Towed vehicle

[Pier Guidi]

Just a quick note re: "4 wheels on the ground" towed vehicles in general (maybe all) CANNOT have a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) transmission as they require lubrication and that doesn't happen when being towed (engine off). Many, many newere cars use CVT's (to get better mileage). For example, my 2014 Honda CRV was ok, but not 2015 onward as they went from automatic transmission to CVT. The FMC book referenced elsewhere is the MUST GO TO GUIDE.

[Swiss RV]

Originally Posted by Wonderdog1

Recently purchased a 2018 Sunstar Lx 30t and am completely lost on what type of vehicle we should be looking for to tow behind us. We have towed a trailer with ATVs many times, but are considering going places where we need a vehicle.

Should we be looking for a vehicle with a manual transmission? I have seen many people towing jeeps, are they the easiest and simplest to tow?

Thanks
Wonderdog1

Go on Google and write " Dinghy Towing".
Every year Comes a new free broschure, where all towable cars an in.
Enjoy RV-ing.

<Marc

[starcrwzr]

I tow a 2016 Ford Fiesta with a manual transmission behind my Sunstar LX 27N. I bought the Fiesta because I've had one before and like the economy and size. It tows like a dream behind my MH, plus, when we park, it's small and usually parks right in front of the site. I'm another advocate for the ReadyBrake system and have used it two different motorhomes, just moved the hitch over. Fairly easy to install if you're handy. Good luck.

[Winterbagoal]

Originally Posted by Meridian42e

No....because they are cool!

True. And the newer ones are easy to pull, too. Especially with Blue Ox components. Slap on the base plate, connect the tow bar and safety cables, add the wiring harness for the lights and breakaway switch, add the aux braking system, transfer case in neutral, automatic transmission in park, or manual transmission in any forward gear, and off you go. No steering lock to worry about, no engine run at every stop, no driveshaft disconnect, or oil stirrer, or battery/fuse disconnect, or anything else.

[Winterbagoal]

Originally Posted by MisterB

the beauty of the wrangler is you dont have to keep the key in the vehicle, no steering lock, neutral transfer case (transmission can be kept in park or gear for manual), if you use Jeeps wiring harness for lights it bypasses the Jeep electrical system and operates off the motorhome electrical system

Yepper. They are one of the easiest to tow, for all those reasons and more.

[michealwhela]

Jeep was made for the job. We picked up a two door automatic 2014 that had low miles. Installed a baseplate and stealth auxiliary brake and light connection. They are ready to tow. Connect to our Adventurer, put transfer case in neutral, transmission in park release the emergency brake and lock the doors. Easy and fast. Good luck with your search.

[jerichorick]

Originally Posted by Wonderdog1

Thanks for everyone’s helpful suggestions!

The 2018 Guide to Dingy Towing was of great help! Now l have to research the extra braking systems.

Wonderdog1

The Air Force One is great. Demco seems to have acquired SMI recently. If you find a used '14 or earlier Honda CR-V you should be very happy with it. We love ours. '15 to date are not towable.



I know there are many other makes and models to be had.

[Ray,IN]

Look at the newer wireless lighting system for towed vehicles, they are expensive but require NO modifications to the vehicle wiring system.
Be aware that some new vehicles with electric power steering are having issues with wheel wobble when being towed.
IMO the best choice is a vehicle that has NO restrictions on being flat-towed, which is usually a manual transmission and some automatics.

[Meridian42e]

Wireless would sure make it easier sometimes.

On the wrangler, I got the hopkins kit that just intercepts the tailights with a diode pack and powers them from the coach. I don't have to worry about feedback to the Jeep, and interestingly enough it lets the 3rd brake light only come on for my auxiliary brake RVI2. I was frustrated that all my brake lights came on with the exhaust brake, but at least now the 3rd brake light comes on in the Jeep for heavy braking, at least alerting others.

[nova 42qd]

We tow a 2015 Subaru Forester with a Manual transmission, which is listed in the 2015 Guide. For some reason there are no Subarus listed in the 2016, 2017 or 2018 Guides even though the Forester is the same car those years and was available with a manual transmission.

In 2019 the Forester is no longer available with a manual transmission.

[BobC]

As you digest everyone's opinions, don't forget to list out your specific needs and wants. For instance, in my situation:

1. I want something more comfortable than a Wrangler (also, see 2.) so, despite it's popularity, it just isn't for me. Twenty years ago I might have thought differently but not now. Our use of the toad will be more for touring and city driving as opposed to dirt roads and off-road.

2. My wife is disabled so high ground to seat heights or ground to threshold heights are problematical. Others may find low heights to be difficult. Manual transmissions are also not an option since my wife uses hand controls.

3. We have a dog plus the wheelchair so we need adequate cargo space. A sedan or very small hatchback won't work. A compact SUV is ideal except for the ground to seat height issue. Likewise for the Jeep Cherokee and the like.

Other issues to consider:

A. in addition to being a toad, unless you're full-timing, this is going to be a secondary vehicle at home, so consider those needs as well. For example, gas mileage and tow capacity may not be important as a toad but might be at home.

