Recommendation on SUVs

[Nap&Joe]

Hi, I am in the market for a new 2013 SUV (either AWD or 4WD) and would like any recommendations for the following models: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV 4, Nissan Rouge, Mazda CRX-5(?) or any other models you would suggest. I plan to tow using a tow dolly. Any comments would be appreciated. I hate the whole car buying process and if any of these SUVs can NOT be towed with a dolly, that information would help narrow down the process without the "pressure of a sales person with no knowledge of RV towing".

Forgot to mention, plan on an automatic tranmission.

Thanks!

[RickO]

I don't know about the towing details, but we bought a new Mazda CX5 a few months ago and love it.

I hadn't bought a new car for quite some time and was actually surprised with how painless the process was. It appeared to me that many auto dealers these days are moving to a model which involves non commissioned sales support people and I found them to be very helpful. Dealers were willing to give me a bottom line price on line or over the phone so comparison shopping was pretty easy.

Good luck.

Rick

[waroland]

Why tow with a dolly? It is something you have to deal with when not in use, some campground don't have a place to store and you have to tow the dolly to the storage area in those that have them. Just get a toad you can tow 4 down like any of the CR-V models and all you have to do is disconnect and go.

[lanerd]

Originally Posted by waroland

Why tow with a dolly? It is something you have to deal with when not in use, some campground don't have a place to store and you have to tow the dolly to the storage area in those that have them. Just get a toad you can tow 4 down like any of the CR-V models and all you have to do is disconnect and go.

I totally agree... dollys are just a pain in the arse. There are plenty of small/mid size SUVs that are 4-down towable....ours for instance. All that you mentioned (with the exception of the CRV) are (I believe) not 4-down towable. Check out small GM SUVs (Terrain/Equinox).

Ron

[Kurtsara]

Originally Posted by lanerd

I totally agree... dollys are just a pain in the arse. There are plenty of small/mid size SUVs that are 4-down towable....ours for instance. All that you mentioned (with the exception of the CRV) are (I believe) not 4-down towable. Check out small GM SUVs (Terrain/Equinox).

Ron

can't see what you tow, what is it?

[lanerd]

Originally Posted by Kurtsara

can't see what you tow, what is it?

Sorry... I thought it was in my signature. We have a 2011 GMC Terrain SLT-2. V6, Auto 6-speed, AWD and every option available. The Chevy Equinox is identical except for the body style. It gets decent (but not great) mpg, lots of power, very comfortable, quite and smooth riding.

We were also very interested in the CRV, but it didn't have near the options the GMC had, was not as smooth and quiet riding and had less interior space. But it was a couple thousand cheaper and got a little better mph.



Ron

[paz]

Originally Posted by Nap&Joe

Hi, I am in the market for a new 2013 SUV (either AWD or 4WD) and would like any recommendations for the following models: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV 4, Nissan Rouge, Mazda CRX-5(?) or any other models you would suggest. I plan to tow using a tow dolly...

Not only are dollies a PITA, but if you want 4WD or AWD, you will not be able to use a dolly unless the vehicle is 4WD and has a transfer case with neutral. Some vehicles with a transfer case with neutral can be towed with 2 wheels on a dolly, but the the vehicles with a transfer case having neutral are usually only full-sized pickups and SUVs. For most crossover SUVs, you will need to tow 4-down or use a trailer. With most 4WD or AWD, either all wheels must turn or no wheels must turn when being towed.

[Billua]

New Jeep Cherokee. Tow 4 down.

[jamesrxx951]

Originally Posted by Nap&Joe

Hi, I am in the market for a new 2013 SUV (either AWD or 4WD) and would like any recommendations for the following models: Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV 4, Nissan Rouge, Mazda CRX-5(?) or any other models you would suggest. I plan to tow using a tow dolly. Any comments would be appreciated. I hate the whole car buying process and if any of these SUVs can NOT be towed with a dolly, that information would help narrow down the process without the "pressure of a sales person with no knowledge of RV towing".

Forgot to mention, plan on an automatic tranmission.

Thanks!

If you use a dolly, you will not be able to tow any of these if they are AWD or 4x4. You will need a front drive SUV.

[becks]

Originally Posted by Billua

New Jeep Cherokee. Tow 4 down.

+ 1 It looks like the new Cherokee is going to be a popular toad. Many have already bought them to tow, and Blue Ox is set to make a tow bracket for them soon.

[CampDaven]

Somebody is going to say Wrangler. May as well be me!

[chawkins99]

+1 on the Equinox. Have just got ours setup to flat tow although the steering cooler caused me some problems.

We looked at the Jeep Cherokee but the trunk was too small for our needs.

Also looked at the new Explorer and Edge but both were beyond our budget. Bought the Equinox used.

As has been said, if planning to dolly tow, you have pretty much ruled out every 4WD vehicle but at the same time, you've included almost every front-wheel drive vehicle.

[TonyDi]

Originally Posted by Billua

New Jeep Cherokee. Tow 4 down.

Same here. Grand Cherokee ( it gets great milage, when it's being towed) Dollies are just a royal PITA. It's just one more thing that has to be attached and one more place where something can go wrong.

[Tim&Paula]

We love our Honda CRV. You can tow 4 down or on a dolly. I have towed with a dolly but much prefer 4 down even though I have only towed that way once since I bought my CRV