Towing a Car with a Motorhome
With camping season just around the corner, it’s time to start looking at ways to make this summer even more exciting for you and the whole family. One great way to step things up is to embark on a camping trip in your motorhome. Traveling in a motorhome means that you have got your accommodations and transport combined in one convenient vehicle. However, sometimes you need to have your commuter vehicle along with you for running errands at your destination. For this, you’ll need to tow your car behind your motorhome.
We at Victory Custom Trailers have provided some tips for easy and safe towing. If you need additional help, get in touch with us at our dealership in Metamora, MI. We also have a wide selection of toterhomes for sale, so you can pick a model that’s right for you!
Check Your Motorhome’s Weight Capacity
Before you try to tow your car with your motorhome, you’ll want to ensure that the two vehicles are a good match. For this, figure out your motorhome’s gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This is the maximum amount of weight your entire unit should be, combining the weight of the motorhome, the towed vehicle (your car), cargo, and passengers. Your motorhome must be able to handle the additional weight of the car, both for safety reasons and legal ones. An overloaded tow vehicle can become a road hazard, and if you’re caught exceeding your GCWR, there are hefty fines to be paid.
Your Options for Towing
The most versatile towing option is an enclosed or flatbed trailer, which can transport any vehicle, as well as other types of cargo. This flexibility may be well worth the higher cost so long as your motorhome can handle the weight.
Another good option is a tow dolly, which is a small, two-wheeled trailer. A vehicle being towed with a tow dolly will have two of its wheels off the ground during transport. This method offers a safe and stable ride with just about any vehicle. However, turning and breaking with a tow dolly can be a bit tough.
If you want to use a tow bar, you’ll need to modify your tow vehicle with a towing plate. For installing a tow plate, you might require the help of a professional. Remember that only cars with manual transmission and four-wheel drive can use tow bars. One of the major advantages of this approach is that tow bars offer quick and easy towing once you have completed the initial setup.
Hopefully, this guide gets you where you need to be to start learning how to tow a car with a motorhome. Just keep in mind that while it may be a little intimidating, with a little practice and patience, you’ll be a pro in no time. If you are still looking for the right motorhome, then stop by Victory Custom Trailers and we will give you the full tour of the models we have in stock right now. You’ll find us in Metamora, Michigan, and we also serve Detroit and Flint.