Exploring TOWABLE VEHICLES for 2021 for VEHICLES TOWABLE VOL
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CULINARY TRAVEL TOWABLE VEHICLES FOR 2021 IMPROVING RV DRINKING WATER JANUARY 2021 JANUARY ENHANCING THE RV LIFESTYLE JANUARY • Exploring A World Of Wonders VOL. 58 NO. 1 • $3.99 US FamilyRVingmag.com THIS ARTICLE IS REPRINTED FROM THE JANUARY ISSUE UPDATED DECEMBER 2020 A guide to 2021-model-year vehicles that manufacturers have indicated can be flat towed behind a motorhome without significant modifications. The following information is intended to help motorhome owners select a vehicle that is approved by its manufacturer for flat towing. The information was gathered from automobile manufacturers and vehicle owners manuals and pertains only to 2021-model-year vehicles. The information may or may not be correct for earlier or later models. While every attempt has been made to present accurate information, continued vehicle improvements and production-line changes could alter the information and render it out-of-date. Before purchasing any vehicle, consult its owners manual to determine whether the vehicle can be flat towed behind a motorhome and what procedures must be taken to prepare the vehicle for towing. And check with the dealer to ascertain whether any service bulletins have been issued to update the owners manual information as it pertains to recreational towing. Also check with base plate manufacturers to determine whether that component is available for the vehicle you will be towing. Towing surveys for prior years are available at www.familyrvingmag.com. he majority of motorhome owners take along another vehicle that they use for transportation once they set up camp. Having a second vehicle eliminates the need to unhook the motorhome when it comes time to explore the local area, and it also provides flexibility for traveling to or parking in places not accessible to motorhomes. Since , this magazine has published an annual Tguide intended to assist members in selecting a vehicle to tow. Each guide is specific to one particular model year and focuses on the most popular method of towing — flat towing, or towing four wheels down (as opposed to using a dolly or trailer). The list that appears on the following pages represents -model-year cars, trucks, and sport-utility vehicles that manufacturers have indicated can be towed four wheels down behind an RV without significant modifications. BRAND/MODEL UPDATES Some vehicles from last year’s chart have been discontinued, or the versions are not towable because of design changes. Discontinued models include the Chevrolet Sonic and Ford Fusion. The Chevy Traverse was removed from the list for , because it is being “refreshed” and will relaunch 28 • FAMILY RVing • JANUARY 2021 Reprinted from Family Rving©, January 2021 • 800-543-3622 • www.FamilyRVingmag.com 2021 Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring Reprinted from Family Rving©, January 2021 • 800-543-3622 • www.FamilyRVingmag.com JANUARY 2021 • FAMILYRVing • 29 b2021 Reprinted from Family Rving©, January 2021 • 800-543-3622 • www.FamilyRVingmag.com BEFORE YOU BUY site and click on the “Owners” link Towing information may be diffi- to see whether the manual for that cult to obtain directly from the auto vehicle is available to download. manufacturers, and often dealership Once you are confident the salespeople don’t understand the vehicle is towable and you are concept of recreational towing or 3 comfortable with the towing they have limited knowledge about setup procedures and guidelines, ask which vehicles can be towed four a few more questions before making wheels down. the purchase. Find out from the That’s why it’s important to do dealer, manufacturer, or owners your homework when it comes to manual how towing will affect the selecting your next towed vehicle. vehicle’s warranty. Manufacturers Think of the “ Towing Lineup” sometimes issue revised instructions as the first step in your discovery for flat towing, so ask the dealer rep process. Also, you may want to whether any service bulletins have check the “Technical Forums” at been released that relate to towing FMCA.com to see whether there the vehicle behind a motorhome. have been reports about towing par- If possible, have the vehicle ticular vehicles. weighed. Your motorhome has Following are some additional 4 been given a gross combination guidelines: weight rating (GCWR), which is the Before purchasing a vehicle, maximum allowable combined make sure the dealership repre- weight of the motorhome and the 1 sentative with whom you are attached towed vehicle. The accompa- Ford Bronco speaking understands that you are nying charts include approximate looking to tow the vehicle and not curb weights as supplied by the man- to use it to tow a trailer. ufacturers; however, optional as a model. Also discontin- Next, and perhaps the most equipment and accessories can ued are the Honda Fit and Honda important step, is to request increase the weight of the vehicle. So, Civic Coupe, the