MORE THAN 95 TOWABLES - Good Sam
2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Cover.indd 1/22/15 1:43 PM - 1 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)MORE THAN 95 TOWABLESHOW TO TOW LIKE A PROESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR SAFE TRAVEL11 POPULAR DINGHY BRAKING SYSTEMS
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2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Tow and Go.indd 1/21/15 4:51 PM - 3 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Tow & GoIf you enjoy the thrill of exploring the openroad in your motorhome, you’ve probablyfound a few instances where bigger is notalways better. That’s where towing a dinghybehind your coach becomes advantageous.Want to know more? The 2015 Guide to DinghyTowing provides a selection of informative articles and a listing of new vehicles ready-madeto enhance motorhome ownership.Granted, no manufacturer has yet to engineer a plug-and-play setup directly from thefactory, but it’s never been simpler to equipboth dinghy and motorhome for road duty.For starters, as highlighted in “Thingsto Know Before You Tow” (page 6), the hardhookup between motorhome and dinghy hasbecome an easy one-person operation. Selfaligning tow bars make cinching up a breeze,and with some models, designed to have thecables and wires routed through the hollowarms, connections are simple and aesthetically pleasing. Plus, manufacturers are offeringan array of accessories to help keep it that way:An RV underskirt, fitted beneath the towingequipment, will safeguard the dinghy vehicleand hardware from debris. For more ironcladprotection, nearly indestructible rock guardsare available that quickly attach to the tow barand shield the dinghy from road debris.Yet another device to aid in safe dinghytransport, supplemental braking systems havelikewise evolved. Portable systems can be installed in just minutes, and permanent installations remain unobtrusive. Dinghy brakes aremandatory in most states and Canadian provinces and any time you add a few tons of weightto the back of your motorhome you need a wayto slow it down without overtaxing the brakeson the motorhome.And make no mistake, contemporary coaches can accommodate a lot of dinghy weight.While many new chassis are rated to handle atleast 4,000 pounds of dinghy weight, certain luxury coaches today carry gross combined weightratings (GCWR) of 60,000 pounds or more — withup to 25 percent of that available for towing.The focus of the annual dinghy towing guideis the dinghies themselves. Manufacturers arebecoming increasingly sensitive to the needsof the motorhome community and advancesin technology are changing the vehicle-availability landscape. The “2015 Dinghy Roundup”(beginning on page 14) lists vehicles thathave been manufacturer-approved for fourwheels-down towing. The list includes many ofthe newest vehicles — from luxurious to economical. For all-terrain fun, there are plentyof 4WD vehicles to choose from. While somevehicles are easy to tow, others require thatvery specific procedures be followed beforeand during towing to prevent damage. We’veincluded expanded information on the manufacturer guidelines required for flat towing,though you’ll still need to check the owner’smanual for more detailed procedures.As motorhomes continue to grow in size andstature, life on the road has never been morecomfortable. A dinghy adds to that enjoyment.MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3
2015-DINGHY-GUIDE TOC.indd 1/21/15 4:52 PM - 4 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Contents6 Things To Know Before You TowLinking up with the proper equipment14 2015 Dinghy RoundupAnnual guide to manufacturer-approved flat-towable cars, trucks and SUVs26 Towing AccessoriesPrepping a dinghy vehicle for safe travel30 Dinghy Braking SystemsPopular devices to improve stopping powerPublisher Bob LivingstonEditor-in-Chief Eileen HubbardTechnical Editor Chris HemerArt Director Rick DamienContributors Kristopher Bunker, Scott HirkoEDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE2750 Park View Court, Suite 240Oxnard, CA 93036Email info@motorhomemagazine.comADVERTISINGVP/National Sales Terry Thompson 847-229-6759ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVESLou Cicirelli, 954-297-9234, lou.cicirelli@goodsam.comScott Oakes, 847-229-6758, scott.oakes@goodsam.comSue Seidlitz, 530-268-3005, sue.seidlitz@goodsam.comKim Whitaker, 919-412-6325, kim.whitaker@goodsam.comCrompton Holdings, Scott Crompton, 334-546-7243, scottcrompton@mac.comMotorHome is a registered trademark of Affinity Group Inc. Copyright 2015 by Good Sam Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved. MotorHome(ISSN 0744-074X) is published monthly by GS Media & Events (a division of Good Sam Enterprises, LLC). Subscription price, U.S. andpossessions: 1 year, 19.97. All other countries, add 12 per year. For more information, visit www.motorhome.com.4 MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
