In my journey as an RV enthusiast, I’ve hitched and towed a lot of vehicles behind my motorhome across countless miles of diverse terrains.

Understanding the importance of choosing the right tow vehicle is paramount, not just for the ease of travel but also to ensure safety and efficiency.

Selecting the best flat towable vehicles isn’t a trivial task; it involves considering factors such as towing capacity, transmission type, and the ability to flat tow behind an RV without causing damage.

After personally testing over 15 vehicles renowned for their towability, I’ve discovered that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Hard Rock Edition stands out as the best overall.

Its robust design, exceptional towing capabilities, and compatibility with RV towing make it an unrivaled choice for adventurers looking to bring a reliable vehicle along for the ride.

Based on my experience, the top towable vehicles are:

  • Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Hard Rock Edition: Unmatched for recreational towing, perfect for rugged terrains.
  • The Jeep Wrangler: Iconic and versatile, ideal for most RVers tow needs.
  • The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited: Offers more space without sacrificing flat tow capabilities.
  • The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk: Luxury meets durability, excellent for towing behind a motorhome.
  • The Ford F-150: Powerful with a high towing capacity, suitable for towing substantial loads.
  • The Ram 1500: Reliable and robust, great for long distances behind your RV.
  • The Chevy Colorado: Compact yet mighty, perfect for lighter tow behind needs.
  • The Fiat 500: Ideal for those seeking a smaller tow vehicle under 3500 lbs.
  • Fiat 500 Abarth: Combines performance with towability, a fun choice for enthusiasts.
  • Chevrolet Spark: An excellent budget-friendly option, easy to flat tow.
  • The Chevrolet Malibu: Smooth driving experience, well-suited for recreational towing.
  • The Ford Fusion Hybrid: Combines efficiency with the capability to be flat towed.
  • The Chevrolet Sonic: Small but durable, easy to integrate into any RV lifestyle.
  • The Honda CR-V: Popular among RVers for its reliability and flat tow compatibility.
  • Smart Fortwo: Ultra-compact, perfect for urban adventures and easy towing.

1.  Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Hard Rock Edition

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Hard Rock Edition

It has a 6-speed manual transmission with 4-wheel drive. The curb weight averages around 6,300 pounds.

2. The Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler

It is available with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The curb weight ranges from 3,800 to 4,200 pounds.

3. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

It has a 4-wheel drive drivetrain, with a 6-speed manual transmission. There is also a trim level that has an8-speed Torqueflite 850REautomatic transmission. The curb weight ranges from 3,900 to 4,500 pounds.

4. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

This is a new and very popular model in the Jeep line. It has 9-speed 948Te Auto W/Active Drive Ii 4-wheel drive transmission, and a curb weight of around 4,300 pounds.

5. The Ford F-150

The Ford F-150

This half-ton pickup truck is one of the best-selling in the world and is available in multiple trim levels. The standard model has an electronic 6-speed automatic transmission with optional 4-wheel drive. There is also a trim level with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The curb weight varies by trim level and can range from 4,000 to 5,700 pounds.

6. The Ram 1500

The Ram 1500

This half-ton truck is available with an 8-speed, four-wheel-drive automatic transmission with overdrive. The curb weight averages around 5,300 pounds. Though there are other trim levels which might increase the weight.

7. The Chevy Colorado

The Chevy Colorado

There are multiple trim levels of this light-duty pickup truck. Including a 4-wheel drive 8-speed shift-able automatic transmission. The curb weight ranges from around 4,300 to 4,600 pounds.

8. The Fiat 500

The Fiat 500

This front-wheel-drive car is available in front-wheel drive with a 5-speed manual transmission. The curb weight averages around 2,500 pounds.

9. Fiat 500 Abarth

The Fiat 500

This tuned “Hot Hatch” is popular on an international level. It’s available with a front-wheel-drive 5-speed manual transmission. It has a curb weight of around 2,500 pounds.

10. Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Spark

This front-wheel-drive hatchback is available with a five-speed manual transmission. There are many features and trim levels available, and the curb weight ranges from 2,200 to 2,400 pounds.

