Motorhome towing
Best vehicles to flat tow behind an RV in 2026
The best flat-tow vehicle is not simply the lightest or most popular. It must be explicitly approved in its exact configuration, fit the motorhome’s remaining capacity, accept compatible equipment, and suit how you travel after camp is set up.
Side-by-side comparison
| 2026 vehicle family | Why RV owners consider it | Verification that matters |
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler | Strong aftermarket support and useful trail capability | Exact transmission, transfer case, procedure, and actual weight |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Comfortable daily driver with selected flat-tow-capable configurations | Only properly equipped configurations; confirm the owner’s manual |
| Ford Bronco | Adventure-oriented SUV with selected neutral-tow configurations | Model-year towing guide, drivetrain, and neutral-tow procedure |
| Ford Expedition | More passenger and cargo space | High vehicle weight and exact four-wheel-down procedure |
Our selection criteria
A strong dinghy-towing candidate has clear manufacturer instructions, a configuration that can be recreationally towed, compatible baseplate and braking equipment, manageable real-world weight, useful daily-driver capability, and a procedure owners can execute consistently.
Jeep Wrangler: the familiar RV companion
Wrangler remains a common candidate because selected four-wheel-drive configurations can be designed around a transfer case with a neutral position and the aftermarket offers broad equipment support. Two-door and four-door vehicles have different weights, and no owner should substitute a generic internet procedure for the exact manual.
Jeep Grand Cherokee: comfort with configuration caveats
Jeep says a properly equipped 2026 Grand Cherokee can be flat towed. That wording matters: not every powertrain or four-wheel-drive system should be treated as approved. Confirm the exact vehicle and weigh it with the cargo and accessories that will travel behind the RV.
Ford Bronco and Expedition: verify through Ford’s guide
Ford directs owners to the Recreational Vehicle and Trailer Towing Guide for the exact model year. Selected configurations may provide a neutral-tow procedure, but the feature, setup sequence, battery needs, and restrictions must be checked before purchase. Expedition also demands careful motorhome-capacity analysis because it is substantially heavier than many compact toads.
The best choice for a 5,000-pound hitch
Treat 5,000 pounds as a hard component ceiling, not a shopping target. The vehicle’s actual loaded weight, tow-bar and baseplate ratings, and GCWR minus the loaded motorhome weight may create a lower limit. Lighter approved configurations generally preserve more working margin.
Before you buy
Download the exact owner’s manual, locate the recreational-towing section, record the curb and expected loaded weights, confirm baseplate availability, price the complete braking and lighting system, and run the motorhome calculation. If any step depends on a salesperson’s verbal assurance, the research is not finished.
Verify with primary sources
Manufacturer references
Common questions
Best vehicles to flat tow behind an RV in 2026 FAQ
What is the best vehicle to flat tow behind an RV?
The best choice is an exact configuration the manufacturer approves for recreational towing that remains comfortably within the motorhome’s actual loaded towing capacity. Wrangler, selected Grand Cherokee, Bronco, and Expedition configurations are useful starting points to research.
Can I flat tow a vehicle that weighs exactly 5,000 pounds with a 5,000-pound hitch?
That leaves no component margin and may fail the motorhome’s GCWR calculation after loading. Use the vehicle’s actual scale weight and the lowest rating in the entire system.