Yes, you can tow a vehicle behind a motorhome. This practice is commonly known as dinghy towing, towing a car behind an RV, or towing a toad behind motorhome. It’s a popular way to gain personal transportation once you’ve reached your destination. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and essential tips for towing a vehicle behind your motorhome safely and securely. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right vehicle and equipment to the proper setup and driving techniques.
Why Tow a Vehicle?
Towing a vehicle behind your motorhome offers numerous advantages:
- Convenience: Having your car readily available at your campsite or destination eliminates the need to pack up your entire motorhome for short trips to the store, local attractions, or restaurants.
- Exploration: It allows for easier exploration of the surrounding areas at your own pace, without the hassle of finding parking for a large motorhome.
- Flexibility: You can leave your motorhome set up at a campsite and use your towed car for day trips or errands.
- Cost Savings: Over time, it can be more economical than renting a car at every destination.
Key Considerations Before You Tow
Before embarking on your towing journey, several critical factors must be addressed:
1. Motorhome Towing Capacity
This is perhaps the most crucial aspect. Every motorhome has a specific towing capacity motorhome, which is the maximum weight it can safely pull. This information is usually found on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual. Exceeding this limit can be dangerous and lead to loss of control, brake failure, and severe damage to your motorhome.
Action: Always check your motorhome’s Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR). This is the maximum allowable total weight of your motorhome and anything it pulls. Subtract the actual weight of your motorhome from the GCWR to determine the maximum weight of the vehicle you can tow.
2. Towed Vehicle Weight
Similarly, your towed vehicle (often called a “toad” or “dinghy”) has a weight. Ensure the weight of the vehicle you plan to tow does not exceed your motorhome’s towing capacity.
Action: Check the curb weight of the specific vehicle model you intend to tow. Manufacturers typically list this in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or on their website.
3. What Type of Towing is Best?
There are three primary methods for towing a vehicle behind a motorhome:
- Flat Towing (Dinghy Towing): This is the most popular method. The towed vehicle is attached to the motorhome with a tow bar and is towed with all four wheels on the ground.
- Tow Dolly: A two-wheeled trailer that supports the front wheels of the towed vehicle. The rear wheels of the towed vehicle remain on the ground.
- Car Trailer: A full trailer that carries the entire towed vehicle. This is less common for dinghy towing due to the added size and weight.
This guide will focus primarily on flat towing a vehicle and using a tow dolly for motorhome, as these are the most common methods for dinghy towing.
Flat Towing a Vehicle: The Most Common Method
Flat towing is favored for its simplicity and the ability to use the towed vehicle as a regular car at your destination. However, not all vehicles can be flat towed.
What Vehicles Can Be Flat Towed?
The ability to flat tow depends on the transmission and drivetrain of the vehicle.
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Vehicles: Typically, FWD vehicles can be flat towed by disconnecting the driveshaft or removing a fuse that disengages the transmission.
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) Vehicles: Some RWD vehicles can be flat towed, but it’s less common. Often, the transmission needs to be put in neutral, and specific procedures must be followed to prevent damage.
- All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) Vehicles: Many AWD/4WD vehicles cannot be flat towed without modification. Towing them with the drivetrain engaged will likely cause severe transmission damage. Some modern 4WD vehicles have a “neutral tow” or “recreational tow” mode that allows for flat towing.
Action: Crucially, consult your towed vehicle’s owner’s manual. It will explicitly state whether the vehicle is suitable for flat towing and provide the specific procedure. If it’s not mentioned, assume it cannot be flat towed without risk of damage.
Essential RV Towing Accessories for Flat Towing
To flat tow a vehicle safely, you’ll need specific RV towing accessories:
- Tow Bar: This is the primary connection between your motorhome and the towed vehicle. Tow bars come in various styles (e.g., A-frame, telescoping) and are rated for different weight capacities.
- Types of Tow Bars:
- A-Frame: These are rigid and connect directly to a base plate on the towed vehicle. They offer excellent stability.
- Telescoping: These extend and retract, making them easier to store and connect. They are generally more common.
- Weight Capacity: Ensure the tow bar’s weight capacity significantly exceeds the weight of your towed vehicle.
