Many people opt to tow a vehicle behind their motorhomes when going on a trip. It gives them the ease to move around and has more logistics options while camping at a certain place.
If you are also about to embark on your next motorhome camping trip and want to tow a car, you may want to know which vehicles you can safely tow. Here is a brief to help you.
Towing a vehicle behind a car
Motorhomes, particularly class A motorhomes, are quite large. They offer a lot of comfort and luxury on the road and are a very pleasant way to travel.
But, they are not the most convenient option for parking or going to places with narrow passages.
For instance, consider running a short errand to a nearby market for some quick grocery shopping.
It would not be convenient to take the motorhome for the short ride. Similarly, driving on a narrow road or within urban areas can also be challenging.
It is why many people opt to take along an extra set of wheels that they can tow behind their motorhome.
It allows them to set up base at a convenient location, park their motorhome and use their second vehicle to get around or explore the area.
Thus, whenever they want to go to a place within the vicinity of the motorhome, they do not need to pack up all their luggage and leave. They can easily use the second vehicle for the purpose.
How to know if a vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome?
The prevalent perception is you can tow any vehicle behind the motorhome, the weight of which does not exceed the motorhome, but in reality, every car is not suited to be towed behind a motorhome, particularly if you are planning to travel long distances.
You should begin by checking the designated vehicle’s owner’s manual.
If you do not have one, try running a quick search on the internet for the manual to find what you are looking for.
If you are planning to purchase a new vehicle, do some research before you make the purchase.
If you attempt to tow a vehicle that is not designed to be towed, you may damage the vehicle and potentially ruin your entire vacation.
It is also pertinent to remember that different regions have varying restrictions regarding weight and length.
So, if you are planning to tow a vehicle behind your motorhome, and it is your first time travelling to another state, you must find all the relevant regulations before you are on the road.
Another important aspect you must consider is the towing capacity of the motorhome. It is quite a large vehicle, and the engine is already under duress as it is.
It would not be wise to tax it more than its capacity. If you own a small motorhome, it may not be the best idea to consider a huge vehicle for towing. You can find this information in the motorhome’s user manual to get an idea of how much weight you can tow behind it safely.
Ideally, if you want to flat tow a vehicle behind a motorhome, your best bet is rear-wheel-drive vehicles with manual transmission or four-wheel vehicles that can be placed in Neutral, having a manual transfer case.
Some of the most popular vehicles that most motorhome owners prefer are Ram pickups and Jeep Wranglers.
At the same time, some vehicles cannot be flat towed behind a motorhome, and a tow dolly is used to tow them or mounted. This is referred to as Dinghy Towing.
Which vehicles can be towed behind a motorhome
The good news is that you can tow a wide range of vehicles behind a motorhome. You only need to do a bit of research, and if you are about to buy one, it would be sensible to purchase a vehicle with towable characteristics.
We have provided a few recommendations for flat tow vehicles to help you get started. Please note that characteristics and features vary according to the year and model, so make sure you get the right one.
- Jeep Wrangler- As suggested earlier, it comes highly recommended with its six-speed manual and five-speed automatic. The weight is around 4000 pounds.
- Jeep Wrangler Rubicon- The hard rock edition of this one has a curb weight of a little more than 6000 pounds and has a six-speed manual transmission.
- The Ram 1500- With a curb weight of 5300 pounds and an automatic transmission with overdrive, it is quite popular.
- Ford F-150- One of the best-selling vehicles has a curb weight of 4000 to 5700 pounds and has a ten-speed automatic transmission.
- The Fiat 500-The FWD has a curb weight of 2500 pounds and a five-speed manual transmission.
- Chevrolet Spark- Has a five-speed manual transmission and an average curb weight of around 2400 pounds.
- Ford Fusion Hybrid- The model comes with a variable-speed automatic transmission and has an average curb weight of around 3600 pounds.
- Honda CR-V-This 4WD SUV has a five-speed automatic transmission and a maximum curb weight of 3500 pounds.
- Chevy Colorado- Has an eight-speed changeable automatic transmission, while the curb weight is around 4500 pounds.
How can I tow my vehicle behind my motorhome?
Here are a few helpful tips if it is your first time towing a vehicle.
- Make sure you have the right equipment for towing, including a tow package and hitch at the motorhome’s rear.
- If you do not have the equipment, you can install it from a dealer, certified motorhome, or RV mechanic. Do inform them if you plan to dinghy or flat tow the vehicle.
- You can use self-aligning tow bars to adjust driving errors, which is helpful if you tow a heavier vehicle.
- You must also use cross chains while towing. In some places, they are also a requirement. If a bump causes the hitch to loosen, the cross chains come in handy.
- Use the vehicle owner’s manual to check how you can safely tow the vehicle. Some vehicles also have a tow mode to which you may need to set the transmission
- Use a car dolly if your vehicle cannot be flat towed behind a vehicle. Hitch it back to the motorhome and secure your vehicle’s tyres.
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