max hybrid. It fits all your requirements, can be towed on a tow dolly, and be flat towed. Great mileage. And they have a plug in model too

[Rockwood27]

Originally Posted by wildtoad

We flat tow a Chevy Sonic automatic and its great. Can also be dollied.

X2! Love the Sonic, auto, flat tow.

[BW in TX]

Originally Posted by MO Fred

You towed a Prius with a tow dolly?? We have a Prius too and was told by Toyota to definitely NOT tow it because it will damage the power generation produced by the wheels. It would also void the warranty. For that reason we tow a Mazda 3, manual shift. Just put it in neutral and go. So... did you suffer any problems after towing your Prius?

Won't damage it. We've towed ours many miles. Was that dealer advice?
As with OP ours does drag lower splash shield on and off but otherwise no problem.

[Trvl1]

Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo

Jeep wrangler and no dolly !

X2