towing a car

[Gray_Fox]

Thinking about getting a Class "C" an was wondering what kind of

car is best to tow..Thanks for any response.

[Bumpyroad]

kjburns wrote:
^ Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Five years ago, I bought a 2014 Fiesta ST. The Fiesta was listed as towable on the FMCA site. Later, I found out that the six speed manual transmission in the ST was not towable. Lesson learned...

As I always say in these threads, check the owner's manual. not some third person source. then if something goes bad, you might have some recourse as did some purchasers a few years back. the third person source is a good place for "INITIAL" screening, however, confirm and verify.
bumpy

[kjburns]

^ Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Five years ago, I bought a 2014 Fiesta ST. The Fiesta was listed as towable on the FMCA site. Later, I found out that the six speed manual transmission in the ST was not towable. Lesson learned...

[bobndot]

kjburns wrote:
To be towable, this model requires the Active Drive II transfer case with neutral.

Yes, I'm glad you mentioned that.
I have the Cherokee Latitude w/o the Active Drive II. 😞
When I bought it in 2016, I was not thinking about toads behind MH's...oh well. 🙂

[harley-dave]

Gray Fox wrote:
Thinking about getting a Class "C" an was wondering what kind of

car is best to tow..Thanks for any response.

Check HERE for some helpful lists of tow-able vehicles.

Dave

[kjburns]

I've towed an 01 Jeep Cherokee, three different Grand Cherokees and now a 2019 Cherokee Limited with the Ready Brute Elite tow bar with surge braking. My new Cherokee has the optional 2.0 turbocharged engine, which is worlds different from the 01 Cherokee with the straight six. The old six would get about 12.5 mpg in normal city driving. The new 2.0T, with way more power and torque is showing 27.5 so far on an engine that's just breaking in. The EPA rating is only about 20 mpg. To be towable, this model requires the Active Drive II transfer case with neutral.

Depending on your needs, towing capacity and budget, something like the new Cherokee is very comfy, has 4WD and decent room. Several smaller FWD cars and others are flat towable. A lot of cars with manual transmissions are towable. Just make sure the car you want will work. For example, I bought a 2014 Fiesta ST thinking that all Fiestas were towable. It turned out that the ST model with the six speed manual wasn't towable.

[stripit]

When we had the Class C we looked at many different vehicles to tow behind the rig. After deciding that whatever we purchased we would use even when we were not using the MH. Decided it needed to be comfortable and large enough for us and the dog. Decided on the 2015 Cadillac SRX front wheel drive. Blue OX supplied the tow bar and SMI supplied the braking system. Easy to hook up, tows really well, and stops perfectly.

[rjstractor]

This is probably one of the most asked topics on this forum, and there are so many variables to consider the threads end up with folks just stating what they tow and why. But it's really just a process, at least in my opinion of first determining what type of vehicle you want for a toad, one that works for your perceived use. Secondly, you need to determine which vehicles that you would want or need are possible to tow four-down (I'm assuming that is the towing type you plan on). Remco has their towing list, and the vehicle manufacturer is a great resource- although not the only and final authority as some may say. Lastly you need to know how heavy your motorhome can tow as equipped and find a vehicle that fits within those parameters. Then you can begin the process of researching tow bar and braking systems that are acceptable to you. The order in which you do the process of research doesn't really matter. But if it isn't done correctly you can easily end up with a vehicle that doesn't meet your needs, is not easily towable four down, or is too heavy for your motorhome. Careful, methodic research will eliminate these problems.

[MDKMDK]

DrewE wrote:

MDKMDK wrote:
Jeep Wrangler. Hands down it's the most fun and most useful option around.

Surely that depends what you want to do with it? For running into town for dinner or groceries, or for longer day trips on the highway, a Jeep Wrangler is hardly what I would consider ideal. For exploring back roads or off-roading, on the other hand, it's pretty hard to beat.

It's also (one of) the easiest to tow, 4 down.
No key in "run" position because the steering doesn't lock (on most newer models, afaik).
Choose from multiple base plates or special add on front bumpers with built in "knuckles" to connect to the tow bar/vehicle.
Blue Ox makes a wiring harness with a battery charger to keep the Wrangler battery up, so no run the engine every few hours or pull fuses.
No "run engine every few thousand miles or few hours to "mix the fluids".
It's pretty much plug and play, transmission in gear "D", transfer case in neutral "N", and off you go.
I think they (can) look good, and they aren't that uncomfortable to drive for long periods of time. Ours is shiny and new, and it does groceries as easily as it does off roading. Can't say that about most toweds, not even the AWD ones. It's the original mass produced 4X4.
IMHO, of course. :C
EDIT: I will add/admit, it doesn't get the best fuel economy, so if that's important, consider that, too. Ours averages around 18-20 mpg overall. They're heavy, too.

[Bumpyroad]

whatever you do, check the owner's manual for 4 down towing instructions. if they don't say how to, don't do it.
bumpy

[bobndot]

As said, off road = Jeep
Around town shopping cart and tourer (as in my case because it's what I already owned) = Chevy Sonic 4-down, automatic. I can haul bikes on the rear hitch of the car and haul kayaks or a 12' canoe on the roof racks. Interior storage is pretty good with the rear seat down.
I ran a separate charge wire in order to not pull a fuse when towing. The ignition needs to be in the "ON" position.
Every time I gas up I start the engine for a few minutes to circulate the tranny fluid.
Car is only 3000 lbs. and tows nice and easy behind my 24ft E450.

[okiejoe]

I have a PT Cruiser manual shift , it’s all four down towable and very ligh, only 3125 lbs

[DrewE]

MDKMDK wrote:
Jeep Wrangler. Hands down it's the most fun and most useful option around.

Surely that depends what you want to do with it? For running into town for dinner or groceries, or for longer day trips on the highway, a Jeep Wrangler is hardly what I would consider ideal. For exploring back roads or off-roading, on the other hand, it's pretty hard to beat.

[wolfe10]

Agree-- anything light weight that is towable 4 wheels down.

[MDKMDK]

Jeep Wrangler. Hands down it's the most fun and most useful option around.