Question Picking a TOAD - Jeep, Pickup, etc.

[Neal]

It seems some are fanatics about Jeeps. I've never owned a Jeep, I chose a Chevy Colorado when I bought my Class A Motorhome. I've enjoyed the Colorado, great drive, great tech but I'm curious of the land of Jeep. What have you chosen for your TOAD for behind a Class A motorhome and why? Do you choose it for storage, luxury, use during camping outings such as going off the beaten path? For those that know Jeeps what are the differences in the offerings for newbies like me?

 

[Gizmo]

Neal.
Go down to Jeep Dealer and take a 2020 Sahara or Rubicon for a test drive. The JL is not the Jeeps of the past and I think the is ride better than Jeep Grand Cherokee but not by a big margin. The Rubicon even the big tires are quiet and well mannered on the road. We do not rock crawlers but fun to get on trails and see sites that most will not.

 

[Akdare]

For us, this our first Jeep. It’s my wife’s daily driver. She prefers a truck so she sits up higher. I prefer my Mini Cooper Clubman, but use the truck for Home Depot runs. It is perfect for us; easy to set up to tow behind the coach, small enough to park easily in a crowded parking lot, and a decent sized bed. I have added Hothead headliners to cut the Texas heat, and a WeatherTech hard tonneau cover, which comes off easily if we need to haul something taller. We are going to add the AMP Research Power Steps when we get back from New Zealand. So customizable, and so many aftermarket products to make your Jeep your own. Auxiliary switches on the dash to power whatever accessories you want to add, plus color coded wire bundles under the dash and in the engine compartment make it easy to wire.

 

[turbopilot]

Neal.
Go down to Jeep Dealer and take a 2020 Sahara or Rubicon for a test drive. The JL is not the Jeeps of the past and I think the is ride better than Jeep Grand Cherokee but not by a big margin. The Rubicon even the big tires are quiet and well mannered on the road. We do not rock crawlers but fun to get on trails and see sites that most will not.

Agree, JL Rubicon with big tires is quiet and well behaved. I got the 2 liter turbocharged engine. Very responsive and uses less fuel.

I wanted the lightest TOAD with good off road capability. Does not matter how big a coach you have, it is a good practice to tow as little weight as you can. You also want a TOAD that can take the abuse of living behind a DP most of it's life. 2020 Rubicon is a great fit.

 

[Neal]

Looks interesting, have to go visit a dealer someday. I wish I could sell my 2012 Porsche 911. Can't stomach the depreciation on that one! Although I do love driving it.

 

[Gizmo]

Looks interesting, have to go visit a dealer someday. I wish I could sell my 2012 Porsche 911. Can't stomach the depreciation on that one! Although I do love driving it.

Sold my last fun car about a year ago and broke my heart to see it drive away but it was time. Bought a 58 Corvette Blue with White coves in the late 90s for 12,000 dollars and put 25,000 into the restore. Over doubled my investment. I can still remember my neighbor diving by pulling a bass boat yelling you wasting you money on that car.

 

[sheridany]

Looks interesting, have to go visit a dealer someday. I wish I could sell my 2012 Porsche 911. Can't stomach the depreciation on that one! Although I do love driving it.

Uh Neal who said you have to give up the Porsche. The 2027 Ventessex is featuring:

 

[redbaron]

I have towed a 3/4 Ton Chevy Crew cab for 10 years. Last year when we became a small family of 4 traveling, I started looking for other options. I was "DEAD SET" against a jeep. They are terrible rides I was told.

My oldest daughter wanted a jeep, and I was telling her what junk they are. She insisted that I was wrong, so I decided to prove it to her. I went to the airport and rented a 4 door sahara for the weekend.

Keep in mind -- I was proving a point.

Imagine my suprise when I found myself "having fun" driving home from the airport, in DFW traffic on a Friday afternoon.

That weekend we did some driving around in the pasture, and then we took the doors and top off....that sold it for me right there.

WIthin 2 weeks she had her jeep, and I was checking all the boxes on a special order for my jeep.

Her jeep is the 2.0L JLUS (Sport /c 7" screen and power locks/doors).

I installed Moab take off rock rails and Sahara take off wheels/tires on her JLUS.

My jeep is the Rubicon (JLUR) /c 3.6L + Automatic. I have the stock 33" tires, and will use this for a while before I upgrade to 35".

I plan on doing a 2-3" lift on both jeeps.

I am also adding armor to the underbelly - using EVO ProTek Armor.

I highly recommend that you start your jeep adventure with a weekend rental. You get to really test it a lot better than you can with a dealer.

You will need a Torx-50, as the car rental places remove those from the jeep. You can remove the doors easily yourself. The top will require 1-2 additional people. The more you can get, the better.

 

[Neal]

Great advice. I have/had the exact same sentiment as you describe, however, the number of Jeeps we see attached to RV's make you wonder. I like your story. My neighbor who had a Class C loves his jeep but he was envious of my Colorado and was wanting one. Nothing says I can't have two toads I'll go look at them one of these days and may do the rental as you suggest. I think I need to drive one. In fact long ago when moving from a Chevy Blazer I decided to drive the boxy ugly 2009 Honda Pilot - I loved it...best driving vehicle ever. So I may be in for a surprise here. Just have to learn all this Jeep lingo and options.

