I'm toying around with the idea of picking up another vehicle specifically for towing behind the bus. I'd like to get something that will hold 4 people in relative comfort, is light, and towable 4 wheels down. Older is better and since I want to tow 4 wheels down a manual transmission is almost a given.
I'm considering an older Jeep Wrangler. I believe they tip the scales around 3200 lbs, are 4x4, and are relatively cheap. Would be great if I could find an older wrangler with a diesel engine!
Any other vehicle ideas?
As a point of reference I currently tow my 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It tips the scales at 5000 lbs. I'd like to tow something smaller and lighter. I can notice the difference between towing with the Jeep and without. I'd like to lighten the load so to say.
Do your home work most 2 wheel drives with a manual transmission cannot be towed four down,I destroyed 2- 5 speed manual transmission in my 1989 Jeep pickup before I read the manual.A 5000 lb Jeep is heavy my Army issue Humvee only weighs 5200 lbs
Quote from: luvrbus on June 07, 2015, 05:26:27 PM
A 5000 lb Jeep is heavy my Army issue Humvee only weighs 5200 lbs
Yeah Clifford - it is heavy and the fuel mileage it gets proves it! However, it tows very heavy loads easily. Not as good as having a truck, but a decent compromise.
We used a 4x4 Toyota Pickup as our toad until this year when it met its end on an icy road. You must get a manual trans, manual transfer case and most important manual hubs. Run with the transfer case in neutral and no problems. I am currently looking for another but they are hard to find in good shape.
Cheers
TM
I tow 4-down a 2005 GMC crew cab Canyon.
--Geoff
Not all 4x4 transfer cases can be towed - Depends on what needs oiling & how it gets oil.
I know this isn't "light" or "small" but we absolutely love our 1998 Land Cruiser 100 series as a TOAD. Transfer case in "neutral", key in "ACC" and we're off. This is one of the most comfy and capable SUV's out there. The build quality is very high. V8 gets 18-19 depending on how you drive.
(https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10580082_10103940336236491_3359837065424168155_n.jpg?oh=bdaa9da3dafef1640e53a2f3497cbc06&oe=55FD8B88)
We tow an 87 Jeep Wagoneer 4x4 with an auto tranny, weighs just under 4000 lbs. The Wagoneer is basically just a little bit fancier Cherokee. ;D
We towed an '01 Chevy tracker 4 x 4/auto. Transfer case in neutral. Trans in park. key 1st click for free steering. Factory recomended starting every 200 miles. I did have some battery trouble on long trips. the key on the first click/acc had a drain. I put a charge wire in, (used the power wire in the plug), and that solved it
Don & Sheila
95 S-10 extra cab chevy pickup with 2.2 RWD and manual tranny. Key to ACC. shifter in "N" E-brake off. I over fill the tranny a little with ATF dextron III as per book. Most front WD have to be up off ground trailer or on a dolly. Some RWD can also be on a dolly backwards if needed for lack of tranny bearing lubrication.
Be careful with the Toyotas towing them. I had an 82 and when you put the t-case in neutral it connected the front and rear drive lines together. The t-Case was in neutral but the 4x4 part of it was engaged so when the rear wheels turned from being towed the front drive line also turned. I found this out the hard way when the front drive line came flying off at my buddy following me =-O. BTW this was with the front hubs disconnected. I eventually made a duel stick modification so I could hit neutral without the 4x4 part engaged to flat tow it. The truck was built for rock crawling and I would flat tow it to the hills.
I'm going to tow our sprinter behind our bus and use a drive line disconnect setup with a cable to unhook it.
Eric
Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk
^ that's a bummer. Original poster, keep this in mind. I know for sure the LC 100 series is towable. We've had a lengthy discussion on our club forums about this and had several people test it successfully over the long term. Can't vouch for other models though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have seen a lot of Suzuki toads. We bought a Honda CR-V because it is tow-able with the automatic transmission.
