A Guide To Towing A Vehicle Using Your Motorhome
On your next motorhome vacation, why not bring along your car? This allows you to pick up groceries from the store, take an unpaved road to a trail head, and make a more fuel-efficient drive to the nearby tourist attraction. There are plenty of perks to having a smaller vehicle at the campground so that you won't be stuck driving a massive motorhome everywhere.
Use the following motorhome towing guide to ensure a successful and safe road trip. If you have any questions or want to shop motorhomes for sale, chat with the experts at Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. We are a family owned and family operated dealership based in Concord, North Carolina, and we also serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem.
1. Make Sure Your Motorhome Is Capable Of Towing
The first step is determining whether your motorhome can tow the vehicle.
Figure Out The Necessary Weight Ratings
First, find out the curb weight. This is the full weight of your vehicle and should be located in the door jam sticker.
Next, look up the max gross trailer weight. This is the amount that the hitch can handle, which should be located on a sticker on the hitch.
Then, find out the gross vehicle weight rating. This is the weight that the motorhome can handle before you add a vehicle, which is essentially the weight of your passengers and cargo.
Finally, look up the gross combined weight rating. This is the maximum weight of the motorhome and the vehicle being towed.
Do Some Math
Once you've gathered up the relevant numbers, it's time to compare them.
Start by making sure that the vehicle you want to tow doesn't exceed the max gross trailer weight limit.
Next, check that the weight of your passengers and cargo won't exceed the gross vehicle weight rating.
Finally, verify that the motorhome and vehicle weights are within the gross combined weight rating limits.
Pick The Right Towing Method For Your Motorhome
Once you've confirmed that you can safely tow a vehicle, it's time to pick the towing method. The options vary in their price point and complexity. There is no 'right' answer, just the answer that is right for you.
Enclosed And Flatbed Trailers
This option offers the greatest flexibility. Trailers can tow manual and automatic vehicles. They can also handle other types of cargo, such as powersports vehicles or kayaks. This versatility helps give you better bang for your buck. Plus, you won't need to alter your vehicle in order to use this motorhome towing option.
The main downside for this approach, however, is the cost. Enclosed or flatbed trailers will cost significantly more than the other towing options. They are also heavier, which means it'll affect the motorhome's fuel efficiency more.
Tow Dollies
A tow dolly is a much smaller trailer that only has two wheels. During the towing process, two of your vehicle's wheels will be off the ground and two of them will be on the road. Any vehicle can be towed by this method.
Keep in mind that some states will require a license to operate a tow dolly. It will also be harder to break and turn effectively when using a tow dolly.
Tow Bars
This towing method is quick and easy to use. But it can only be used for vehicles with manual transmissions and four-wheel drive. It also requires the installation of a towing plate which is often best left to professionals.
We hope you enjoyed this motorhome towing guide. For more travel advice or to shop motorhomes for sale, talk to the friendly staff at Golden Gait Trailers & RVs. We are a specialty trailer and luxury RV dealer that can also offer customized projects. Whatever you need, we are here to make it happen. Explore our inventory online or stop by our dealership in Concord, North Carolina. We are also proud to serve those in Charlotte and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.