2004 Dinghy Towing Guide - Good Sam

1 MotorHome, January 2004 /47 MotorHome s latest compilation of suitable trucks, sport-utilities and cars2004 DinghyTowing Guide2004 DinghyTowing Guide482004 Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE CARSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailChevro letCavalier Coupe2,61765/NoneYesYesMan: 25/33$14,045 Auto: 24/32 Cavalier Sedan2,67665/NoneYesYes24/32$14,245 Malibu3,17465/NoneN/AYes23/33$18,370 Malibu Maxx3,45865/NoneN/AYes21/29$22,255 DaimlerChryslerNeon2,581 NoneYesNo27/33$13,200PT Cruiser3,101 NoneYesNo21/29$17,395 Sebring/GTC3,357 NoneYesNo22/30$20,855 Stratus Coupe3,051 NoneYesNo22/29$19,560 FordFocus2,612 NoneYesNo27/36$12,725 Mustang3,290 NoneYesNo20/29$17,720 HyundaiAccent2,255 Legal/NoneYesNo29/33$9,999 Elantra2,635 Legal/NoneYesNo24/33$12,899 Sonata3,181 Legal/NoneYesNo22/30$17,999 Tiburon2,940 Legal/NoneYesNo23/31$16,249 JOELR.

2 DONALDSONR epresenting the latest in-stallment in the MotorHomeknowledge base, our 2004 DinghyTowing Guide lists most of the cur-rent-model-year vehicles that are man-ufacturer-approved for being towedfour-down, with all wheels in past years, some populardinghy vehicles continue to be con-spicuous in their absence from thisguide. Often this isn t due to anymechanical deficiency in the vehicleitself, but rather to the policy of itsmanufacturer. Legal considerations,ground-clearance issues and concernsabout how a tow-bar baseplate mayaffect the vehicle s structural integrityor crashworthiness are a few of thejustifications cited. So, commit the following sentence to memory: If thevehicle isn t listed in this Guide , themanufacturer doesn tsanction it forMotorHome, January 2004 /49 TOWABLE CARSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailInfini tiG35 Sport Sedan3,39860/500 1 YesNo20/27$29,850G35 Sport Coupe3,43560/500 1 YesNo20/27$32,4501.

3 Idle engine in Neutral for several minutes every 500 ,18860/500 1 YesNo20/26$26,910 Altima ,00160/500 1 YesNo23/29$16,850 Maxima3,43260/500 1 YesNo20/29$25,439 Sentra2,51360/500 1 YesNo28/36$12,6391. Idle engine in Neutral for several minutes every 500 Alero GX Coupe2,94665/NoneYesYesMan: 25/33$18,200 Auto: 24/32 PontiacGrand Am SE3,06665/NoneYesYesMan: 25/33$17,070 Auto: 24/32 Sunfire2,77165/NoneYesYesMan: 24/33$14,930 Auto: 23/32 Vibe2,701 NoneYesNo29/36$16,485 SaturnION Sedan2,69265/NoneYesNo26/33$11,430L3003, 03365/NoneN/AYes24/33$18,3452004 Dinghy Towing Guidedinghy service no matter what thelocal dealer may tell vehicles, on the otherhand, are conditionally approvedfordinghy service, contingent upon fol-lowing certain procedures. For exam-ple, some models have electricalaccessories that operate whenever thesteering column lock is disengaged,presenting a continuous drain on thebattery if certain fuses aren t pulledbefore Towing .

