What is the cheapest and lightest tow vehicle
Thanks
John
A Jeep need one I have a extra
If you're talking new probably one of those Suzuki things. If you're talking used then whatever you can find. I've seen Volkswagon beetles, Cadillacs and F-350s as towed vehicles and pretty well anything in between.
Clifford is right, a jeep is likely a great choice - light and simple to tow if it is a stick shift. I've got a Ford Exploder I'd make you a sweet deal on too but I'd hate to sell it to a friend.
Hello John, We tow either a Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd 4x4 or a VW New Beetle Diesel 5-speed...The Beetle is so light that I only know it's behind me when I look in the back-up monitor. We call it the "escape pod". The only downside is that the VW would not be able to pull the bus off of the road in the event of a break down and for this reason... It's a toss-up as to which one is towed.
Jim
P.S. Hope to see you in Kansas!
:(
Maybe I shouldn't comment in this thread.. :D
Nick-
This one may be able to fit in the bay?
The cheapest and lightest might be a older Saturn. For years Saturns could be towed 4 down without modifications. Saturns have been very popular with motorhome owners for toads.
A Jeep Wrangler is probably pretty light too and I believe it can be towed four down if it has a manual transfer case.
Personally, if I wanted to tow a toad I would never select one based on if it could pull the bus off the road. Most bus issues on the road will at least give you time to pull over to the shoulder unless you're in the left lane on a busy highway.
It's ok Nick we have some in the Eagles club that tow Hummers we just find them a 150 ft pull through site LOL
I tow a 63 Corvair convertible, four wheels down. (No Nader quotes please). Sometimes a 29 Ford on a trailer or my wife's Chevy HHR. I like the Corvair the best...
All Jeeps models can be towed four down automatic or manual transmission except the old quad drive from the 80's and with the low speed on the transfer case you can move a bus.
My wife towed me 5 miles when I tried to stretch my fuel one time in Nev.to save .40 cents a gal
good luck
We tow a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4,auto, with all 4 on the ground. Its an Eazy tow and it looks good behind Mrs. Jones. All the Best, M&C
Quote from: johns4104s on August 14, 2009, 07:54:17 PM
What is the cheapest and lightest tow vehicle.
I might have the wrong guy....But.
Wouldn't Paul's windows be the cheapest lightest tow vehicle??? ;D ;D ;D
God bless,
John
Hey John316,
I don't know about the cheapest, but they are sure going for a long ride! I wonder if they will be lighter by the time they arrive? I'm sure they are enjoying the sun after being up north. ;D
Paul
We are going to tube the Salt river today, we may take the windows to cool them off a little.
John
Make sure they wear their sun screen! ;D
Quote from: johns4104s on August 15, 2009, 06:20:04 AM
We are going to tube the Salt river today, we may take the windows to cool them off a little.
John
When I lived in Mesa for 9 years that is one thing that I didn't do. Saw lots of very red lobsters floating the river though. Of course most had their favorite adult beverages along for the ride.
Have fun in the sun!
Quote from: Nick Badame Refrig. Co. on August 14, 2009, 08:16:47 PM
:(
Maybe I shouldn't comment in this thread.. :D
Nick-
Kind of small Nick, why don't you tow a 4104 or something like that?
Luvr,
I may be wrong, but I don't believe the Jeep Patriot can. It's a car (Not a REAL Jeep) that I seriously like due to it's light weight, economy, and roominess. Unfortunately, it can't pull the Liberty (My GF's, SWMBO) out if it gets stuck. However, I would stay tuned, because if Chrysler decides to get wise soon, they may fix that little error shortly. At least we would hope so. Check this link: http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399&page=2 (http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399&page=2)
Quote from: luvrbus on August 14, 2009, 08:30:56 PM
All Jeeps models can be towed four down automatic or manual transmission except the old quad drive from the 80's and with the low speed on the transfer case you can move a bus.