"99 Jeep Cherokee. It's a good deal lighter than the Grand Cherokee. Just put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in Park. I leave the key on ACC also. But I think that although there will be a difference in towing 1500 pounds less going up steep hills, it will not make any real difference on the flats. Our fuel mileage is significantly better without the toad, but I suspect that this may be more due to the difference in wind turbulence than merely the extra weight. If you really want to feel some improvement, you may need to drop down to something in the 2000# range.
Brian:
May I give you a diferent alternate way of going about it.
Keep the Jeep you have &
Pull out the old 11 and replace it with a new N14.
Just add one foot to the back.
Been there done it. Bruce
Cheap. Even one that has been very well rebuilt can be had for less than $4000.00. The problem is finding one. Our 1982 4 door was built up using various junk yard parts and we had less than $3000 in it.
Five speed manual. Later 1984 Jetta engine. Factory cold A/C. Got over 50 mpg on diesel fuel. Easy to work on if you have the few necessary special tools. Can be towed 4 down. Parts are cheap and available.
Edited by HB later; I forgot to add that they weigh about 2400 pounds with about 60% of that on the front.
Worked for us. Traded it off. Now wish we had not. HB of CJ (old coot)
Towed a Front wheel drive, Auto V6 2011 Ford Edge. It was pretty light. It was easy and Rigged to tow. Now have a 2014 Auto 4WD Super Crew Ford F150. It's not so light.
Just pull what ever you really like. Have pulled everything from a 18000lb step van to my wifes 1600lb Honda racecar... Really makes not much difference at all,. just a little slower up long grades..Only makes a difference if your always in a hurry ..Retired on pemanent vacation never in a hurry ..rdw
Love pulling my Chevy Tracker. Weighs 2200 lbs, 5-speed manual. Fun to drive, great gas mileage.
What more can a person want. I have the two door model, you could go just a little larger with a four door for more adult back-seat comfort.
We take two kids easily with ours.
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdave-amy.com%2Fimages%2FFlorida2014%2F2014-03-22%252010.33.10.jpg&hash=5730603fee2e40580af0589db59b5f556c4548ed)
The body of my toad rests on a Tracker 4X4 automatic frame and drive line. I do make sure the lock out hubs are disengaged and that the TC is in neutral when I tow. I follow the mfg's recommended 200 mile start up procedure which is a god send as after 200 miles I really need to get out and---stretch---. My "Tracker" is a little heavier than others at 2700# because of all the wood in the woodie body. Mine trails very well even up steep right hand turns into fuel stations. I paid $750 for a driveable Tracker ready to go--and then spent mega bucks and time to fit it under the woodie. I'm pleased with the simplicity of the Tracker and if I were a normal person I'd have been well pleased with it just as it came from the factory. Jack
Ford Explorer with a neutral tow kit. We've had 3 of them (first on was manual tranny with a driveline disconnect). Now we're towing the Ranger with a neutral tow kit.
Our last two Explorers had the third seat, so we could easily fit 6, 7 if necessary. The Ranger has jump seats, so not very comfortable for long drives, but still workable in a
pinch.
Yes - that is definitely one way to look at it! More Power!
Hey jack, post a photo of your woodie tracker!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Brian, We tow a Wrangler. Takes about 10 percent more fuel. And you will not find a auto with worst gas mileage, 13 mpg tops. But I do like em. First pic is an 06, sold an bought an 05.
Sorry that pic was the 05 in ID hunting last year. Had the bus on top of a mountain, and I was happy to make it off. Here is the 06 had it out west a couple times and up to MI also. We do some Jeeping with them and ran the Rubicon Trail last year in the 05. So I like the Wranglers.
Hi Tom - nice to see a picture of your bus "in action"! How is the L10 working out for you?
Yes - poor fuel mileage on the jeep is one downside.
I'm leaning towards the Grand Vitara right now, but may change my mind after finding one to drive. Still plenty of time to decide!