For several years now, RV owners have come to appreciate the benefits more and more of towing a vehicle behind their motor homes on long trips. The extra vehicle, also known as a " dinghy" in RV circles, becomes convenient for short excursions. Trips for groceries and supplies during the getaway are less bothersome when the camp can remain while the car or truck sets out for the store.
. However, not all manufacturers design cars to be towed easily behind an RV and some are downright dangerous. Some vehicles require disconnecting the drive shaft, while others convert to a towing mode at the press of a button.The highest recommendation for towing style goes to flat-towing, where the dinghy rides on all four wheels. It is commonly believed that this style of towing impacts the towed vehicle the least in the areas of gas mileage and normal wear. The drive shaft also may remain intact. According to towingworld.com's " 2006 Guide to Dinghy Towing", most motorhome drivers do not notice the vehicle is connected to the RV while towed in this manner. Motorhome Magazine makes it clear that vehicles never arrive from the dealer entirely ready to attach to the rear of a RV, but flat-towing does not require two or four-wheeled trailers or hitches.According to reputable sources of information on dinghy towing, searching the dinghy's owner's manual to learn whether it is suited for any kind of towing is vital. Motorhome Magazine's " 2011 Dinghy Roundup" provides not only a list of vehicles capable of being towed safely but also speed and distance limits, and brief setup instructions for every vehicle listed. While not all of these vehicles require removal of some component, many require running the engine for a short time at various stopping points along the trip. Note also that while towingworld.com's guide is older, it includes directions on setting up the hitch and other useful towing tips. Vehicle owners should still check with the owner's manual or the dealer directly for specific towing guidelines.More reference links: http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/Dinghy-Towing/2011-Dinghy-Towing-Guide/ http://www.towingworld.com/DinghyGuide06.pdf