4 Most vehicle hand-books cover the step-by-step proce-dures for removing the right fuses fortowing service, should this be , transmission choiceis a major factor in determining a vehi-cle s towability. While many manualtransmissions are designed to keeptheir internal parts adequately lubedwhile Towing , few automatics have 502004 Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE CARSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailSubaru Impreza RS Sedan2,965 NoneYesNo21/28$19,395 Impreza TS Wagon3,045 NoneYesNo21/28$17,895 Legacy L3,255 NoneYesNo21/27$20,695 Legacy L Wagon3,350 NoneYesNo21/27$21,795 Outback Sport3,105 NoneYesNo21/27$19,095 WRX3,085 NoneYesNo20/27$24,495 WRX Sport Wagon3,165 NoneYesNo20/27$23,995 SuzukiAerio S/GS Sedan2,67655/200 YesNo25/31$12,999 Aerio SX Wagon2,73455/200 YesNo25/31$15,499 ToyotaCamry LE3,086 NoneYesNo24/33$19,045 Celica GT2,425 NoneYesNo28/33$17,390 Celica GT-S2,500 NoneYesNo23/32$22,055 Corolla CE2,570 NoneYesNo32/40$13,570 Echo 2DR2,035 NoneYesNo35/43$10,245 Echo 4DR2,055 NoneYesNo35/43$10,775 Matrix 2WD2,679 NoneYesNo29/36$14,670MR2 Spyder2,195 NoneYesN/A26/32$24.

5 645the output-side lube pump requiredto make them safely towable for eventhe shortest of distances. Thus, thetowability of many vehicles simplyboils down to whether or not they are available with a manual transmis-sion (and even some of these modelsstill carry distance and/or maximum-speed restrictions).Adding to the confusion, somefour-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles are Dinghy -towable and yet their two-wheel-drive counterparts aren t,thanks to the presence of a transfercase that allows the driveshaft torotate without also spinning the trans-mission. However, a few automaticshift-on-the-fly 4WD systems defeatthis capability; also, a couple of mod-els require a dealer-supplied towingkit to make them your favorite Dinghy vehicleisn t listed in this Guide , don t despair:Aftermarket electric lube pumps areavailable to fit the transmissions ortransaxles of many popular dinghyvehicles.

6 Driveshaft disconnects alsoare available for some rear-wheel-drivemodels, while a few front-wheel-drivevehicles can be fitted with axle locksthat perform essentially the samefunction namely, preventing thetransmission or transaxle from rotat-ing while the vehicle is being towed. Another viable option is thetried-and-true tow dolly, which canaccommodate all but a handful ofvehicles equipped with full-time all-wheel drive. As a last resort, both openand enclosed car trailers are availablefrom a wide variety of , no matter whatdinghy you choose, a Towing solutionexists for it (provided, of course, thatyour motorhome s weight and brak-MotorHome, January 2004 /512004 Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE SUVS & PICKUPSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailAcuraM DX4,42065/None 1N/AYes17/23$35,7001.)

7 Recirculate transmission fluid every eight Towing ,417 NoneN/AYes16/21$35,295 Chevrolet/GMCA valanche 4WD5,678 NoneN/AYes13/17$33,100 Blazer 2DR 4WD3,866 NoneYesYes15/21$23,745 Colorado/Canyon 4WD3,623 NoneYesYesN/A$19,855 Envoy/TrailBlazer 4WD4,612 NoneN/AYes15/21$31,095 Envoy XL/TrailBlazer EXT 4WD4,954 NoneN/AYes15/20$33,195 Silverado/Sierra1500 4WD4,439 NoneYesYes15/18$23,095 Suburban/Yukon XL 4WD5,219/5,567 NoneN/AYes13/17$39,850 Tahoe/Yukon 4WD5,050/5,269 NoneN/AYes14/18$37,000 Tracker 4DR 4WD2,98755/200 1 YesYes22/25$20,8801. Recirculate transfer-case oil every 200 4WD3,994 NoneYesYes16/22$20,120 Durango 4WD4,671 NoneN/AYesest 15/19est $28,000 Ram 4WD4,863 NoneYesYes13/18$23,330ing capabilities and gross combinationweight rating aren t exceeded).Speaking of weight: Since manyRV enthusiasts shop for a new vehiclewith an eye toward Towing it behind a motorhome, this Guide includes theapproximate curb weights (withoutoptions) of all towable models.