B. Older or newer? A Honda CR-V might be a great choice but not if you want something newer than 2014.

C. I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet but some vehicles are flat towable even if the Motorhome guide and manufacturer says they're not. In my case, our 2011 Honda Odyssey is not officially towable but has a drive train that is identical to earlier, officially towable editions. Apparently Honda dropped it from their towable list since too many people weren't following the proper pre-tow and tow procedures resulting in too many warranty claims. After reading numerous postings on this topic and researching Blue Ox, Roadmaster, Remco etc., I'm willing to risk it since it's fully equipped for accessibility for my wife:

"Officially from both Honda and REMCO the vehicle is not towable. However, we at Remco have a large number of customers who are flat-towing that vehicle behind their Motor Home and they are not having any issues. Follow the "Emergency Towing" procedures in the owner's manual to a "T" except ignore the restrictions and follow those procedures each and every time you tow. NOTE: If you choose tow your Honda, and have any damage to the Transmission as a result, you will have to pay for that expense out of pocket. It is nothing that Honda or Remco will warranty. Also, it should be noted that Remco sells no aftermarket product (Lube Pump or otherwise) to make this car towable."

D. Keep checking Craigslist, IRV2 and Winnieowners.com, you may find the perfect toad, already equipped for towing. You can set and save a Craigslist search with key words to automatically alert you of new listings. I suggest setting up several with different words or permutations of words, one being toad.

[Wayneelowe]

Lighter is better, Jeep or equivalent. Most recent Fords flat tow even 4WD Explorer, Escort[, Edge. Suzuki also.

[staggerlee]

Where would you look to find the procedure to tow a Nissan Juke 6 spd manual tranny. I got the base plate on and the Air Force One braking installed on it. Don't have the ping tank hooked up on Motorhome yet, but that's next. The steering don't lock, and was also wondering if this would register mileage while being towed. I would have a Saturn, but he backed out a year later. When he said he would be ready to sell. So we ended up with a Juke, that does look like a toad.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by staggerlee

Where would you look to find the procedure to tow a Nissan Juke 6 spd manual tranny.

The only place to find that info is in the vehicle owners manual under Towing or Recreational Towing.

[staggerlee]

Originally Posted by creativepart

The only place to find that info is in the vehicle owners manual under Towing or Recreational Towing.

All I read was that you must still stop every 500 miles and let it run for 2 minutes, and it can be towed at 70mph instead of the 65 like most others. But thank you for your reply.
Lee

[Irish2]

We had an older Honda CR-V and it was a great vehicle but as said above if you want a newer vehicle (after 2014), the CR-V is not towable because of the CVT transmission except on a trailer or front wheel drive on a dolly. We did not want a trailer to deal with, and in the past we tried a tow dolly and found that a bother, so we decided to stay with a flat towable 4x4 vehicle and went with a 2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Very nice flat towable vehicle. The only thing if you look at the Cherokee, you have to make sure it has the Active 2 transfer case for flat towing. Easy set up. I went with Demco equipment this time with the hidden base plates. But like anything else, time will tell how good or bad this vehicle will be.

[creativepart]

Originally Posted by staggerlee

All I read was that you must still stop every 500 miles and let it run for 2 minutes, and it can be towed at 70mph instead of the 65 like most others. But thank you for your reply.
Lee

If that’s what the manual says then other than putting it in neutral that should be all you need do. The manual is the authority on this. Surely the owners manual also tells yo to put the gear shift in neutral?

Looking online and at Juke forums it appears you have all the info there is on the subject.

I don’t know of any vehicle that registers the mileage from being flat towed with the engine off.

What else are you looking for?

[staggerlee]

Originally Posted by creativepart

If that’s what the manual says then other than putting it in neutral that should be all you need do. The manual is the authority on this. Surely the owners manual also tells yo to put the gear shift in neutral?

Looking online and at Juke forums it appears you have all the info there is on the subject.

I don’t know of any vehicle that registers the mileage from being flat towed with the engine off.

What else are you looking for?

Seems that some must pull a fuse for some reason, or install a switch. Maybe this is for when you tow with the key turned.
Chevrolet Equinox was considered but I really can't justify putting a new car in the back to get beat with gravel. This one showed up and looks like brand new inside & out, although it has miles on it. And the price was below Low blue book.

[creativepart]

Those that must pull a fuse etc must do so because their owners manual tells them to do so. It’s specific for their vehicle. It doesn’t seem to be something you must do according to your Owners Manual

[staggerlee]

Originally Posted by creativepart

Those that must pull a fuse etc must do so because their owners manual tells them to do so. It’s specific for their vehicle. It doesn’t seem to be something you must do according to your Owners Manual

If I recall, its for the ones who need the key on to unlock the steering, but don't want to wear down the battery, or get miles in it. I think some read miles if the key is on. In my case I really don't care how many miles it reads as long as it runs good, keeps me dry/warm/ or cool, when we go sight seeing. It did need tires and I have some lined up for that.
So thanks for the come backs.
Lee