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Advice Q&A Towing and Towed VehiclesRV
Advice Q&A Towing and Towed Vehicles
Posted
below is about 40% of the E-mail questions submitted to us during the time
frame (shown below) and the answers that are related to towed vehicles
and towing vehicles. You can send your question(s) using the form at the
bottom of any of our Q&A pages.
This page last updated July 22, 2012 containing letters emailed to Pete from August 20, 2011 - June 22, 2012
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When I apply my brakes, left or right turn signals, hazard lights using my 2008 Toyota Sienna the lights work although they seem very dull.
If I turn on the headlights nothing works including my electrical brake system. I thought it might be the converter so I bought a new one and spliced it in as we were unable to drive at night during our trip.
Anyway, this did nothing to help the issue and now I have no turn signals at all!
Dear Rick,
Start with the wiring on your Toyota and get things right at the plug on your truck; then hook up your trailer and go from there.
You might want to replace the plug on your truck.
A hail storm broke the lens of the overhead running lights in the back of the 5th wheel. My tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals work, just the top four red lights on the top rear of the 5th wheel are busted.
Do I need those lights to be legal for traveling during the day?
Dear Steve,
No, not during the day, but you want to be sure they are not leaking and cause you severe body damage (allowing water inside).
Can my 2003 Ford F-150 4x4 with a 5.4 engine pull this fifth wheel?
Dear Jason,
I would say no; but then, I don't know the GVWR of the trailer.
You might look at the gross weight rating of the trailer, get your truck's towing specs and see if you are any where close to the truck being heavy enough.
Don't forget to take the length of truck bed and tongue of trailer into consideration for the fifth wheel hitch.
We drive a 2009 Ford Escape and have purchased a Kodiak Hybrid camper. The Escape is a 6 cylinder automatic.
We upgraded the hitch from a class II to a class III with stabilizer bars and trailer brakes. The trailer (dry), is 3800 lbs. The weight restrictions in my Ford manual state 3500 lbs or GCWR 7140 pounds. Are we good to go?
Dear Richard,
Sounds like your trailer weight is over your limit dry, so how do you figure you would be okay loaded?
You can always load your trailer as you would travel, hook up to the car and go get it weighed at public scales to see what your GCWR will be. Remember to load the Escape with a full tank of fuel and load the Escape as you would travel as well.
Is a 2001 Honda Accord EX automatic transmission towable?
Dear Doug,
I say yes, but read the owner's manual. There were some issues with some of the Accords.
Can this vehicle be towed all 4 down?
Dear Tim,
Yes, it is towable four wheels down and I also have a used Roadmaster bracket kit for it. If interested call my shop toll free at: 888-471-9291.
We are buying a 2006 Holiday Rambler Scepter. We have a 2005 Honda Accord. Can we tow it all wheels down?
Dear Cheryl,
Yes, I know there is some controversy about towing Honda four wheels down. But it started with the 2005 Odyssey and then moved in to the Civic and Accord in 2006. But people were still towing the 2006 models. In 2007 Honda would no longer cover warranties on transmission damage if you were towing, but a lot of people were still towing them and Remco was selling an insurance coverage for the transmission.
Can I flat tow my 1998 Chevy S-10 pick up behind my motor home?
Dear Milt,
I would say read your owner's manual or check with Remco to make sure your five speed transmission will lubricate properly towing in neutral.
Can I tow the Mustang flat?
Dear Dean,
I believe you can. You might want to go to the Amsoil 75w-90w Severe Gear Oil in the transmission.
I know on the newer five speed manual shift Mustangs you need a drive shaft disconnect for flat towing. You can check with Remco, but I think on your older four speed you will be okay.
I have a 21.5 ft fifth wheel. My truck is a Dodge 2500 4x4 (2001). The truck sets too high to pull the fifth wheel level. What is the best way to change the suspension on the fifth wheel to make it tow level?
Dear Gary,
Look at it and see, some of the Jaycos' had adjustable spring hangers. If not, I suggest cutting the spring hangers loose from the frame, weld in tubing to get the height you want, and weld the spring hangers back in place.
