Community Forums

Mr_D · 06-13-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hogdriver

I don't think any of the Toyota's (RAV, 4Runner) are towable wheels down without mod to the drivetrain. There are lots of CRVs towed wheels down but I think the later models are not endorsed by Honda for towing. I don't know if either Hondas or Toys could be put on a dolly. I see a lot of minivans towed via dolly.

Honda says ALL the Fit's from 2007 and all the CR-V's are towable four down. They are the only models Honda approves for four down since the 2004 model year. In 2005 Honda started saying only those models were towable four down.
Been around the block with Honda's legal dept and CA and WA AG's office over it!

fighterpilot · 06-13-2013, 03:13 PM

If they are front, two wheel drive only, than it is my understanding they can be towed on dolly. AWD is something else however. It is also my understanding that they made 2wd, front wheel drive in both the CR-V and the RAV4. If I am wrong, someone please advise me since that is the way I am going for dolly tow. Thanks

lllkrob · 06-13-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fighterpilot

If they are front, two wheel drive only, than it is my understanding they can be towed on dolly. AWD is something else however. It is also my understanding that they made 2wd, front wheel drive in both the CR-V and the RAV4. If I am wrong, someone please advise me since that is the way I am going for dolly tow. Thanks

You are correct. They will be difficult to find especially in a Rav4 and they will probably be in fair to rough shape with a ton of miles on the odometer.

Mr_D · 06-13-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnp_macklin

Maybe I'm "old school" thinking it here, but wouldn't *ANY* 4WD vehicle with a manual transfer case be able to be towed on a dolly? (older jeeps, SUV's, etc) Just put the transfer case in neutral, so the driveline freewheels.... then you're good to go. Two down or four down.... it wouldnt matter.

Nope, on the Jeep's it will ruin the transfer case since the fronts aren't turning and the rears are. The CR-V's use a clutch to transmit power to the rear wheels when needed, they're not a true four wheel drive. That clutch won't take the fronts stationary on a dolly and the rears rotating and there's no way to easily deactivate the clutch.

Mr_D · 06-13-2013, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob

You are correct. They will be difficult to find especially in a Rav4 and they will probably be in fair to rough shape with a ton of miles on the odometer.

The front wheel drive only CR-V's are still available new at the dealer.

Dr. Den · 06-30-2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Selah

If you decide to tow 4 down, look up Motorhomes "Dingy Towing Guide". It gives a great list of the major vehicle manufactures models and what is needed for towing.
Jeeps and CRV are probably the most popular 4x4 towes but there are many others as well.

You buy the RV to get out in the outdoors. Jeep soft top is the only way to go. We have a 6 member RV group, All have gone to the Wrangler except for 2 and for them it is just a matter of time. Whenever we get somewhere and we start to do some back woods / road exploring, it is always in the Jeeps with the top down. They are so lite, you never know they are back there and it only takes 5 to 10 minutes to hook them up. Think about it, what do you really want to be driving when you get to your destination?

fighterpilot · 07-01-2013, 05:51 AM

What I really want to be driving at my destination is something that weighs 3000 lbs, (pulling it with a gaser), will haul 7 people, (lots of grand children), Air Conditioned, (live in Florida), can throw junk and a deer in the back, (go deer hunting now and than), $3000 budget, and tow on a dolly, (have three other families that will use the MH with different vehicles of their own). BUT since I haven't found a vehicle for that I have to compromise. A Rav4, CR-V, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Mazda Tribute all come to mind, Front 2wD only. Do the best I can with the $3000. I find the Jeeps are scare in this part of the country and expensive. Any other vehicle suggestions appreciated.

FlyingDiver · 07-01-2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnp_macklin

Maybe I'm "old school" thinking it here, but wouldn't *ANY* 4WD vehicle with a manual transfer case be able to be towed on a dolly? (older jeeps, SUV's, etc) Just put the transfer case in neutral, so the driveline freewheels.... then you're good to go. Two down or four down.... it wouldnt matter.

Sorry, no. If it's got a manual transfer case, it can be towed 4 down. But likely not on a dolly. The problem is that if you put it on a dolly, the back part of the differential is running full speed and the front isn't moving at all. The transfer case can handle both parts spinning, or neither part, but doesn't handle only one spinning very well. I think it has to do with the circulation of the lubrication oil. Like if one half isn't moving it blocks the oil from getting to the other half. Or something like that.

04Journey36G · 07-04-2013, 10:41 AM

Figherpilot,
Because you have determined that your best course of action is to tow with a dolly, you can expand the list of "towable" vehicles to just about any front drive vehicle (IMHO). Weight is the limiting factor so select a vehicle within the weight limits of the towing RV, don't forget to add the weight of the dolly, and you should be OK. This should make your budget a little less restrictive. I would never tow without some form of brake on the toad or the dolly and this may be subject to the "many using one" criteria too.
Good luck!
Jim

fighterpilot · 07-05-2013, 04:34 AM

Jim, thanks for the recent advice. I have expanded search to any 2 wheel, front drive, vehicle with weight a consideration. Ford Escape family (Mariner and Tribute) have helped the search option a bit. Dolly will be a surge brake type since don't want to have to work with electric brake system on the towing vehicle.

Dr. Den · 07-12-2013, 11:31 PM

fighterpilot, how is that toad search going? Made a decision yet ?

fighterpilot · 07-14-2013, 06:43 AM

Search is going slow. Have at least three possible vehicles, but finding them for 3000 ti 4000 dollars within 75 miles of home is the problem.

All front wheel drive only. Escape, Mariner, Tribute family, CR-V, and RAV4 would work. They don't weight too much and seat 4 or 5 with room to throw in the deer in the back end. So could haul the great- grand kids around as well.

Tow dolly search going slow as well. May have to buy new. With my vehicle, daughters two vehicles, and three grandsons vehicles I want to be able to set up 6 vehicles. So steerable or pivot dolly, surge brakes and wireless magnetic lights seems to be the order of the day. I search 100 miles on search tempest for this item.