SUV towing a car

You probably don't see it much because other than people transporting used cars, not many have a reason to do it.

I do see it fairly often, not necessarily using a truck or SUV as tow vehicle, just one car towing another. You just might not be looking for it, or it may not be a common practice where you live or where you drive.

Used to be a lot more common when we could tow cars bumper to bumper, but now most have hidden bumpers behind a plastic fascia, and often the bumpers are designed to collapse under fairly light loads, so that both vehicles need add-on towing equipment.

I see Jeep Wranglers flat towed by a truck/SUV fairly often.

I don't think the towed would notice a difference between the SUV or the motorhome towing it.

So, I started this thread, but was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts. My 2014 Jeep is rated to tow 6,700 pounds. The TOAD is a 2007 Ford Edge curb weight 4,073 and 5,150 I've towed very easily several times behind my MH. This would be a trip of about 1,370 miles. I have a brake buddy and all other tow equipment. Would stop each 500 miles to start and run trans thru gears as manual states. Since it's 4 wheels down and turns itself, there's no concern about weight distribution or anti-sway I assume. Worse case, someone with would need to drive it. Think I'd be good to go?

GORVN4FUN wrote:


That's how I felt about it too. It might be a good way to get my daughter's 2007 Saturn Vue to college somewhere. I bought it used and noticed it has a base plate too.

Just a friendly heads up, check that the vehicle you are towing 4 wheels down has a set up to deal with the transmission heat. Decouple the drive shaft, or put transfer case in neutral etc. Check the owners manual on just plan towing the vehicle, some vehicles are not recommended to tow 4 wheel down, even for a tow truck unless you or the truck can deal with the tyranny heat and no engine running.

Huh, it is common to see small convoys of that heading south when the migratory season is over.

. "Most states require towed vehicles to have a braking system as far as I know."

No, on second thought, this statement has been rebutted so many times I just won't bother this time.

Back when I was broke and desperate, I flat towed stuff a good number of times. Usually just to get a dead vehicle home for repair. You used to be able to rent a bumper mount tow bar from rental places. They have gone out of use mostly because vehicles these days require some modifications to mount a flat towing bar, so that negates the quick drag it home type of tows.

We used to but now use a trailer. Brakes and with all the Maroons driving you need them.

BarneyS wrote:
I don't see any reason you could not as long as you already have the brake equipment for the toad. Most states require towed vehicles to have a braking system as far as I know. That is probably the main reason you don't see cars, truck, or SUV's doing it because the toad braking equipment is too expensive for the occasional need to tow the vehicle.
In addition, probably most people have never thought of or heard of doing it that way unless they are into the RV thing.
Barney

That's how I felt about it too. It might be a good way to get my daughter's 2007 Saturn Vue to college somewhere. I bought it used and noticed it has a base plate too.

I don't see any reason you could not as long as you already have the brake equipment for the toad. Most states require towed vehicles to have a braking system as far as I know. That is probably the main reason you don't see cars, truck, or SUV's doing it because the toad braking equipment is too expensive for the occasional need to tow the vehicle.
In addition, probably most people have never thought of or heard of doing it that way unless they are into the RV thing.
Barney