- Types of Tow Bars:
- Base Plate: This is a custom-designed bracket that attaches to the frame of your towed vehicle. It provides a secure mounting point for the tow bar. Base plates are specific to the make, model, and year of your car.
- Importance of a Good Base Plate: A properly installed base plate is critical for the structural integrity of the towing setup.
- Tow Bar Installation: This is a specialized job. The base plate needs to be securely bolted to the towed vehicle’s frame, and the tow bar connects to this. It’s highly recommended to have this done by a professional RV technician or a reputable automotive shop experienced in RV towing. Incorrect tow bar installation can be extremely dangerous.
- Safety Cables or Chains: These are secondary safety devices that connect the towed vehicle to the motorhome. They are a legal requirement in many places and crucial in case of a tow bar failure. They should be rated for the weight of the towed vehicle and crossed under the tow bar.
- Trailer Hitch on Motorhome: Your motorhome needs a properly rated hitch receiver to which the tow bar will connect. Ensure the hitch’s weight rating is sufficient.
Setting Up for Flat Towing
- Prepare the Towed Vehicle:
- Transmission: Place the transmission in the designated towing gear (usually Park for automatic transmissions, or Neutral for manual transmissions, following your vehicle’s manual).
- Parking Brake: Release the parking brake.
- Key in Ignition: Turn the ignition key to the “Accessory” or “On” position (without starting the engine). This is crucial to unlock the steering wheel and disengage steering wheel locks. This also powers the lights and any supplemental braking system.
- Wheels: Ensure the steering wheel is unlocked and the front wheels are pointed straight ahead.
- Connect the Tow Bar:
- Align the motorhome and the towed vehicle.
- Connect the tow bar arms to the base plate on the towed vehicle.
- Secure the tow bar with the appropriate locking pins.
- Connect Safety Cables:
- Attach the safety cables to designated points on the motorhome’s hitch and the towed vehicle’s frame.
- Cross the cables under the tow bar to form an “X” shape. This ensures that if the tow bar fails, the towed vehicle will be supported by the cables and won’t swing wildly.
- Connect Electricals:
- Lighting: You need to ensure the towed vehicle’s lights (brake lights, turn signals, tail lights) function in conjunction with your motorhome’s lights. This is achieved with a wiring harness that connects from the motorhome’s lighting system to the towed vehicle’s lighting system. Common methods include:
- Diode Kit: Installed in the towed vehicle’s wiring, preventing feedback that could damage your motorhome’s electronics.
- Bulb and Socket Kit: Replaces existing bulbs with new ones that are wired to the motorhome.
- Wiring Harness: A dedicated plug-and-play system for many vehicles.
- Supplemental Braking System: This is arguably the most important safety addition when towing a car behind an RV. Without it, your motorhome will have to do all the braking for both vehicles, significantly increasing stopping distances and putting immense strain on your motorhome’s brakes.
- What is a Supplemental Braking System for RV Towing? It’s a system installed in the towed vehicle that applies the towed vehicle’s brakes when you apply the brakes in the motorhome. This drastically improves braking performance and safety.
- Types of Supplemental Braking Systems:
- Proportional Systems: Apply the towed vehicle’s brakes in direct proportion to how hard you press the motorhome’s brakes. These offer the most natural braking feel. Examples include systems from Brake Buddy, Blue Ox, and Demco.
- Air Brake Systems: For motorhomes equipped with air brakes, there are specific systems that tap into the air supply.
- Breakaway System: Most braking systems include a breakaway switch. If the towed vehicle disconnects from the motorhome, this switch activates the towed vehicle’s brakes, bringing it to a controlled stop.
- Installation: Supplemental braking systems require professional installation for optimal performance and safety.
- Lighting: You need to ensure the towed vehicle’s lights (brake lights, turn signals, tail lights) function in conjunction with your motorhome’s lights. This is achieved with a wiring harness that connects from the motorhome’s lighting system to the towed vehicle’s lighting system. Common methods include:
Using a Tow Dolly for Motorhome
A tow dolly for motorhome is a good option if your desired towed vehicle is not suitable for flat towing, or if you prefer not to modify it.
What is a Tow Dolly?
