Though your motorhome has a drivetrain and doesn’t need a tow vehicle, you might want to take your car along on some trips. Having your car with you allows you to run small errands or head to areas that might be too small for your motorhome to pass through. If you want to visit friends or relatives who live in bustling areas, you’ll appreciate having your car with you.
To help you use your motorhome to safely tow your car, we at Trailer Source have compiled this easy-to-follow guide. If you need professional motorhome maintenance before your next trip, contact our service department and we’ll whip your vehicle into shape in no time. If you’re looking for motorhome parts and service in Colorado Springs or Denver, get in touch with us at your convenience.
Prepping for Towing
The first thing you have to do is see if your motorhome can tow your vehicle because not all cars will be compatible with your motorhome. There are numerous weights you’ll need to check before attempting to tow your car. In the door jam of your vehicle you’ll find a sticker with the curb weight of your vehicle, which means its full weight.
The max gross trailer weight lets you know how much weight the hitch can bear; this will be listed on the sticker on your hitch. The gross vehicle weight rating shows you how much weight the RV can handle (supplies and passengers) before you hitch anything. The gross combined weight rating tells you the maximum weight of the RV and the towed vehicle.
Make sure your vehicle weight doesn’t exceed the max gross trailer weight limit. Remember not to overpack your motorhome and thus exceed the gross vehicle weight rating. Finally, you need to make sure your vehicle and RV weights are within the boundaries of the gross combined weight rating. It’s crucial that your weights fit within the designated limits. These boundaries are there for a reason. They minimize damage to your vehicles and keep you safe on the road.
Ways of Towing
If you need to tow your car with your motorhome, there are a few ways you can accomplish this, which range in their cost and complexity. The best option depends on your personal preference.
Tow Dollies
This is basically a small two-wheel trailer. Two of the wheels are off the ground when it’s used to transport your vehicle. While this method can be used by any vehicle, some states do require you to have a license to operate it. This method will keep your load stable but turning and braking require some practice to get the hang of.
Tow Bars
If you want to use this method, you’ll have to modify the tow vehicle with a towing plate. You probably won’t be able to do this yourself so have a professional make the adjustments for you. After the installation, this is a quick and easy-to-use option but only cars with manual transmissions and four-wheel drive can use this option.
Enclosed & Flatbed Trailers
This is the most versatile option as it can be used by any type of vehicle, whether with manual or automatic transmission. You also don’t have to modify your vehicle to use this option. An additional perk is that you can carry more cargo than just your car if need be. The downside to this method is it’s the most expensive and the heaviest choice.
We hope this guide helps you figure out how you want to tow your car. If you need more information or you want professional service for your motorhome in Colorado, contact Trailer Source and have a chat with our expert staff. We’re glad to be the chosen motorhome dealer for our patrons from Colorado Springs or Denver.