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2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/21/15 4:53 PM - 6 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Things To KnowBefore You TowThe Right Equipment Adds Safety, Simplicity and ConvenienceTraveling with a dinghy vehicle isalmost a given with today’s larger motorhomes. Although the trend to biggercoaches has injected the lifestyle with morecreature comforts than a luxury hotel room,it’s not without its drawbacks. Even rigs with a60-degree wheel cut will encounter some difficulty negotiating narrow roads in smaller townsduring sightseeing tours — and it’s just not funtrying to park a 40-footer at local markets whenpicking up perishables.A dinghy simplifies such tasks, andeliminates the need to break camp and stoweverything each time you need (or want) toventure away from the campground. Addition-ally, the dinghy can stow gear securely whenmotorhome storage is filled (within weightrestrictions), and there is the security of havinga spare set of wheels in the event of an emergency. It’s not without consequences; towing adinghy will affect the acceleration, fuel economy and braking of any coach, to some degree.However, proper selection of a dinghy vehicleand towing equipment will enable you to safelyA drop receiver might be needed to keep the tow bar level. 6 MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
ce2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/21/15 4:53 PM - 7 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)safely be used as a dinghy, provided the appropriate towing accessory (such as a transmissionlube pump) is used for that specific model as anaftermarket modification, or towing on a dollyor trailer is planned — these vehicles have beencertified for four-wheels-down towing withoutaffecting their warranties. However, since manufacturers reserve the right to make engineering changes, buyers should always first confirmflat-towability by consulting the respectivevehicle’s owner’s manual before the purchase isfinalized.When selecting a dinghy, first find out themaximum towing limit of your coach and thendetermine which vehicles fall within that limit.Towing limits aren’t the only factor to consider,but they help to eliminate many choices basedon weight alone. The weight rating of the coach’shitch receiver is another concern, although mostare adequate, and receivers can often be upgraded. Keep in mind, however, that an upgraded hitch receiver cannot increase the specifiedweight limit set by the chassis manufacturer.An economical four-passenger compact carcan double as a family’s second car when nottraveling, but even a larger SUV or pickup truckcan be towed, providing its weight is within thetowing limit of the chassis.Aand conveniently enjoy the benefits of auxiliarytransportation.Flat TowingThe first and most essential step in selectinga dinghy vehicle is to make sure it is approvedby its manufacturer for flat towing (see “2015Dinghy Roundup,” page 14). While many nonapproved passenger cars or light trucks canB[A] Demco’s Dominator aluminum tow bar has arating up to 7,500 pounds. Easy trigger release andself-supporting arms provide convenient connectionto baseplate.[B] Roadmaster’s aluminum Sterling All-Terrain towbar is rated to handle vehicles up to 6,000 pounds.Nonbinding design facilitates hookup. Roadmaster’sBlackHawk 2 All-Terrain has a rating up to 10,000pounds.C[C] Aventa LX from Blue Ox uses a ball-in-socketdesign that allows the arms to swivel 360 degrees forquick hookup. The tow bar is rated to tow vehicles upto 10,000 pounds.MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7
2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/22/15 11:11 AM - 8 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWAbove: Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitch receiver, make sure electric connections and safety cablesare secure. Left: While driving your dinghy, this typeof tow bar remains on the coach, out of harm’s way.Most flat-towed dinghies track so well thatmany motorhome drivers don’t even know it’sthere. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles withmanual transmissions and most compact 4WDvehicles with manual transfer cases are amongthe easiest and most economical to tow. Plus,they tend to rank among the lightest vehicles.Some auto manufacturers also produce FWDvehicles equipped with automatic transmissionsthat are flat-towable. They are popular becausethey’re easier to drive and the setup for towing isusually just as simple as a manual.But some vehicles do require special procedures, such as starting the engine every 200miles to circulate transmission fluid. Note thatthis cannot simply be circumvented by overfilling the transmission before towing, becausethe problem isn’t caused by lack of sufficientfluid but rather by lack of oil circulation. Suchpractices, although inconvenient, are designedto prevent drivetrain damage and must be incorporated into the towing routine.Another vehicle-specific consideration is thattowing some dinghies with the ignition switchin a position that allows the steering column to8 MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGremain unlocked also leaves power applied tovarious electrical circuits. Over the course of afull day of towing, this can lead to significant battery drain. While strategies for dealing with thisvary by model, most fixes involve temporarilyunplugging one or more fuses from the vehicle’sfuse box before towing. Another alternative is toconnect the offending circuit through an owneradded switch or by installing Roadmaster’sFuseMaster switch, allowing these circuits tobe made tow-ready quickly and conveniently. Acharge line from the motorhome can often be aviable alternative.2015 Guide to Dinghy Towing SponsorsProduced by the editors of MotorHome forthe publication’s April issue, the 2015 Guideto Dinghy Towing was developed with assistance from the following companies:Blue Ox Products800-228-9289, www.blueox.comDanko Manufacturing/RVibrake800-815-2159, www.rvibrake.comDemco800-543-3626, www.towdemco.comHopkins Manufacturing800-835-0129, www.hopkinsmfg.comRoadmaster Inc.800-669-9690, www.roadmasterinc.comSMI Manufacturing800-893-3763, www.smibrake.com
