2012 GUIDE TO - Good Sam
2012 GUIDE TOHOW TO TOWLIKE A PROESSENTIAL ACCESSORIESFOR SAFE TRAVELMORE THAN 100 TOWABLESSupplement to MotorHome March 2012 www.motorhomemagazine.com
You reYoou re in lucluck.k. Blue Ox has it.When you reyou re traveling, you want to take evereveryy winding curve, coast down evereveryy descend,and leave no bit of countrcountrysideyside untouched. But you haven haven tt yet because you ryou ree still deciding emovable tabs to keep thingsWeWe have thousands of specially designed baseplates with rremovableclean. Each baseplate has safety cables, convenience links, and brbreakawayeakaway brackets that We also have tow bars that range from 5,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds allowing you toWefrombring along whatever vehicle you wish.Nowyou can spend more time enjoying the rideNowyouenjoyingride,, and let us handle the rest. Blue Ox, Circle 121 on Reader Service Card
TOW & GOIf you enjoy the thrill of exploring theopen road in your motorhome, you’veprobably found a few instances where bigger is not always better. That’s where towing adinghy behind your coach becomes advantageous. Want to know more? The 2012 Guideto Dinghy Towing provides a selection of informative articles and a listing of new vehiclesready-made to enhance your RVing lifestyle.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 “Things toKnow 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;with some tow-bar designs, even routing cables and wiring through hollow arms, the connection is more than easy, it’s eye-pleasing.Plus, manufacturers are offering an array ofaccessories to help keep it that way: An RVunderskirt, fitted beneath the equipment, willsafeguard the dinghy vehicle and towing hardware from debris. For more ironclad protection, nearly indestructible rock guards areavailable 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 maywww.motorhomemagazine.comnot be mandatory in some states but anytimeyou add a few tons of weight to the back ofyour motorhome, you need a way to slow itdown without taxing the brakes on your coach.And make no mistake, contemporarymotorhomes can accommodate a lot ofdinghy weight. While many new chassis arerated to handle at least 4,000 pounds ofdinghy weight, certain luxury coaches todaycarry gross combined weight ratings (GCWR)of 60,000 pounds or more — with up to 25percent of that dedicated to towing.The focus of our annual dinghy towingguide is the dinghies themselves. Manufacturers are becoming increasingly sensitive to theneeds of the motorhome community, and the“2012 Dinghy Roundup” (beginning on page12) lists more than 100 vehicles that have beenmanufacturer-certified for four-wheels-downtowing. The list includes many of the newestvehicles — including seven hybrids. For all-terrain fun, there are plenty of 4WD vehicles tochoose from. While some vehicles are easy totow, others require that very specific procedures be followed before and during towingto prevent damage. This year we’ve includedexpanded information on the manufacturerguidelines required for flat towing, thoughyou’ll still need to check the owner’s manualfor more detailed procedures.As motorhomes continue to grow in sizeand stature, life on the road has never beenmore comfortable. A dinghy adds to thatenjoyment. 2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3
CONTENTS6 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW12 2012 DINGHY ROUNDUP24 TOWING ACCESSORIESLinking up with the proper equipmentOur annual guide to manufacturer-approved flat-towable cars, trucks and SUVsPrepping your dinghy for safe travelPublisher Bob LivingstonEditor Eileen HubbardArt Director Rick DamienManaging Editor Tom KaiserAssociate Editor Amanda LepinskiContributors Rich Cox, Chris HemerADVERTISINGVP/National Sales Terry ThompsonEDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE3300 Fernbrook Lane N #200Minneapolis, MN 55447800-848-6247Email info@motorhomemagazine.comNortheast Region Lou Cicirelli1400 NW 108th Avenue, #266, Plantation, FL 33322 954-297-9234NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALESSoutheast Region Tacy Hendershot1010 SW Lighthouse Drive, Palm City, FL 34990 772-288-0387Seattle, Washington Scott Oakes, John Marciano1818 Westlake Avenue N, #420, Seattle, WA 98109 Tel 206-283-9545 Fax 206-283-9571MotorHome is a registered trademark of Affinity Group Inc. Copyright 2012 by Affinity Group Inc. All rights reserved. MotorHome (ISSN0744-074X) is published monthly by GS Media & Events (a division of Good Sam Enterprises, LLC). Subscription price, U.S. and possessions: 1 year, 19.97. All other countries, add 12 per year. For more information, visit our website: www.motorhomemagazine.com.4 2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhomemagazine.com
Roadmaster, Circle 106 on Reader Service Card
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 camping with more creature comforts than a luxury hotel room,it’s not without its drawbacks. Even rigs witha 60-degree wheel cut will encounter somedifficulty negotiating narrow roads in smallertowns during sightseeing tours — and it’sjust not fun trying to park a 40-footer at localmarkets when picking up perishables.A dinghy simplifies such tasks, and eliminates the need to break camp and stow everyAthing each time you need (or want) to ventureaway from the campground. Additionally, thedinghy can stow gear securely when motorhome storage is filled (within weight restrictions), and there is the security of having a spareset of wheels in the event of an emergency.It’s not without consequences; towing adinghy will affect the acceleration, fuel economyand braking of any motorhome, to some degree. However, proper selection of a dinghyand towing equipment will enable you tosafely and conveniently enjoy the benefitsof auxiliary transportation.BA) Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitch receiver, make sure electric connections and safety cables aresecure. B) While driving your dinghy, this type of tow bar remains on the coach, tucked out of harm’s way.6 2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhomemagazine.com
