2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Cover.indd 1/20/16 4:49 PM - 1 - (Cyan .
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Cover.indd 1/20/16 4:49 PM - 1 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Supplement to MotorHome April 2016 www.motorhome.com
2 BLUE OX.indd 1/20/16 4:59 PM - 2 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) Reduces sway caused by wind, curves in the road, and passing trucks Improves cornering traction and stability Polyurethane bushings Limited lifetime warranty Eliminates constant steering corrections caused by extended rear overhangof gas powered RVs Fits most gas motorhomes Easy installation Three year warranty Applies the force needed to keep a motorhome on course through crosswinds,uneven pavement, and trucks, reducing stress and physical fatigue Exerts up to 270 lbs of pressure to keep the coach in its lane Stay in control in case of a blowout One year limited warranty
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Tow and Go.indd 1/20/16 4:46 PM - 3 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)tow and 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 2016 Guide to DinghyTowing provides a selection of informativearticles and a listing of new vehicles readymade to 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 “2016 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 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE TOC.indd 1/20/16 4:46 PM - 4 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)contents6 Things To Know Before You TowLinking up with the proper equipment14 2016 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 DamienPhotographer Trevor TallmanEditorial/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 2016 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 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
5 ROADMASTER.indd 1/20/16 4:59 PM - 5 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 6 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Things To Know Before 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. Additionally, the dinghy can stow gear securely when6 MotorHome 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGmotorhome storage is filled (within weightrestrictions), and there is the security of having a spare set of wheels in the event of anemergency. It’s not without consequences;towing a dinghy will affect the acceleration, fueleconomy and braking of any coach, to somedegree. However, proper selection of a dinghyvehicle and towing equipment will enable you toA drop receiver might beneeded to keep the towbar level.
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 7 -safely and conveniently enjoy the benefits ofauxiliary transportation.FLAT TOWINGThe first and most essential step in selectinga dinghy vehicle is to make sure it is approvedby its manufacturer for flat towing (see “2016Dinghy Roundup,” page 14). While many nonapproved passenger cars or light trucks cansafely be used as a dinghy, provided the appropriate towing accessory (such as a transmission lube pump) is used for that specific modelas an aftermarket modification, or towing ona dolly or trailer is planned — these vehicleshave been certified for four-wheels-down towing without affecting their warranties. However, since manufacturers reserve the rightto make engineering changes, buyers shouldalways first confirm flat-towability by consulting the respective vehicle’s owner’s manualbefore the purchase is finalized.When selecting a dinghy, first find out themaximum towing limit of your coach and then(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)determine 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 can betowed, provided its weight is within the towinglimit of the chassis.ABC[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] 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 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 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 cables aresecure. Left: While driving the dinghy, this type of towbar remains on the coach, out of harm’s way.Most flat-towed dinghies track so well thatmany motorhome drivers don’t even know theyare there. 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 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGremain unlocked and also leaves power appliedto various electrical circuits. Over the course ofa full day of towing, this can lead to significantbattery drain. While strategies for dealing withthis vary by model, most fixes involve temporarily pulling 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.2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING SPONSORSProduced by the editors of MotorHome forthe publication’s April issue, the 2016 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
