Parts Needed to Flat Tow Behind Motor Home
Question:
I need to modify a vehicle to flat tow behind a motorhome. I know Ill need a car with manual transmission. What hardware would I need to purchase?
asked by: Dan W
Expert Reply:
There are several items needed to flat tow your vehicle. Flat towing is easiest with a vehicle with manual transmission. Additionally, as a general rule, the tow vehicle should weigh twice as much as your towed vehicle.
You will want a tow bar for the vehicle you will be pulling. Base plates are vehicle specific. To give you an idea, if you will be flat towing a 2005 Subaru Forester, I recommend the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit # BX3612. This base plate has removable arms so that the base plate doesn't take away from the look of your vehicle when it is not in tow.
With the # BX3612 base plate, I recommend using the Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar # BX7380. This tow bar mounts to your motor home's 2 inch trailer hitch receiver and can pull a vehicle up to 6,500 pounds. The tow bar features telescoping arms to allow for easier hook up. The required safety cables are included with this tow bar.
In order for your vehicle lights to work when towing, you will need a tow bar wiring harness. If you plan on towing your Forester often, I recommend the Roadmaster 6-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Separate Lighting # 154-792-118158. The turn signal on your Forester is separate from you brake lights so you will want a 6-diode kit. If you don't plan on towing your Forester very often, I recommend a temporary lighting kit, like the Magnetic LED Tow Lights # TLL21RK. These magnetic lights will attach to the outside of your car. Both of these lighting systems will allow you to run a connector to the front of your towed vehicle to connect to the motor home's lights.
To connect your Forester's wiring to your motor home's wiring, you will want a wiring extension. I have attached a link to all of our available extensions for you. One end of the extension needs to make the connector on the tow vehicle and the other end of the extension needs to match the connector on the towed vehicle.
You will also need a braking system for your Forester. I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play Duo # SM99251. This braking system has a one time install, it does not need to be removed from the vehicle for the vehicle to be driven normally.
I have attached a help article on flat towing for you.
If you will not be flat towing the 2005 Subaru Forester, or if the Forester is not a manual, let me know and I will be glad to recommend the necessary parts for a different vehicle.
Products Referenced in This Question
Roadmaster 6-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles with Separate Lighting
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Splices into Vehicle Wiring
- Diode Kit
- Universal
- Tail Light Mount
- Roadmaster
more information >
Blue Ox Alpha 2 Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,500 lbs
- Tow Bar
- Hitch Mount Style
- Telescoping
- Steel
- 6500 lbs
- Fits Blue Ox Base Plates
- Blue Ox
more information >
Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional
- Tow Bar Braking Systems
- Brake Systems
- Proportional System
- One Time Set-Up
- Fixed System
- Power Assist Brake Compatible
- Hydraulic Brakes
- Demco
more information >
Magnetic LED Tow Light Kit - Weatherproof - Red Lens - 20' Wiring Harness - Qty 2
- Tow Bar Wiring
- Bypasses Vehicle Wiring
- Removable Tail Light Kit
- 20 Foot Long Harness
- Universal
- Magnetic Mount
- Optronics
more information >
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Blue Ox Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms
- Base Plates
- Removable Drawbars
- Twist Lock Attachment
- Blue Ox
more information >
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