Roadmaster’s aluminum Sterling All-Terrain tow baris rated to handle vehicles up to 6,000 pounds. Nonbinding design facilitates hookup. Roadmaster’s BlackHawk 2 All-Terrain has a rating up to 10,000 pounds.Aventa LX from Blue Ox uses a ball-in-socketdesign, which allows the arms to swivel 360degrees for quick hookup. The tow bar is ratedto tow vehicles up to 10,000 pounds.Demco’s Dominator aluminum tow bar has a rating upto 7,500 pounds. Easy trigger release and self-supporting arms provide convenient connection to baseplate.FLAT TOWINGThe first and most essential step in selecting adinghy vehicle is to make sure it is approved byits manufacturer for flat towing (see “2012Dinghy Roundup,” page 12). While you dohave other options — many passenger cars orlight trucks can safely be used as a dinghy, provided a towing accessory (such as a transmission lube pump) is available for that specificmodel as an aftermarket add-on, or towingon a dolly or trailer is planned — these vehicleshave been certified for four-wheels-down towing without affecting their warranties. However, buyers should always first confirmflat-towability by consulting the vehicle’sowner’s manual before the purchase isfinalized.When selecting a dinghy, first find out themaximum towing limit of your motorhomeand then determine which vehicles fall withinthat limit. Towing limits aren’t the only factorto consider, but they help to eliminate manychoices based on weight alone. The weightrating of the motorhome’s hitch receiver is another concern, although most are adequate,and receivers can be upgraded. Keep in mind,however, that an upgraded hitch receiver cannot increase the specified towing limit set bythe chassis manufacturer.An economical four-passenger compact carcan double as a family’s second car when nottraveling, but even a larger SUV or sport truckcan be towed, providing its weight is withinthe towing limit of your chassis.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,www.motorhomemagazine.comDrop receivers keeptow bars level.they tend to rankamong the lightest vehicles.Some automanufacturersalso produce FWDvehicles equipped withautomatic transmissionsthat are flat-towable. They are popular because the expense of towing equipment isminimal, and readying for towing usually involves fewer steps.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.Such practices, although inconvenient, aredesigned to prevent drivetrain damage andmust be incorporated into the towing routine.Another vehicle-specific consideration isthat towing some dinghies with the ignitionswitch in a position that allows the steeringcolumn to remain unlocked also leaves powerapplied to various electrical circuits. Over thecourse of a full day of towing, this can leadto significant battery drain. While strategiesfor dealing with this vary considerably bymodel, most fixes involve temporarily unplugging one or more fuses from the vehicle’sfuse box before towing. A more involvedalternative is to connect the offending circuitthrough an owner-added switch, allowingthese circuits to be made tow-ready by themere flip of a switch.2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7
» THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWABTHE MOTORHOME/DINGHY LINKAn essential ingredient in safe dinghytowing involves a solid, properly designed and installed mechanical linkage between the motorhome and the towedvehicle. Hitch receivers, tow bars and baseplatesmust all be in good working order, rated for theweight you intend to pull and, when applicable, designed for the specific application.HITCH RECEIVERSCheck the rating of your hitch receiver to ensure that it is rated for the heaviest load youintend to pull. If a receiver is already installedon your coach, the weight limits and classshould be visible on it.However, the riding height of a motorhomerarely matches up with that of the chosen dinghy,oftentimes necessitating the use of an adjustableheight drop receiver to allow the tow bar to ridelevel. Receivers should be bolted (not welded) inplace, using at least Grade 5 bolts and lockwashers, locking nuts and thread-locking sealer.TOW BARSTow bars are available in two basic styles: Aframe or self-aligning. A-frame tow bars (offered as “solid” or “folding”), while the mosteconomical, are designed to fit a limited number of baseplates (the mounting brackets affixed to the dinghy) or specific applications;however, the folding design will fit a widerrange than the solid design. These types oftow bars are strong, but heavy, and requirestorage space when not in use. Hitching iseasier with a helper to guide alignment.Self-aligning tow bars are available in twostyles: dinghy-mounted and coach-mounted.Coach-mounted units are the most desirable,as there is less chance of damage when not inuse — and hitching is a one-person operation.8 2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGHighly adaptable, self-aligning tow bars fit abroad range of vehicles by attaching to modelspecific baseplates: Class III (5,000-lb) or ClassIV (10,000-lb) 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 different baseplates andinstallation procedures, so proper selectionand installation are essential.Installing a baseplate typically entails veryspecific procedures. On some vehicles thebumper covering (fascia) must be temporarilyremoved. Some minor drilling may be requiredand the bumper covering and/or grille mayalso require some trimming.On some vehicles, the baseplate installationprocess can be even more intricate. For example, the air dam may need to be trimmed orthe factory-installed belly pan may requireeither trimming or permanent removal. Suchrequirements are described in the manufacturer’s fitment charts — hopefully eliminating anyunpleasant surprises at installation time.Today’s baseplates do a good job of blendinginto the exterior lines of the dinghy vehicle.Remember, too, that all 50 states requireproperly rated safety chains or cables to keepthe dinghy from separating from the motorhome if the tow bar or ball fails. Safety chainsor cables should be connected securely to thedinghy and crossed under the tow bar, thensecured to the hitch receiver. They should belong enough to allow full turning withoutbinding, but not drag when slack.www.motorhomemagazine.com