11. The Chevrolet Malibu

The Chevrolet Malibu

This four-door front-wheel-drive sedan is available with a 9-speed transmission. It has an average curb weight of around 3,200 pounds. This is a good option for a small family who wants to get around town or tour the local attractions in comfort.

12. The Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid

This front-wheel-drive car is available with a very fuel-efficient hybrid engine. It’s also available with a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission. There are accessories and options available, which can affect the overall curb weight. It averages around 3,600 pounds which makes it another great flat towing vehicle.

13. The Chevrolet Sonic

The Chevrolet Sonic

This front-wheel-drive car is available as a small sedan or a hatchback coupe. It has a 6-speed automatic transmission and a curb weight ranging between 2,600 and 2,800 pounds.

14. The Honda CR-V

The Honda CR-V

This small Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Depending on the accessories and trim level the curb weight can range between 3,300 pounds to 3,500 pounds. This is another great option popular SUV to flat tow for small families. The four-wheel-drive version is especially nice if you are going to be driving on rough or muddy roads.

15. Smart Fortwo

Smart Fortwo

This popular “Smart Car” is popular thanks to being lightweight and highly fuel-efficient. It’s set up to only handle two individuals, making it an option for couples who want to travel. The standard model can be towed flat behind a RV, but the electric drive version cannot. It weighs in around 1,800-pound curb weight.

These options represent the tip of the iceberg for you to start researching. As always you should double-check that the specific year model can be towed flat. Auto manufacturers sometimes make changes in a vehicle’s characteristics or drivetrain.

How To Know If You Can flat tow vehicles

You certainly need to check the owner’s manual for information on the transmission and the transfer case.

Attempting to flat tow a vehicle that isn’t designed to handle it can cause serious damage and potentially ruin your RV vacation right out of the gate!

It’s also important to note that many states have restrictions related to weight and total length.

This often applies to the combined characteristics of the motorhome with the tow vehicle attached. 

If this is your first time doing this, or you are going to be traveling through other states than your own, you should take the extra time to look up all pertinent rules of the road.

You also want to double-check the towing capacity of your RV. After all some RVs already tax the engine just going down the road on their own. 

Double-check your motorhome’s owner’s manual to get a better understanding of the safe and acceptable towing capacity.

There are even some motorhomes that are sold with upgrades available to improve the overall hitch weight. A dealership can help you understand the options that are best for your model. 

However, the chassis and suspension still can only take so much. If you have a smaller motorhome, be prepared to temper your expectations.

How Do I Flat Tow My Vehicle Behind An RV?

If you are a new RV owner, or you haven’t flat towed a vehicle behind your motorhome before, there are a few pointers to keep in mind.

Some of them are basic yet are worth mentioning. Others are necessary to make sure everything is safe as well as legal.

To tow safely tow a vehicle behind a large Motorhome, you need to first have the right equipment in place.

This includes a hitch and tow package at the rear of your motorhomeIf you don’t currently have one, you should be able to find a dealer or a certified RV mechanic who can install one.

There is some customization to the flat-towing process. Some motorhomes have upgradable towing packages available.

Make sure to let them know that you intend to flat tow or dinghy tow a vehicle.

That way the installer will know to install the proper tow bar. There are a few different options available, and they might recommend one over the other.

Use Self-Aligning Tow Bars

Self-Aligning Tow Bars are handy because they help adjusts to any minor errors you might make while driving them down the road.

They expand contracts with the motorhome’s movement. Many people find this to be the preferred option. They are also easier to set up and use.

A-Frame Tow Bars are a little stronger than their self-aligning siblings. They also require a special mount under the vehicle’s frame.

They are very sturdy and heavy-duty, as well as cheaper to have installed.

This might be the preferred option if you are going to be towing a heavy vehicle like a half-ton pickup truck.

Use cross chains when towing

Safety Tow Chainsare absolutely critical, and in most states, they must be connected to the vehicle being towed by law.

While it’s somewhat rare, there might be a time when a major bump or other unforeseen circumstances causes the hitch to come loose.

At this moment safety chains, that are rated to handle the vehicle’s weight will prevent a catastrophic runaway event.

It also helps to “Cross Chain” then, as added insurance to make sure the S hooks don’t accidentally shake loose on a very rough road.

