Yahoo Message Number: 62173 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62173)
We live in Mesa, AZ. We just purchased our first Country Coach, a 2007 530 Intrigue Ovation 2. This is a 525 hp Cat C-13, 42 ft long. What tow vehecle would you recommend as we desire to buy one for our first trip in a few weeks. We have a Roadmaster Falcon 2 on the bus.
Yahoo Message Number: 62175 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62175)
We have a "06 Jeep Liberty. Easy 4 down hook-up. The jeep has the SMI vacuum assisted raking system. It makes for a very simple tow.
Yahoo Message Number: 62176 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62176)
WE CURRENTLY HAVE A 2004 ODESSEY, GREAT FOR HAULING PEOPLE, AND PLENTY OF STORAGE SPACE
WHEN YOU ARE NOT, BUT YOU CAN'T TOW NEW ONES. I ORIGINALLY WANTED A PILOT, BUT THE SPACE
WAS THE ISSUE CAN'T TOW IT EITHER. I WOULD NOW PROBABLY PICK A JEEP GC OR A DODGE CREW CAB
PICK-UP WITH SHORT BED WITH A SHELL. WHY A DODGE, WELL MY 2001 2500 DIESEL WILL BE 10 YEARS
OLD SOON AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS, OTHER THAN FLUID CHANGES, FILTERS,
AND TIRES. BUT WILL REPLACE HOSES AND BELTS WHEN WE GET HOME. TWI 2004 INTRIGUE 11731 PS.
THE DIESEL IS A CLUB CAB, HEAVY, LONG BED, AND RIDES LIKE A TANK.
Original Message:
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From: gbconsta@... (gbconsta@...)gbconsta@... (gbconsta@...) Date: Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:41:51 -0000 To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com (Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com) Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] Re: we are looking for a tow car
We have a "06 Jeep Liberty. Easy 4 down hook-up. The jeep has the SMI vacuum assisted raking system.
It makes for a very simple tow.
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Yahoo Message Number: 62183 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62183)
Do you want sedan ride, 4x4 ride or AWD ride? SUV size, or enough for 2 to 4 people to fit? Do you want a truck's capability? How about a two seat sport car? Stick OK, or do you want Auto?
Those are the questions we went thru... We decided we wanted to have room for up to 4 people, have some minimum dirt road capability, auto, and as it was bought as a toad behind a gas unit, not real heavy.
In 2007, we bought the then new CRV-EX, with a US Gear braking system installed later. It's been a good toad, and retains great resell. We also liked the 2007 Saturn SUV with the Honda V6 engine in it too. More power, and it still had the plastic side panels. It was a nice looking SUV too. We thought we'd be moving up to a DP within 5 years (ended up being just over 3), and wanted to have the higher resell value, so went with the CRV. We just got our Allure, so still working out the toad for the future. For now, the CRV is doing good for us.
If you want off road with a bit of truck capability. Several small 4X4's with extended cabs are now available. Ranger, Tacomoa, Dakota. Your rig with the Cat, can also pull a full size SUV or Truck too.
The new Jeeep Grand Cherokee is getting good press, for a combo SUV with medium 4X4 capability. And of course, the Wrangler is always an option. I've talked to one person that really liked the new Rover LR3, not real big, but big enough and real 4X4 Off Road capability, with a dash of style. Believe he said shared and older Volvo S80 6 cyl, that needed High Octane.
Ford has the Edge or Lincoln LTZ SUV's that get good press, and are good AWD toads.
Last tid bit, is a gent I know towing a Jetta TDI Wagon, with stick - loves the power, and economy, and the full DP and Toad Diesel thing...
Lots of options. If you want more from this great gang on the board, think about what you are wanting, and share what is important to you.
Best of luck, have fun, be safe - enjoy the new rig! Smitty
04 Allure 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 62184 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62184)
We've had a 2005 CR-V for over five years now. 72,000 miles on the odometer and another 30,000 being towed.
Other than tires being replaced, we haven't done a thing on the car.
