Photo Credit: Instagram User @celsones

When you head out for an RV camping trip, you’ll likely want to bring your car for extra transportation. Before you start your trip, though, you may wonder: what cars can be flat towed behind an RV? 

Knowing the best cars to tow behind an RV can help you avoid surprises during your vacation. In addition, you should know how to properly set your car up for flat towing! 

To help you prepare for your RV camping trip, we put together this comprehensive guide on flat towing. 

Keep reading to learn what cars can be flat towed behind an RV, how to set up a tow bar, and more! 

RV Tow Vehicles: How to Flat Tow Your Car Behind an RV

Before you set out on your RV adventure, you should know to properly tow your car. While there are several towing options available, one of the best options is flat towing, using a tow bar.

Car-Mounted Tow Bars: How do They Work?

Flat towing using a tow bar offers a few advantages over other towing methods. Compared to a car dolly, a tow bar is lighter weight and is easier to install. 

There are several types of tow bars you can use when flat towing a car. Typically, you’ll want to use a car-mounted self-aligning tow bar. A car-mounted tow bar, as the name suggests, is mounted on the car being towed. A self-aligning tow bar is easier to install because the tow bar adjusts once the two vehicles are close enough together. 

Before installing your tow bar, you must ensure that the tow bar is compatible with your car and your RV. Check your car’s manual for any important towing information, as it varies from car to car. Additionally, you should check with your RV rental company for any other towing information. 

Installing a Tow Bar

Once you have an appropriate tow bar for your car, you’re likely eager to get it installed. If your tow bar came with installation instructions, read those! Below, we’ll take you through the general tow bar installation process. 

First, install a bracket or base to your car so that you can attach your tow bar. This goes on the front of your car. Your tow bar instructions may indicate a specific place on the front of your car for this installation.

Next, run the safety cables from the tow bar base to the RV’s hitch location. Finally, install a wiring kit for your brake lights in the towed car’s fuse box. This wiring kit ensures that the brake lights of your towed car light up when your RV brake lights do. 

With your tow bar properly installed, you’re one step closer to setting out on an amazing RV adventure! 

Before you hit the road with your car in tow, there are a few Cruise America towing rules and guidelines that you need to know. 

Towing Guidelines For Cruise America RV Rentals

When picking out your dream RV rental, you need to learn a few towing guidelines.

At Cruise America, you have plenty of  RV options that can tow vehicles. We allow towing with all sizes of our RV rentals, excluding the Truck Camper. 

Each motorhome comes equipped with a receiver hitch, and you must provide your own tow bar. Additionally, Cruise America does not provide hook-up services or towing apparatus.

An important towing regulation to keep in mind with Cruise America is the intention to tow. Essentially, if you intend to tow a vehicle behind your RV rental, you need to declare your intention before departure. 

You’re also required to warrant that the weight you’re towing is within the 2,500 pounds tow weight restriction. Cruise America also has a $25 fee per night towing charge. 

Looking for a cozy RV rental for your relaxing camping vacation?

Contact Cruise America today to find the best RV for you and your family to enjoy. 

What Cars Can Be Flat Towed Behind an RV?

When planning your RV trip, you’ll want to make sure your car can be flat towed! How can you know if your car can be towed?

Generally, the best cars to tow behind an RV come down to the car’s transmission and drive. If your car has a rear-wheel drive, it must also have a manual transmission. If your car has a four-wheel drive, it needs to be placed in “neutral” for it to be towed. 

The best way to ensure that your car is flat-tow ready is to check your owner’s manual by and large. Almost every car’s owner manual explicitly explains how the car must be towed. 

What if I don’t have my owner’s manual? No worries! You can access a list of all flat-tow ready cars thanks to MotorHome Magazine. MotorHome Magazine has a list showing every car you can flat tow from 1990 to 2020! All you need to do is download their list and find your car model.