4WD TOAD for Sprinter

[woodruff13]

I have a Jeep JK 4D Hardtop, probably 4500 pounds curb weight, so too heavy to tow behind my 2016 Forester 2401. Especially since we'd like to pack some stuff in the Jeep. So am looking for options for a TOAD w/ 4WD that weighs 3500 lbs or less.

Jeep Renegade and Mini prohibit TOAD. Any other good suggestions? Fiat seems a bit small.. Subaru? Manual transmission is OK.

Thanks, Bill

[DaveJordan]

You might look for an older Honda HR-V with four wheel drive. The older 2 wheel drive models, with manual transmissions, were flat-towable. But the newer 2 and 4 wheel drive models (2018 and 2019, at least) all come with CVT transmissions and, according to the owners' manuals, are not flat towable. I don't know if the older 4WD versions were available with the manual transmission...

Good luck! Let us know what you find...

Dave

[grumpy0374]

Any manual trans Subaru can be flat towed. We tow a 2013 Subi Crosstrek. 75,000 miles on it with 40,000 towed miles (towed miles do not show up on odmometer. Bought new, and has never had a down day for any reason.
Easy to set up and tow, no mileage or speed limits when towing. Plenty of room, weighs 3200 lbs, and with rear seat down has plenty of storage room.
In stock form has the same clearence as a stock Jeep Wrangler.
Also look at manual trans Subi Forrester. Bigger but still at 3500 lbs.
After 2016 Subaru removed their vehicles from recommended towing list, but nothing changed as to running gear, and owners manual lists towing procedure as the same as older units. New ones with manual tranny can still be towed 4 down.
Also, check over at IRV2 Forum. In their classified there is a seperate section for toad's for sale, many are already to go with towing equipment installed, many under the 3500 lb weight limit.
Grumpy

[chroniekon]

We have just started towing a Jeep Wrangler. It's an older one, but has low mileage.

[IsleDog]

Just like there are towing guides published for trucks and chassis's, there are guides published for TOADS or Dinghy's. the link below has all of the guides from 1990 to 2018.

Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome Magazine

[CZNEDY]

When we had our DYNAMAX Isata 3, we towed an '04 Jeep Wrangler TJ. The sprinter handled it well.

[Hi Rider]

My 2016 MBS 2401W is pulling a 2006 TJ Wrangler weighing in at about 3,800 lbs and don't have any problems towing it. Wondering if you are considering an older TJ?

[chroniekon]

What are going to do with the rig once you get to your destinations? Do you need honest to goodness 4WD with a reasonable amount of clearance for off roading and stump jumping?

[bob5560g]

I flat tow a '98 Suzuki Sidekick JLX Sport (4 door, 4 x 4) behind my 2015 Forester 2401WS MBS. Curb weight is 3,200 lbs. MBS is rated to tow 4,200, so I often put heavy stuff in the TOAD to avoid overloading the Sprinter.

[sailski]

I have a 2017 Forester 2401WS and tow a 2014 Honda CR-V AWD. 2014 was the last year that it was towable 4 down as they switched to a CVT trans in 2015. It's been working well for us, 72k miles on the CR-V plus 26k towed miles with the Forester. The dinghy weighs in at about 3,600 lbs so it's within the Sprinters limits.

About my only regret is that it is not a high clearance vehicle so I can't take some of the trails here in Crested Butte, Colorado but it handles great in the snow. Very dependable vehicle! I've only done the scheduled maintence and replaced the tires once. Much more reliable than the 99 Jeep Grand Cherokee I had before the Honda.

[Ecopco]

Originally Posted by woodruff13

I have a Jeep JK 4D Hardtop, probably 4500 pounds curb weight, so too heavy to tow behind my 2016 Forester 2401. Especially since we'd like to pack some stuff in the Jeep. So am looking for options for a TOAD w/ 4WD that weighs 3500 lbs or less.

Jeep Renegade and Mini prohibit TOAD.

Any other good suggestions? Fiat seems a bit small.. Subaru? Manual transmission is OK.

Thanks, Bill

Bill, what is your Sprinter’s Gross Combined Weigh Rating (GCWR)? I have a 2015 FR Solera with a GCWR of 15,230 lbs. That’s is a GVWR of 11030 for the Sprinter and 4200 lbs for the toad. The trailer hitch is rated at 5,000. My understanding is that the Toad can’t weight over 5,000 lbs and the Sprinter fully loaded with passengers, fuel, gear, water etc. can’t weight over 11,030. If you don’t exceed the 11,030 GVWR by say 400 lbs you should be able to tow more weight up to the hitch limit and never exceeding the GCWR for both the Sprinter and the toad.