Owning an RV is like unlocking the gates to a world of endless possibilities! There’s just nothing quite like hitting the road, wind in your hair, and the open highway calling your name.

You become the master of your destiny, traveling far and wide, witnessing the most breathtaking landscapes that Mother Nature has to offer. From the rolling hills and majestic mountains to serene riversides, you’ll find yourself captivated by the beauty that surrounds you.

And let’s not forget the freedom of camping wherever your heart desires. No need to fuss over accommodation or reservations. You’ve got your cozy little home-on-wheels, and that’s all you need to embrace the true essence of exploration.

But hey, even the most intrepid travelers face their fair share of challenges. One problem that often plagues RVers is the impromptu need to dash into town for some quick shopping or to explore the heart of a bustling city. Now, let’s be real—navigating a massive motorhome through those narrow, twisty roads can be quite the headache!

So, what’s the savvy adventurer’s secret? How do you keep the good times rolling without turning into a frustrated map wrestler? 

Well, this is where your personal car comes in. Sure, a smaller car might seem like an afterthought, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. Need to pop out for some groceries or explore the charming town nearby? No problem! Just hop into your compact vehicle, and you’re free as a bird. Yet, I can hear you wondering, “Can a car even fit into an RV?” Good question!

Now, here comes the solution: towing! It’s easier than you think – simply attach your car to the back of your RV, and you’ve got your trusty steed right there with you. I mean, imagine the convenience! You’re hauling your home-on-wheels while bringing your nifty little car along for all those short trips and explorations.

You’ve probably seen those RVs on the road, gracefully towing their accompanying car. It’s a sight to behold! But, and this is crucial, you need to know the rules of the road when towing another vehicle. Safety first, after all. Following these guidelines will ensure smooth sailing and prevent any pesky mishaps along the way.

What are the Motorhome Towing Options?

There are two possible options for towing a vehicle behind your RV. And as you would expect, they both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you’ll find both to be pretty efficient.

• Trailering: Trailering, in this context, is the process of dragging a car behind your RV with two dollies and four-wheeled trailers. This method has been utilized for longer and is pretty effective as long as the weight of the car and the towing equipment does not exceed the recommended RV towing capacity. This is not usually a significant problem as the towing capacity is quite high. However, the main challenge with this tow option is finding a space at campsites for the relatively large towing equipment. Also, you will find these two dollies to be expensive to buy and maintain.
• Flat Towing: Also known as dinghy towing, the option is the direct alternative to the trailer towing system. It involves attaching the smaller vehicle to the back of the RV using a tow bar and dragging it along. Unlike trailering, where the vehicle is placed on a trailer, this system allows it to roll along on its own. This RV towing option eliminates the concerns of the other method since it doesn’t require any dolly. However, you must note that not all vehicles are primed for flat towing; flat towing the wrong vehicle can cause significant damage.

Which Cars can be Flat Towed Behind an RV?

If you’ve done your homework, you probably know that flat towing is the bee’s knees when it comes to bringing your car along on this epic journey. But there’s a hitch – because not all cars are cut out for this type of towing, and here’s the lowdown on why that is.

You see, flat towing is like a match made in heaven for manual transmission vehicles and a select few with rare wheel drives. Back in the day, when most cars were controlled manually, flat towing was the undisputed champ for RV adventures. But oh boy, things have changed. Nowadays, there’s been a skyrocketing increase in cars with continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drives, which has sadly narrowed down the list of flat-towable cars.

Here’s the deal: CVT vehicles just can’t handle being flat towed without throwing a tantrum. It’s a no-go, trust me. Doing so would only end up damaging their delicate controller or transmission, and nobody wants that kind of trouble on a dream road trip.

Now, hold your horses! Not all automatic vehicles are entirely off the table for dinghy towing. Some can still rock it on all fours. The catch is, figuring out which ones are suitable can be a bit of a puzzle. Take the formidable Toyota Land Cruiser, for example. At first glance, it might seem like the perfect candidate for flat towing, but truth be told, it won’t last long being dragged around like that. Poor thing! And it’s not just Toyota’s automatics; Lexus and a few other brands share the same fate – they’re simply not eligible for flat towing behind an RV.

