Guide to Towing a Car Behind an RV
RVing is a popular way to tour the country and get to know the area. When you travel around in an RV, you have the freedom to explore and check out the places you want. However, you may want to bring another vehicle with you on your travels because RVs are large and inconvenient in some scenarios.
Before choosing the vehicle you want to tow behind your RV, you must consider a few things. Otherwise, you could be in a dangerous situation and destroy your vehicle.
Please continue reading to learn everything you need about towing a car behind an RV. We will discuss the vehicle’s weight, the best way to pull the vehicle, and if your RV has enough capacity and power to tow a vehicle.
Equipment Required to Tow the Car Behind the RV
You’ll need a few basics to tow a car behind an RV. The following are equipment necessities if you want to tow any vehicle behind your RV. It doesn’t matter which towing method you follow; this equipment applies to any situation.
1. Trailer Hitch
Most RVs already have a built-in trailer hitch. However, it would help if you double-checked to ensure this is the case. Sometimes, you need to add your trailer hitch to your RV because not every RV comes with one.
Check your RV’s towing capacity and the weight of the vehicle you want to tow. Unfortunately, not every trailer hitch is built equally, so you must check the numbers before attempting to tow a car.
2. Electrical Connections
Every towing method requires a wired connection from the coach to the trailer. This electrical connection requires your turn signals, brake lights, and license plate lights. If you plan to drive legally, you need these electrical connections when you tow a car behind your RV.
You should never tow a car behind your RV without connecting the lights. This situation is illegal and a massive safety hazard for everybody on the road.
3 Ways of Towing a Car Behind an RV
You can choose to tell a car behind an RV using flat towing, trailer towing, or dolly towing. Each method is an effective way to tow a car behind an RV, but you may prefer a specific method better. Below, we will discuss each towing method so you can choose which one you like best.
1. Flat Towing
Flat towing allows the vehicle’s four wheels to remain on the ground while it pulls behind your RV. You need a tow bar and a base plate to flat tow a vehicle. You may also consider adding a supplemental braking system to increase safety measures.
There are some vehicles that you cannot flat tow behind your RV, so you’ll need to research to ensure your vehicle is eligible for this method. Otherwise, you could cause great damage to your vehicle and cost yourself expensive repairs.
Many people prefer flat towing over any other towing method and consider it the gold standard. However, this method is more expensive than dolly towing, so it’s not a great option if you have a tight budget.
2. Trailer Towing
The most expensive way to tow your vehicle behind your RV is by using a trailer. A trailer will completely enclose your vehicle, protecting it from the elements. This is a fantastic way to avoid cosmetic and transmission damage to the vehicle you tow behind your RV.
Another downside of trailer towing and some RVs cannot accommodate the weight of an additional trailer. You will need to check your owner’s manual to determine how much weight your RV can accommodate. If you attempt to tow too much weight behind your RV, you could cause permanent damage to the vehicle.
Finding a spot to put your trailer tower can also be inconvenient when you reach your campsite. However, this is the best method if you’re looking for something that will protect your vehicle from weather damage
3. Dolly Towing
The dolly towing method is when two of your car’s front wheels remain on the dolly while the other two stay on the road. This is the most affordable method because it requires the least equipment. Also, purchasing a dolly is more affordable than purchasing the equipment for flat towing.
However, Dolly towing is heavier than flat towing, so you’ll need to check your owner’s manual and consult your RV’s weight requirements. Please do not attempt to tow too much weight behind your RV because it will cause significant transmission damage.
Tips For Purchasing a Vehicle for RV Towing
Manual transmissions used to be the standard for vehicles, but now automatic transmissions are the popular option. This means towing vehicles behind an RV is more difficult than it used to be.
You must research your vehicle before purchasing it to ensure you can tow it. Consider the following situations before purchasing a car to tow behind your RV:
● Decide which type of car best fits your purpose.
● Before buying a car for flat towing, you should have the car’s owner’s manual.
● Check the vehicle’s towability.
There are some cars you cannot flat tow because you can’t connect them properly using electrical wires. When purchasing your daily driver, you may not consider these aspects beforehand, only to find out you can’t tow your car behind your RV.
How To Safely Tow Your RV
Using the wrong towing method for your RV could cause transmission damage that you can’t repair. If you want to be extra careful, you should tow a vehicle in an RV trailer if your RV can accommodate the weight. Check your car manufacturer’s website for more information about your vehicle to ensure you can tow it safely.
Final Thoughts
It would be best to tow a car behind your RV during long trips to ensure you have an easy time getting around the city. Otherwise, you may have difficulty parking your RV at certain locations you want to visit. Follow our guide to pick a good vehicle to tow behind your RV and find the best towing method for your situation.
Choose the best towing method to accommodate your situation and a great vehicle before your RV trip. If you’re purchasing a vehicle to tow behind your RV, you should check the owner’s manual and vehicle’s website to ensure this vehicle is safe for towing