9 DANKO.indd 1/20/16 4:59 PM - 9 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 10 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)4THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWthe 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 ride height of a motorhomerarely matches up with that of the chosen dinghy, oftentimes necessitating the use of a dropreceiver to allow the tow bar to ride level. TheseAS YOU GO Observe the speed limitfor towing in each state orprovince you traverse. Maintain adequate stoppingdistance from the vehiclein front of you. A minimumfive-second interval is recommended. Avoid towing in snowy or icyconditions. Pay particular attention totraffic merging onto theare 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.Self-aligning tow bars are available in twostyles: dinghy-mounted and coach-mounted.freeway, and be preparedto take evasive action toavoid “daydreamers.” Plan ahead — most flattowed dinghies can’t bebacked more than a fewfeet, so it’s necessaryto focus on easy ingressand egress. Most tow-barmanufacturers will notwarrant damage causedby backing. Dollies tend tojackknife quickly. It’s betterto disconnect the dinghyand drive to a safe place toreconnect.110 MotorHome 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING2 Avoid having to make tightturns; they put a lot of pressure on tow bars. Towing in deep sand orgravel may cause the dinghy’s front wheels to turnto one side. If this happens,you must manually re-center them before continuing. Walk around the coach anddinghy to inspect all connections, check tire pressure(or use a monitoring systemlike the nVISION TPMS fromHopkins) and look for signs oftrouble every time you stop.3
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 11 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Before You TowCoach-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. 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.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 properly 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.rated safety chains or cables to keep the dinghyfrom separating from the coach if the tow bar orball fails. Safety chains or cables must 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.[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.34MotorHome 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 11
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Before You Tow.indd 1/20/16 4:51 PM - 12 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK) THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOW Modern baseplates are secured to the frame of the dinghy. While some installations are more complicated,the end result usually is a clean appearance.other towing equipmentShould 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 modificationsto 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.AB[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 2016 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
13 DETHMERS.indd 1/20/16 4:58 PM - 13 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)
2016-DINGHY-GUIDE Intro.indd 1/20/16 4:48 PM - 14 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)By Chris HemerDINGHY TOWING 2016So you finally joined the RVing community and are looking for a car to towbehind your new motorhome. Or, perhaps you’re a seasoned veteran who just wantsa new vehicle to tool around in
during sightseeing tours — and it’s just not fun trying to park a 40-footer at local markets when picking up perishables. A dinghy simplifi es such tasks, and eliminates the need to break camp and stow everything each time you need (or want) to venture away from the campground. Addi
Guides for earlier model years are available at www.motorhome.com. MotorHome 2019 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3 2019-DINGHY-GUIDE_Intro.indd 1/29/19 9:30 AM - 3 - (Cyan)2019-DINGHY-GUIDE_Intro.indd 1/29/19 9:30 AM - 3 - (Magenta)2019-DINGHY-GUIDE_Intro.indd 1/29/19 9:30 AM - 3 - (Yellow)2019-DINGHY-GUIDE_Intro.indd 1/29/19 9:30 AM - 3 - (BlacK) .
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 .
5. DINGHY & OUTBOARD Description x The 10’ inflatable dinghy is a Highfield with an aluminum hull. x The dinghy comes with a 6hp Honda outboard. o NOTE: Always leave the outboard mounted on the dinghy. System Operation x The dinghy is stored on davits on the stern. o NOTE: Always store
The Right Equipment Adds Safety, Simplicity and Convenience A drop receiver might be needed to keep the tow bar level. T raveling with a dinghy vehicle is almost a given with today's larger motor-
2020 TOW GUIDE - Cover.indd 11/12/19 11:11 AM - 1 - (Cyan)2020 TOW GUIDE - Cover.indd 11/12/19 11:11 AM - 1 - (Magenta)2020 TOW GUIDE - Cover.indd 11/12/19 11:11 AM - 1 - (Yellow)2020 TOW GUIDE - Cover.indd 11/12/19 11:11 AM - 1 - (BlacK) . of the driver’s door, or in the vehicle owner’s manual. The owner’s manual may not have specifi .
ffirs.indd ii 29/12/11 2:41 PM. Pass port to Profi ts fffirs.indd ifirs.indd i 119/01/12 2:38 PM9/01/12 2:38 PM. fffirs.indd iifirs.indd ii 119/01/12 2:38 PM9/01/12 2:38 PM. Passport to Profi ts Why the Next Investment Windfalls Will Be Found Abroad and How to Grab Your Share Revised and Updated .
Gamma C075 1.25 75 57.4 27.1 16.9 Flying Dutchman, Nomad, Topper Omega Aluminium masts All Seldén dinghy mast sections have been designed to give the best stiffness to weight ratio available in an alloy extrusion. Material, section shape and size, and wall thickness all have a major effect on both the static and dynamic bend characteristics
“Accounting is the art of recording, classifying and summarizing in a significant manner and in terms of money, transactions and events which are, in part at least, of a financial character, and interpreting the result thereof”. Definition by the American Accounting Association (Year 1966): “The process of identifying, measuring and communicating economic information to permit informed .
