Read This Before Towing a Car Behind Your RV
Whether you own an RV or you’ve rented an RV for your road trip, you’re ready for a memorable vacation. However, you want to bring your car along for the ride. After all, your car can get to places your RV can’t. Plus, you can reduce wear and tear on your RV if you have your car around to handle short trips.
You could have somebody drive the car alongside your RV. But that option isn’t available to solo travelers. Plus, you’ll double your fuel costs when driving two vehicles on the same trip.
Towing your car behind your RV is a much better option.
But before you invest in towing equipment, read this article so you know how to tow your car properly.
Consider Shipping Your Vehicle
Rather than investing in towing equipment, think about shipping your vehicle with a professional carrier. Companies like A-1 Auto Transport have professional drivers with Commercial Driver’s Licenses from the U.S. Department of Transportation. As such, they’re trained to safely transport vehicles across the country.
Of course, hiring a professional service comes at a cost. That cost varies depending on the distance traveled and the type of transportation you use. For example, you’ll pay more for enclosed transport than you will for open transport because the former offers more protection to your vehicle.
Still, there are costs involved in towing your vehicle yourself, too. You need the right equipment. Plus, your car’s tires undergo wear and tear because they’re in contact with the road. Additionally, you’ll need more fuel for the journey because towing a car adds weight to your RV.
Towing your car should still cost less than having it shipped to your destination. But shipping puts your car in the hands of professionals and is much more convenient.
Understand the Three Ways to Tow Your Car
Assuming you don’t want to use a professional shipping company, the first thing you need to know is that there are three ways to tow a car with an RV:
1. Tow Dolly
With a tow dolly, you load your car’s front wheels onto the dolly, with the rear wheels rolling on the ground as you tow. They’re useful for transporting two-wheel–drive cars, though you can also use them for a rear-wheel-drive car if you disconnect the car’s drive shaft.
You’ll need the following equipment for this towing method:
- A tow dolly
- Safety chains
- Ratchet straps
2. Four-Down
As the name implies, the four–down method involves all four of your car’s wheels being in contact with the road. You’re essentially connecting your car as-is to the back of your RV, meaning the car will undergo similar external wear and tear as it would if you drive it. The difference is that you don’t need to run the car. So, you don’t need more fuel and the car’s internals aren’t used.
You’ll need a lot of equipment for this towing method, including:
- A tow bar
- A wiring kit
- A secondary braking system linked to your RV’s brakes
- A base plate kit
- Safety cables or chains
All told, these items cost up to $2,500. In many cases, using a vehicle shipping company is more economical if you don’t already own the equipment needed for four–down towing.
3. Trailer
This method involves loading your car onto a trailer, which you then hook to the back of your RV. You’ll need a trailer that can carry your car’s weight. Look for one with axles that can handle at least 3,500 pounds each.
Beyond this, you may need the following equipment:
- Ramps
- A brake controller
- Ratchet straps
Again, this method often costs more than shipping the vehicle. As such, it’s best used if you’re going to tow your car frequently.
Check the Car Manufacturer’s Website
You can tow almost any car using a trailer. With this method, it’s the trailer you need to think about.
As long as it’s large enough, and can support your car’s weight, you don’t need to do anything else with your car.
However, you may be limited by your car’s capabilities if you want to use the four–down or tow dolly methods. For example, it’s not a good idea to use a tow dolly for a rear-wheel-drive car because the rear wheels won’t turn as they should. By the same token, you will need to take special precautions when towing a four-wheel-drive vehicle with your RV.
If you’re unsure about which method to use, check the vehicle manufacturer’s website. Search for your vehicle model and you should find information about the best towing method to use. You may also find this information in your vehicle owner’s manual.
Prepare for a More Difficult Drive
The good news is that towing a car with an RV is easier than towing a trailer with a car. The RV’s size and weight ensure the towed car stays in line as long as you use the correct towing method for your car.
However, that doesn’t mean that towing a car with an RV is easy.
Reversing is a challenge because the car may not turn as sharply as you’d like. Similarly, maneuvering around tight spaces is tougher because you’re basically driving two vehicles back-to-back. Finally, you need to account for your towing activity when choosing your route. Highways and large urban roads shouldn’t present any problems. But if your route takes you through small towns or into rural areas, you increase your chances of getting stuck.
Knowledge Makes Towing a Car With an RV Easier
Knowledge is the key to ending your car-towing woes. The more you know about your car, the easier it is to choose the towing method that’s right for your vehicle.
Understanding how towing a car affects your RV’s handling is also a big plus. Consider practicing on familiar roads before you embark on your journey. Doing so gives you a feel for the extra weight that towing a car brings to the table.
Of course, you always have the option of using a professional vehicle shipping company. In fact, this may be the most cost-effective choice for those who only need to tow their car once. The investment required for towing equipment only pays off if you plan on taking multiple trips with your car in tow.
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