2014 Dinghy Guide Cover.indd 1/28/14 11:27 AM - 1 - (Cyan .
2014 Dinghy Guide Cover.indd 1/28/14 11:27 AM - 1 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)2014GUIDE TODINGHYTOWING How to Tow Like a ProPopular DinghyBraking SystemsEssential AccessoriesFor Safe Travel8Supplement to MotorHome April 2014 www.motorhome.comMORE THAN75LETOWABS
002 BLUE OX.indd 1/24/14 10:17 AM - 2 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Works like a horizontally mounted shock absorber. Whenexperiencing buffering crosswinds or uneven pavement, pushand hold the button, adjust the wheel, let go of the button andyour coach is back on course.Long parabolic springs and extended rear overhang causegas motorhomes to sway from side-to-side. A TigerTrak between the rear axle and the frame allows unhinderedup and down movement of the springs,virtually eliminating tail wag.
2014 Dinghy Guide Tow & Go.indd 1/27/14 3:49 PM - 3 -I(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)Tow & Gof 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 2014 Guide toDinghy 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, routing cables andwiring through hollow arms, the connection ismore than easy, it’s eye-pleasing. Plus, manufacturers are offering an array of accessoriesto help keep it that way: An RV underskirt,fitted beneath the equipment, will safeguardthe dinghy vehicle and towing hardware fromdebris. For more ironclad protection, nearlyindestructible rock guards are available thatquickly attach to the tow bar and shield thedinghy from road debris.Yet another device to aid in safe dinghytransport, supplemental braking systemshave likewise evolved. Portable systems canbe installed in just minutes, and permanentinstallations remain unobtrusive. Dinghybrakes may not be mandatory in some states,but any time you add a few tons of weight towww.motorhome.comthe back of your motorhome you need a way toslow it down without overtaxing the brakes onthe 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 available for 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“2014 Dinghy Roundup” (beginning on page14) lists vehicles that have been manufacturer-approved for four-wheels-down towing. Thelist includes many of the newest vehicles —from luxurious to economical. For all-terrainfun, 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 neverbeen more comfortable. A dinghyadds to that enjoyment. DG2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3
2014 Dinghy Guide TOC.indd 1/24/14 10:20 AM - 4 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)CONTENTSTO KNOW6 THINGSBEFORE YOU TOWLinking up with the proper equipmentDINGHY14 2014ROUNDUPOur annual guide to manufacturer-approvedflat-towable cars, trucks and SUVsACCESSORIES26 TOWINGPrepping a dinghy vehicle for safe travel29 DINGHYBRAKING SYSTEMSPopular devices to improve stopping powerPublisher Bob LivingstonEditor-in-Chief Eileen HubbardTechnical Editor Chris HemerArt Director Susie Lieu AlmazanContributors Scott Hirko, Tori TellemEDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE2750 Park View Court, Suite 240Oxnard, CA 93036,800-848-6247Email info@motorhomemagazine.comADVERTISINGVP/National Sales Terry ThompsonADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVESLou Cicirelli, 954-297-9234, lou.cicirelli@goodsam.comScott Oakes, 206-283-9545, scott.oakes@goodsam.comTacy Sargent, 772-288-0387, tacy.sargent@goodsam.comSue Seidlitz, 530-268-3005, sue.seidlitz@goodsam.comCrompton Holdings, Scott Crompton, 334-546-7243, scottcrompton@mac.comMotorHome is a registered trademark of Affinity Group Inc. Copyright 2014 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. and possessions: 1 year, 19.97. All other countries, add 12 per year. For more information, visit www.motorhome.com.4 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhome.com
005 ROADMASTER.indd 1/24/14 10:19 AM - 5 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/24/14 10:22 AM - 6 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)ThingsTo KnowBeforeYou TowThe Right EquipmentAdds Safety, Simplicityand ConvenienceTraveling with a dinghy vehicle is almosta given with today’s larger motorhomes.Although the trend to bigger coaches hasinjected camping with more creature comfortsthan a luxury hotel room, it’s not without itsdrawbacks. Even rigs with a 60-degree wheelcut will encounter some difficulty negotiatingnarrow roads in smaller towns during sightseeing tours — and it’s just not fun trying topark a 40-footer at local markets when pickingup perishables.A dinghy simplifies such tasks, and eliminates the need to break camp and stow everything each time you need (or want) to ventureaway from the campground. Additionally, thedinghy can stow gear securely when motorhomestorage is filled (within weight restrictions),and there is the security of having a spare setof wheels in the event of an emergency.It’s not without consequences; towinga dinghy will affect the acceleration, fueleconomy and braking of any coach, to somedegree. However, proper selection of a dinghyvehicle and towing equipment will enable youto safely and conveniently enjoy the benefitsof auxiliary 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 “2014Dinghy Roundup,” page 14). While you do haveA drop receivermight be neededto keep the tow barlevel.6 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhome.com
