Guide To Towing Behind Your RV

Ofen times, enjoying the thrill of the open road traveling by RV includes towing another vehicle, boat or off-road toys behind you. This is often called “dinghy towing” and is very popular among RVers today. Motorhomes continue to grow in size, stature and luxury and life on the road has never been more comfortable. Follow this complete guide to towing behind your motorhome for seamless travel while towing.

Traveling with an extra vehicle, or “dinghy,” is practically a given in today’s age of large motorcoaches. Admittedly, parking at the grocery store or turning around in the parking lot isn’t fun in a 40-footer. A dinghy simplifies such tasks and alleviates the need to break camp for a jug of milk. Dinghy’s also provide an extra vehicle in case of emergency and extra storage space if you fill the RV storage.

Towing a dinghy does come at a cost. Towing will affect acceleration, fuel economy and braking of any RV to a certain degree. Proper selection of a dinghy and the correct equipment will allow you to safely and efficiently enjoy the benefits of a supplementary vehicle.

The first step in selecting a dinghy to tow is to check that the manufacturer has approved the vehicle for flat towing. Most passenger cars and light trucks can be used as a dinghy with the proper tow packages.

Proper dinghy preparation, from auxiliary braking systems to lights, are essential for safe RV travel. It is crucially important to prepare your dinghy with the proper equipment for towing, this can be done yourself or with the help of a certified towing equipment dealer. One of the most important
aspects of dinghy prep involves connecting the wiring between the two vehicles. Tail, brake and turn signals on the back of the dinghy are required in all 50 states and all Canadian provinces, so this isn’t a step that you can overlook.

The equipment used to tow small passenger vehicles, light trucks or boats behind motorhomes typically does not need extensive maintenance. Grease on the hitch ball will usually meet your needs when a tow bar is used. Wheel bearings should be repacked every year on a tow dolly, and if the dolly has brakes, they should be inspected annually. The most important aspects for safe towing are the necessary equipment, installed and used properly, along with vigilance.