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Author Topic: Light suv for dinghy towing  (Read 14297 times)

happytraveller

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Light suv for dinghy towing
« on: March 30, 2012, 02:33:30 pm »
Hi,  I own a 24ft motorhome and I'm looking for a light weight suv 4wd to tow behind my unit. The vehicle needs to be under 3500 lbs GVWR. And I like to tow all wheels down. Not sure if it should be automatic or standard? Could anyone give my suggestions? It would be much appreciated.
A.B.
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Offline Shnak

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2012, 02:38:39 pm »
RAV4 V6?
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Offline Cord

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2012, 02:56:14 pm »
Quote
The vehicle needs to be under 3500 lbs GVWR.

Do you mean it just has to weigh under 3500 lbs? GVWR refers to the most the vehicle can weigh when it is fully loaded with people and cargo.

For example, a base 4x4 Escape has a curb weight of about 3400 lbs but has a GVWR of 4700 lbs.

Escapes can be flat towed.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2012, 03:18:51 pm by Cord »
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Offline mrthompson

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2012, 03:16:29 pm »
IIRC, you'll need something with a transfer case (neutral setting) for flat towing.  Grand Vitara?
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2012, 03:50:26 pm »
A Grand Viagra, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner. Anything with an actual transfer case, if you cant put the truck into neutral with the transfer case you will do severe drivetrain damage to it.
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Offline bridgecity

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2012, 04:06:15 pm »
Quote from: Fobroader on March 30, 2012, 03:50:26 pm
A Grand Viagra, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner. Anything with an actual transfer case, if you cant put the truck into neutral with the transfer case you will do severe drivetrain damage to it.

I am assuming that the OP requires a vehicle that weighs less than 3500lbs, rather than a GVWR of less than 3500lbs.  I think he/she will have a tough time finding an SUV that has a total weight of less than 3500lbs.

I've seen plenty of SUVs acting as a toad that don't have transfer cases.  My Pilot can be pulled flat (newer ones can't) for instance.
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2012, 04:08:36 pm »
A 2door wrangler is less than 3500 lbs and for sure you wont have any problems flat towing it. Plus you have a convertible 4x4 when you get to your destination, how much better than that can you get?!?!?!?!?
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Offline bridgecity

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2012, 04:19:25 pm »
Quote from: Fobroader on March 30, 2012, 04:08:36 pm
A 2door wrangler is less than 3500 lbs and for sure you wont have any problems flat towing it. Plus you have a convertible 4x4 when you get to your destination, how much better than that can you get?!?!?!?!?

Good to know.  I ASSumed that a wrangler would be over 3500 for sure.  :) 

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Offline sailor723

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2012, 04:30:22 pm »
Funny how different people have different perspectives on things. I read the thread title and was thinking about "light" (smallish) SUV's suitable for towing a dinghy....you know...something like a 10-12' Zodiac or Avon Inflatable boat with a 9.9 outboard on a small trailer. ;D
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #9 on: March 30, 2012, 04:35:26 pm »
Quote from: sailor723 on March 30, 2012, 04:30:22 pm
Funny how different people have different perspectives on things. I read the thread title and was thinking about "light" (smallish) SUV's suitable for towing a dinghy....you know...something like a 10-12' Zodiac or Avon Inflatable boat with a 9.9 outboard on a small trailer. ;D

I read it the same way, thought of those little boats you see strapped to a real boat.
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Offline tpl

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #10 on: March 30, 2012, 05:05:45 pm »
I think I see the problem here.   You are limited to 3500 lbs as an UNBRAKED trailer behind your motorhome.  I doubt there is any practical way to interface to the brakes on a SUV.  If you towed a BRAKED trailer how heavy an SUV could you load on that ?    I have seen on the 401, a big motorhome towing a trailer with a BMW X5 on it... which surely would be more that 3500 lbs... and it was a BIG motorhome maybe longer than 24ft.
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Offline Cord

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #11 on: March 30, 2012, 05:21:37 pm »
Quote from: Fobroader on March 30, 2012, 04:08:36 pm
A 2door wrangler is less than 3500 lbs and for sure you wont have any problems flat towing it. Plus you have a convertible 4x4 when you get to your destination, how much better than that can you get?!?!?!?!?

Maybe an old rusted out one weighs less than 3500 lbs.  :) A quick Google shows 2012 Wrangler curb weight to be around 3700 lbs.
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Offline Trainman

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2012, 05:43:48 pm »
Ford has a list that shows what vehicles can be flat towed, including MT and AT's: https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/rv_trailer_towing/2011/2011_default.asp  Click on Section 15 for the PDF.  It was updated April 2011 so is pretty current.

It includes Flex and Edge, as well as all Escapes.  Ranger is manual only.  I have no clue about weights of these vehicles, someone else can look that up  ;)

Google brought up a whole bunch of hits about this, seems there is a lot of choice.
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happytraveller

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2012, 05:48:33 pm »
It's the curb vehicle weight. Sorry for any mix up.
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happytraveller

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2012, 05:56:50 pm »
I would like the jeep wrangler would be to heavy. What about something like a Geo Tracker , Subaru Forrester or a Suzuki? Something not to big and I also must consider the weight of a hitch, tow bar and vehicle not to exceed 3500 lbs.
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Offline Trainman

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #15 on: March 30, 2012, 06:06:55 pm »
Looking at my owners manual, it would seem that the '09 Forester, with the manual transmission, can be flat towed. With the AT, it is limited by speed (30 kph) and distance (50 kms), so not really an option.  Curb weight is 3,250 pounds according to Edmunds for the 5 speed.  But I would check with a dealership just to make sure.

Geo Trackers and Suzukis seem to be popular dinghies around here.
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #16 on: March 30, 2012, 06:11:49 pm »
Quote from: happytraveller on March 30, 2012, 05:56:50 pm
I would like the jeep wrangler would be to heavy. What about something like a Geo Tracker , Subaru Forrester or a Suzuki? Something not to big and I also must consider the weight of a hitch, tow bar and vehicle not to exceed 3500 lbs.

Geo Tracker/Suzuki Samurai would do the trick just fine. Plus they are dirt cheap to fill up. For even better mileage and less wear and tear, install the manual locking hubs on them and you can really disconnect the drivetrain.
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Offline Trainman

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #17 on: March 30, 2012, 06:14:52 pm »
Another issue you will need to consider is if a tow bar can in fact be attached to the vehicle.  I have my doubts about the Forester on this point, and I would wonder about CR-V's, RAVs, Escapes, etc too.  Some research is called for.

Have you tried a RV forum to see what people are actually using?  May be an idea.
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #18 on: March 30, 2012, 06:18:34 pm »
Tracekr/Samurais have a real frame and it would be no problem attaching a tow bar. Also, these are the most popular vehicles Ive seen behind RVs
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happytraveller

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Re: Light suv for dinghy towing
« Reply #19 on: March 30, 2012, 06:32:28 pm »
The CRV is to heavy.I think the Rav was to much as well.
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