I just purchased a Honda CR-V to pull behind a 2008 Monaco Beaver Milan. I would like to know which tow braking system works best in your opinion. I am installing a Blue Ox Aladdin tow bar and base plate to pull the CR-V.
Dear John,
M&G car braking system.
My parents have a 1994 Fleetwood Coronado 34' motor home. I'm looking to purchase a tow bar for it, to tow a very small vehicle - a Smart car. What kind of tow bar should I buy?
Dear Morgan,
Take a look at the Roadmaster Falcon All Terrain tow bar.
Can I tow this car with all four wheels on the ground?
Dear Rene,
I was about to make a mistake and say, "yes", without thinking, since the Malibu is towable.
But I know you need a lube pump to tow the Impala. And I don't know which one would have a similar transmission to the Monte Carlo; I would guess the Impala.
Check the owner's manual under "dinghy towing" and check with Remco Towing on a lube pump application. Then check the Roadmaster and Blue Ox web sites for tow bar mounting brackets availability.
Can a 2011 F150 4x4 be towed on all 4 wheels behind an RV?
Dear Glenn,
Yes, if you have the manually shifted transfer case. If it has the electronic shift, you need to check with you Ford dealer to see if a Ford neutral tow kit is applicable.
Can and how could this be towed flat behind the motor home? Is the AWD version of this vehicle able to be flat towed without modification?
Dear Mark,
You could use a lube pump or drive shaft disconnect to tow the two wheel drive automatic. Or you could use a lube pump to tow the all wheel drive Astro van.
Can and how could this be towed 1998 Chevy Astro minivan be flat towed behind the motor home? Is the AWD version of this vehicle able to be flat towed without modification?
Dear Mark,
You could use a lube pump or drive shaft disconnect to tow the two wheel drive automatic. Or you could use a lube pump to tow the all wheel drive Astro van.
Do I need a drive shaft disconnect or transmission pump to tow a 1991 manual five speed Nissan regular cab pickup?
Dear Chuck,
I don't believe so. Check the owner's manual under "dinghy towing" or "towing behind a motor home".
I know a few people who towed the manual shift Nissan without a disconnect, but I don't know exact year models.
You can check with Remco to be sure, if your owner's manual doesn't help.
Can this vehicle be towed behind our motor home, is there restriction?
Dear Gary,
Yes, your Silverado can be towed behind your motor home with the transfer case in neutral, transmission in park and steering wheel unlocked.
Read your owner's manual to see if any fuses need to be pulled to prevent drain on the battery while towing.
Can I tow this car with all four tires on the ground?
Dear Jerry,
No sir. The manual shift VW was towable, but I am not aware of any after market products to make the automatic transmission VW towable with all four wheels on the ground.
You can check with Remco Towing Products; new products are always hitting the market that I don't necessarily know about yet.
What are the requirements for pulling 2005 BMW 530I rear wheel drive vehicle behind RV on a tow dolly?
Dear Rudy,
If it's not towable four wheels down, then it needs to be backed on the dolly and the steering wheel locked in the straight ahead position; and you should have a set of red magnetic lights to put on the front of the car.
If it's a manual transmission and towable, then you pull it up on the dolly, tie it down, put the transmission in neutral, lock the steering wheel an use magnetic lights or wire up the lights on the rear of the vehicle to work and go.
Connection point location for electric brake, running, stop and tail lights to 7 conductor cable.
Dear Bill,
If you open the underbelly just behind the A frame, you should see where your seven wire pig tail connects to the trailer wiring.
What model (compact type), automobiles with automatic transmissions are recommended to be towed (with all 4 wheels on the road), by a class A or C motor home? I understand that Saturn are one but what about small models such as Nissan Altima or small models in the Honda or Hyundai lines?
Dear Fellow RVer,
For a list of towable vehicles and any modifications that might need to be done please visit our FAQs page at: http://www.rvadvice.com/FAQs.html and select the Q&A under "Towing". This link is also offered at the top of this page.
I have a customer that is going to dinghy tow a 2011 automatic 4x4 Ford Ranger. We installed a neutral tow kit and had it outfitted for towing. I know that in the 2011 Escapes 2wd automatic you have to decrease the amount of tranny fluid so it doesn't burn up. My question is: Does he have to do the same with this truck, and is there anything else I should advise him to do as well?