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/24/14 10:22 AM - 7 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)other options — many nonapproved passengercars or light trucks can safely be used as adinghy, provided a towing accessory (such asa transmission lube pump) is available for thatspecific model as an aftermarket add-on, ortowing on a dolly or trailer is planned — thesevehicles have been certified for four-wheelsdown towing without affecting their warranties.However, buyers should always first confirmflat-towability by consulting the respectivevehicle’s owner’s manual before the purchaseis finalized.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 isanother 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 truckDemco’s Dominator aluminum tow bar has a rating upto 7,500 pounds. Easy trigger release and self-supporting arms provide convenientconnection to baseplate.Roadmaster’s aluminum Sterling All-Terraintow bar is rated to handle vehicles up to6,000 pounds. Nonbinding design facilitateshookup. Roadmaster’s BlackHawk 2 AllTerrain has a rating up to 10,000 pounds.Aventa LX from Blue Oxuses a ball-in-socket design that allows the armsto swivel 360 degrees forquick hookup. The tow baris rated to tow vehiclesup to 10,000 pounds.www.motorhome.com2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/28/14 11:26 AM - 8 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWAbove: Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitchreceiver, make sure electric connections andsafety cables are secure. Below: While drivingyour dinghy, this type of tow bar remains onthe coach, out of harm’s way.can be towed, providing its weight is within thetowing 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,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 in8 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGcorporated 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 by model, most fixesinvolve temporarily unplugging one or morefuses from the vehicle’s fuse box before towing.Another alternative is to connect the offendingcircuit through an owner-added switch, allowing these circuits to be made tow-ready quicklyand conveniently. A charge line from the coachcan often be a viable alternative.2014 GUIDE TODINGHY TOWINGSPONSORSProduced by the editors of MotorHomefor the publication’s April issue,the 2014 Guide to Dinghy Towing wasdeveloped with assistance from thefollowing 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.comwww.motorhome.com
009 DANKO.indd 1/24/14 10:19 AM - 9 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/28/14 11:26 AM - 10 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWThe Motorhome/Dinghy LinkBaseplate installation doesn’t require weldingor specialized tools, but can be involved. If youhave any reservations, have a professional do it.To hook up using a telescoping tow bar, thedinghy vehicle only needs to be near the centerand mid-length of the bar.n essential ingredient in safe dinghytowing involves a solid, properly designed 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 theweight you intend to pull and designed forthe specific application.receiver 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.AHITCH 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 dropTOW 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 oftow bars are strong, but heavy, and requirestorage space when not in use. Hitching iseasier with a helper to guide alignment.AS YOU GO Observe the speed limit for towing in each state or province you traverse. Maintain adequate stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you.A minimum five-second interval is recommended. Avoid towing in snowy or icy conditions. Pay particular attention to traffic merging onto the freeway, and be prepared to takeevasive action to avoid “daydreamers.” Plan ahead — most flat-towed dinghies can’t be backed more than a few feet, so it’snecessary to focus on easy ingress and egress. Most tow-bar manufacturers will notwarrant damage caused by backing. Dollies tend to jackknife quickly. It’s better todisconnect the dinghy and drive to a safe place to reconnect. Avoid having to make tight turns; they put a lot of pressure on tow bars. Towing in deep sand or gravel may cause the dinghy’s front wheels to turn to oneside. If this happens, you must manually re-center them before continuing. Walk around the coach and dinghy to inspect all connections, check tire pressure(or use a monitoring system like the nVision TPMS from Hopkins) and look for signsof trouble every time you stop.10 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhome.com
