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Some Car Advice?
We have been towing the same car for well over 8 years and it is nearly time to make a change.
I want to check the collective brain trust here for information on two vehicles. We have been casually looking for a replacement toad and these are the two vehicles we are considering. My daughter getting in and out of a vehicle and the ability to carry both wheelchairs limits our choices.
First, the Chevy Colorado 4WD in general, the 2.8 Duramax in the Colorado specifically. I was not even considering the diesel, but an extremely low mileage diesel just came up on our radar.
Second, the 2015-2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these choices? Can you share?
Davy
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15 Replies
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This is just an opinion not clouded by facts.
The Grand Cherokee has been extremely popular as a toad. We had one for 11 years and towing it was trouble free. But……..it was a manual transmission (very rare) with 4WD. It tracked very well and was versatile in that with the rear seats folded down it could carry a lot of stuff, and with the seats up it was a comfortable 4 passenger vehicle.
As to a diesel I have never been able to use the better mileage as justification for the extra cost. My impression of some GM vehicles as toads is that to tow them often involves more than just putting the transfer case into neutral. The Jeep and now our Hummer involve nothing more than that, but some vehicles need fuses removed or the negative battery terminal disconnected. The more that has to be done to make a vehicle towable, the greater risk of messing up.
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Based on what I’ve seen/experienced in the class 8 truck world, I wouldn’t own an emissions diesel for personal use outside of warranty, unless it was justified for towing purposes. Many do and don’t have issues.
If you’re unlucky and do have problems, they (can) sure get expensive and sometimes difficult to solve.
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We currently tow a 2015 Jeep Cherokee 4wd. It is a dream to hook up compared to what we had been towing. There is should be enough room for a wheelchair, even with seats up.
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Lincoln MKX (now called Nautilus) and its Ford Edge cousin in either FWD or AWD with the 2.7L turbo V6 tow really well and require only a dash board selection of “stay in neutral” mode. No fuses to pull, no fiddling with the the mechanism, no pattern of gears to set, just select that mode and drive away. Lots of room, very quick and great ride to boot.
jerry
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We tow a 14 Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as a 14 Ram 1500.
They both set up and ftat tow with a push of a button and are true 4 wheel drive. With the 8 speed transmission we get between 20-25mpg depending on speed. No speed or distance limitations when towing to cool transmission. No fuses to pull. Just hook up, put in neutral with your foot on the brake and push the neutral button. That easy!! Same procedure to go back in gear when unhooking.
No issues in the 7 years that we have towed them. I installed my own base plates to limit the tow hook holes in the fascia. I’ve seen some pretty ugly work out there. There are ways to hide the hookups without drilling holes in the bumper. So when not towing, the front is very clean.
Mike Harper
2004 Marathon XLII -
Have you considered a RAM 1500? With the bed, you will have plenty of room for wheelchairs. The RAM crewcab has significantly more rear seat room than the Jeep Cherokee, easing accessibility. With the air suspension, the truck can be lowered, making it easier to get in and out–of course it shares this capability with the air suspension equipped Cherokee. Both are very easy to set up for towing.
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Thank you for your thoughts and options to consider.
We went back to the Colorado to drive it this morning. It was a little close for Odie to swing her legs between the door post and the back seat. Not a deal breaker but a consideration.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited we have focused on is a 2017. It has a great ride and ease of entry for Odie is super.
We have read about the “death wobble” on some Grand Cherokees. Does anyone have knowledge of that and the fix for it?
Davy
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Davey,
I never had an issue prior, but upon hitting a bump associated with the expansion joint on a road the front end of my Grand Cherokee started to wobble and vibrate. I slowed down and it stopped.
When I got home I realized the steering dampener (looked like a shock absorber laying on its side) had signs of oil leakage so I replaced it. A 1/2 hour job. Never had a problem again.
The Jeep at the time was pushing 250,000 miles driven and towed.
I don’t know if that is what the wobble is, but if it was that is not a deal breaker because it was a cheap fix.
Mike Harper
2004 Marathon XLII -
We tow a 2014 Grand Cherokee Eco-Diesel. We love it…great ride, lots of room and extremely versatile…one of the best cars we’ve ever owned
1984 96" with 8V92TA
(remodeled Liberty Coach)
Greenwood, MO -
Thank you for the helpful advice and specific information. We are closing in on a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD that we found locally.
We did look at a few extra models that we had not considered before due to suggestions here.
If this deal works, we hope to drive this one a while.
Thank you again.
Davy
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Just wanted to mention that the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and the new 2019-2021 Lincoln Nautilus have a different ‘four down’ towing procedure.
The Nautilus has a different transmission that requires a ‘manual park release’ procedure whereas the MKX has a ‘neutral tow mode’ to select.
Safe travels,
MarkMike Harper
2004 Marathon XLII -
According to the latest FMCA towables guide the 2021 Lincoln Corsair (formerly MKC) in hybrid form is now towable four down. Really nice small Lincoln that is lighter and smaller than the MKX/Nautilus models.
Jerry
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We have never experienced a wobble when towing the jeep. Been towing it for 6 years now. Usually run at 70 mph and it follows us seamlessly wherever the coach goes. Like I said before no limitations on distance or speed. Most other AWD vehicles are FWD with rear wheel assist so you have to stop every 2 hours or so and start the toad to cool the transmission and a speed limit of 65 as well as having to pull a fuse. I know that works for a lot of people to stop every couple of hours. For me, I get into drive mode and may not stop for 10 hours, or stop just long enough for bladder relief and hit it again. When we leave for Florida, I may only stop 3 times all the way. And 1 of those will be fuel. Not retired as of yet, so less time on the road is more time relaxing in warmer weather. Nothing really left to see between Wisconsin and Florida.
Good luck on whatever toad you purchase!
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Been towing 08 suburban for yrs. Twist switch to neutral , you’re done. Plenty of room for everything.
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Thank you for the helpful advice.
We settled on 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4WD.
The first time we drove it after bringing it home was 90 minutes in this.
We have driven the old Green Machine so long that the Jeep almost makes me ashamed. I feel a little guilty parking a family member in the barn and leaving it behind.
We purchased the 2006 Envy Green Scion xB in May 2012 with 73,000 miles. It now has about 209,000 miles plus probably 140,000 miles being towed and several thousand in the tent trailer. It has carried two wheelchairs most of those miles and served as a truck for sound equipment on multiple occasions. It has done well.
Thank you again, friends.
Davy
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