Love it around town and as a towed. Easy to prepare for towing. Highly recommend it.
George
'04 Inspire 51061
Yahoo Message Number: 62189 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62189)
As others have said, you need to determine how you intend to use the towed vehicle.
Another question: Is this strictly for towing or will you use it as a daily driver when not towing - or maybe you are full-timing? These are all important factors.
To get a list of towable vehicles, go to the motorhome magazine website for their current list.
Richard Owen
Yahoo Message Number: 62191 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62191)
Don't overlook the Honda Element. This small SUV is really a pick-up under cover. We have towed both the Honda CRV and the Element and prefer the Element because you can pull up or even take out the back two seats revealing a huge storage area under cover. We use the Element as our garage when out on the road. We store our expensive bikes in fully stand up position out of the weather and road hazards. The area is so big we have had two bikes, two dog crates, two accordions and a speaker in the back. Now, THAT'S a load for the rear of a small SUV.
Shirley OBrien
Allure 31290
Yahoo Message Number: 62197 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62197)
I left the Element off of my earlier post by accident. We too liked the functionality of the Element. I saw a bit higher resell value with the CRV, so went that route. (We expected it to be our Toad for 4-5 years, then onto a DP that would expand our choices - so return on the purchase price via resell values, gave the CRV an edge over all of the others. It has also been a trouble free daily commuter for me, as I'm still doing that four letter 'work' thing:)!).
One other factor that nudged the CRV over th Element for us, was the ground clearance on the CRV was a bit higher. Of course, now that we've tried some semi 'dirt road' off roading, the CRV's AWD is not really robust enough to go to far 'off road', so suspect the Element would have done we would be doing. The Element is a 'huge' small light SUV, as Shirley mentioned - if interior size matters to you, then the Element would be the winner!
Smitty
04 Allure 40' 31017
Yahoo Message Number: 62198 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62198)
My only concern with the Honda CR-V & Element is the 4 cylinder engine. We full time and do a lot of travel when parked. Most 4 cylinders are somewhat short on power if you are traveling in any mountian area. We spent over three months traveling by car in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
We chose the Saturn Vue for the V-6 engine and AWD. Simple to tow, just pull a fuse after a short idle time in neutral. I also use the SMI brake system, just connect three items at the hitch and off you go.
Jock Vargo
2005 Inspire
51428
Yahoo Message Number: 62210 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62210)
Second the Element. We have two mountain bikes , two road bikes, spare wheels and a dog crate in ours , and two ocean kayaks on the roof. As fulltimers we need the garage space!! Marcnbev 05 affinity #6429
Yahoo Message Number: 62214 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62214)
We also second the Element choice our 2006 has been a perfect unit for our use for all the mentioned reasons and the plastic fenders with rock guard clear plastic headlight covers and bug deflector eliminates the need for a vehicle shield. BOB 06 intrigue 12047
Yahoo Message Number: 62223 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62223)
Amen to the Element. Mine is a 5 sp. Just hook up, put it in nuetral and go. I also camp in mine sometimes as there is room for a air matress and sleeping bag.
DougC
'94 CC Magna Caprice
'03 Honda Element tow car
Yahoo Message Number: 62260 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62260)
Honda just announced a recall on several models including the 2003 and 2004 Element for transmission issues, some other models were also in the recall but for other problems.
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040
Yahoo Message Number: 62286 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62286)
All of those recalls were for the same problem....not xmission but ignition. Keys can come out b4 xmission is put in park. Mine is 5sp so not recalled.
DougC
'94 cc Magna Caprice
'03 Honda Element 5sp
Yahoo Message Number: 62404 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/62404)
Had a 2005 Honda Odyssey - towed great, could load a bunch of stuff into it and didn't know it was back there most of the time - just purchased a 2010 Ford Edge and am very pleased with it as my tow vehicle as well, just a bit smaller and again, you don't even notice it is behind you. With your 525hp Cat, your options are wide open.
Good luck to you.
M. Peterson 03 Allure #30916