Toads or tow vehicles? What brand do you use?

Barry...  My Outlander is an ATV at 780 lbs.  Must be something else out there with the same name?

Mitsubishi Outlander

Denny

My error, I was thinking the Mitsubishi Outlander SUV not an Outlander ATV.

Have fun and ride safe.


Barry

2013 Ford Focus 5-speed connected by Blue Ox.

We currently tow a 6' x 10' enclosed trailer and a Harley Davidson Triglide. Total weight is 2415 lbs. Have not had any major issues since I can back the trailer and manage to get myself out of any tight spots without unhooking; which would be required if towing a car 4 down. The combined length of our 2910 and the trailer (17' overall length) does limit our options such as requiring pull-thrus at campgrounds, fuel stops, etc.

Recently I have been looking at cars that can be towed 4 down. Motorhome magazine publishes an annual "Dingy Towing Guide" which lists all the vehicles that can be flat towed. This guide is available on Motorhome's website. One thing I have found out about the 2015 models is that many of them now have variable automatic transmissions (VAT) and cannot be flat towed. This is true of the new Honda Fit and CRV which were towable before. Since I plan to use the vehicle as a toad and not my primary vehicle I am looking at small and lightweight (Smartcar, Fiat, or ???).

I suggest when looking for a 4-down towable you look at the vehicle forums to get the real scoop. For instance; Ford lists the automatic Focus as being 4-down capable but there have been more complaints than I'd be comfortable with. The newer Escape Owner's Manual initially indicated it was 4-down capable but there were so many transmission failures under warranty that Ford changed the manual to indicate it was not towable.
Do your homework.

Remco website is  good source of information. They are very friendly and helpful and they will tell you what needs to be done to your car to make it towable.

http://www.remcotowing.com/

Barry

Towing a new 2014 Ford fiesta using a roadmaster falcon hitch. We've been towing this car for about 15 months 4 wheels down and no issue and a great towing vehicle.

As an update to my original post.  I now flat a tow a 2010 min cooper convertible with a manual tranny.  Don't even know it it back there.

DJM

A MINI Cooper is a proper towed. 

Years ago we towed a little 2100 pound Toyota MR2 Spyder with manual trans.  When cruising, it was invisible.  When accelerating, it was well noticed.  Because we did not have secondary braking for that light car, when braking, the car pushed the motor home extremely hard.  We towed it in 2007 and 2008.


Starting in 2009, we've been towing a 2006 Jeep Liberty 4x4.  It is twice the weight but is surprisingly little difference when accelerating and cruising.  But with a secondary braking system installed on the Liberty, it actually helps slow down the motor home compared to not towing at all.  We changed tow vehicles because we found ourselves driving on very primitive roads meant for 4x4s in the MR2 way too often.


Surprising to me, in my experience the weight of the tow vehicle makes so little difference when cruising and accelerating.  But it is so well noticed compared to not towing anything at all.

1800 pound smart car.   When we bought it I thought I would never use it for anything other than as a toad.  However we instantly fell in love with it for anything around town and use it more than our full sized car.   Inexpensive to buy, extremely high safety rating, we tow it four down using blue ox.  Have had no issue as far as braking, and tows like a dream.

Smart is long gone.  Damn near impossible to go anywhere that didn’t have excellent roads.  We realized we needed 4 wheel drive.  2021…For the past 2 years it’s been a 2005 jeep TJ LJ Rubicon. A bit of a unicorn having only been built for 2 years.  Paid too much but been offered more than I paid after 2 years of ownership so I guess it’s all good.

I know this has not been responded to in 5 yrs.  I tow a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner-automatic with driveshaft disconnect.  I would be interesting to see what is being towed currently.

OR  should a new thread be started?

I know this has not been responded to in 5 yrs.  I tow a 2003 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner-automatic with driveshaft disconnect.  I would be interesting to see what is being towed currently.

OR  should a new thread be started?

Oh please don't start a new thread.  I appreciate "history and current" kept together regardless of the topic.  There is so much to learn from past experiences as well as current ones.

I also enjoy reading the complete thread.  I'm sure a lot of people, including me, don't go much past the General discussion.   I would like to see this in that forum to get more exposure. 

Honda Fit  - manual transmission