Looking for New Toad

[Andy Clark]

Can any of you experts direct me to a website (or similar) wherein I can search for a new toad? I'd like one already set up with a tow bar if possible. Or even just the brackets. We currently tow a '96 Suzuki Sidekick, which is very satisfactory, except it's beginning to get a bit "long in the tooth" and so we'd like something newer.
I'm thinking of a Suzuki Vitara, Honda CRV, Saturn Vue, or something about that size and weight.

Any help you can offer would be appreciated.

Thanks
Andy

[Steven Link]

Andy,
If you go to the blue ox website and look under their resources tab the have the current "Dinghy Towing Guide" published listing all of the current towable vehicles. They are also using a photo of my coach and the Smart car that we tow. Guess we should ask for royalties or at least a BAC club sponsorship???
We also tow a Subaru Forester with a manual transmission. Here is the Blue Ox link:  
www.blueox.com

Steven Link

[Karl Welhart]

Andy,

I would recommend a Jeep Liberty 4x4.  It is a very good toad.  Lots of them used for sale.  Great value for the money...

Karl

[Dick Simonis]

Andy,

I would recommend a Jeep Liberty 4x4.  It is a very good toad.  Lots of them used for sale.  Great value for the money...

Karl

We have towed ours but yes, they are pretty nice and if you were lucky enough to find a diesel, even better.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

We currently have an 02 Liberty (4x4) and love it. Bought it with 136K on it and pushing 150 engine miles now with no major problems. The Blue Ox baseplate is not hard to install yourself. Only issues I've had with the car is that the rear side windows are attached to the motor drive with plastic strap that goes bad after about 7 years and the window drops. Overall, highly recommend though.
Steve

[John Hennessey]

Caution on the Saturn Vue  I have a Vue with an AWD and VTI transmission.  Any model with all wheel drive can not be towed without a dolly.  Those with the VTI transmission are a real problem.  The transmission on mine has been rebuilt 3 times and I am on now on a totally new transmission in approx 110000 miles. GM paid for my transmission woes but now that GM has eliminated liability through bankruptcy the transmission problem is not theirs anymore.

[Jerry Carr]

I have an 07 Vue Hybrid with 40,000 tow miles and it's been a great tow. It takes me a about 3 min. to fully hook up. I have never had any issue with the transmission. I think after the 07 year a modification was made  

[Andy Clark]

Thanks for all the inputs, guys.

The search is on.

Andy

[Raymond Bonter]

First time on forum..here goes..in April bought 05 Beaver Marquis Onyx and 12 Cadillac SRX-4 toad..all you do is run engine in park..turn ignition off..lift shifter sleeve..depress button..shift to neutral..hmm..actually that's quite a lot but not as many steps as some toads need..it's fairly small and light but fairly expensive..anyway hope this helps somewhat.

[Steve Adams]

Andy,

We tow an 08' Honda Element Automatic AWD. Even though the owners manual says you cannot tow 4 wheels down you can by following the procedures for the same model year Honda CRV as they have the same engine and transmission. In five years of towing we have had zero problems and really like the car. Decent mileage and can haul a ton of stuff or 4 people.

Good luck, Steve

[Glenda Farris Co-Admin]

We've got a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. We are on our 3rd one.  Can't beat the 4WD when sightseeing and love the comfort of the Grand.

Glenda  

[Joel Ashley]

Oops.  In case no one has already, Raymond, I'll offer a welcome to the Club, or at least to the Forum.  Looks like you've been at least reading here for some time, but that was your first post, so thank you for offering your input.  We encourage you to chime in whenever a question comes up or you're reading a thread and an idea comes to mind that might be helpful.

Sorry this post is tardy getting back to you;  I didn't catch on to it when you posted.

Joel