8 Sug-gested retail prices for each model alsoare included, generally listing the least-expensive trim level that is , a few words about re-motely actuated brakes on dinghyvehicles: Use em if you ve got Canadian provinces, in fact, now require such brakes. Stateside,legal requirements are more opaque;at present, most states have laws onthe books regulating towed trailers,but not specifically towed you head for the open roadwith Dinghy in tow, it is strongly sug-gested that you check with your local Department of Motor Vehiclesoffice regarding the regulations inyour state as well as states throughwhich you plan to Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE SUVS & PICKUPSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailFordEs cape 2WD3,01955/NoneYesNo23/28$18,710 Escape 4WD3,17555/NoneYesNo 18/23$21,925 Explorer 4D 4WD4,46955/NoneN/AYes 215/19$29,025 Explorer Sport 2WD3,96355/NoneYesNo17/22$22,515 Explorer Sport 4WD4,08855/NoneYesYes 115/19$24,890 Explorer Sport Trac 2WD4,13555/NoneYesNo17/21$23,045 Explorer Sport Trac 4WD4,34955/NoneYesYes 115/20$25,815F-150 4WD5,08755/NoneYes 3 Yes 315/19$24,555F-150 Heritage 4WD3,99055/NoneYes 3, 4 Yes 3, 415/19$22,465F-250/350 SD 4WD5,82855/NoneYes 3 Yes 313/17$24,720 Ranger 2WD3,02855/NoneYesNo22/26$13,765 Ranger 4WD3,46455/NoneYesNo17/21$20,1351.

9 With dealer-installed Neutral Tow Kit (part no. 3L2J7H332-AA).2. With dealer-installed Neutral Tow Kit (part no. 1L2J7H332-AA).3. Manual transfer case Requires locking out the center disconnect by capping off one front-axle vacuum motor : Different vehicles have other restrictions and Towing procedures. Contact your Ford dealer for complete FWD/AWD3,201 Legal/NoneYesYes 123/28$18,900 Element FWD/AWD3,352 Legal/NoneYesYes 121/25$16,100 Pilot4,41665/NoneNAYes 217/22$27,1001. With prescribed Towing Recirculate transmission fluid every eight Towing ,400 NoneNAYes11/13$49,180 HyundaiSanta Fe FWD ,494 Legal/NoneYesNo20/27$17,999 MotorHome, January 2004 /532004 Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE SUVS & PICKUPSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailIsuzuA scender 4WD4,967 Legal/NoneN/AYes15/20$31,199 JeepGrand Cherokee 4WD3,989 NoneN/AYes15/20$29,230 Liberty 4WD3,826 NoneYesYes20/24$19,570 Wrangler3,235 NoneYesYes19/20$16,270 KiaSorento 2WD4,11255/400 Yes 1N/A16/19$18,995 Sorento 4WD4,31755/400 Yes 1N/A15/20$24,8501.

10 Idle engine for several minutes every 400 Towing RoverDiscovery ,619 NoneN/AYes12/16$34,350 Range Rover5,379 NoneN/AYes12/17$71,200 MazdaB-Series 2WD3,06055/NoneYesNo22/26$14,220B-Series 4WD3,82055/NoneYesYes 117/21$20,230 Tribute DX FWD3,09155/NoneYesNo23/28$18,6251. With manual transfer 2WD3,24060/500 1 YesNo22/25$13,149 Frontier 4WD3,93260/500 1 Yes 2No17/20$18,939 Pathfinder SE 4WD3,97560/500 1 Yes 2No16/19$28,799 Xterra 4WD4,04660/500 1 Yes 2No16/20$22,3991. Idle engine in Neutral for several minutes every 500 Tow with 4WD transfer case in Dinghy Towing GuideTOWABLE SUVS & PICKUPSM odelBase CurbSpeed/DistanceManualAutomaticMileage BaseWeight (lb)LimitsTransTransCity/HwyRetailSaturn VUE3,17965/NoneYesBoth23/28$17,125 ScionxA 12,33555/200 2 YesNo31/37$12,965xB 12,42555/200 2 YesNo30/33$14,1651.