What cars can be towed flat down?
I have a Class A Winnebago 39ft Diesel. We need to buy a new car. I want to tow the car with all 4 wheels down. Where can I find a list of these cars? My 2004 Honda Accord could not be towed with all 4 wheels down.
Forum Discussion
- MotorHome magazine publishes an annual list.
Dinghy guide
Generally speaking you need a vehicle with a manual transmission so you can put it into neutral while towing. There are some exceptions. - If you are going to spend $20-30K on a new car, you should also investigate Remco transmission circulation pumps and driveshaft disconnects. You might choose a more suitable vehicle for your driving needs, and the additional cost would be small.
For the record, I flat tow. I tow a 2001 Toyota Echo - old school manual transmission, or an FJ Cruiser, where I just spend four minutes and remove the driveshaft.
Matt B - I know all Fords after 2012 can be towed 4 down. I have a 2007 Chevy HHR automatic that I have towed 4 down for about 5 years with no problems. I think the new Chevys can all be used.
Lawgirl11 wrote:
I have a Class A Winnebago 39ft Diesel. We need to buy a new car. I want to tow the car with all 4 wheels down. Where can I find a list of these cars? My 2004 Honda Accord could not be towed with all 4 wheels down.
if its a standard it can be towed ! but like others suggest U can have the pump system installed so u can tow it.A lot cheaper than buying another complete car just for towing- Lots of people tow that vintage Accord four down without any mods.
You can call Remco to verify. And you need to do the procedure Honda recommends;
Idle engine, foot on brake, run shifter slowly through the gears, top to bottom, the slowly back up; L, 2, D, N, idle in n FOR 4 minutes, turn off engine.
NEVER SHIFT FROM R TO N OR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE WILL OCCURE. Big Katuna wrote:
Lots of people tow that vintage Accord four down without any mods.
You can call Remco to verify. And you need to do the procedure Honda recommends;
Idle engine, foot on brake, run shifter slowly through the gears, top to bottom, the slowly back up; L, 2, D, N, idle in n FOR 4 minutes, turn off engine.
NEVER SHIFT FROM R TO N OR TRANSMISSION DAMAGE WILL OCCURE.
1- I think 2004 or 2005 is the last year the Accord can be towed 4 down. You do have to follow the procedure below sent to me by Honda though.
"02/22/02 (all models except CR-V)
Dear customer:
Regarding your inquiry on towing your Honda or Acura automobile behind a motorhome:
For your vehicle, the Owner's Manual advises against towing at more than 35 m.p.h or for more than 50 miles. However, this recommendation exists primarily because Honda has not conducted formal tests at higher speeds and for greater distances.
We are not aware of any particular problems being caused by motorhome towing of Honda/Acura automobiles with either manual or automatic transmission, so long as proper pre-towing preparations are made and the vehicle is towed at legal highway speeds.
Manual Transmission
When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission is full of fluid. Do not overfill.
• Release the parking brake.
• Shift the transmission to Neutral.
• Turn the ignition key to the ACCESSORY (1) position to release the steering wheel lock. Make sure that the radio and all accessories are turned off.
Automatic Transmission
When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission fluid level is full. Do not overfill.
If Honda/Acura automobile with an automatic transmission is towed with the front or all four wheels on the ground, you must do the following every day immediately before towing:
• Start the engine.
• Press on the brake pedal. Shift the lever through all the positions (P,R,N,D,2,1).
• Shift to D, then to N. Let the engine run for at least three minutes, then turn off engine.
• Release the parking brake.
• Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (1) so the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power sockets are turned off so you do not run down the battery.
If you travel more than 8 hours in one day (including stopping time), you must stop and repeat the above procedures.
NOTICE:
The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked. Always leave the key in the ACCESSORY (1) position to prevent damage to the steering system when towing behind another vehicle.
CAUTION:
Severe automatic transmission damage will occur if the car is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground.
NOTICE:
Improper towing preparation will damage the transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. If you cannot shift the transmission or start the engine, your vehicle must be on a flat bed truck or trailer.
If you tow a Honda/Acura vehicle with automatic transmission, the fluid must be changed every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Although experience has shown that the Honda/Acura transmission and powertrain are capable of being "motor home towed", America Honda does not assume responsibility for any vehicle damage or liabilities incurred due to the towing device, towing vehicle, lighting hookup, or other towing equipment or towing procedures; any responsibility for these items is assumed by the owner/operator.
If you have additional questions, please call American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (National Consumer Affairs) at 800-999-1009." - Automatic Transmission
When preparing to tow your vehicle, make sure the transmission fluid level is full. Do not overfill.
If Honda/Acura automobile with an automatic transmission is towed with the front or all four wheels on the ground, you must do the following every day immediately before towing:
• Start the engine.
• Press on the brake pedal. Shift the lever through all the positions (P,R,N,D,2,1).
• Shift to D, then to N. Let the engine run for at least three minutes, then turn off engine.
• Release the parking brake.
• Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY (1) so the steering wheel does not lock. Make sure the radio and any items plugged into the accessory power sockets are turned off so you do not run down the battery.
If you travel more than 8 hours in one day (including stopping time), you must stop and repeat the above procedures.
NOTICE:
The steering system can be damaged if the steering wheel is locked. Always leave the key in the ACCESSORY (1) position to prevent damage to the steering system when towing behind another vehicle.
CAUTION:
Severe automatic transmission damage will occur if the car is shifted from reverse to neutral and then towed with the drive wheels on the ground. - I notice you used the phrase "need to buy a new car". Last year, when we purchased the Allegro, our first diesel we "wanted" to buy a new car because the diesel was capable of towing a heavier car than our Saturn, and we wanted the ability to take friends and family touring as a group in our car. We could have gone the Remco route with our Sienna Van, but we did not "want" to put the expense into our 2008 van. Therefore, a new 2015 Ford Explorer which tows beautifully 4 down.
So it is your choice and your budget. If your going new the 2016 Motorhome Magazine guide or the 2016 FMCA publication will give you the manufacturers' list of towable cars. Fords and Chevy (GM) products seem to rule.
Happy Trails.
