shirlock1
McLean VA
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Joined: 11/29/2007
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I know these generic questions drive the forum bonkers but here goes. We just decided that the lifter samurai that we were going to tow is not going to meet our needs. We want a small to med 4 wheel drive car and both drivers are proficient with manual so man or 5 spd does not matter. We are going on a long 16K mile trip starting in Alaska so stone damage is possible. We want to tow 4 down and are price/value concious. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Jim
1999 Newmar Dutch Star
Cat 300 Allison 6 spd
1992 Suzuki Samurai
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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The Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Liberty are the best IMHO.
Test & System Engineer (Thermal Systems incl. towing, Detroit 3)
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - F53 Triton V10
Posted by Macintosh
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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Joined: 06/28/2003
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Most Jeep 4X4 vehicles are towable 4 down.
The original VW beetle makes an outstanding toad.
CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 274,000 Miles
'99 Monaco McKenzie 32' triple slide
'95 Tioga 29H Ford-based Class C
Daily driver: '08 Subaru Outback
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited/Load Trail 16' flatbed
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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Joined: 11/18/2003
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Any Jeep 4x4 will serve your needs. Buy the model you like the best.
Chuck
02 Travel Supreme, 2 street side slides
09 Toyota Tacoma 2WD
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rjstractor
Auburn, WA
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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It depends on your needs and wants. If you just need an all wheel drive car, a manual transmission Subaru would work. If you need true off road capability, Jeep is probably your best option. There are many 4WD or AWD small cars and SUVs on the market today but very few that are suitable for true off-road use.
1998 Gulfstream Ultra B/H Ford E450 V10
2005 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 w/ Maxidump insert
6x12 Interstate enclosed trailer
7x16 Bulldog flatbed hauling a 2006 Kioti CK20 TLB
NEW (to us) 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid (not toad-ready just yet)
1998 Saturn SL2 toad
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TJDave
Eastern WA
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Joined: 02/10/2009
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As far as Wranglers, any 2006 or earlier TJ is a piece of cake to tow. Auto or manual. As if they where made for it. Lots of fun on the beach, on mountain trails or fishing expeditions. 2007 and newer JK's you have to disconnect the battery cable for some reason. I think Jeep forgot a very important part of their sales market on that one.
Edit: If you need a bit more room than a stardard short wheelbase Jeep, look for a 2003-2006 unlimited. They have almost a foot longer wheelbase and more cargo/rear pass. room.
2006 Four Winds 5000 E-450 V-10
2004 Jeep Wrangler-modified for more fun
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BuckBarker
Overgaard, AZ
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The Jeepers may be good toads but they constantly rate at the bottom of the heap for quality and reliability. Give it a think but I wouldn't own one.
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mowermech
Billings, MT
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BuckBarker wrote:The Jeepers may be good toads but they constantly rate at the bottom of the heap for quality and reliability. Give it a think but I wouldn't own one.
According to whose ratings? I don't know very many Jeep owners who complain. I am certainly not unhappy with either of my 2006 Jeeps. My son is not unhappy with his '03 Rubicon or his Grand Cherokee Hemi.
I have driven both the Rubicon Unlimited and the Liberty CRD Limited on long trips, and haven't had any comfort issues with either of them.
Sorry, I just don't believe the ratings. I know too many Jeep owners.
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TJDave
Eastern WA
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Jeeps are not for everybody, but take a Honda CRV, or a Saturn Vue where my Jeep has been, and see how reliable it is after that! I've had mine since new, and use it as it is intended. It's been across the Old Naches Trail in WA State. I have had to do nothing to it except general maintenance. My rating is pretty high, although I am a bit biased.
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PackerBacker
Home is Montreal Qc & Seasonal is NY Adirondacks
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We tow an '08 Jeep Liberty and I really like the vehicle. I had an old box Cherokee for years and it just ran and ran and was virtually indestructable.
You need to be careful with blanket statements about Jeeps being flat towable, I don't believe that the Compass or the Patriot are 4-down towable.
Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net
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