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/28/14 11:26 AM - 11 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWConnecting tow-bar arms to the baseplate requiresthe use of pins and clips. Then secure the safetycables and plug in the electrical umbilical cord.Once the pins are in, the motorhome is drivenahead slowly (or the dinghy is backed up) tolock 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. Highly adaptable, 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.dinghy from separating from the coach ifthe tow bar or ball fails. Safety chains orcables should be connected securely to thedinghy and crossed under the tow bar, thensecured to the hitch receiver. They shouldbe long enough to allow full turning withoutbinding, but should not drag when slack.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 andinstallation procedures, so proper selectionand installation 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 installationprocess can be even more intricate. For example, the air dam may need to be trimmed or thefactory-installed belly pan may require eithertrimming or permanent removal. Such requirements are described in the manufacturer’sfitment 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 that all 50 states require properly rated safety chains or cables to keep thewww.motorhome.comBEFORE YOU TOW Make sure your equipment is rated forthe dinghy’s weight and that you arenot exceeding your motorhome’s grosscombination weight rating (GCWR). Confirm hitch height is correct. Confirm all hitch bolts, tow-barand baseplate fasteners are securelytightened. Confirm all hitch and wiring connections are engaged and secure; all safetychains or cables are attached; and alllocking pins are properly installed. Connect brake system andbreakaway device. Check motorhome and dinghy forproper function of taillights, brakelightsand turn signals. Check tire pressure of all tires on coachand dinghy — including spare tires. Make sure the dinghy is set up for towing: steering unlocked; emergency brakeoff; gear selector in the position specified by manufacturer; ignition in properposition; lube-pump switch, driveshaftcoupler, 4WD transfer case and hubs(if applicable) in proper position.2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 11
2014 Dinghy Guide Before You Tow.indd 1/28/14 11:26 AM - 12 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TOWOther TowingEquipmentShould you choose (or already own) avehicle 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 somefour-wheel-drive applications, couplers fromREMCO DSC (www.superflow.com) enable thedriveshaft to be easily disconnected from thetransmission or differential by a cable or levermounted near the driver’s seat. These kits runabout 750 and can be installed in about threehours.A transmission-lube pump sold by RemcoIndustries (www.remcotowing.com) can bemounted and plumbed into some automatictransmissions to keep fluid circulating whilethe vehicle is in tow.Check with your dealer to make sure a spe-Modern baseplates aresecured to the frame of thedinghy vehicle. While someinstallations are a little morecomplicated, the end resultusually is a clean appearance.cific modification does not affect the dinghy’swarranty.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 accessories fordinghy towing. Some, like dinghy braking devices, should be considered mandatory, whileothers (such as rock guards and RV underskirts) protect against road debris. These components are addressed in “Towing Accessories”(page 26), along with dinghywiring and lighting. DGBaseplate kits are designed for specific models,and come complete with all mounting hardware.Lube pumps allowtowing of someautomatic transmission-equippedvehicles not manufacturer-approvedfor flat towing.12 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWINGwww.motorhome.com
013 DETHMERS.indd 1/24/14 10:18 AM - 13 -(Cyan)(Magenta)(Yellow)(BlacK)SOLVES THE SPACE STORAGE PROBLEMBEFOREAFTERUnfolded Kar Kaddy SS length is 133”Folded Kar Kaddy SS length is 67”Many RV park lots are not deep enough toaccomadate your motor home and tow dolly.Many RV park lots are not deep enough toaccomadate your motor home and tow dolly.Durable Galvanized FinishHydraulic surge brake systemwith custom chrome wheels and radial tiresmake this tow dolly one you’ll be proud touse for years to come.provides safe, controlled stopp
quick hookup. The tow bar is rated to tow vehicles up to 10,000 pounds. Demco’s Dominator alumi-num tow bar has a rating up to 7,500 pounds. Easy trig-ger release and self-support-ing arms provide convenient connection to baseplate. Roadmaster’s aluminum Sterling All-Terrain tow ba
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
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
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 .
3 60068_BI_BK4.indd 16 14/07/2014 7:54 PM. 17 1x 1x 4 60068_BI_BK4.indd 17 14/07/2014 7:54 PM. 18 1x 5 1 2 2 1 60068_BI_BK4.indd 18 14/07/2014 7:54 PM. 19 1x 6 1x 7 60068_BI_BK4.indd 19 14/07/2014 7:54 PM. 20 18 6