Dear Sam,
No, with the neutral kit it unlocks the transfer case and the transmission doesn't turn.
Auxiliary braking is all I didn't see mentioned in your email.
I need to purchase or have fabricated a base plate for a 2010 Nissan 370 Z six speed. Owner's manual states this car can be flat towed with our motor home at 70 MPH for 500 miles at a time. I have a Blue Ox hitch on the motor home. Help!
Dear Nick,
Check the Blue Ox, Demco and Roadmaster web sites to see if one is being produced. If not, find a good weld shop that will do some fabricating. Blue Ox will probably custom make you a base plate if you contact them; but you will probably have to take the car to their facility.
Which is better to tow with, a toter or tow bar? What would be the down fall of a two wheel toter?
Dear Wayne,
Towing four wheels down is definitely better.
Two good reasons: braking and the convenience of not having to find a place for the dolly every time you unhook.
I have a 1994 Southwind motor home with a Ford super duty class A chassis,. 32 ft. 460 Ford. What weight of car should I stay with if I want to pull a vehicle?
Dear Kerrie,
A good question since you can an 18,000 pound chassis on a 20,000 pound chassis with that particular coach. Look at the ID sticker, find the GVWR and GCVWR and do the math to see what you have left for a tow vehicle.
I have a 1999 Wilderness 32ft travel trailer. I have been looking for schematics on wiring for the brakes/lights. Had the vehicle checked and everything works there. When I plug the truck/trailer together I have no brakes or lights. Is there a hidden fuse somewhere?
Dear Walt,
No fuse on the trailer. Sounds like you have some wires crossed someplace.
The trailer uses the same wire and bulb for the brake light and turn signals; so if the turn signals work on the trailer and the brake lights don't, then it's a ground issue or a problem with the truck.
Please give me an advice on proper towing a 2006 Lexus GX470 SUV behind my Tour Master motor home.
Dear Joe,
Read the owner's manual on the Lexus for "dinghy towing" or "towing behind a motor home".
Some were towable, and some weren't. I don't know the models off the top of my head.
I have a 2009 31 foot Holiday Rambler Arista 300 on a Ford 2008 chassis with a V-10 motor.
I want to tow a 2003 VW 5 speed manual new beetle convertible, turbo motor in front with front wheel drive. Can this be rigged to tow? I have a hitch and Blue Ox tow bar for direct on the road towing.
Dear Stephen,
Yes, the Beetle five speed can be towed. Make sure you specify "turbo" when ordering the bracket kit. You might have a little difficulty finding the tow bar base plate for the VW turbo Beetle.
I have a 2003 S10 Chevy. This truck has a double U joint at the rear end. I have a AMCO disconnect off of a 1998 S10 Chevy. Can this unit be installed on my truck?
Dear Ken,
I would check with Remco.
Do you have the complete drive shaft or just the Remco unit?
I have a complete drive shaft, shifter and cable from a 2000 Sonoma in good condition.
Can I tow my 2003 dodge 3500 2 wheel drive with standard transmission without removing the drive shaft?
Dear Ed,
I would say contact Remco to be sure.
I know there is a lubrication problem with the 3500 manual transmission under normal operation; so I would definitely check with Remco first.
We are towing a 36 ft. fifth wheel with electric brakes, we would like to tow a car using a tow dolly behind fifth wheel. What kind of braking system would I need on the car dolly?
Dear Dave,
It would be nice to have electric brakes if you're going to do this; so the brake control for the fifth wheel also activated the brakes on the dolly.
I don't recommend triple towing, even in the few states it's legal, but if you're going to do it, why don't you tow the car four wheels down and put a braking system on the car with a brake away activation?
I am pulling my Coleman tent trailer with my Ford truck and am having braking trouble. It seems that the electric brakes are both always engaging on the trailer. What should I look for in solving this? Is the connection (big plug), between the trailer and truck the first place to look?
Dear Jon,
That would be a good place to start. Make sure you're getting a signal from the brake controller to the trailer, then check to see if you're getting the voltage to the brake magnets.
