Dinghy towing opens new vistas while on the road

Having a car that you can pull with your RV opens new vistas to the camping lifestyle. No longer are you restricted to staying within the boundaries of a campground, nor are you dependent on public transportation, rental cars or cabs to visit local attractions or stores.

A tow dolly presents some challenges.

There are many cars that can be towed with four wheels on the ground. It is the most convenient, and the least problematic. Vehicles that cannot be pulled behind an RV, however, can be transported on trailers or with a two-wheel tow dolly. Keep in mind, however, that some campgrounds disallow trailers of any kind on their property. You will have to store your tow unit elsewhere.

The car's back wheels are on the ground with a tow dolly. While this type of hauling works and is convenient, there are challenges. The rear tires of the car get worn faster than those in front. Stopping the RV, too, can be difficult.

Flat towing eliminates many dilemmas. One needs only to hook up the car to the back of the RV and off you go. Flat towing keeps the tires on the car balanced. It also is more efficient, and thus uses less gas, because the car is moving on its own with a little tugging rather than having the RV pull the car that is on a dolly or trailer. Just how much more fuel your RV will burn while towing a car is open to conjecture. It's safe to assume that between one and five miles per gallon is lost, depending on the type of the RV.

Many cars can be flat towed, but some models work better than others. Most tend to be smaller cars, such as Saturn models or certain Toyotas. SUVs, with the exception of some Jeep models, require a bit more work to set up but can be flat towed as well. The Ford Motor Company has a listing of the cars they recommend for "four wheel down" towing. Visit www.ford.com/towingguides/

Any vehicle with manual transmission can be flat towed. Also, four wheel drive vehicles tend to do better than front or rear-wheel drive cars. Be sure to look at your vehicle's manual before you try to flat tow your car.


The following are some tips to make towing your vehicle a pleasure instead of a chore:

•Make sure your RV can handle the load. Consult your owner's manual or dealership with any questions.

•Do not leave your steering wheel locked. Turn the key off or on, or use the center point, called the "I" point. In some vehicles set the key in Accessory mode. In cars such as the Chevrolet HHR you must remove a fuse so the car's battery does not deplete during a trip.
 
•Look for accessories to convert non-four wheel drive cars to work for flat towing. They are worth the cost because they will allow you to tow your car safely.

Flat-towing your car can be done safely and easily if you are careful about following manufacturer instructions and keeping your car and motor home, as well as towing gear, in good shape.

View the video below for more information about towing a vehicle behind an RV.