Hyundai Elantra 2 that you be shown a copy of the make sure that its weight will not GT N Line, the Kia Optima, and vehicle’s owners manual. Once you push the combined weight above the the Lincoln MKZ. have the manual in hand, find the GCWR. It’s also a good idea to weigh Vehicles with modifications section that addresses four-wheels- your motorhome (see “Weighty that render them no longer towable down towing — often under a Matters,” July , page ¢, and include the Buick Envision (different heading such as “Recreational “Weighing Your RV,” July , page transmission); the Honda Accord Towing.” (Do not confuse this with ). Because of overloading issues, (no longer available with a manual “Emergency Towing,” which may some motorhomes should not tow transmission) and Honda Civic be possible four wheels down on a anything. In fact, certain motor- Sedan LX/Sport (different transmis- limited basis for emergency pur- homes may need to have their loads sion); the Hyundai Venue (no longer poses only.) This section addresses lightened before being driven solo. available in a six-speed manual specific guidelines regarding towing Check whether a base plate is transmission); and the Kia Sorento procedures, necessary modifications, available for the vehicle you plan (different transmission). and safety issues pertaining to the 5 to purchase. The base plate, which Vehicles added to the flat towables vehicle. Many manufacturers post must be installed on the chassis of list for include the all-wheel-drive owners manuals online, and some- the towed vehicle, provides a secure Buick Encore GX; the Chevrolet times, updated versions of the point of attachment for the tow bar. Trailblazer; the Ford Bronco; and the printed manuals become available. The primary manufacturers of base Lincoln Corsair Grand Touring PHEV If you have a particular vehicle in plates are Demco (www.demco- with the HF automatic transmission. mind, visit the manufacturer’s web- products.com; £-¢-¢¤¤), Blue Ox 30 • FAMILY RVing • JANUARY 2021 Reprinted from Family Rving©, January 2021 • 800-543-3622 • www.FamilyRVingmag.com (www.blueox.com; --), and supplemental brakes be used on any A supplemental brake provides Roadmaster (www.roadmasterinc. towed vehicle. stopping assistance to the tandem, com; -- ). A question that is often asked con- allowing the towed vehicle’s brakes cerning supplemental brakes to slow the vehicle and reduce the TOWING EQUIPMENT involves the legal ramifications of not weight inertia that’s pushing forward Once you’ve selected a vehicle for using them. Not all jurisdictions against the rear of the motorhome. towing and determined that a vehi- mandate supplemental brakes on Most of us have never heard any- cle-specific base plate is available, towed vehicles, but when it comes to one say that the brakes on their the next step is to purchase a tow four-wheels-down towing, safety motorhome stop it too quickly. bar and base plate. Several compa- should be paramount. Your motor- Nevertheless, many of us have nies sell tow bars with varying home’s brakes were designed to stop seen what happens when brakes convenience and safety features. The the weight of the coach. Add several don’t work quickly enough. most important factor when select- ing a towing package is to make sure it is rated to handle the weight of the towed vehicle. Have the initial For safety’s sake, every motorhome owner installation done by qualified and experienced personnel. Once who tows a vehicle four wheels down should installed, check the equipment fre- quently and use it only in the consider using an auxiliary braking system. manner for which it was designed. As with any mechanical gear, proper maintenance can increase the life of towing equipment. However, there comes a time when the equipment must be replaced to prevent a danger- ous situation. Frequent inspections will alert you to the need. When hooking up the towed vehi- cle, do not let yourself be distracted. Also, get in the habit of checking the towing equipment each time you stop for fuel or to take a break. Walk around the towed vehicle to make sure the tires are properly inflated and do not exhibit any unusual wear patterns. Perform these safety inspec- Buick Encore GX tions each time you’re stopped and you will decrease the chances of a potential problem while on the road. thousand pounds of towed vehicle Although this guide focuses on Safety is the most important weight to the equation, and the vehicles that can be flat towed, there issue for motorhomers when they motorhome’s braking system is is no single best way to tow. Each operate their coaches. That’s why, for being asked to do more than it was vehicle and each method has its safety’s sake, every motorhome intended. The extra weight can advantages and disadvantages. If a owner who tows a vehicle four reduce the effectiveness of the brakes vehicle you already own or wish to wheels down should consider using in emergency stopping situations, as purchase cannot be flat towed, it may an auxiliary braking system.