I am towing 2012 Patriot (manual trasmission) now. An elderly driver in Florida last Nov. finished off my 1999 Jeep Cherokee. So far no problems with either.
Jon in S/W Missouri
2002 Damon Daybreak 2750, Workhorse with 8.1 L
2012 Jeep Patriot (Manual Transmission)
Another toad possibility is a Subaru vehicle. Great full-time all wheel drive. BUT, it is only towable on 4 wheels with a manual transmission. The Subaru's have increased ground clearance for light off-roading. If you want to do more serious off-roading, get a jeep. Our previous toad was a '95 Jeep Cherokee with Sel-Trac.
SRT
2000 32' HR Vacationer with Banks
1998 Subaru Outback Ltd. 5 spd
Brake Buddy & Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar
FMCA #266040 HRRVC #84109
However, you mentioned you wanted the most reliable vehicle you can buy. Getting a dozen or so recommendations here on RV.net probably isn't the way to find "the most reliable vehicle". I only know of one really non-bias group that rates their findings for the most reliable and that would be of course, Consumer Reports.
Boy, I wish I'd have said that!!!.........
Or just look around we have been in 82 campgrounds since we retired in July 2009 and one heck of allot of Jeeps in tow, not many Honda Fits like I have. Jeeps must be towed the most. Would they be if not reliable or costly I think not.
In addition all jeeps in the 2012 dingy guide do not have a speed or distance limit.
2012 Winnebago Journey 36M Cummins 360
131 Campgrounds since we retired in July 2009
We have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with 145,000 driven miles and about 60,000 towed miles. Only thing we have done is change the oil, tune-up, and tires. Very reliable trouble free, very fun vehicle. Planning on a new car this year and it will definatly be a jeep.
Don / Sharon Smith
7th year fulltiming
1 high school sweetheart bride of 50 yrs. Sharon
1 long haired mini dauchound...Jake
1997 Beaver Patriot DP
2004 Jeep Rubicon
http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u189/smithster_photos/
A lot of members here seem to like the Jeep vehicles for toads (Wrangler, Liberty, or Grand Cherokee 4X4). I have no experience with Jeep or Chrysler products, but from what I hear and read, their repair records and reliability sucks. Does the actual experience of you guys here bear this out? If so, isn't this a problem when you're traveling?
I want the most reliable vehicle that I can buy, especially when I am traveling.
I would like to hear about real-world experiences.
What happened to the OP... never came back to comment on all the good replies. Sure would like to know if any of this helped him out or not.
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35 CAT C7
Toad: 2011 GMC Terrain SLT2
Tow Bar: Sterling AT
Toad Brakes: Unified U.S. Gear
TPMS: Pressure Pro
Member of: GS, FMCA, Safari Intl, CAT
A lot of members here seem to like the Jeep vehicles for toads (Wrangler, Liberty, or Grand Cherokee 4X4). I have no experience with Jeep or Chrysler products, but from what I hear and read, their repair records and reliability sucks. Does the actual experience of you guys here bear this out? If so, isn't this a problem when you're traveling?
I want the most reliable vehicle that I can buy, especially when I am traveling.
I would like to hear about real-world experiences.
What happened to the OP... never came back to comment on all the good replies. Sure would like to know if any of this helped him out or not.
Ron
Would be nice to know he's still around... but it really doesn't matter; the rest of us have enjoyed / benefited from all of these informative replies.
1998 Triple E F53 with 460 Ford
1995 Jeep Wrangler toad
Consumer reports is great for reports on toasters, tv sets, stereos, washing machines, etc.
BUT, I gave up on their vehicle reports many years ago. Seems like every vehicle I ever owned that I really liked they had something bad to say about, and the ones they loved were, in real life, IMO, horrible.
But then, I feel the same way about movie critics. If they gush about how wonderful the film is, I probably don't want to spend money on it. If they hate it, I will probably enjoy it!
The "experts" who love to spout opinions are too often over-educated fools!
What car was it that advertised "Ask the man who owns one!"?
I think it was part of the Cord/Auburn/Deusenberg group...
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
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