 

[redbaron]

It is addicting.

I now have a 3 jeeps in the family. Just purchased a WJ ( 2000 Grand Jeep Cherokee) for my son. He is moving to Fort Myers, FL to go to ATP Flight school. He was feeling left out not having a jeep, especially that is what he wanted @ 16 and I "forced" him to get a Honda

 

[RKins]

I drove our JGC Overland from Nappanee to FL and back last year, 2500 miles. Very comfortable. That is the way to test comfort - a long trip.

 

[FL-JOE]

We have stuck with Mini Coopers since going full time due to weight and dimensions. If you use an 8' wide trailer without an escape door on the side you can still manage to squeeze out of the driver's door after loading. If you want to keep your vehicle weight around 3,000 pounds there isn't much to pick from either. It has served us well but we both miss a larger SUV style vehicle.

Been cleaning my "new to me" tandem tow dolly after selling my enclosed trailer. We are starting our search for a new small or midsize SUV this week. So far by just comparing specs, prices, and warranties online the KIA Sportage is the winner.

 

[Neal]

When going to FPU I drove my new 2017 Chevy Colorado from Richmond, VA to Nappanee, IN. I was absolutely amazed at the drive and the interior comfort. Never owned a pickup before and was hesitant, SUV is typically my thing. You'd never know you were in a pickup other than the small interior. I admit the design of the side pockets and small storage areas is a complete failure, you can't put anything in them or expect those things to stay.

Jeeps don't seem to be my style but I'm going to check them out just for something to do and fun. Could be dangerous. Obviously Jeeps are a huge clan and so many varieties and customizations so it's a monster world I'm sticking my nose into. No idea what all the different names are from Wrangler to Rubicon and the Unlimited variants. It's almost like software that has too many versions that make it hard to understand the differences.

 

[Buly]

My choice was 2014 Honda CRV top of the line with 10K miles. I installed the towing package, roof rack, Invisibrake and trailer towing hitch. It is only 3500 pounds.
My friend had two Jeeps in the 90’s, and they were a disaster, so that turned me off them. Maybe they make them much better now?
Our neighbor’s son came to visit Last month with his Jeep. I noticed he had to put 3 flat pens underneath. One under the engine, one under transmission and one under the differential, to keep oil off the driveway.
I’m thinking of upgrading to a Lincoln or a Caddie in the Future?

 

[jmltech]

No idea what all the different names are from Wrangler to Rubicon and the Unlimited variants.

Unlimited is a 4 door. Also is a longer vehicle. The rear storage capacity is the same as a non- unlimited.

Sahara is their upscale... think heated seats. Forgot what else comes standard on the sahara.

Rubicon has better shocks, transmission, axles, tires, etc. overkill unless you are really planning on rock climbing.

 

[MapNerd]

I think one of the reasons people pick Jeep so often, is simply the fact that FCA seems to have the largest collection of vehicles that are flat towable. Every other manufacturer, there’s really only one or two models, but most Jeeps models have a trim line that is flat towable because, well Jeep. Even dodge though, multiple flat towable models. Even Fiats are flat towable.

If you look at Ford, GM, VW, Toyota, Honda many of those makes only have maybe one or two models that are flat towable if any at all. The exception here also being Pickups. Ford and GM seem to be second in line when it comes to flat towable models. Typically then, you’re only option is a manual, a tow dolly or a trailer. Coincidentally, a manual can sometimes be a benefit especially if you want to do some rock crawling but then you just end up coming right back to Jeep if that’s one of your intended uses. If you don’t want a manual and you don’t want a dolly or trailer though, FCA seems to just be the make that gives you the most models to choose from.

It used to be that practically any full size body on frame SUV would be flat towable but as automakers have moved from 4x4 to AWD and moved away from body on frame, the drivetrains have become more complicated. Generally speaking, AWD systems are almost always not flat towable while 4x4 drivetrains usually are.

I for one and really excited about Jeep’s forthcoming Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. I expect they will be flat towable as well and there will probably be an overland trim for them as that’s just what Jeep does. I plan to sit out the first model year and watch for issues and make a purchase in their second model year assuming everything goes well and issues that pop up are fixed.

 

[Stuart W]

Two wranglers 2017 and 2020:
Length critical on a 44 foot rig to stay under 65 feet
Resale value 2nd to none
Ease of towing, transfer case in neutral, look the doors and go
Lots of fun upgrades available
With back seats down my two Australian Shepherds have lots of room
A surprising amount of cargo capacity. I have had a 50 gallon water heater in the back of my 17 with the doors closed.

 

[Neal]

Any difference in flat towing ability with automatic vs. manual?

 

[Stuart W]

Any difference in flat towing ability with automatic vs. manual?

None!

 

[Neal]

Let's say my dream Rubicon that I optioned cluelessly (literally, I don't know the Jeep lingo) MSRP's out at 61K. What would I expect to pay at a local dealer? Do dealers even discount when ordering a custom build? I know BMW near me doesn't as they claim "haggle free pricing", so I bought a Porsche from their neighbor dealer which they loved hearing about when they called me a few weeks later. Any tips on ordering vs. finding something on the lot and discount to be expected (rebates, incentives, etc. etc.). Sure sounds like the old how much discount on a MH purchase

My typical rule of thumb when shopping for cars in the past was to get 15% below window sticker.