Pros and cons of towing a car with a motorhome

[Gary Fowler]

My neighbor claims the only way to tow a car behind a motorhome is to flat tow. I have looked at tow bars and cars that can flat tow vs just getting a tow dolly.
I would like some input from folks that have done one or both types of towing and pros and cons of each.

Price wise, flat towing would cost me much more ($2000-3000 depending on installation costs) to get the tow bar set up and installation done and put more wear and tear on my towed car. I can buy a tow dolly for around $1000 (no brakes)to $1700 with surge brakes and I could recoup most of that if I wanted to sell the dolly later.

So what I really want to know is really what are the advantages, if any, of flat tow vs dolly tow?

 

[bcp]

If you plan to tow to Canada, I've read that they have more requirements for brakes on towed vehicles than many states.

Bruce

 

[zzvyb6]

Towing Your Vehicle: A Basic Overview | etrailer.com

Looks like the first requirement is that your dingy be towable with 4 wheels on the ground.

 

[bcp]

Several have claimed it was cheaper, and easier towing, to put the car on a trailer behind the motorhome.

Bruce

 

[/pine]

Pros and cons of towing a car with a motorhome

O/T (and no offense)...but IMO the biggest "con" is getting stuck behind an RV towing something on a two lane...IMO all states should adopt the rule that if there is more than 4 cars behind a vehicle the one hindering the flow has to pull over and allow faster traffic by...

 

[tman1020]

You have to Watch weight limits with a trailer. Most rvs max out at 5000 lbs tow cap. A car trailer weighs in around at least 1200lbs +the weight of tow car so it will be close to max. Plus any tongue weight makes the rv ride rougher.
Flat towing offers less tongue and gross weight plus better mpg do to less total weight.
As far as tow Dollie I'm not really sure other than that many car makes do not recommend towing in that manor.

 

[RNeumann]

We used to flat tow our Jeeps when we made longer trips. It caused issues with bearing and part lubrication and, in general, was more hassle then it saved. You also need fancy devices if you want braking.
The lightest, safest, easiest for your application is the dolly with surge brakes. It's light enough to remove and push around manually, has brakes, no worries about drivetrain issues of the towed vehicle, light weight and the vehicle is relatively easy to attach.
We ended up with 2 axle flat beds which is overkill for your application and adds unneeded weight and complexity.

 

[newbury]

What are you towing and what are you towing it with?
Is it a 45 foot diesel towing a SmartCar or a minimalist Class B towing a 1970's Cadillac?
I've plowed parts of Alabama when the wheel broke off a UHaul tow dolly. I'd rather put a car up on a trailer.

 

[Stimw]

If your tow vehicle is front wheel drive the dolly is the easiest way to go.
If rear wheel drive you have to deal with transmission issues to tow it. Some even have to remove driveshaft!!
With a Dolly you can't back up so you have to choose your path.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I will be towing with a Class A 38 foot motorhome with a V10 gas engine. My towed vehicle will be a 2013 Honda CRV. It can flat tow but only 300 miles before it has to be ran a few minutes to circulate the oil in the tranny. My biggest concern is all the front end plastic has to be removed to install the hidden tow brackets AND the OEM bumper steel is removed (IIRC the video) to be replaced with the tow plate assembly. I really don't want to do all that nor content with removing fuses, leaving the key on ACC etc. My neighbor says the biggest thing is what to do with the trailer when you get to where you will be camping, but I think I can unhook it if it is too long for the camp spot and roll the tongue under the camper so it is only about 4 feet behind the MH bumper.