We are considering buying a Jeep to replace our Saturn Vue as a toad. The reason being that we would like to be able to do some easy off roading in the desert. Sand roads, etc. but definitely no rock climbing or anything like that. The Jeep would also have to serve as a commute vehicle for a few years. No freeway, just surface streets.
We would be towing with a 40' MH with a cat 350 and would need to stay under 5000 lbs, preferably way under.
Given all of the above, what models of Jeep should we consider?
Thanks for any responses.
Show me your Flamingo Floyd's Mom and Dad
Tom and Lerinda
2005 Fleetwood Providence 39L
FMCA F340565
Rallies: 9 (so far)
Website: Tom & Rindy's Adventures
I'd suggest a Liberty or Patriot. Be sure to get one with the neutral in the transfer case, so you can tow it 4 down without having to disconnect the drive shaft. I've a 2005 Liberty diesel, which is heavy for a Liberty at 4300 lbs. but that transfer case is available in the lighter gassers as well.
You don't mention your commute distance, but Jeeps have notoriously poor fuel mileage. The newest Wrangler (2012) is better with the new drivetrain, but our 2011 struggles to reach 19mpg. I doubt any other model is much better. For low miles, we love our Wrangler Unlimited.
Paul & Sandra
New Bedford, MA
2003 Monaco Executive M43 DS2
Yes, Jeeps ride like a, well, a Jeep (Well, what do you expect?).
NO, they don't get the greatest fuel economy. (Isn't it strange how perceptions change. I can remember when 18 MPG was GOOD, and $1 per gallon fuel was obscene! Now, we are convinced that $3 per gallon is great, and vehicles should get 25 to 35 MPG!)
Yes, the new Jeeps are, in some ways, better than the old ones. So I hear.
I like my 2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited just fine. It has just the mods I want, it has the look I want (I don't much care for the design of the new ones), and I have driven it on several long trips (as in Montana to NW Washington to Central Cali and back). No problems.
AND, it tows very nicely behind my Tioga Class C. It also gets a little better than twice the fuel economy that the C does.
It is also presently our daily driver, 10 mile round trip commute to work, grocery getter, etc.
It is all relative...
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!"
mowermech wrote: Yes, Jeeps ride like a, well, a Jeep (Well, what do you expect?).
NO, they don't get the greatest fuel economy. (Isn't it strange how perceptions change. I can remember when 18 MPG was GOOD, and $1 per gallon fuel was obscene! Now, we are convinced that $3 per gallon is great, and vehicles should get 25 to 35 MPG!)
Yes, the new Jeeps are, in some ways, better than the old ones. So I hear.
I like my 2006 Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited just fine. It has just the mods I want, it has the look I want (I don't much care for the design of the new ones), and I have driven it on several long trips (as in Montana to NW Washington to Central Cali and back). No problems.
AND, it tows very nicely behind my Tioga Class C. It also gets a little better than twice the fuel economy that the C does.
It is also presently our daily driver, 10 mile round trip commute to work, grocery getter, etc.
It is all relative...
The commute is short, and I have done some homework and know the mileage is not good and they ride like a Jeep. Like all things RV, you have to make compromises. I am more concerned about the weight, and also wonder about insurance costs. Is insurance any more/less than a comparable sized vehicle?
I love our two door Wrangler! It is so much fun to drive around in, easy to park anywhere and of course off-roading is no problem. We have just a two door. When we test drove both the two and the four door, we opted for the two door because it was so much fun to drive. Love being able to take off the hard top and use the soft top, which we frequently fold down in the summer. Our 80+ lb. chocolate lab Buddy, has a great time riding in back, though we have to give him a 'boost' to get up inside.
My husband uses our Jeep as his daily driver. The mileage is not great, but he only commutes 6 miles to each way to work.
We rented a new 2012 Wrangler for two weeks while on vacation to Hawaii in March. The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler handles awesome and now DH is considering trading to it.
BTW, it is a breeze to tow. We pull behind our 32' Class C, and can barely tell it's there. Literally less than 5 mins to hook/unhook too!!
09 Fleetwood Jamboree 31M - 'Summerhouse'
Ford 6.8 L Triton V10 5spd
“Light hearted I take to the open road… Healthy, free, the world before me… The long brown path before me leading me wherever I choose.” - Walt Whitman
"I am more concerned about the weight, and also wonder about insurance costs. Is insurance any more/less than a comparable sized vehicle?"
I have no idea what mine weighs. Undoubtedly more than a stock Jeep, with the skid plates, custom bumpers, winch, rock sliders, and 30 gallon gas tank. I just hooked it up and headed on down the road. It worked.
As for insurance, generally, any 4X4 will cost more, but you will have to contact YOUR agent to find out what it will cost you.
Get a Liberty or Grand Cherokee CRD 4x4, and you'll get decent fuel economy with the diesels and manage to stay under 5,000 pounds. They are both fairly comfortable vehicles with their independant front suspensions and both very capable off road.
Living full-time in the San Francisco Bay Area
Camper: 2004 Damon Daybreak 3285 WorkHorse 8.1 Toad: 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S - BlueOx Toy: 2012 Ninja 650 - Versa Haul VH-SPORT-RO
We have a Liberty and it is a little workhorse and easy to drive, we're considering getting another one. And true, the Patriot is not towable 4-down with automatic trans.
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