Taco28
NJ
New Member
Joined: 06/12/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
 Offline
|
Hi all.. I am buying a new vehicle to use as a toad... I have it narrowed down to a 2012 jeep compass or a 2012 subaru impreza sport 5dr... Any one have thoughts, opinions, or experience with these??
|
mowermech
Billings, MT
Senior Member
Joined: 06/28/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Here is what the Remco Application chart says about the Compass through 2011 (2012 is not listed):
"2007 - 2011 Jeep Compass
Application Notes
Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) version on Compass cannot be flat-towed because of CVT Transmission. Vehicle is TOW DOLLY ONLY.
Engine:
ALL
Drivetrain:
2WD
Transmission:
Automatic
2007 - 2011 Jeep Compass
Application Notes
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version of Compass cannot be flat-towed. Remco recommends TRAILER ONLY towing.
Engine:
ALL
Drivetrain:
Full Time AWD
Transmission:
Automatic
2007 - 2011 Jeep Compass
Application Notes
5 speed manual transmission is towable. Refer to owners manual for confirmation and procedures.
Engine:
ALL
Drivetrain:
2WD
Transmission:
Manual
This is what it says about Subaru (again, 2012 not listed):
"1992 - 2011 Subaru All 1992 and newer Suburu
Application Notes
Must be towed on a trailer only.
Drivetrain:
AWD
Transmission:
Automatic
1992 - 2011 Subaru All 1992 and newer Suburu
Application Notes
All manual transmission, AWD, Suburus can be towed 4 on the ground without modification.
Engine:
ALL
Drivetrain:
AWD
Transmission:
Manual
Check the Owners Manual for towing instructions BEFORE buying the vehicle!
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!"
|
sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
Senior Member
Joined: 04/13/2003
View Profile
|
Either way only the stick version is towable....
Chrysler/Dodge/Ram/Jeep Engineer
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - F53 Triton V10
|
Mike and Trish
Southern Delaware
Senior Member
Joined: 03/02/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
If you like the Compass, try the Liberty. A few thousand more, but a slightly bigger and much more capable more vehicle, and fully towable 4-down (and the easiest setup imaginable).
Full disclosure -- we've been towing ours for 4 years, with lots of great trips and zero problems.
Mike and Trish
2008 Mandalay 43A
2008 Jeep Liberty on Blue Ox towbar
Yorkiepoos - Janis and Jimi
|
Taco28
NJ
New Member
Joined: 06/12/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
The 2012 Compass is not AWD it is 4wd (thankfully)... The owners manual said is can be towed 4 down with the 5 speed manual trans... The one i looked at was manual.... The liberty is very nice, but too heavy for my RV...
I think they changed a few things on the compass for the 2012 model... Kind of looks like a mini grand cherokee. ..
|
|
|
Taco28
NJ
New Member
Joined: 06/12/2012
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Also 2012 dinghy towing guide states the 4wd compass can tow 4 down... So i believe it would be ok
|
ch-ta
MN
Senior Member
Joined: 06/11/2012
View Profile
Offline
|
Mike and Trish wrote:If you like the Compass, try the Liberty. A few thousand more, but a slightly bigger and much more capable more vehicle, and fully towable 4-down (and the easiest setup imaginable).
Full disclosure -- we've been towing ours for 4 years, with lots of great trips and zero problems.
I heard the Liberty is being discontinued.
2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD CC 4WD LTZ
2013 Keystone Sprinter 266RBS
|
Bounder Billy
Colorado
Senior Member
Joined: 10/24/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
I agree with Mike & Trish. Jeep Liberty is a great vehicle to tow. Lots of low mileage used ones available. Very simple to hook up and to set up for tow, BUT, I do use a check list EVERY time so I get it right. My DW tells me I am paranoid, but better safe than sorry.
2008 Expedition 38F
2002 Jeep Liberty Sport
|
lovervn2
Southern California
New Member
Joined: 03/13/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
Mike and Trish wrote:If you like the Compass, try the Liberty. A few thousand more, but a slightly bigger and much more capable more vehicle, and fully towable 4-down (and the easiest setup imaginable).
Full disclosure -- we've been towing ours for 4 years, with lots of great trips and zero problems.
We have been looking at one of those. A 2012 and it seems pretty nice! Have you had any issues?
|
Mike and Trish
Southern Delaware
Senior Member
Joined: 03/02/2008
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
lovervn2 wrote:Mike and Trish wrote:If you like the Compass, try the Liberty. A few thousand more, but a slightly bigger and much more capable more vehicle, and fully towable 4-down (and the easiest setup imaginable).
Full disclosure -- we've been towing ours for 4 years, with lots of great trips and zero problems.
We have been looking at one of those. A 2012 and it seems pretty nice! Have you had any issues?
Absolutely none ... unless you count crappy mileage (15-20)! It's our daily driver, as well as our toad, and we have 80k on the odometer, and probably another 20 towing. We got it with the Sky Slider roof, so we could leave the dogs sometimes (for short periods) without worrying about heat buildup. Crack the windows, open up the roof, and let 'em enjoy the outside air.
As a toad, it's only awesome ... hooks up easy, tows like it's not even there, then disconnect and drive it anywhere, in any weather.
|
|
|