A tow dolly is a small, two-wheeled trailer designed to lift and carry the front wheels of a towed vehicle. The rear wheels of the towed vehicle roll on the ground.
What Vehicles Can Be Towed with a Tow Dolly?
Tow dollies are generally suitable for:
- Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles.
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) vehicles if they can be towed with the rear wheels on the ground. This means the transmission must be in Park (for automatics) or Neutral (for manuals) with the engine off, and the steering wheel unlocked. For RWD vehicles, this is often problematic as the driveshaft still turns the transmission and differential, potentially causing damage even when in neutral.
- Important Note for RWD: Some RWD vehicles require the driveshaft to be disconnected to prevent transmission damage when towing. If this is the case, a tow dolly is not a simple solution.
Action: Always confirm your towed vehicle’s owner’s manual for specific towing instructions. If it states that the rear wheels must be off the ground for towing, or if it prohibits towing with the transmission in neutral, a tow dolly might not be appropriate for that vehicle.
Essential RV Towing Accessories for Tow Dolly Use
- Tow Dolly: Choose a tow dolly with a weight capacity that comfortably exceeds the weight of your towed vehicle.
- Hitch on Motorhome: A properly rated hitch receiver on your motorhome.
- Tow Dolly Lighting Connector: A wiring harness to connect the tow dolly’s lights to your motorhome’s lighting system.
- Safety Chains: To connect the tow dolly to the motorhome.
- Towed Vehicle Straps/Chains: Securely attach the towed vehicle’s front wheels to the dolly.
Setting Up for Tow Dolly Use
- Prepare the Towed Vehicle:
- Transmission: Place the transmission in the correct towing position as per the owner’s manual (usually Park for automatics or Neutral for manuals).
- Parking Brake: Release the parking brake.
- Key in Ignition: Turn the ignition key to the “Accessory” or “On” position to unlock the steering wheel and power any necessary systems.
- Steering Wheel: Unlock the steering wheel.
- Load the Towed Vehicle:
- Drive the towed vehicle onto the tow dolly ramp.
- Align the vehicle with the dolly’s tire tracks.
- Once positioned, apply the towed vehicle’s brakes firmly.
- Secure the Towed Vehicle:
- Use the straps or chains provided with the tow dolly to securely fasten the front wheels of the towed vehicle to the dolly. Ensure they are tight and properly routed to prevent slippage.
- Engage the parking brake on the towed vehicle if recommended by the dolly manufacturer (though typically not recommended as the primary securing method).
- Connect Tow Dolly to Motorhome:
- Back your motorhome up to the tow dolly.
- Connect the tow dolly’s tongue to the motorhome’s hitch receiver.
- Secure the connection with the hitch pin.
- Connect Safety Chains:
- Attach the safety chains from the tow dolly to the motorhome’s hitch. Cross them under the dolly’s tongue.
- Connect Electricals:
- Plug the tow dolly’s lighting harness into your motorhome’s electrical connector.
- Test all lights to ensure they are working correctly.
- Supplemental Braking System: While a tow dolly lifts the front wheels, the rear wheels are still on the ground and will drag. For heavier towed vehicles or for increased safety, a supplemental braking system installed in the towed vehicle is still highly recommended, especially if the dolly itself doesn’t have its own integrated braking system.
Driving with a Towed Vehicle
Driving a motorhome with a towed vehicle requires a different approach to driving.
Adjusting Your Driving Style
- Awareness of Length and Weight: Your overall length and weight have significantly increased. Be mindful of this when turning, changing lanes, and braking.
- Wider Turns: Your motorhome and towed vehicle will track differently. Always take turns wider than you normally would to avoid hitting curbs or obstacles with the towed vehicle.
- Braking Distance: Expect longer braking distances. The supplemental braking system is crucial here. Apply brakes smoothly and anticipate stops well in advance.
- Acceleration: Accelerate gently. Aggressive acceleration can put undue stress on your drivetrain and towing equipment.
- Mirrors: Use your side mirrors constantly to monitor the towed vehicle.
- Road Conditions: Be extra cautious on rough roads, potholes, or uneven surfaces. These can stress the towing setup.
- Backing Up: Backing up with a towed vehicle is significantly more challenging. It’s often easier to disconnect the towed vehicle for maneuvering in tight spaces. If you must back up with it attached, have a spotter and take it extremely slowly.
