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flat towing vehicles

Yahoo Message Number: 93613
Does anyone know of an accurate source of information regarding vehicle makes & models which can be "flat-towed" (with 4 wheels on the road)?
I have a Ford Taurus, and even though Blue Ox does make & sell a bracket & tow bar for flat towing it, the owner's manual and ironically the link that Blue Ox provides to a place called Remco Industries both say that the front wheels must be off the ground to tow. My goal is for whatever vehicle I buy next I want to make sure it can be flat-towed, and it would be nice to have a list of models to start from so I know what to look for.

That said, what is anyone's experiences (good or bad) with tow dollies? I am looking at a Master Tow model so I can tow my Taurus this summer, unless I end up replacing it with something that can be flat-towed).

Thanks,
Mark M

1998 Intrigue

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93615
Mark,

Try HitchSource.com. Good people to deal with and usually a little cheaper.

Carl

09' Inspire

From: mark@...

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2014 1:50:21 PM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] flat towing vehicles

Does anyone know of an accurate source of information regarding vehicle makes & models which can be "flat-towed" (with 4 wheels on the road)?

I have a Ford Taurus, and even though Blue Ox does make & sell a bracket & tow bar for flat towing it, the owner's manual and ironically the link that Blue Ox provides to a place called Remco Industries both say that the front wheels must be off the ground to tow. My goal is for whatever vehicle I buy next I want to make sure it can be flat-towed, and it would be nice to have a list of models to start from so I know what to look for.

That said, what is anyone's experiences (good or bad) with tow dollies? I am looking at a Master Tow model so I can tow my Taurus this summer, unless I end up replacing it with something that can be flat-towed).

Thanks,
Mark M

1998 Intrigue

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Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93616
I just got rid of a '08 Toyota Tacoma that had been fitted to a REMCO drive shaft which allowed it to be towed flat. Cost 6 yrs ago - $1750 including parts and labor. I traded it for a '12 Buick Enclave which can be towed flat. Cost to equip it with the necessary wiring to disable fuses, rig for tow bar connection ( used my old tow bar), wiring to control running lights, brake lights, etc., plus labor. $1352.50. I also had the air cylinder which stops the tow vehicle if there is a break-away. Rod

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93617
Mark,

FMCA is a very good source. It could be that they offer the base plate, etc. for towing a stick shift model. Many of the manufacturers allow towing if you have standard transmission (NOT ALL THOUGH).
I have a 2010 Ford Escape and it is towable 4 down however the later models are not included. Heard a rumor that Ford will no longer permit any of the models to be towed 4 down. NOT verified!

John

08 Intrigue #12235
10 Ford Escape

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93618
I flat tow a CR-V 2013 and I believe you can the 2014 with the 5 speed transmission. You can also tow a Odessey if it has the 5 speed transmission, But if it has the 6 speed your out of luck. Honda won't warrant the Odessey, but will the CR=v as long as you follow the rules. The only complaint with the CR-v is the BFG tires, they are noisy on certain types of pavement with large pebbles or crushed rock in the mix. I changed from BFG to Goodyears on my previous Odessey and they were much quieter.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93619
PS ford says you can't tow the All wheel driver version of the Explorer, but can the 2 wheel drive. TWI

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93621
Hi, we just purchased a 2014 CRV, checked out the owners manaul before we bought, it's OK to flat tow. Manual stipulates procedure. Very easy. We have the AWD model.

Best -
Kent

2005 Allure # 31281

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93622
I've attached a dinghy guide (pdf) that I downloaded from I think motorhome.com....

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93623
Thanks everyone for the replies. That source of Dinghy Towing Guides seems to be exactly what I was looking for. That will be my source when looking for my next vehicle.

Mark M

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93626
I flat tow a 2012 2wd Ford Explorer with no problems. It is easy to tow and a good ride.
2005 Inspire 330 #51264

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93627
Mark,

We have flat-towed our 1998 Honda CR-V since we bought in 2004. The owner's manual reads as follows: "Your vehicle can be towed behind a motorhome at legal highway speeds. The vehicle must be 'flat-towed' with all four wheels on the ground (Towing Your Vehicle Behind a Motorhome, pg. 171).

To do our towing, we use a Blue Ox tow system. Some folks think an auxiliary braking system is required, but we have never used one. On the downside, we must confess that we had to replace the transmission in the Honda, due to our ignorance (no cautionary warning appears in the owner's manual). We had never had a towing problem until we towed the Honda from Rapid City, SD to Oshkosh, WI, a distance of about 800 miles. We learned the hard way that we needed to start the engine to circulate fluid through the automatic transmission whenever we stopped to refuel the motorhome. Even though the transmission is in neutral, there are still moving parts in the transmission.

This may give some insight into our experience. We are still towing the same Honda behind our coach. It is a lightweight vehicle, very easy to attach and detach to our towing system and we like it very much.

Gary and Sand Collins 2005 ry Coach Inspire 51491

flat towing vehicles

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93648
I have been flat towing Jeeps since 2008. Couldn't be easier and when it's all said and done the Jeep is a fun vehicle to have especially in some of the places we tend to go. My 2008 Wrangler had the battery problem (towing with the key in accessory position to keep the front wheels from locking). My 2011 Rubicon came with the steering lock mechanism disabled or removed so it can be towed with the key out of the ignition. Great solution!!
While both were automatic transmissions the 4 wheel drive transfer case is manual with a real neutral. With the case in neutral and the auto trans in park nothing spins in the transmissions making it good for any number of miles or speeds.

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93660
I'v been towing a chevy silverado 4 wheel drive. Also couldn't be easier. Push 2 buttons and we are in neutral.
Tom

2005 Inspire

51177
 

Re: flat towing vehicles

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93739
This is a great site for towing information http://www.remcoindustries.com/Towing/Store.php I know many manufacturer are making it easier on us 4 wheel down boys

Robert & Chee Chee Huffhines
2007 Tribute #81042
2006 Jeep Liberty



On Saturday, February 1, 2014 10:40 PM, Tom Coomes wrote:

I'v been towing a chevy silverado 4 wheel drive. Also couldn't be easier. Push 2 buttons and we are in neutral.
Tom

2005 Inspire

51177