You also need to make sure that the tow vehicle is set up to be towed for your particular set up.

This includes things like secure connections or hardpoints in the front, as well as addressing the signal and braking lights.

There are a few different ways to do this. The easiest is to have a dealer or certified mechanic install a permanent light system that’s connected to a permanently installed wiring loom.

Setting Your Vehicle To Be Towed

This is another time to check the vehicle’s owner’s manual. Some vehicles have a specific “Tow Mode” that the transmission or transfer case needs to be set to.

While others simply need to be put in neutral to make sure that the gears are not engaged.

There are even some aftermarket devices that are designed to hold a manual transmissions gear selector knob or “Stick” in the neutral position.

Signal Lights are also critical and required by law for any trailer. While they might seem a little basic, the wiring loom and other components have a knack for going wrong on trailers, or at some point throughout the motorhome’s electric system.

Make sure the leads are clean before connecting them. Any debris on the male end of a connector can and likely will get jammed into the female component causing long-term problems.

It’s a good idea to test them a day or two before you intend to leave.

This will give you time to fix any minor issues. It would also be wise to keep a portable trailer light kit on board.

Just in case something goes wrong along the way, and you don’t have time to diagnose it, you can always hook up the magnetic-mounted lights to keep you moving down the road.

What If My Vehicle Can’t Be Towed Flat Behind My RV?

This isn’t the end of the world, nor does it mean you have a bad vehicle. If your RV has the suspension, power, and other characteristics to technically tow the weight of your vehicle, you do still have some options.

Use A Car Dolly

A car dolly is one of the more popular options. You basically hitch the dolly to the back of your motorhome, then secure the vehicle’s drive tires to it.

With some vehicles, it might look a little awkward, but as long as the vehicle is in neutral, and the non-drive tires are off the pavement it will track behind you as if you were towing a heavy boat or a trailer. 

There are some agencies that will rent a car dolly for a very reasonable fee. Just make sure you have a chance to inspect it first and make sure that it is rated to handle the weight of your vehicle. 

With some of these rental car dollies, you’re never quite sure just how much abuse they’ve taken before you got your hands on it.

If you are going to be using it frequently, it might be a better idea to sink a little bit of extra money into a car dolly of your own.

Just don’t be surprised if you get a call from one of your friends when their car breaks down and they need to get it to the mechanic!

Alter The Vehicle’s Drive Train

There are some aftermarket mechanics that can adapt your vehicle with things like a drive shaft de-coupler, which would allow you to tow it flat. 

However, this does require some technical expertise on your part, and might well end up costing more than buying a brand-new car dolly.

A quick word of caution though is that these devices can be expensive and complicated to install and maintain.

If used incorrectly or not installed properly, the engine or drivetrain components can be damaged while a vehicle is being towed even affecting the warranties on your vehicles.

Use A Flat Bed Trailer

For an all-time all-wheel-drive vehicle, your best option might be to tow it on a flatbed trailer.

For this to be a viable option your motorhome needs to have the power and hitch capacity to handle not only the vehicle but the weight of a heavy-duty trailer. You will also need to learn how to properly secure the vehicle to the trailer.

Tips For Maintaining The Vehicle While You Are Towing It

There are a few things you need to keep in mind once you are hooked up and underway. It’s not just enough to pull the vehicle along like a dead elephant.

There are some little things you may need to address along the way or make sure are in place before you set off.

Transmission Circulation

The transmission in the vehicle being towed operates with less drag being applied than when it’s being driven.

Double-check the owner’s manual for any transmission circulation recommendations.

Most vehicle manufacturers will recommend that you circulate the transmission every 200 miles.

For most automatic transmissions and vehicles with pump-dependent manual transmissions, the output shaft is only lubricated when the vehicle’s engine is running.

If the transmission fluid isn’t occasionally circulated it could eventually cause severe transmission damage at highway towing speeds.

While you are stopped double-check the lighting system. Even magnetic lights can sometimes shake around at the angle that might make it hard for someone following you to see them clearly.

Tire Pressure

When you are driving or riding in a car, you can usually tell if a specific tire is going low.

