You’ve got your RV ready to go for your next trip. But this time, instead of staying at your camper, you’re planning on daily excursions that will lead you off the beaten path of your campground.
To avoid packing up the RV every morning (and having to relevel it again when you get back), you may have decided to bring a different vehicle along (also known as an RV toad). That way you can get up and go in the morning, hassle-free.
So, what’s next? You’ll need to look into how to tow a vehicle behind your RV.
You may not have a car hauler–or you might not like the idea of risking extra wear and tear on your back tires by using a tow dolly. And from what you’ve seen, flat towing is the easiest way to tow a vehicle behind your RV.
But what vehicles are best suited for flat towing? Could you use your normal vehicle? Or do you need to buy a different one? What are the best flat tow vehicles?
Key Takeaways
- Flat towing is a safe method of towing a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
- Flat towing a vehicle incorrectly can ruin your transmission.
- Not all vehicles can be flat towed.
What Is Flat Towing?
Flat towing, alternatively referred to as dinghy towing, recreational towing, or four down, involves tethering your vehicle to your RV so that it’s being towed with all four wheels on the ground.
A flat tow allows you to park your RV at your chosen campsite and leave it there for the duration of your stay. Instead of breaking camp, you can drive your regular vehicle to your daily excursions and save on time and fuel.
Can All Cars Be Flat Towed?
No, not all cars can be flat towed. Before towing a car behind an RV, consult your owner’s manual or vehicle manufacturer for appropriate settings and procedures. You’ll need to know the tow vehicle’s GVWR in order to determine how big of a vehicle (or “toad”) you can safely flat tow.
Flat towing a vehicle equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is NOT recommended, as it may cause damage to the transmission. So, check your owner’s manual for procedures before you try to flat tow it behind an RV.
What Vehicles Can Be Flat Towed?
Manual transmission vehicles can all be towed as long as you put the car in neutral. But, as mentioned, not all automatic transmissions can be towed that way.
Some of the most popular vehicles for flat towing are the Jeep Wrangler, Chevrolet Colorado, and Ford F-Series. SUVs can be flat towed as well, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Dodge Durango AWD, the Chevrolet Spark, and the Nissan 370Z.
Check out our guide to the best toads for RV towing for more information on towing-friendly vehicles!
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is the off-road enthusiast’s choice, thanks to its straightforward towing setup and its ability to go anywhere. It weighs 4,012 lbs and has a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs. A Jeep Wrangler could be your ticket to plenty of off-road adventures coupled, all thanks to the convenience of flat towing.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is a classic toad because of its ample cargo space for groceries, coolers, and chairs. It also has additional seating and a higher towing capacity than most Wranglers. So you can haul your family and your toys.
If your RV toad will also do its fair share of towing, The Grand Cherokee weighs 4,200 lbs and can tow 6,200 lbs.
Ford F-Series
If you need a heavy-duty truck where you’re traveling, then the Ford F-Series is a great option. Models like the F-150, F-250, and F-350 4WD models, are renowned for their heavy-duty towing capabilities. In fact, they’re usually recommended for towing travel trailers.
But they’re also still suitable for flat towing behind larger RVs. Weight and towing capacity varies, but the F-150 starts at 4,275 lbs and its base towing capacity is 6,010 lbs.
Trucks offer functionality and cargo space. Whether it’s for work or play, having a truck that can be flat-towed offers the best of both worlds in utility and towability.
Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevrolet Colorado is another popular choice due to its mid-size truck power. Having the truck bed can be helpful when needing to stow additional gear.
The base weight of the Chevrolet Colorado is 3,985-4,435 lbs, making it a manageable option for flat towing behind an RV, and it can tow 3,500 lbs.
Something to remember about trucks is that they’re heavier than most cars or SUVs–not to mention, not as aerodynamic. That means your fuel efficiency could suffer on a long trip.
Chevrolet Spark
If you’re looking to buy a car to use exclusively as your towed car, then the Chevrolet Spark is an economical option. The Spark is a subcompact car with stellar fuel efficiency. And with a base weight of 2,246 pounds, it can be towed behind small RVs like a Class C motorhome.
