You may have just obtained your first motor home and are planning a long camping trip. You may even decide to travel across the great USA on a long vacation, or undergo a long distance move. If so, you will find yourself in the position where you will want to tow your vehicle behind your motor home. If this is your first time towing a vehicle behind your motor home, there are three ways you can accomplish the task. Affordable Junk Cars & Towing will cover those different ways and see which one is right for you.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Towing Regulations & Requirements
The first thing to consider is the requirements of each Department of Transportation (DOT) in the states in which you will be traveling. In most states, trailers or other towed items weighing over 1500 pounds must have brakes. Many state officers will waive this issue as long as a tow bar is being used. That is why it is a smart idea to check when preparing to travel with an extra vehicle in tow.
First Method of Towing a Car Behind a Motor Home; Flatbed or Enclosed Trailer
The first method of choice is to use a flatbed or enclosed trailer. These trailers can support your second vehicle completely. Trailers also connect directly to your motor home’s electrical system and will have its own braking light system. Flatbed or enclosed trailers that have a working brake light system is legal in most states, making them very convenient for long distance traveling. Another perk to using a trailer is that you are not putting extra miles on your second vehicle. Of course the down side is that your motor home will be pulling extra weight, in a sense making the motor home work extra hard and put on more mileage.
Use a Tow Bar to Tow a Car Behind an RV
Probably one of the most common ways to tow a vehicle is using a tow bar. You can wire the brake system from the motor home directly into your vehicle. Make sure you check each State’s regulations because some don’t allow the use of tow bars. Many like to use the tow bars because they pull along much smoother than a trailer and help the motor home work far less. Many people also like how the tow bars can collapse and fold making them far easier to store when not in use. One big drawback though, is that you cannot back up the motor home while having a vehicle attached. You will need to disconnect your towing vehicle if you need to reverse.
RV Car Towing Equipment; Tow Dolly
Another option of towing a vehicle behind a motor home is to use a tow dolly. Tow dollies are ideal for front wheel drive automatic vehicles. You place the front wheels of the vehicle and the rear tires roll along the road. Tow dollies can have surge brakes, or electronic brakes, making them usable in many states. Like a tow bar, you will find it impossible to back up, however they also have the benefit of not adding mileage to the towing vehicle, assuming the axle is on the dolly.
Flat Bed & Wheel Lift Towing in Wellington, Boca Raton, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Loxahatchee & West Palm Beach, Florida
For many people who have never had to tow a vehicle, planning a long distance trip with your second vehicle in tow can be a little overwhelming. Make sure you do your homework before you head out on that trip. For any other towing needs, Affordable Junk Cars & Towing is here to help you. We wish you the best of luck on future travels. Contact us for all your towing and roadside assistance needs.