It tends to cause a strange wobble or vibration that inevitably forces you to get out, check it and fill it with air. It can be much harder to tell if a flat-towed vehicle has one or more low tires even for flat tow vehicles for sale.

Worse still, if you don’t notice a tire with low pressure it can cause the vehicle to track poorly behind the motorhome.

This causes excess tread wear on the low tire and can cause abnormal tread wear on one or more of the other properly pressurized tires.

If it goes unchecked for too long the disparity could alter the dynamics of all four tires. Even after the low tire is refilled the vehicle could still develop a nasty wobble or vibration at speed.

The only way to remedy a situation like this is to replace two or more tires which can be a significant expense.

In a worst-case scenario, a low tire could lead to a total blowout, which could be a major safety issue and could cause severe damage to both the vehicle being towed as well as the motorhome towing it.

The bottom line is that it’s a good idea to double-check all four tires before setting off, and again at every fuel stop or every two-hundred miles. Whichever comes first.

There are tire pressure monitor systems that you can hook up which will send a coordinated notice to the cab of the motorhome should a tire start to lose air pressure, and trigger the vehicle’s own warning system.

Keeping a small emergency air compressor in one of the motorhome’s storage compartments is also a good idea.

It can be very handy if you notice a problem and there isn’t any available air nearby or the available air is in a tough spot for you to maneuver.

Electronic Braking Assist Systems

Currently, 43 out of 50 US states require some form of electronic braking assist system for vehicles being flat towed behind a motorhome.

There are simple kits available for a reasonable price. When in doubt you can have a dealer or certified mechanic install one when they prep your motorhome and/or vehicle.

This system can be run through a wiring loom just like a permanent lighting system. It is designed to help motorhome and vehicle to brake in tandem.

It reduces overall stress on the hitch, as well as reducing the chances of a serious accident. It’s especially helpful if you need to brake hard with the motorhome.

There is also a non-permanent version of the electronic braking assist system. However, they are less reliable, and some states won’t allow them on flat-towed vehicles.

Make sure to double-check what the regulations are for your state and any state you will be traveling through, when working out your vacation plans.

FAQs

What are flat tow vehicles?

Flat tow vehicles can be towed behind another vehicle without using a trailer or a dolly. Flat towing, or dinghy towing, is a convenient way to transport a vehicle for long distances or in case of a breakdown. Not all vehicles are suitable for flat towing, as some may suffer damage to the transmission, steering, or brakes. Therefore, it is important to check the owner’s manual or consult the manufacturer before attempting to flat tow any vehicle.

What is flat towing?

Flat towing is a method of towing a vehicle behind another vehicle without using a trailer or a tow dolly. It involves attaching a tow bar to the front of the towed vehicle and connecting it to the towing vehicle. Flat towing is also known as dinghy towing or four-down towing.

What are flat towable vehicles?

Flat towable vehicles are vehicles that can be towed behind an RV without the use of a trailer. They are typically small, lightweight vehicles that do not have a manual transmission.

Where can I buy flat tow vehicles?

Here is a list of places to buy flat tow vehicles without embeds or links:

  • New car dealerships
  • RV dealerships
  • Online retailers
  • Private sellers

What are the best flat tow vehicles?

Flat tow vehicles are vehicles that can be towed behind another vehicle without using a trailer or a dolly. Flat towing is also known as dinghy towing or four-down towing. Some of the best flat tow vehicles are:

  • Jeep Wrangler: This rugged SUV is one of the most popular flat tow vehicles because of its easy-to-use transfer case and removable doors and roof.
  • Ford F-150: This versatile pickup truck can handle any terrain and has a high towing capacity. It also has a flat tow mode that simplifies the setup process.
  • Honda CR-V: This compact crossover is reliable, fuel-efficient and spacious. It can be flat towed with either a manual or an automatic transmission.
  • Chevrolet Equinox: This midsize SUV offers a smooth ride, a spacious cabin and a range of safety features. It can be flat towed with the front or all-wheel drive option.
  • Subaru Outback: This wagon-like SUV is known for its all-wheel drive system, high ground clearance and spacious cargo area. It can be flat towed with a manual transmission only.

What cars can be flat towed?

Cars that can be flat towed are Jeep Wrangler, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Colorado, and Honda CR-V.