CDA) Baseplate installation does not require welding or specialized tools, but can be involved. If you haveany reservations, have a professional do it. B) To hook up using a telescoping tow bar, the dinghy vehicleonly needs to be near the center and mid-length of the bar. C) Connecting tow-bar arms to the baseplaterequires the use of pins and clips. Then secure the safety cables and plug in the electrical umbilical cord.D) Once the pins are in, the motorhome is driven ahead slowly (or the dinghy is backed up) to lock thearms in position.BEFORE YOU TOW Make sure your equipment is rated for thedinghy’s weight and that you are notexceeding your motorhome’s grosscombination weight rating (GCWR). Confirm hitch height is correct. Confirm all hitch bolts and tow-bar andbaseplate fasteners are securely tightened. Confirm all hitch and wiring connectionsare engaged and secure; all safety chains orcables are attached; and all locking pins areproperly installed. Connect brake system and breakaway device. Check motorhome and dinghy for properfunction of taillights, brakelights and turnsignals. Check tire pressure of all tires on motorhomeand dinghy — 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.AS 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 andegress. Most tow-bar manufacturers willnot warrant damage caused by backing.www.motorhomemagazine.comDollies tend to jackknife quickly. It’s betterto disconnect the dinghy and drive to asafe place 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 recenterthem before continuing. Walk around the coach and dinghy to inspect all connections, check tire pressure (oruse a monitoring system like the nVisionTPMS from Hopkins) and look for signs oftrouble every time you stop.2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 9
» THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWModern baseplates are secured to the frame of the dinghy vehicle. While some installations are a littlemore complicated, the end result is a clean appearance.OTHER TOWING EQUIPMENTShould you choose (or already own)a vehicle that is not flat-towable asproduced, there are retrofit kits for manymodels. One retrofitter, Remco Manufacturing(www.remcotowing.com) estimates 80 percent of passenger vehicles can be modifiedto serve as dinghies with its line of retrofitproducts.For rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and some 4WDapplications, couplers enable the driveshaft tobe easily disconnected from the transmissionor differential by a cable or lever mounted nearthe driver’s seat. These kits run about 750and can be installed in about three hours.A transmission-lube pump can be mountedand plumbed into some automatic transmissions to keep fluid circulating while the vehicleis in tow.Other FWD vehicles can be adapted using aRemco axle-lock disengagement device. Checkwith your dealer to make sure a specific modification does not affect the dinghy’s warranty.Tow dollies also offer an alternative to flattowing, although they take up space in camp.Remember that the dolly weight must be figured in 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 cutsinto the total weight that can be pulled behinda motorhome, thereby making this method adistant third choice.There are a number of other accessoriesfor dinghy towing. Some, like dinghy brakingdevices, should be considered mandatory,while others (such as rock guards and RVunderskirts) protect against road debris. Thesecomponents are addressed in “Towing Accessories” (page 24), along with dinghy wiringand lighting. Baseplate kits are designed for specific models,and come complete with all mounting hardware.Lube pumps allowtowing of someautomatic transmission-equippedvehicles notmanufacturerapproved for flattowing.2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING SPONSORSProduced by the editors of MotorHome for the publication’s March issue, the 2012 Guide to DinghyTowing was developed with assistance from the following manufacturers:BLUE OX PRODUCTS, 800-228-9289, www.blueox.com.DEMCO, 888-689-1810, www.towdemco.com.HOPKINS MANUFACTURING, 800-835-0129, www.hopkinsmfg.com.ROADMASTER INC., 800-669-9690, www.roadmasterinc.com.10 2012 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhomemagazine.com
Hopkins Manufacturing, Circle 112 on Reader Service Card
« BUICK REGAL2012DINGHYROUNDUPSome Old Friends as Well as New Players Make theList for Some Exciting Dinghy Towing ChoicesIt is an interesting, transitional time forthe automobile industry. As we all come toterms with rising gas prices and a shakyeconomy, manufacturers are offering morechoices than ever before, ranging from diehard favorites like SUVs and V-8 sedans to environmentally conscious hybrids and subcompacts. So if you’re in the market for a dinghytowing choice that fits your particular lifestyle,there really is no better time than the present.So what constitutes a dinghy-towablevehicle? As we’re sure you’re all aware, thereare many vehicles that can be dinghy towed,but many of those don’t make our list. That’sbecause vehicles listed in our guide must beapproved by the manufacturer for dinghytowing. That means the manufacturer is familiar with the practice of dinghy towing, and hasconfirmed that its vehicle can be
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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