Motorhome towing
Dinghy towing guide: How to flat tow a vehicle behind an RV
Dinghy towing—also called flat towing, four-down towing, or recreational towing—keeps all four wheels of the towed vehicle on the road. The exact vehicle must be manufacturer-approved, and the motorhome still needs enough real loaded capacity.
Side-by-side comparison
| Method | Main advantage | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Four-down / dinghy towing | No trailer to store | Only approved vehicles and configurations qualify |
| Tow dolly | Can work for some vehicles not approved four-down | Adds weight, tongue load, tires, and storage |
| Full car trailer | Keeps every towed-vehicle wheel off the road | Heaviest option and usually the most tongue weight |
First, confirm the vehicle can be flat towed
Do not assume a vehicle is flat-towable because a similar model, an earlier model year, or another drivetrain is approved. Find the recreational-towing section in the exact owner’s manual and confirm the required transmission, transfer case, ignition, battery, speed limits, distance limits, and preparation procedure.
- Exact model year
- Exact engine and transmission
- Two-wheel drive versus four-wheel drive
- Transfer-case position and approved procedure
- Speed, distance, fuse, battery, and lubrication instructions
Check the motorhome’s real towing allowance
Use the lower of the installed hitch rating and GCWR minus the motorhome’s actual trip-ready scale weight. Then confirm chassis, coach, hitch, tow-bar, baseplate, safety-cable, axle, tire, and braking limits separately. A 5,000-pound receiver does not guarantee 5,000 pounds remain after the coach is loaded.
Use a complete flat-towing system
A typical system includes a vehicle-specific baseplate, properly rated tow bar, safety cables, lighting or wiring, a supplemental braking system, and a breakaway device. Follow every component manufacturer’s installation, height, angle, inspection, and maintenance instructions.
Know the towed vehicle’s actual weight
Use the vehicle’s real scale weight with fuel, accessories, cargo, bikes, racks, and all installed towing equipment. Curb weight from a brochure may not represent the vehicle rolling behind the motorhome. The full rolling weight counts toward GCWR even though four-down towing usually adds little vertical hitch load.
Build a repeatable departure checklist
Perform the manufacturer’s exact transmission and transfer-case procedure, connect the tow bar and independent safety cables, attach the breakaway, connect lights and braking, verify steering unlock or required ignition state, test every light, inspect tire pressures, and conduct a slow pull test before entering traffic.
Stop immediately if something feels wrong
Dragging tires, a steering wheel that does not track, unusual resistance, warning messages, smoke, hot brakes, abnormal tow-bar angle, or a braking-system fault can quickly become expensive or dangerous. Stop safely and inspect rather than attempting to tow through the symptom.
Verify with primary sources
Manufacturer references
Common questions
Dinghy towing guide: How to flat tow a vehicle behind an RV FAQ
What is dinghy towing?
Dinghy towing is towing a vehicle behind a motorhome with all four vehicle wheels on the road. It is also called flat towing, four-down towing, or recreational towing.
Can any four-wheel-drive vehicle be flat towed?
No. Approval depends on the exact model year, drivetrain, transmission, transfer case, and manufacturer procedure. Four-wheel drive alone does not make a vehicle flat-towable.
Does a flat-towed vehicle need supplemental brakes?
A supplemental braking system is commonly required by the motorhome or equipment manufacturer and may be required by applicable law. Follow the strictest applicable requirement and use a compatible breakaway system.