Your Easy Guide to Flat Towing a Car with an RV

von Rechel

Let’s Start!

Do you love going on trips with your RV? Do you want to take your little car with you? With flat towing, you can bring your car along easily! Let me show you how, step by step.

What is Flat Towing?

Flat towing is also called 4-down towing oder dinghy towing. This means we pull a car with all four wheels on the ground. RVers love it. You don’t need a big trailer or a tow dolly. The car follows behind your Motorhome. It’s easy and fast!

Other ways to tow a car are with a tow dolly (front wheels up) or a car carrier trailer (all wheels up). Flat towing is simple and more fun!

Can My Car Be Flat Towed?

Not all cars can be flat towed. First, look in your owner’s manual. You need to see if your car is flat towable. Some cars with manual transmission can be towed, others with automatic transmission cannot. The drivetrain matters too (FWD, RWD, AWD, oder 4×4).

Check these steps:

  • Look for “flat towing” or “recreational towing” in your manual.
  • Ask your Händler or car manufacturer for help.
  • Some good cars to flat tow are: Jeep Wrangler, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford F-150.

Remember: If you try to tow a car that cannot be flat towed, you might hurt the Getriebe oder transfer case!

What Equipment Do I Need?

Sie brauchen das Richtige equipment to keep your trip sicher und fun. Hier sind die must-haves:

Tow Bar

Die tow bar links your RV and your car. There are many types, like A-frame oder ready brake. Pick one that matches your car’s weight!

Base Plate

Die base plate hooks the tow bar onto your car’s frame. It is made for your car.

Supplemental Braking System

Laws say you need a braking system for towing. It helps stop your towed vehicle safely. Many places also make you use a breakaway switch.

Safety Chains

These are the backup. If something breaks, the car stays attached to your RV. Always use them!

Towing Lights

You need extra brake lights und turn signals for your towed car. You can use magnetic tow lights 11. oder einen wiring harness.

Step-by-Step: Set Up For Flat Towing

Here’s how to do it:

  • Park your RV und dinghy car on a level spot.
  • Install the base plate on the car.
  • Connect the tow bar zum base plate.
  • Attach both safety chains.
  • Hook up the lighting system.
  • Set up the supplemental braking system und dem breakaway switch.
  • Set the car’s transmission or transfer case to neutral. Look in the manual. For 4×4, use the right transfer case setting.
  • Unlock the steering wheel (sometimes needs the key).
  • Remove fuses oder disconnect the battery 28. Tragen Sie Handschuhe und räumen Sie Spills oder Lecks auf.
  • Check tire pressure.
  • Double-check every connection! One missed step can cause trouble.

    Drive Safe with Flat Towing

    Before you leave, always do a Vor- Fahrtprüfung machen:

    • Check all towing equipment.
    • Look at tire pressure.
    • Be sure the car’s in neutral.

    Tips for the Road:

    • Notice your RV is longer and heavier now. Give yourself more braking distance.
    • Machen wide turns.
    • Never try to back up with a car on flat tow.
    • Watch speed limits and roads signs.
    • Verwenden Sie Spiegel an 11. oder einen camera system to watch your car.
    • Stop and check all links often.

    How to Disconnect

    When you reach your stop:

  • Find a flat place.
  • Stop the RV.
  • Unlink the tow bar.
  • Entfernen safety chains und lights.
  • Take care of the braking system.
  • Return all settings or parts on your car (replace fuses oder reconnect the battery if needed).
  • Watch for Problems

    If not done right, flat towing may cause:

    • Transmission damage if car is not in right gear
    • Tire or steering wear
    • Braking issues
    • Squealing noises or wandering

    Prevention Tip: Follow each step and always check the owner’s manual. Use only strong, well-made equipment from trusted companies. Get help if you hear new sounds or feel problems.

    Which Is Best: Flat Towing, Tow Dolly, or Trailer?

    Let’s see a chart:

    Way to TowFlat TowingTow DollyCar Carrier Trailer
    Setup TimeQuickestSchnellLongest
    Storage NeededKeineStore dollyStore big trailer
    Car WearTires, maybe drive partsTires onlyKeine
    Backing UpDon’t do it!SchwerEasiest
    Kosten$1,900-$4,200+$1,200-$2,000+$2,500-$6,000+
    Fits My Car?Needs manual checkFits most FWD/RWDFits almost any car
    Brakes Needed?JaMaybeJa

    Look at your needs. Flat towing is fastest and most fun if your car is approved. Let’s see more about our Autotransport vehicles!

    Laws and Safety Rules

    Always check your Bundesstaatsgesetze. Most places need a supplemental braking system und safety chains. Make sure your whole setup is within the weight limit of your RV und dem towing equipment. Stay safe!

    Easy Maintenance Tips

    Check:

    • Tow bar und base plate oft.
    • All connections before and after you tow.
    • Follow your car’s manuelle for care.
    • Keep all papers and weight ratings.

    Bei CLW-GRUPPE we build strong, safe, and fully customized vehicles. We offer Fahrzeugauslieferung, after-sales Hilfeund technischen Beratungsleistungen to keep your trips easy!

    See our big line of trucks and towing tools on the 8. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1901). Find Wasserspeicherwagen, cement mixing trucks, und mehr!

    Warum die CLW GROUP?

    Conclusion: Enjoy the Freedom!

    Flat towing lets you explore more. With your RV und dinghy car, the world opens up. Make every trip safe and fun.

    Trust CLW-GRUPPE for all your Autotransport and flat towing needs. We help you every mile!

    Referenzen:

  • Your Owner’s Manual (Look for “Flat Towing” or “Dinghy Towing”)
  • CLW GROUP Official Website
  • State Towing Laws (Check local rules before you go!)
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