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New TV for Snugglebug

Evan

Evan

Administrator
Donating Member
We've got the insurance money and now just need to pick out the right partner for Snugglebug. We loved everything about our Honda CR-V (size, looks, price) but I'd feel better if we weren't towing so close to (or just over) the #1,500 limit.

So, we want a smallish SUV with a tow rating of at least #2,000. My wife doesn't like the boxy look of the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Tribeca is too expensive. The Subaru Outback could work. A bit on the station wagonish side, but the price is right.

Any thoughts or recommendations?
 
How about a Honda Pilot? Or, keeping it smaller, the Toyota Rav4 (in addition to the Outback, which would also be a great choice)?
 
Thanks guys! We just drove over to the auto mall and test drove a Subaru Outback and a Toyota RAV4. Something weird is going on with the Subaru supply chain, because Subaru has put a stop order on all new sales. You can only buy a preowned vehicle, which has driven the price WAY up. I was impressed with the Outback. It was actually less station wagonish that I remember (I think it is the post 2010 body style). Also, it feels like its got a lot of power under the hood. Like a big car stuck in a little body.

The RAV4 is very similar to the CR-V, but it has a #3,500 tow rating. I'm not a fan of the side opening hatch, but the RAV4 has enough other things going for it that I think I can overlook that.

Does anybody know the difference between the 6 cylinder and 4 cylinder as far as towing is concerned?
 
Evan, I'm fairly certain the towing capacity for the 4 cyl. is 1500, while the 6 cyl. is 2000 without the tow package and 3500 with it.
That IS strange, what's going on with the Subaru's...

EDIT:
Here's a link to the Rav4's towing capacities
 
Subaru is still recovering from the tsunami. We got a nail in a tire and the back order for a tire from Japan was 3 weeks. Apparently they are beginning to catch up, but it is an after effect from their tragedy.
We LOVE our Subaru Forester! Its has been a great tow and about town vehicle for us.
Eileen
 
Ken said:
Evan, I'm fairly certain the towing capacity for the 4 cyl. is 1500, while the 6 cyl. is 2000 without the tow package and 3500 with it.
That IS strange, what's going on with the Subaru's...
Click to expand...

Our Outback is a 2004 4 cyl. & it has a 2000# tow rating...one of the reasons we got it. It tows the tear better than our 6 cyl. Buick Park Avenue, which only has a tow rating of 1500#. The newer Outbacks have higher tow ratings, varying depending on which one you get.

We love it! Well, especially me, as the seats fit me. Not only do I no longer have to drive with only my big tow barely touching the gas pedal, I can also actually see the hood & road directly in front of the hood when I drive. I've only been able to do both of those things when I drove a Jeep, VW Rabbit & a Raider.

One of the factors that caused us to look at it was the popularity it has amongst our customers as a tow vehicle. Only heard good things. In the 1 1/2 years we have owned ours, we have put over 53,000 miles on it, through all kinds of weather, mountains, desert, you name it. A good number of those are long distance miles from towing the teardrop (I am the primary driver & I walk to work every day).

They also hold their value fairly well & used ones (even with high miles) will be priced higher than other vehicles in the same type/age group.

:cool:
 
Evan, check out a couple of other options. Ford Escape, GMC Terrain (Chevy Equinox). I've always thought the Escape handled well when I have had them as rentals.
 
Evan,
We also had a Honda CRV. We wanted a new vehicle just because it was time for a change. We love our new GMC Terrain. It is fantastic! Tows the CI well (Bob loves the back up camera). Take a test drive. :)
 
I wonder how the RAV4 tows #3500 with the tow package and #2000 without... ? Seems one should only tow with a vehicle that has a tow package. :)
 
True. But I guess people sometimes don't get the tow package when they buy, and then just slap on a hitch and think they're all set.
 
Barb, I was thinking the same thing! Especially with the way Evan has Snugglebug kitted with all of the electronics!

Mick loves his FJ Cruiser. The Ford Edge is really nice looking and reminds me of the CR-V too. It is one that I have been thinking of replacing my car with at some point. I was also considering an Explorer.

Not sure if you have checked Portland for Subbies. Carr Subaru says they have the largest selection on the West Coast (not sure if it is still true, but for a while, Oregon had the largest number of Subaru's, per capita, in the US). Mick also has bought his 2 Subaru's from Royal Moore in Hillsboro and gotten a good deal (he races them, so knows a lot of the guys down here). He does say that both dealers have your run of the mill 'slimy' (Mick's words) car sales guys. He said you might do well with going through online sales with them. They also have a good selection of Pre-owned cars if you decide to go that route.

Good luck!
 
Evan, usually when a vehicle has a higher towing weight it is because they have added things like transmission coolers, radiator coolers, etc. ON the RAV4 from the website you need the following tow package option:

Tow Prep Package (V6 models only) [7] -- includes 3500-lb. towing capacity, upgraded radiator, fan coupling and alternator

So the base RAV4 with the 4cyl is only good for 1500 while the the 6cyl WITH the tow package is good for 3500.

Isn't it fun having to read all of the fine print and not trusting the sales guy that says 'Sure it will tow 2000, 3000, 12000 lbs. NO PROBLEMMMOOOO.."
 
Evan,
Don't know if you have made your selection yet, but to put in my 2 cents worth the RAV4 6Cyl with towing package is a supurb vehicle. I was initially put off by the rear hatch but have actually gotten used to it. The 6 cyl is a very powerful 6 and the reason I got it was that I was doing a lot of driving between Denver and the Grand Junction area. I can make that trip at 75MPH all the way and that includes an 11,000 foot pass.

My gas mileage towing the 550 goes from an average of 26 to 23 and I hardly know I am towing it. I could go 75 but like to keep it at 65 when towing. When towing I have no problems with merging into fast moving traffic. Incidentally the difference in gas mileage between the 6 and the 4 is 1 MPG, I guess that the 4 has to work a lot harder. Storage room is excellent, the split rear seats will fold flat. I do not have electric brakes on the 550 and when going down a grade I shift down. Almost all of our travel is at plus 5000 feet so your mileage in Washington might be better depending on the weight of your foot.
Leo
 
Thanks Leo. We have pretty much decided on the Rav4 6cyl. It is exactly the size we want, and has plenty of towing. We loved everything about our Honda CR-V except the towing capacity and the Rav4 is the closest vehicle to that. I figure we'll just have to get used to the hatch as well.
 
Hi Evan,We have the Rav 4 v6 front wheel drive 2007 with tow pkg.Towing is a piece of cake and I never towed anything till we picked up our 550.I don't get nearly the gas mileage of Leo.I got 18-23 mpg this fall on our long trip and Idrive moderately (60-65 and accelerate slowly .We have the SUV option which puts the trailer a little above the height of the Rav-4 which might have some effect on the mpg.Also Cary told us the 560 is actually moer aerodynamic (sp) than the 550 because of its length so that might help.I wonder if Leo has normal height on his 550.
 
Kathy and Bob,

We are using synthetic oil in our Rav 4 don't know if that has anything to do with the mileage or not. My best mileage to date is 31MPG between Chama,NM to Denver, which is odd since most of that drive is at greater than 7000 Feet. Granted, I was not towing anything. My height is the SUV option.
Leo
 
Evan said:
We have pretty much decided on the Rav4 6cyl. It is exactly the size we want, and has plenty of towing.
Click to expand...

Congrats guys! Always exciting getting a new car.
 
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