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2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/21/15 4:54 PM - 10 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW12The Motorhome/Dinghy LinkAn essential ingredient in safe dinghy towing involves a solid, properlydesigned and installed mechanical linkage between the coach and the towed vehicle.Hitch receivers, tow bars and baseplates mustall be in good working order, rated for the weightyou intend to pull and designed for the specificapplication.Hitch ReceiversCheck the rating of the hitch receiver to ensurethat it is suited for the heaviest load you intendto tow. If a receiver is already installed on yourcoach, the weight limits and class should bevisible on it.However, the riding height of a motorhomerarely matches up with that of the chosen dinghy, oftentimes necessitating the use of a dropAs You Go Observe the speed limit for towing in eachstate or province you traverse. Maintain adequate stopping distance fromthe vehicle in front of you. A minimum fivesecond interval is recommended. Avoid towing in snowy or icy conditions. Pay particular attention to traffic mergingonto the freeway, and be prepared to takeevasive action to avoid “daydreamers.” Plan ahead — most flat-towed dinghiescan’t be backed more than a few feet, soit’s necessary to focus on easy ingress and10 MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGreceiver to allow the tow bar to ride level. Theseare available in 2- to 10-inch variations. Receivers should be bolted (not welded) in place,using at least Grade 5 bolts and lock washers,locking nuts and thread-locking sealer.Tow BarsTow bars are available in two basic styles:A-frame or self-aligning. A-frame tow bars(offered as “solid” or “folding”), while themost economical, are designed to fit a limitednumber of baseplates (the mounting bracketsaffixed to the dinghy) or specific applications;however, the folding design will fit a widerrange than the solid design. These types of towbars are strong, but heavy, and require storagespace when not in use. Hitching is easier with ahelper to guide alignment.egress. Most tow-bar manufacturers willnot warrant damage caused by backing.Dollies tend to jackknife quickly. It’s betterto disconnect the dinghy and drive to a safeplace to reconnect. Avoid having to make tight turns; they put alot of pressure on tow bars. Towing in deep sand or gravel may cause thedinghy’s front wheels to turn to one side. Ifthis happens, you must manually re-centerthem before continuing. Walk around the coach and dinghy to inspectall connections, check tire pressure (or usea monitoring system like the nVISION TPMSfrom Hopkins) and look for signs of troubleevery time you stop.3
k2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/21/15 4:54 PM - 11 -3(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)4[1] Baseplate installation doesn’t require welding or specialized tools, but can be involved. If you have any reservations, have a professional do it. [2] To hook up using a telescoping tow bar, the dinghy vehicle only needs tobe near the center and mid-length of the bar. [3] Connecting tow-bar arms to the baseplate requires the use ofpins and clips. Then secure the safety cables and plug in the electrical umbilical cord. [4] Once the pins are in,the motorhome is driven ahead slowly (or the dinghy is backed up) to lock the arms in position.Self-aligning tow bars are available in twostyles: dinghy-mounted and coach-mounted.Coach-mounted units are the most desirable, asthere is less chance of damage when not in use— and hitching is a one-person operation. Highlyadaptable, self-aligning tow bars fit a broadrange of vehicles by attaching to model-specificbaseplates: Class III (5,000-pound) or Class IV(10,000-pound) models are available. Contacttow-bar manufacturers to find out if baseplatesare offered for the dinghy you plan to tow.BaseplatesBaseplates are perhaps the most critical variable in this link. While tow bars and, obviously,hitch receivers are intended for mass fitment,various brands, models and years of dinghyvehicles require specific baseplates and installation procedures, so proper selection andinstallation are essential.Installing a baseplate typically entails verydetailed procedures. On some vehicles, thebumper covering (fascia) must be temporarilyremoved. Some minor drilling may be requiredand the bumper covering and/or grille may alsorequire some trimming.On some vehicles, the baseplate installation process can be even more intricate. Forexample, the air dam may need to be trimmedor the factory-installed belly pan may requireeither trimming or permanent removal. Suchrequirements are described in the manufacturer’s fitment charts — hopefully eliminatingany unpleasant surprises at installation time.Today’s baseplates do a good job of blendinginto the exterior lines of the dinghy vehicle.Remember that all 50 states require properlyrated safety chains or cables to keep the dinghyfrom