I have a 2800 lb. racecar, with flatbed trailer (about 2000 lbs.), that I want to very occasionally tow behind a 2001 Buick LeSabre with a 3.8 litre motor (auto transmission). The manufacturer rates the Buick's towing capacity at 3500 lbs. and 350 lbs. of tongue weight. The Buick has 140,000 kms. but has been extremely well maintained, and drives like new.
My questions are: 1) Is it safe to occasionally tow this package?
2) Other than be a little hard on the transmission, will I really hurt the Buick if I drive "easy"?
3) Is it legal to exceed the recommended capacity?
Dear Randy,
1. Depends on how you hitch up and drive.
2. You might want to look at beefing up the rear suspension a little bit.
3. I guess this could be a question for an attorney. If a severe accident was to happen, lawyers and insurance companies could say you were knowingly negligent by exceeding the weight limits.
I have a 27ft, 2008 fifth wheel, want to pull my jet ski behind it. Is this legal and if so, what requirements are there? My truck has the power and the braking.
Dear Shawn,
Go to our RV Advice Travel Guide page and look up the state you reside in, or the state(s), you will be towing this combination in to see if it is legal and if so, any additional requirements needed (if any).
Our Travel Guide page is at: http://www.rvadvice.com/rvtravel.html.
Can I tow a 2006 Honda Odyssey behind 2004 37 ft Gulf Stream with 8.1 Chevy with Banks system?
Dear Larry,
Not according to Honda, but there were many people towing the '06 Odyssey with good results. But the motor home should be up to the task.
What size of hitch ball should I use? I have 1998 Coleman Santa Fe popup. I am currently using 2" size ball and it has a deep scratch on the (near), top of the ball.
Dear Barbara,
Inspect the hitch on the trailer. You should see the ball size stamped near the hitch.
Is a 2002 Chevy S-10 4x4 flat towable? Motor Home magazine doesn't list it.
Dear Brian,
It should be. Look at the transfer case shifter and see if there is a way to put the transfer case in neutral.
I have a 1995 35 ft. Pacearrow by Fleetwood, motor home with a 454 hp engine on a GM chassis. I would like to know if I can tow my 1998 Chevy 1500 4wd pickup safely behind it? If so, what do I need to do to prepare for the hookup?
Dear Bill,
Check your receiver and look at the gross weight of your Pace Arrow and GCVWR of the coach and make a decision if you want to tow the truck.
Look at the Roadmaster and Blue Ox web sites for towing equipment, and look at the M&G Engineering web site for an auxiliary braking system.
We have a 1999 V10 30' Gulfstream class C and we would like to know if we can tow a 30' enclosed tandem Haulmark car carrier or even a 20' tandem enclosed car carrier. We currently pull a 16' enclosed tandem trailer with no issues but we are moving and a larger trailer would help with the move.
Dear Julie,
All I can say is check the weights and take a good luck at your receiver and see if you want to try it. The 30' trailer really sounds scary.
I want to know how I can check the connections on a connector that I have just installed on my SUV to see if it is wired correctly when I hook it up to my 1976 18' Sportsman travel trailer. I have hooked it up but nothing works. Is there a wiring chart I can get to see if I have it wired correctly to the connector?
Dear Dave,
You can get a tester inexpensively that will plug into your receptacle and tell you if you're wired right. It can save you a lot of headaches in the future.
I have a 1997 GMC Suburban XL 2500/4WD automatic transmission. Is it towable with a Class A motor home?
Dear Frank,
Yes, it should be if you have a neutral on the transfer case. If it's the all wheel drive instead of a true 4xr, you will need a Remco lube pump.
Can I pull a 1998 Ford Mustang 5.0 five speed in neutral 1000 miles?
Dear Richard,
I say check with Remco, but I believe you will need a drive shaft disconnect.
I have a 29 foot Sunseeker with a 350 Vortec and would like to dingy tow my 1997 Silverado Z71 extended cab 4 wheel drive auto transmission with manual floor mounted transfer with neutral. I will use an Invisibrake by Roadmaster. I am worried about the transfer case. All mechanics and Chevy dealer say I can tow wheels down, owner's manual says no.
Dear William,
You shouldn't have any problem with your transfer case. But the 350 in the 29' Sunseeker is going to be stressed.
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