Edouard wrote: We really prefer to tow 4 wheels down, have been doing that since we began the class A in 97. We've toad an Acura EL, (up-scale Civic in Canada at the time), than an 03 Accord, 05 Element, now 2010 Equinox.
Other than the 2012 Equinox/Terrain, Honda CR-V, all the new small Suv's are no longer tow-able without a Tow dolly or a Remco Pump.
Really interested in the 2013 Ford Escape FWD, and 2013 Hyundai Santa-Fe FWD arriving here end of September, but both will require the Dolly or Pump.
Do not really want to go larger/heavier, or much smaller, and not a manual shifter, so what other options are other people looking at when choosing a new Toad today.
Also, I searched here and on other forums on treads relating to the Remco Pump, and there does not appear to be any failure's, albeit the 1 year warranty is a bit short considering when you install the pump on a new $$$$$ vehicle with a 5 plus years power-train warranty, the transmission warranty is basically voided the moment you install the pump.
It appears that although the Tow Dolly is add'l work to set-up/take-down, and the issue of a place to store it when parked at camp-grounds, costing up to 100.00 per month were we stay 5 months down south, it does appear to be more risk free than the Pump alternative.
Not looking for anyone to make the decision for us here, just want more input on your experience, good or bad with the Remco pump.
Thank you, Edouard.
If you don't mind shifting a manual transmission, all manual transmission Subaru's are towable on all 4 wheels. The Subaru has a great full-time All Wheel drive.
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
Thank you all for your suggestions, really would not want to go back to a Manual Tranny at this stage in our lives, although we do 90+% highway, but noooo.
Looking for more input from Toads using the Remco PUMP, so we can seriously consider the 2013 Escape FWD, or 2013 Santa Fe FWD. Edouard.
Eugene & Stella
08 Dolphin DL35C, WH-24, Allison 6 Spd.Tranny.
2013 Kia Soul 4U.Automatic, Rental Tow Dolly for now.
FMCA 318247
There was a comment about a Ford Fusion. I believe the Escape Hybrid is the same technology and can be towed well 4 down. If I wanted something new and larger than my Smart Car I would look there. For now we generally tow the Smart Car and use the Grand Cherokee that is set up for towing when we need a bit larger vehicle.
Add another with a FIT. We looked at a KIA Soul, and really liked everything about it EXCEPT that you had to have a manual trany to tow four down, and I don't want that either (been there, done that). FIT is a great little car, and has an amazing amount of room, handles well, and really great economy.
Edouard wrote: ...Looking for more input from Toads using the Remco PUMP, so we can seriously consider the 2013 Escape FWD, or 2013 Santa Fe FWD. Edouard.
We use a Remco lube pump on our 2007 Kia Sedona Minivan, to tow it 4 down.
We've not had this setup long - it was installed 'bout 5 months ago, has been used for 3 trips, around 2,000 miles total. Obviously the jury is still out, but its been great so far for us!
Lube pump works exactly as it should, has never been a problem. Pretty much just lets us put the van in neutral and tow 4 down and not worry about it. Has control panel/indicator on MH dashboard, that alarms/beeps if it ever senses a problem, or if I forget to turn on the pump (on the monitor panel) when MH ignition is on. Basically, just hitch up the van, plug in the electrical cable (one cable has wiring for lube pump and all tail light wiring), put the van in neutral and go.
I think proper installation is key. If the pump, pressure sensor, hoses, electrical connections, etc. is all installed correctly, it will work for years and years without any problems. For that reason, I do recommend you have it installed by a qualified service tech, preferably one that has installed lots of the Remco pumps and is familar with them. Thats what we did, and he did a great job.
Like you, I searched on here quite a bit looking for experiences with Remco pumps before we did this. Most of the failures I saw, IIRC related to faulty wiring connections or plumbing hoses leaking, all of which go back to installation, like I said. All other comments seemed to indicate the pump worked great for years and years, pretty much the life of the vehicle. I do seem to recall reading about one or two pumps eventually wearing out, but that was after many, many thousands of miles and years and years of use.
Anyway, hope this helps. I do agree with you, that there really are not many choices for 4 down towing with new cars now, especially if you do not want a manual transmission.
Will & Angela
2 children that love camping, Stephen & Allison
2012 FR Georgetown 351DS on F53 (V10) Chassis Our Rig
If you don't mind shifting a manual transmission, all manual transmission Subaru's are towable on all 4 wheels. The Subaru has a great full-time All Wheel drive.
I just bought a 2013 Subaru Outback with a manual 6 speed. It is a very roomy vehicle that gets great gas mileage, has 8.7" ground clearance and can go to places no Honda, Kia, Grand Vitara or other SUV can go. With its 3400 lbs it is light weight enough to be towed behind most motorhomes.
We have used the lube pump in 3 different cars
2-buick centurys and now same pump in Impala for a total of 10 years
Works as advertised!
Don
Don & Louise
2000 Coachman Catalina 330 MSB /F53
Rear air bags, 4 Koni FSD Shocks & Davis Front TruTrac
2008 Impala- Remco Lube Pump , Blue OX tow bar & Brake Buddy
Winegard roof dish for Bell Expressview HD tv
SL3 HD- TV4RV tripod set up for Direct HD tv
I have read of pump failures which toasted transmissions, Rare though they are they do happen (I've been on assorted forums for over 10 years, this one for six or 7) Any active device can fail.
Remco also has an Axle Lock for FWD rides, and a Drive Shaft Disconnect.
I have NEVER read of a failure with the axle lock
I have with the drive shaft disconnects though those too are rare. Usual issue is bad installation.
That said. My recommendation is a JEEP with a manual transfer case It is what I want to tow.. but then I've wanted a JEEP for a long time.
Fact is there are two kinds of folks who drive 4wd.
Some do not want to have to worry about what condition the road is in.
JEEP owners do not want to have to worry about what road is in.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
Since no one has mentioned it so far, I'd like to point out that 4-cylinder Chevy Malibu's since 2008 have been towable 4-down with auto transmissions. We have put 20,000 miles on our 2009 and have not had any issues. The well-publicized flap about GM retroactively deciding the Cruze couldn't be towed did not affect the Malibu; the two cars use different versions of the 6-speed transmission.
I realize the OP asked about SUVs, but one of the reasons we ended up with the Malibu was that there simply weren't that many vehicles with automatics that could be towed 4-down and we couldn't handle the weight of something as big as 4x4 pickup. For a modestly-priced car the Malibu drives well and delivers ~24 mpg overall. It has a very good traction/stability system which gives it excellent rough-road capability.
We even considered going with a stick shift vehicle but these days there are very few of those actually being manufactured and most of those are stripped-down, base models. Theoretically, there are some more-dressed up stick shift Hyundai's, Toyota's, etc, out there but, unless you are ordering a new one, they are really hard to find.
Sandie & Joel
2000 40' Beaver Patriot Thunder Princeton--425 HP/1550 ft-lbs CAT C-12
2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ with ReadyBrute tow bar/braking system
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