What cars can be towed flat down?

[Lawgirl11]

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.

[tommy_g]

I have towed my Accord for 80,000 with no problems. The 2004 is towable 4 down.

[JimHB]

We have a 2015 Ford C-Max Energi (Hybrid) that we have just started towing 4-down. Push button start - start the car, shift into Neutral - stop the car. Very easy, so far so good.

[Vapor_Trails]

We had a Ford F150 and a 23' TT before the DP. The F150 could not be flat towed and I didn't want to keep commuting in a vehicle that got 10-11MPG.

I wanted a compact car with auto trans that could be flat towed. That list is very short. We bought a 2015 Chevy Sonic. We also bought a 7-year extended warranty so that if there are any mechanical issues due to being flat towed, it's covered.

[2gypsies1]

We've found that dealers generally don't have a clue. If you want to tow a car and they want to sell a car well....there you have it. Best to read the manual at least.

...just like buying a truck. Can this truck pull a 15,000 lb 5th wheel? Sure it can! 🙂

[Triker33]

The MKC isn't in the Ford tow-able list either.

[Mr_Mark1]

2gypsies wrote:
Here's a 2015 towing guide:

2015 Towing Guide

Interesting that it doesn't show the Lincoln MKC.... a Ford/Lincoln representative assured me that it is flat towable.

MM.

[2gypsies1]

Here's a 2015 towing guide:

2015 Towing Guide

[Mr_Mark1]

REMCO's website is not always up to date. A friend purchased a new 2016 Cadillac Escalade and REMCO said it is not towable 4 down. The manual states that it IS towable and he is towing it.

I've been eye-balling a new tow vehicle and peeked at the Escalade but I really don't want something quite that heavy. The new SRX replacement is not towable from what my friend told me as he traded in the mid sized Cadillac wanting the same thing.

So, I've been looking at the Lincoln MKC which is about the size of the Honda CR-V and the sister to the Ford Escape. It would fit our needs and the weight is about 4,000 lbs.

MM.

[Bill_Satellite]

Join FMCA and they have an excellent towing guide that is published annually. I like the Jeep line as they are factory designed to be towed. Not all models and most require 4 wheel drive but I push one button and the car is ready to tow with no REMCO pumps or other add-ons. Get where you are going and push the same button and the drive train is re-engaged. It just could not be any more simple.

[Dale_Traveling]

I think the Accord is towable. What makes Honda transmission towable is they do not have a pan the oil drains into. There is enough movement or splashing of oil to keep everything well lubricated. None of the gears or clutches are engaged unless the engine is running. There is a mechanical gear change with reverse which is why you must walk the transmission thru each gear as Clay L described to ensure a full and complete disengagement.

I towed a 98 Accord for several years maybe 10,000 miles behind the RV along with the car being my daily driver. Your Accord, one generation younger, the transmission is very similar but with the addition of a fifth gear. I wore mine out at 215,000 miles. Second gear clutch was slipping and was starting to get a knock from the crank shaft area. Now driving a 2010 Accord and towing a 2005 CRV.

[kalynzoo]

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.

[lafrentz]

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.

[Clay_L]

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."

[lafrentz]

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.

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