? about tow vehicle, need help
Can any vehicle with standard transmission be towed with my MH? Just put it in neutral and go. I hate to go buy another car when I've got one that's a standard. All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Forum Discussion
- Depends on which car.year/model etc
Look in the owners manual about 'towing' and read the requirements
Don't have the manual.....internet/download it - NO! Both FMCA (Family Moter Coach Association) and Moterhome Magazine publish yearly guides to towable vehicles. Archives for both are available on line. Many towables are year specific. Many automatic transmissions are not towable per the manufacture. Many manual transmission are not permitted to be towed without going beyond manufacturer specs. Another source for information in Remco Industries, they make kits that will make many non-towable cars towable. This topic is really complex, and a simple yes or no answer is really inappropriate. Good luck with your research.
sandy43 wrote:
Can any vehicle with standard transmission be towed with my MH? Thanks
Would really help to know WHICH vehicle is in question. And the degree of risk you wish to take. I didn't want to take warranty failure risk, so I dropped Tacoma from my shopping list of Tacoma, Ranger, and Frontier. Tacoma manual said "NO" even for standard. Sales people said "People do it all the time."
We bought our Frontier and Corolla (both manual shift) new, and wanted approved towing. Before that, we didn't know that not all manuals are OK'd by their manufacturer. Apparently our Tercel and Mitsu pickup didn't either. We towed both, older vehicles bought used, a fair amount and no problems.- these links/sources are a good initial screening, but CONFIRM it in the vehicle owner's manual under either towing behind a motorhome or recreational towing.
bumpy - A primary reason many standard shift transmission equipped vehicles can not be towed safely is based on how the transmission is lubricated. Those that should not be towed rely on the input shaft on the front end turning and splashing oil/gear oil for lubrication. Engine off, in neutral = no rotation and no lubrication while the tail shaft/drive shaft is rotating other things inside the gear box. Those lubricated by the tail shaft splashing lubricant are generally safe to tow in neutral/engine off. As stated by others, consult your owners manual.