Why Can’t You Tow CVT Vehicles?

You might think the simple answer is that they are automatically controlled, but hold on tight, because there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

CVT vehicles, like your Toyota, is a well-oiled machine, quite literally! Inside it, there’s a magical continuous pump action going on. Why? Well, it’s not just about showing off its hydraulic power; it’s all about keeping those precious transmission parts lubricated. Just like how you need a sip of water to keep going on a hot day, these vehicles need their lubey goodness to stay in tip-top shape.

Here’s where it gets interesting. This pump action isn’t like your average party trick—it needs a little kickstart. And when does it come to life? You guessed it! When the engine is running. Makes sense, right? But what happens when you’re flat towing and the engine decides to take a well-deserved break?

Ah, that’s when things can get a bit risky. You see, flat towing means your driving wheels are rolling along and turning the driveshaft, but the engine is snoozing, enjoying some downtime. Unfortunately, without that engine running, the transmission pump is like, “Hey, where’s the action? I need some juice!” And that’s when trouble might strike.

Without the lubrication, the transmission parts start to suffer. We’re talking about potential damage here, and that’s not something you want to deal with after an otherwise fantastic road trip, right?

So, the smart folks behind the scenes at Toyota made sure to design their continuously variable transmission vehicles to avoid this sticky situation. When you’re flat towing, it’s better to play it safe and use a dolly or a trailer instead. That way, you keep that pump action pumping, and your transmission can happily stay lubed up, ready for the next adventure!

How to Know If Your Car can be Flat Towed

Imagine you’re all set for a fun road trip, and you’ve got your trusty car ready to roll. But wait, you’re thinking of towing it “dinghy style” behind your RV. Now, you want to make sure you’re doing it right and not causing any harm to your precious ride, right?

Well, the golden ticket to ensuring your car is good to go for dinghy towing is none other than the manufacturer’s manual. Yep, that little book of wisdom holds the key to all your towing questions. It’s like a treasure map, guiding you away from potential troubles. 

Of course, we’ve all been in situations where that magical manual seems to vanish into thin air. Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Remember this: dinghy towing is best suited for cars with rare wheel drives, four-wheel drives, or good old manual transmission. Those rides are the real MVPs when it comes to dinghy towing, no doubt about it.

But here’s the kicker – not just any car can handle the dinghy style. If you go rogue and tow the wrong set of wheels, you might be in for some unwelcome surprises. Nobody wants their car to throw a tantrum halfway through the journey, right?

Unless you’re armed with some fancy aftermarket add-ons, that is. Now, these aren’t your everyday accessories. Think of them as upgrades that alter your car’s functionality to handle the towing magic. The heroes of this story are the driveshaft decoupler and the external transmission pump. They work together, making sure everything’s lubricated and smooth for automatic parts.

But, here’s the catch – these add-ons might dig a little deeper into your pockets compared to regular car accessories. So, while they’re worth their weight in gold for the dinghy towing experience, they might require a bit more love and care in terms of maintenance.

Expert Flat Towing Tips

Flat towing is a much easier way to bring your car along on an RV vacation. However, it can only be effective when it is done right. Here are some expert tips to help ensure you are flat towing your car correctly.

• When flat towing a car long distance, you must stop between intervals to run the engine to get the transmission system lubricated.
• Vehicles with steering lock must be switched to ignition before flat towing to release the steering and allow the front wheels to turn.
• You might be required to equip the towed car with an auxiliary brake system that works in unison with the RVs brake system to avoid collisions.
• Do not assume, and remember to check the manufacturer’s manual whenever you are in doubt.

Conclusion

Flat towing makes it easier to bring along a car with which to run errands and go on excursions during your RV vacation. However, you must know how the process works to avoid causing damage to either of the vehicles.