- Speed Limits: Adhere to any speed restrictions for towing. Often, towing requires driving at a reduced speed.
Pre-Trip Checks are Non-Negotiable
Before every trip, and at regular intervals during your travels, perform a thorough pre-trip inspection.
- Tow Bar Connection: Ensure the tow bar is securely locked into the base plate and hitch receiver.
- Safety Cables/Chains: Verify they are properly attached and crossed.
- Electrical Connections: Check that all lights are functioning correctly.
- Towed Vehicle Setup: Confirm the transmission is in the correct gear, the steering wheel is unlocked, and the parking brake is released (unless specified otherwise).
- Tire Pressure: Check the tire pressure on both the motorhome and the towed vehicle (if applicable).
- Fluid Levels: Ensure all fluid levels in both vehicles are appropriate.
Specific Considerations for Towing a Toad Behind Motorhome
- Steering Wheel Lock: For flat towing, the steering wheel must be unlocked. If your vehicle’s steering wheel locks when the ignition is off, you’ll need to leave the key in the “Accessory” position. Some people install an auxiliary battery or a battery disconnect switch to prevent the towed vehicle’s battery from draining.
- Battery Drain: Leaving the ignition on in the towed vehicle can drain its battery. A common solution is to install a battery charge line from the motorhome to the towed vehicle’s battery. This ensures the towed vehicle’s battery stays charged while you’re driving.
- Towing a Manual Transmission Vehicle: Manual transmissions are often easier to flat tow. Typically, you just put them in neutral, unlock the steering wheel, and you’re good to go. Always verify your specific vehicle’s manual.
- Towing an Automatic Transmission Vehicle: Automatics require careful consideration. Some modern automatics have a “neutral tow” setting. Others may require disconnection of the driveshaft.
- Towing a 4WD/AWD Vehicle: As mentioned, this is the most complex. If your 4WD/AWD vehicle has a “neutral tow” mode, follow the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. If not, you may need to disconnect the driveshaft or use a trailer.
- Towing Capacity vs. Tow Bar Rating: Always ensure your tow bar and base plate are rated for at least the weight of your towed vehicle, and that this weight is well within your motorhome’s towing capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I tow any vehicle behind my motorhome?
A1: No, not all vehicles are suitable for towing. You must check your towed vehicle’s owner’s manual to confirm it can be flat towed or towed with a tow dolly. Also, ensure the towed vehicle’s weight is within your motorhome’s towing capacity.
Q2: What is the difference between flat towing and using a tow dolly?
A2: Flat towing involves towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, connected by a tow bar. A tow dolly lifts the front wheels of the towed vehicle, while the rear wheels remain on the ground.
Q3: Is a supplemental braking system mandatory for RV towing?
A3: While not always legally mandated everywhere, a supplemental braking system is highly recommended for safety. It significantly improves braking performance and reduces strain on your motorhome’s brakes.
Q4: How do I connect the lights of the towed vehicle?
A4: You’ll need a wiring harness that connects your motorhome’s lighting system to the towed vehicle’s lighting system. This often involves a diode kit or a specific wiring harness for your towed vehicle.
Q5: Will towing a vehicle affect my motorhome’s fuel economy?
A5: Yes, towing any vehicle will reduce your motorhome’s fuel economy. The amount of reduction depends on the weight of the towed vehicle and your driving habits.
Q6: What happens if I don’t unlock the steering wheel when flat towing?
A6: If the steering wheel is locked, the towed vehicle will not follow the motorhome correctly. This can cause it to wobble, drag, or even tear itself apart, leading to a dangerous loss of control.
Q7: How do I know if my motorhome can tow a specific vehicle?
A7: Check your motorhome’s owner’s manual or the sticker on the driver’s door jamb for its towing capacity (GCWR and maximum towing weight). Then, find the curb weight of the vehicle you intend to tow and ensure it’s less than the available towing capacity.
By carefully considering these factors and using the right RV towing accessories, you can confidently and safely enjoy the freedom of exploring your destinations with your towed vehicle. Always prioritize safety and consult your vehicle and equipment manuals. Happy travels!