My wife towed me 5 miles when I tried to stretch my fuel one time in Nev.to save .40 cents a gal
good luck
I like NISSANs -- I tow a pathfinder standard trans it can be towed four down -- the older ones are cheap to buy and in my experience they run forever.
HTH YMMV
Melbo
Hi Everyone.
Here's mine. It weighs 2000 lbs. and gets 50 miles MPG.
Jerry
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crowncoach.bravehost.com%2Fbabytruck.jpg&hash=c9a8602ca4e1b25aa32d554a7af8425f40ad044c)
We recently did a bit of research in order to buy a tow vehicle. We ended up getting a Jeep Cherokee as a good compromise. We wanted an automatic that could be towed without any restrictions. I wanted it cheap. I wanted 4 wheel drive. And I wanted it to have a curb weight of under 3000 pounds (some states require auxiliary brakes if it is over that). Lighter would even be better, but there is always some compromise.
Jerry,
I had considered and looked for one like your pickup, but we really do need the 4 wheel drive since we live on a dirt road and our other cars are not.
We tow a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 auto or a 1999 Jeep TJ stick, depending on our needs
We tow an 87 Wagoneer ( fancier version of the Cherokee ) 4x4, auto, 4 down.
I wanted to be able to "go deep" when I got there. I opted for a 4X4 Ranger STX sport truck with a Plus cab. Stick 5 speed. I had to get a special "chip" from the dealer to be able to "select" transfer case neutral but that is simple and cheap compaired to some methods. 4 litre means I can tow the bus a "little" but,, at least, I can do it. A recovery SNATCH line means I can pull the bus out of a stuck spot without much trouble. Rigged little truck that only gets about 20 MPG on the freeway. BILSTIENS made the ride good enuff that Mama would finally ride with me. With those OEM shocks I have ridden smoother POGO sticks...I swear!
I also get to haul "stuff" in the truck so it acts like "my shed" a little. The bed is 6 ft long so we can camp away from the bus if we want and be bear proof. With Mama armed to the teeth and having the attack trained Manchester Terriers as a back up for her, I sleep like a baby. Life is good.
John
One would have to swap out a blown gas engine with a used good 1.6 late model big water pump diesel mill. A whopping 52 hp. Rebuilding the transaxle with a GTI close ratio 5 speed and Jetta 4.88 gears will really help the road performance....
....without really killing the fuel mileage if one stays below 60 mph. Seems driving with the top down really kills the aerodynamics. Expect an honest 45 mpg with perhaps a little bit more going slow. About 2550 pounds full of fuel. Tow 4 down.
Finding a good rust free rag top VW Rabbit doner car will be the problem. Getting kinda old. Parts still very cheap and plentiful. I had about a whopping $4000 in mine with the entire vehicle practically rebuilt. A blast from the past. HB of CJ
Met 3 RV delivery drivers in SD recently and their company used Chevy Cobalts to return the drivers home. The drivers said that some of the Cobalts had over 500,000 miles. Half were toed miles and half were driving miles.
Per them they were trouble free cars. One driver said he would buy any of the 500,000 mile cars. Per him comfy and reliable.
I looked up the weight and my source said 2,700 pounds
Mike
We have been towing a Honda Pilot four down for 5 years and it works great. With the 3 seats we can haul the whole family of 8 around when we arrive at our destination.
My wife also drives it to work every day when we are not traveling.
Tom Hamrick
Personally we have a Honda CRV, it has room for stuff and da-dogs. Besides 25MPG combined, I can't complain.
Try this on for size: http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-faq.aspx (http://www.smartusa.com/smart-car-faq.aspx)
The information says it'll tow four down. I'll bet the MPG is a bit better than our Honda LOL
John, what is wrong with the tow vehicle you have now if I remember it was new I forgot the brand but it looked nice with plenty of room.
good luck
Cliff,
The Sion XB is great 30 mpg average, plenty of room and power with the 2.5 Camry engine. But it will not tow all 4,s down. I have to use the trailer. I like Doyle am trying to shed some weight.
John