Nissan 370 Z
You travel in style. And you like the feel of a good sports car. But not a lot of recent sports cars can be flat towed. Lucky for you, the Nissan 370Z is one of the few that can. The 370Z has a base weight of 3,245 lbs, and while it has been discontinued, you can find certified pre-owned dealers.
Dodge Durango AWD
The Dodge Durango AWD is the most versatile vehicle on this list. Weighing in at 4,884 lbs, it can carry up to seven passengers, has several configurations to fit your gear, and can tow up to 8,700 lbs. Oh and don’t forget the four-wheel drive. So for the ultimate family adventure vehicle, the Dodge Durango is a great choice.
What to Consider When Choosing a Flat Tow Vehicle
Several factors influence your ideal flat-towed vehicles.
Factor #1: Cost
There are several options that can fit every budget. But when it comes to budget-friendly choices, you can’t beat zero!
So look into using your personal car. First check your owner’s manual. See if your personal car can be flat towed. If it can, then congratulations! You just saved thousands of dollars. But if you’re looking to buy a vehicle exclusively for when you go camping, then stay tuned, we have some options for you.
Factor #2: Intended Use
When you get to where you’re going, what are you planning to use your vehicle for?
- Is this vehicle for going to and from the store?
- Do you need it to haul your toys when you get there?
- Is it for carrying people around?
- Are you planning to take it offroad?
Factor #3: Space Requirements
Do you have space in your garage for another vehicle? If you only intend to use this as your towed vehicle, then you may need to find a place nearby to store it with your RV when you’re not using it.
Factor #4: Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Vehicles
Manual transmissions are easy to flat-tow, but you have to know how to drive them. Automatics are also easy to drive, but not all automatics can be flat-towed.
Factor #4: Towing Capacities
When you get to your destination, will your vehicle need to tow things like jet skis or four-wheelers? If so, then you need your towed vehicle to also be able to haul vehicles.
Factor #5: Vehicle Weights
You need to know how much your tow vehicle weighs and how much additional weight can your RV tow. Evaluating towing capacity and vehicle weight can help with a secure flat towing experience while avoiding possible complications.
Modifying Your Vehicle for Flat-Towing
If your vehicle isn’t featured on our list of top-recommended models, there are certain modifications you can make to make your vehicle safe for flat-towing.
This modification process will vary slightly from car to car, so consult your owner’s manual. Each vehicle has a similar process, but the particulars are different.
To flat tow a vehicle, there are three things you’ll need to add to your setup: a tow bar, a base plate system, and safety cables.
#1: Base Plate System
Your base plate is a bracket that connects to the underside of the front of your vehicle. You need to pay special attention to the manufacturer’s instructions for how to safely install it on your vehicle.
#2: Tow Bar
The tow bar is more than just a bar. It’s the apparatus that connects from the base plate to the towing RV. This is what prevents your toad from swaying back and forth or running into your RV while being towed.
#3: Safety Cables
Safety cables are your fail-safe. If something goes wrong with your tow bar or base late and they fail, your safety cables keep your vehicle connected so you have time to get to the side of the road and stop. Hopefully, you have time to do that without causing an accident.
Warning: If your vehicle is NOT recommended for flat towing, you can take it to the dealership for expensive upgrades and modifications that will allow you to flat tow it. HOWEVER, if the modifications are not done correctly, you risk serious damage to your vehicle.
Summary
When your road trip comes to an end, you’ll need a place to store your RV – at least until your next big RVing adventure.
But if you want your rig to be ready for the next big trip – and not riddled with maintenance issues that can delay the fun – you want to store your RV properly.
If you store it on your driveway or RV pad, you risk exterior damage from sun and storms. But where can you find covered or enclosed RV storage in your area?
Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV storage marketplace that offers RV storage up to 50% cheaper than traditional storage options.
With Neighbor, you can find RV storage options in all 50 states. You’ll even find storage spaces in your very own neighborhood. Find listings (from pre-screened hosts) nearest you!
