Flat Towing Set Up for 2013 Fiat 500

Question

Question:

what all do I need to flat tow a fiat 500 behind my rv?

asked by: Ronnie T

1

Helpful Expert Reply:

I would be happy to help you set up your 2013 Fiat 500 for flat towing. You can only flat-tow your Fiat if it has a manual transmission. If you have an automatic transmission you will need the Demco Kar Kaddy X Tow Dolly w/ Disc Brakes - Tilt Bed Frame - 4,800 lbs - Wide Tread item # DM9713093. You are going to need a tow bar, base plate kit, wiring harness for lights, supplemental braking system, a battery charge line, stop light switch, and potentially a high low adapter.

If you don't already have a tow bar for your RV you will want to use the Roadmaster Falcon 2 Tow Bar - Motorhome Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs item # RM-520. The Falcon 2 tow bar has a large hookup radius to ensure simple, secure hookup. What this means is that, even if your towed car is not perfectly aligned with your RV, you will still be able to make the necessary connections.

For a base plate kit, I recommend the Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms item # 522013-1A. This base plate fits the Abarth, Lounge, Pop, and Sport models. I have linked a couple of pictures that show the arms removed and installed on a Fiat 500.

Next you will need lighting. For lighting you have some options. If you want something that installs quickly and does not splice into the vehicle wiring go with the Roadmaster Standard Magnetic Tow Lights item # RM-2120. For a more permanent solution I recommend the Roadmaster 6-Diode Universal Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles with Separate Lighting item # 154-792-118158.

You will also want the Roadmaster Battery Charge Line Kit for Towed Vehicles item # RM-156-25. This kit will ensure you don't have a dead battery when you arrive at your destination.

You will also need a supplemental braking system. I recommend going with an installed system for more reliability and ease of use. The Demco SBS Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System item # SM99251 is a proportional braking system that never has to be removed, replaced, or reset. The DUO activates when your RV's brake lights go on and an inertia sensor in the towed car detects deceleration. You will experience no false braking with the Demco Stay-IN-Play.

To avoid damage to your Fiat 500 by ensuring that your supplemental braking system is properly positioned and working effectively you will want to use the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit - Fiat item # RM-751455. This kit activates your RV monitoring system to alert you when the brakes of your towed car are being applied.

You may also need a high-low adapter in order to keep your Mini Cooper level. I've added a link to a help article which shows you how to determine if you need an adapter as well as a link to our selection of adapters.

expert reply by: Jerred H

1

Fiat 500 Base Plate's on and off
(click to enlarge)

Answer 1

It sounds like you are wanting to flat-tow a 2012 Fiat 500 behind a motorhome and if that's the case you'll need a few different components such as base plate kit, tow bar, safety cables, wiring harness, and braking system. I have…

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Answer 2

We can get your 2012 Fiat 500C set up with baseplates for your Roadmaster Falcon 5250 tow bar, and I verified directly with Roadmaster that the correct fit for your Fiat is the following: - Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit #522013-1A You…

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Answer 3

For Kia vehicles, flat-towing would depend on the models and how they are equipped. For example, a 2012 Kia Soul can only be flat-towed if it has a manual transmission. If the 2012 Soul has an automatic transmission, a tow dolly like part #RM-2050-1,…

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Answer 4

When flat towing your 2011 Kia Soul, there are a few things that are needed. You need base plates, a tow bar, safety cables, wiring for the towed vehicle lights, and a supplemental brake system. The base plates I recommend are the Blue Ox Base…

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Answer 5

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 6

From the looks of your attached photo (thanks so much!), you have the Blue Ox Base Plate Kit #BO74FR. You will be able to get replacement tab inserts for this with part #BLU57XR. However, due to the rust/corrosion, I recommend replacing the entire…

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Answer 7

All of the base plates for the 2015 and 2016 Fiat 500L only fit models with a manual transmission so I checked the owner's manual online and found that models with an automatic transmission cannot be flat towed but they can be dolly towed at the…

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Answer 8

Based on your information, you need a stop light switch to complete your flat towing setup of your Fiat which is very common. I recommend the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit, Item #RM-751455. This switch wires directly into the fuse box for constant…

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Answer 9

I attached the two sheets of the install instructions for the Tow Ready Kit part #TR118821 that you referenced.

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Answer 10

For your 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, the Roadmaster base plate kit you are seeking is the Roadmaster EZ2 Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms, #522013-1A. This is a confirmed fit for your vehicle. I recommend using Loctite Threadlocker 262 - High Strength - Up…

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Answer 11

There are certain Blue Ox Base Plate Kits which don't allow the Blue Ox Acclaim Tow Bar part #BX4330 to be folded up and stored on the vehicle. There isn't an adapter that would allow for this so if storage is a concern a motorhome mounted…

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Answer 12

I have a great base plate solution for you. Since you say that your Blue Ox tow bar has a 5k capacity, I believe you are referring to either the Blue Ox Adventurer Tow Bar - Car Mount - 2" Ball #BX7322 or the Blue Ox Acclaim #BX4330.…

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Flat Towing Set Up for 2013 Fiat 500

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