Looking for advice for suitable cars to be towed....

[Rebel7]

Hello all and Happy New Year!

I have a 2021 Jayco Redhawk 29XK and am looking to buy a car/SUV to tow including Jeeps, etc.

I am looking for recommendations based on best practices, best products, where to get tow equipment installed and of course any experiences anyone has had with one car over another, ie Jeep vs Chevy vs ???. I don't want to tow a truck.

Thanks in advance!!!

[wmurphy]

I flat tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 Door or a Ford F150 4X4. I would first decide on what you want to do with the vehicle. Do you want to explore off road, just make grocery runs and sightsee on well maintained roads? There are many choices, refer to the Good Sam towing guide and it will show you what can be flat towed. I use Roadmaster equipment but Blue Ox and others are also good. Before you put money down on a vehicle, read the owner's manual as the ability to flat tow can change depending on how the vehicle is equipped. Don't rely on the salesman to know.

[Stavman]

Lots of threads here, been debated to nosia...lol

I tow a Honda pilot, love it, blue ox Tow plate and tow bar, can't remember my braking system, but it's permanent and ya just flip a switch

Everyone runs a Heep ...errrrr Jeep, so that's an easy choice

[Joey55]

I tow a 2017 Smart Car on all four with a Roadmaster plate kit and tow bar. I installed it myself using their install video on utube. Tows great and I can't even tell it's back there unless I look at the rear monitor.

[osbornk]

My friend has a 189 the same as yours. He tows an older CRV AWD with no issues. CRVs are able to be flat towed before the 2015 model year. He has done it a couple of years with no issues.

[TnK]

How long have you been towing the Smart Car?

Everything I’ve read from the manufacturer says it is NOT RECOMMENDED (auto or manual tranny).
We were going to buy a smart car as a toad vehicle until I’d read that.

[Jab55]

I tow a 2013 Fiat 500. It's manual transmission and there is no steering wheel lock so really a simple vehicle to setup for flat towing. I use an NSA ready brute tow bar. In my opinion it is the least expensive and simplest tow system on the market. I think I paid around $1000 dollars for the tow bar and base plates for the car. I did the install myself in a day....it wasn't that bad.

[TnK]

Originally Posted by Jab55

I tow a 2013 Fiat 500. It's manual transmission and there is no steering wheel lock so really a simple vehicle to setup for flat towing. I use an NSA ready brute tow bar. In my opinion it is the least expensive and simplest tow system on the market. I think I paid around $1000 dollars for the tow bar and base plates for the car. I did the install myself in a day....it wasn't that bad.

That sounds like the perfect set up!

Thanks!

[Stavman]

Just remember a breaking system is needed in most states when using a tow system aka Toad

Check weight limits in yer travel states

$1000 sounds cheap and no breaking system

[Joey55]

The electric Smart Car can not be towed at all. The pre-2016 models can be towed in neutral but there is a procedure to go through for the 2016 and newer. Mine is a 2017 and the procedure is easy but the battery has to be disconnected when towing. I put a battery disconnect switch under the front hood. Last towed on a 3000 mile trip with no problems.


I've had people walk up and take pictures of the Smart connected to the RV many times.

[stustoner]

We tow a 2020 Nissan Versa, manual shift. Light car, no steering locks, great MPG.

[Jab55]

Originally Posted by Stavman

Just remember a breaking system is needed in most states when using a tow system aka Toad

Check weight limits in yer travel states

$1000 sounds cheap and no breaking system

It is a cheap system....it has a braking system and an emergency breakaway feature. The whole system is manual....it has a surge mechanism by the tongue....when you put on the brakes of the motorhome the car pushes forward....that surge moves a mechanical lever that has a cable attached from the lever directly to the brake pedal in the car. What I love most about the system is the simplicity....(and the cost )

[TheOtherDodge]

I tow a truck, just in case

[TnK]

TheOtherDodge…
We were going to go the trailer route but it with the vehicles we currently own PLUS the trailer weight we would be well over the 5000# towing limits.

[Stavman]

And ..what do u do with the trailer

Big pain

[Midnightmoon]

Originally Posted by TheOtherDodge

I tow a truck, just in case

Now there's the way to tow your vehicle to the track. Nice setup.

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by TheOtherDodge

I tow a truck, just in case

That's wrong!!! You're towing a Dodge with a Ford!

[white2833]

2020 Jayco Melbourne Prestige towing a 2021 Jeep Wrangler Wiley’s Edition. Blue Ox base plate, tow bar and Patriot 3 braking system. Works fabulous.

[TheOtherDodge]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

That's wrong!!! You're towing a Dodge with a Ford!

True, but at least both have the Chevy style round tires!!!

[TheOtherDodge]

Originally Posted by Stavman

And ..what do u do with the trailer

Big pain

Unhook it... With that being said, I don't tow this while camping...just to the track!