Flat towing presents new opportunities to RV travelers and adventurers. It enables you to travel with your car without having to drive two cars, especially when undergoing long journeys. Whether you are on a cross-country road trip or deciding that you want a safe means of towing your car behind your RV, it is very important to understand which cars you can flat tow safely.
This guide gives you all that you need to know about flat towing. You will learn about the types of vehicles that are best suited for towing flat, what safety precautions to consider, and how to determine whether your particular vehicle is suitable. After reading this post, you will be able to make informed choices of flat towing and even have fun during your travels because it will become safer.
What is Flat Towing?
Flat towing is when a vehicle is being pulled by RV with all four wheels on the ground. This technique is sometimes called four-down towing or dinghy towing. The tow car is hooked up to the towing car using a tow bar.
Flat towing does not entail a different trailer and dolly, unlike trailer towing. The towed vehicle is just left to follow behind the towing vehicle by itself on its wheels. The strategy is a favorite among RV owners who desire to bring along a smaller vehicle to transport them around the destination once they arrive there.
Which Flat Tow Vehicle Is Best For You?
The easiest types of vehicles to flat tow are usually manual transmission. They do not necessitate the use of a transmission pump in fluid circulation when towing. The vast majority of manual transmission automobiles, sport utility vehicles, and trucks are capable of being flat towed without damage to the drivetrain.
More attention should be paid to automatic transmission cars. Others have certain procedures through which they can be flat towed, whereas none of them can be towed four-down. Your vehicle is safe to flat-tow depending on the transmission type and the wheel drive system.
Flat Towing a Car
Quite a number of cars are flat towable, and this is dependent on the transmission and drivetrain configuration of the car. Most cars that are designed to undergo flat towing are manual transmission cars. Some of the popular flat-towable cars are some Honda Civics, some Jeep Wranglers, and most compact cars with manual transmissions.
Certain automatic transmission automobiles are able to be towed on their side with certain steps that are necessary. These may necessitate the transmission to be neutral and the engine to be running every now and then. Be sure that your owner’s manual or contacting the manufacturer will not allow flat towing.
Flat Towing the SUV
SUVs have an interior space and functionality advantage in flat towing over cars. The Jeep Wrangler is also one of the most popular flat-towable SUVs because of its transfer case design. A lot of the Jeep models can be towed flat with the transfer case in neutral.
Manual transfer case four-wheel-drive SUVs are also frequently good candidates with manually operated transfer cases. The transfer case permits the disconnection of the drivetrain to the tires in an effective manner. This helps to avoid damage to transmissions that may arise during towing activities.
Flat Towing a Truck
Properly equipped, pickup trucks make wonderfully fine flat tow vehicles. The feasibility of flat towing manual transmission trucks depends, but in most cases, they can be easily towed in this manner with the right preparation. A lot of older-style trucks were constructed with the thought of flat towing.
Four-wheel-drive trucks usually benefit from the transfer case’s ability to be shifted to a neutral level. This decouples the transmission from the wheels, and by so doing, towing would not cause it damage. Some of the Ford Rangers, Chevy Colorados, and several manual transmission pickups have been quite popular for towing flat style.
Learn more: Difference Between Flatbed and Regular Tow Trucks
Flat Towing Benefits
Flat towing has many benefits to the RV tourist and long-distance travelers:
- Cost saving – No necessity of buying or maintaining an individual trailer
- Faster installation – Faster to both connect and disconnect as compared to loading on trailers
- Improved fuel economy – there is less wind resistance than when pulling a vehicle on a trailer
- Convenience – The Automobile is ready to drive once one arrives
- Storage space – No trailer to have to store when not on the move
- Maneuverability – Can move conservatively backwards and fit into smaller areas
- Weight distribution – Vehicle weight remains only on its wheels
How to Know if a Car is Flat Towable
Use your owner’s manual first to get official information on flat towing. The manual will dictate whether it is acceptable to flat tow or what is necessary or required to do so. In your vehicle documentation, seek information on sections on recreational towing or four-wheel-down towing.
Get in touch with the customer service of your vehicle manufacturer in case the manual is not explicit. They are in a position to give specific information on the compatibility of flat towing on your particular model and in your particular year. Many manufacturers have situational databases of flat-towable automobiles and needed procedures.
Things to Check Before Flat Towing
Check the condition and level of your vehicle’s transmission fluid before every towing session. During a long haul of towing, damage may be caused by low or dirty fluid. On some vehicles, fluid replacement is more frequent in case of flat towing.
Make sure that your steering wheel is unlocked and does not freeze. The vehicle should be capable of following the towed vehicle around sections, corners, or curves. Ensure that the battery of your vehicle is charged to sustain the power steering and other machine systems.
Making the Right Choice for Your Adventures
When properly and safely done, flat towing can make your travels more enjoyable. It is important to select the vehicle properly and use the information supplied by the manufacturer exactly. Keep in mind that flat towing needs may vary even with model year, and thus, key information must be confirmed using the latest model year-specific requirement when it pertains to your vehicle.
Before you have your first flat towing experience, be sure to research and prepare. You can take a course or talk to someone who has traveled in an RV so that you are informed on how to do it right. When set up properly and with proper know-how, flat towing can give years of easy and secure travel experiences.
One Response
Really enjoying this article!