separating from the coach if the tow bar orball fails. Safety chains or cables should be connected securely to the dinghy and crossed underthe tow bar, then secured to the hitch receiver.They should be long enough to allow full turningwithout binding, but should not drag when slack.Before You Tow Make sure your equipment is rated forthe dinghy’s weight and that you are notexceeding the motorhome’s gross combination weight rating (GCWR). Confirm hitch height is correct. Confirm all hitch bolts, tow-bar and baseplate fasteners are securely tightened. Confirm all hitch and wiring connectionsare engaged and secure; all safety chainsor cables are attached; and all lockingpins are properly installed. Connect brake system and breakawaydevice. Check motorhome and dinghy for properfunction of taillights, brakelights and turnsignals. Check tire pressure on motorhome anddinghy — including spare tires. Make sure the dinghy is set up for towing:steering unlocked; emergency brake off;gear selector in the position specified bymanufacturer; ignition in proper position;lube-pump switch, driveshaft coupler,4WD transfer case and hubs (if applicable) in proper position.MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 11
2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/21/15 4:54 PM - 12 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWOther TowingEquipmentShould you choose (or already own)a vehicle that is not flat-towable as produced, there are retrofit kits for manymodels. A good percentage of passenger vehicles can be modified to serve as dinghies usingretrofit products that are on the market.For rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and some fourwheel-drive applications, couplers from REMCODSC (www.remcodsc.com) enable the driveshaftto be easily disconnected from the transmissionor differential by a cable or lever mounted nearthe driver’s seat. These kits run about 750 andcan be installed in about three hours.A transmission-lube pump sold by RemcoIndustries (www.remcotowing.com) can bemounted and plumbed into some automatictransmissions to keep fluid circulating while thevehicle is in tow. Bear in mind that modifications Modern baseplates are secured to the frame of thedinghy. While some installations are more complicated, the end result usually is a clean appearance.to the vehicle may affect the warranty.Tow dollies also offer an alternative to flattowing, although they take up space in camp.Remember that the dolly weight must be figuredin with the total weight of the dinghy.Trailers track better than dollies, but theytake up even more precious space in camp. Also,the weight of the trailer drastically cuts into thetotal weight that can be pulled behind a motorhome, thereby making this method a distantthird choice.There are a number of other accessories fordinghy towing. Some, like dinghy braking devices, should be considered mandatory, while others (such as rock guards and RV underskirts) canbe considered conveniences. These componentsare addressed in “Towing Accessories” (page26), along with dinghy wiring and lighting.A[A] Baseplate kits are designed for specific models, and come complete withall mounting hardware. [B] Lube pumps allow towing of some automatictransmission-equipped vehicles not manufacturer-approved for flat towing.12 MotorHome 2015 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGB
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2015-DINGHY-GUIDE Listings.indd 1/22/15 1:42 PM - 17 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)2015 DINGHY STOWABLE TOWABLEW/ MANUAL W/ AUTOTRANS.TRANS.MILEAGECITY/HWY.Enclave FWD/AWD4,72465 MPH/NoneN/AYes17/24Regal GS FWD3,600NoneYesNo20/31Escalade 4WD (all)5,840NoneN/AYes14/21SRX4,27765 MPH/NoneN/AYes17/24Colorado 4WD4,140NoneNoYes19/25Cruze3,09365 MPH/NoneYesNoEquinox3,77765 MPH/NoneN/AYesEquinox AWD3,92265 MPH/NoneN/AYesMalibu3,39365 MPH/NoneN/AYesSilverado1500 4WD4,749NoneN/AYesSilverado2500 HD 4WD6,044NoneN/AYesSilverado3500 HD 4WD6,281NoneN/AYesSonic (except RS)2,69065 MPH/NoneYesYesSparkSuburban1500 4WD2,2695,89670 MPH/NoneNoneYesN/ANoYesAPPROX.RETAILPRICE RANGESPECIAL PROCEDURES(SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FORDETAILED INSTRUCTIONS)BUICK 39,05
2015-DINGHY-GUIDE_Tow and Go.indd 1/21/15 4:51 PM - 3 - (Cyan)2015-DINGHY-GUIDE_Tow and Go.indd 1/21/15 4:51 PM - 3 - (Magenta)2015-DINGHY-GUIDE_Tow and Go.indd 1/21/15 4:51 PM - 3 - (Yellow)2015-DINGHY-GUIDE_Tow and Go.indd 1/21/15 4:51 PM - 3 - (BlacK) . vehicle’s owner’s manual before the purchase is fi nalized. When selecting a .
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2012 GUIDE TO HOW TO TOW LIKE A PRO ESSENTIAL ACCESSORIES FOR SAFE TRAVEL Supplement to MotorHome March 2012 www.motorhomemagazine.com MORE THAN 100 TOWABLES. You re in luck. Blue Ox has it. When you re traveling, you want to take every winding curve, coast down every descend, and leave no bit of countryside untouched. But you haven t yet because you re still deciding We have thousands of .
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*A V-6 engine and manual transmission are standard on the Sebring Coupe LXi. The base-model Sebring Coupe, a 4-cylinder, comes with automatic transmission only and is not towable. **The GTC is the only Sebring convertible available with a manual transmission. TOWING 5/7/02 11:16 AM Page 68
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