We are planning on buying a cat to flat tow behind our Class A moterhome. According to our owners manual the car needs to be less than 5000 pounds. We are looking at a Honda CRV and a Jeep Cherokee. We have heard conflicting reports on transmission problems with flat towing these cars. If you any information that will help us decide which the best best choice please let us know.

Welcome to the forum!Take a look at Motorhome Magazine's Dinghy Guide (part of Good Sam). This will tell you what you need in towing. If you are a member of FMCA, they have guides online that go back at least 12-13 years for no charge.

As noted above Motorhome Magazine and the FMCA magazine each give an annual update on towable cars. But as a precaution, if you are purchasing new, make sure you look at the owners guide for the car to make sure that model is flat towable. Also, it has been suggested in the past to have the dealer note on the purchase transaction that you are purchasing "because the car is flat towable", that way if the manufacturer changes the standards mid-year you have some recourse. Additionally, if you have the time and inclination, you can post the type of car you are deciding on in this forum and you will surely get opinions.Oops: I just re-read your post. When you say the owners manual says less than 5000lbs, that probably means the hitch is rated at 5000lbs. If it is a gas engine MH, like mine, then you need to check the GVCW (gross vehicle combined weight) limit and subtract the actual weight of your loaded motorhome. Take it to a scale with a full tank of gas and propane (water depends on whether you travel full or empty) and food and clothing and add passenger weight. The difference may be greater than you think and 5000lb is no longer within limits. I figure my limit to be approx. 4000lbs will a normal load. My Saturn weighs in at 3970 with luggage in tow. I also have a supplemental brake on the towed car. Happy Trails

LilCoco74 wrote:We are planning on buying a cat to flat tow behind our Class A moterhome. According to our owners manual the car needs to be less than 5000 pounds. We are looking at a Honda CRV and a Jeep Cherokee. We have heard conflicting reports on transmission problems with flat towing these cars. If you any information that will help us decide which the best best choice please let us know.Jeep Wrangler, liberty, etc. The new cherokee can if you get it with the active drive II transmission (4x4). And that is the only transmission that can. It will have the neutral button next to the drive selection knob. Zero problems pulling with it if you get the right system. There are no fuse issues or leaving the keys in, or having to watch your speed and start the car every few hours. Many other toads have different steps you need to do to tow 4 down.

an easy rule of thumb to narrow down your search is that;A) MOST automatic transmission cars ARE NOT flat towable without some sort of modification.. B) Standard (stick) transmissions are usually flat towable with no or small modifications

Subaru Outback but must be a manual tranny. There's only one model of the Outback that fits the bill but it tows very easily. Other than that, Jeep has many models that can flat tow (but watch their weight).

What cars can be safely flat towed behind a Class A RV

18 Replies

2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jan 31, 2014
wa8yxm wrote:
There are basically 3 lists of cars that can be flat towed.

This list includes most JEEP 4WD's with MANUAL transfer case and most stick shift cars (But not all in either case).

We tow our Jeep Liberty without having any modifications. The new Cherokee has taken the place of the Liberty and is also towable without modifications. We have had more fun with our Jeep but no sense getting a Jeep if you're not going to go 4-wheeling.
Veebyes
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
Don't know about the newer models but I have an older Toyota Yaris auto that is towable.
darsben
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
Remember modifying a car to flat tow MAY void the warranty
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Jan 30, 2014
There are basically 3 lists of cars that can be flat towed.
1: Cars that can be towed without drive train modifications of special instructions, Just install a tow bar, lights and brakes and tow.. IN NEUTRAL.

This list includes most JEEP 4WD's with MANUAL transfer case and most stick shift cars (But not all in either case).

2: You can tow them but there is a procedure you have to run through every time you hook up or stop while towing, Start engind, run through gears, that kind of thing. Sorry I do not have an example

3: Those that can be towed with modification.
3A: LP-1 Lube Pump kit from Remco Towing .. I have a 2001 Dodge Neon with an LP1, so far no problems.
3B: Axle lock or drive shaft disconnect.
These devices turn your car or light truck into a TRUE TRAILER, I mean no power to the wheels.. IF I had a choice that is what I'd use for assorted reasons (But Jeeps are my first choice,, WHY,, I WANT A JEEP, that's why, has nothing to do with towing, I just WANT A JEEP! Had one too, for four days)

The axle lock goes on 1/2 of the axle on a FWD (Replaces the half axle) it consists of a half axle with a collar you twist the collar (An oil fliter wrench is supplied to assist) about 1/3 turn and it "Unlocks" the half axle so that wheel turns freely, the other wheel will turn the side gears only in the differential so it is essentially freewheeling as well, I towed a 1992 Chevy Lumina APV with one of those, Very nice.. Plus if some thief hopps in the towed, knowing you have to leave the key in the igintion, he's going no where without power to the wheels.

The lock technology is tried and proven and older than I am (I'm in 60s) with a failure rate of .. Well, treat it right and your newborn baby won't live that long.
The drive shaft disconnect works on the drive shaft on a RWD, effectively the same way... IT is a "Spline Clutch" I have heard of issues with these. But fairly rare. with this ALL the differential gears are in use so there is just a bit more drag.

Suggestion: When you find a car you like go to the Remco Towing site and check it out.
http://www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/Store.php
mlts22
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
Remco is pretty accurate for what it has for lists. I doublechecked what it says for Ford F-150s, and it is right on the money for what is needed.
cooper841
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
Use tow a jeep but really didn't use it much little heavy for me. So now I tow the Kia soul manual.Great all around car.Four down put in neutral cycle key back in forth to unlock sterring wheel.Can really tell it behind me.
Dyngbld
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
We are planning on buying a cat to flat tow behind our Class A moterhome

Sorry I can't help myself it is late. The SPCA has plenty of cats, not sure they are flat towable. :)

The next car we buy will be flat towable, I don't have a coach yet, but I am looking into the future and am planning ahead. We are looking at a jeep of some kind.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
www.remcotowing.com has a list by year, make, model, engine, transmissions etc for multiple years. You can look up whatever you are wondering about.
lanerd
Explorer II
Jan 30, 2014
darsben wrote:
an easy rule of thumb to narrow down your search is that;

A) MOST automatic transmission cars ARE NOT flat towable without some sort of modification..
B) Standard (stick) transmissions are usually flat towable with no or small modifications

This is pretty good advice.. however, I would change the word "Most" to "Many" and also any modification done to either an auto or manual trans would be the same.....saying std shift trans may need "small" modification is a little misleading. FWD cars would need a lube pump and RWD cars would need a drive shaft disconnect.

The are MANY GM, Ford and even some Chrysler products that have auto trans that are 4-down towable. Not many Asian cars with auto trans are 4-down towable.

Good luck

Most popular are Jeep (several different models and Honda CRV's
tommy_g
Explorer
Jan 30, 2014
I have towed a honda accord automatic for over 40k with no problems so far.