Topic: Light suv for dinghy towing

[Cord]

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

Tracker? Samurai? Wasn't the last Tracker sold in 2004? Wasn't the last Samurai sold in 1995? Any suggestions for current vehicles? 

[Thinking Out Loud]

The TJ 4cyl was up till 2006 and in the 5 speed version is 3200 lbs......hard to find tho:

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/Jeep/Wrangler/NORTH%20YORK/Ontario/5_12033671_20110405064302563/

[johngenx]

Can't tow a Forester (or any Subaru) unless all four wheels are off the ground.  I too thought the thread was about towing a little boat.

[Trainman]

Can't tow a Forester (or any Subaru) unless all four wheels are off the ground....

That is what I though as well but my owners manual does say that it can be flat towed if the manual transmission and for limited kms at slow speed if the AT 

[Fobroader]

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

Tracker? Samurai? Wasn't the last Tracker sold in 2004? Wasn't the last Samurai sold in 1995? Any suggestions for current vehicles? 

Nope, the current batch of ponce SUVs could not take it because of the AWD systems. The current JK Wrangler, even in base 2 door form would be too heavy.

[2JDM]

The vehicles I see being towed by RV's are CR-Vs, Vues, and Jeeps - all with 4 wheels on the ground.

[Trainman]

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

Tracker? Samurai? Wasn't the last Tracker sold in 2004? Wasn't the last Samurai sold in 1995? Any suggestions for current vehicles? 

Nope, the current batch of ponce SUVs could not take it because of the AWD systems. The current JK Wrangler, even in base 2 door form would be too heavy.

Did you look at the link I posted for what Ford allows to be flat towed?  They allow the Flex, Edge and Escape to be flat towed, with AT's.  Only limiting factor is that with the AT max speed is 65 MPH (and how would want to go faster than that with a motor home/CUV set-up anyway?).  And funny, the All-wheel-drive/Intelligent 4WD versions cannot be towed on a dolly, but need to have all 4 wheels on or off the ground.

[Fobroader]

All of those are way out of the weight rating that the OP had posted.

[Trainman]

Curb weight for a 2011 Escape 2wd 4 cylinder is 3,230lbs; for AWD is 3,439lbs.  So if he can find a FWD, then that might work but yes the AWD is pushing the limits.

He will really have a tough time finding a CUV under 3,500 lbs in AWD trim, ready to tow.

[Fobroader]

Curb weight for a 2011 Escape 2wd 4 cylinder is 3,230lbs; for AWD is 3,439lbs.  So if he can find a FWD, then that might work but yes the AWD is pushing the limits.

He will really have a tough time finding a CUV under 3,500 lbs in AWD trim, ready to tow.

Thats why I posted the SUVs I posted, all the new ones are fat.

[safristi]

you can pull my dinghy.................

[jonl]

A guy I work with sold his Ford Edge, and now tows his dinghy with a 2012 Ford Focus.  Lighter than most any SUV, and FWD only.  Not sure about towing one behind a motorhome, just suggesting an SUV may not be req'd.

[sailor723]

A guy I work with sold his Ford Edge, and now tows his dinghy with a 2012 Ford Focus.  Lighter than most any SUV, and FWD only.  Not sure about towing one behind a motorhome, just suggesting an SUV may not be req'd.

Glad to see that I wasn't the only one making this mistake 

jonl...the OP was using the term "dinghy" to refer to a small car or CUV that is towed behind a RV for use when the RV is parked at the destination.

[SamuelOLee]

The Kia Sportage is the only small SUV on the market which is based on a medium-duty military use vehicle with a proper ladder frame, and not a unibody construction.   The CRV, Rav4, Tracker are NOT designed to tow anything like what you are describing. The other vehicle that might fit the bill is a Suzuki Grand Vitari, but it has a very poor reliability record.

[SamuelOLee]

Woops!  I misread your question too! You want to tow a small 4WD SUV behind your motorhome?!!  Hell if I know...
Maybe you should ask a tow truck driver
Good luck though!  ^___^

[SamuelOLee]

If you're going to use the small SUV offroad, why not get a heavy-duty work ATV and a mini trailer?  Some have cable winches and some have roll cages like large golf carts.  Park Rangers and Safari Security use them for pulling heavy logs and transporting animals etc.

[SamuelOLee]

When i said they were good for transporting animals I didn't mean to insult your spouse or your family of course!   

[mrthompson]

Are you still here?

[safristi]

..not for much longer.... ...one ringy dinghy............