Blue Ox 2013 Dinghy Towing Guide - Manual (Page 6)

T
raveling with a dinghy vehicle is
almost a given with today’s larger
motor homes. Although the trend to
bigger coaches has injected camping with
more creature comforts than a luxury hotel
room, it’s not without its drawbacks. Even rigs
with a 60-degree wheel cut will encounter
some diffi culty negotiating narrow roads in
smaller towns 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 elimi-
nates the need to break camp and stow every-
thing each time you need (or want) to venture
away from the campground. Additionally, the
dinghy can stow gear securely when motor-
home storage is fi lled (within weight restric-
tions), and there is the security of having a spare
set of wheels in the event of an emergency.
It’s not without consequences; towing a
dinghy will affect the acceleration, fuel econo-
my and braking of any coach, to some degree.
However, proper selection of a dinghy vehicle
and towing equipment will enable you to
safely and conveniently enjoy the benefi ts
of auxiliary transportation.
FLAT TOWING
The fi rst and most essential step in selecting
a dinghy vehicle is to make sure it is approved
by its manufacturer for fl at towing (see “2013
Dinghy Roundup,” page 12). While you do
have other options — many passenger cars
or light trucks can safely be used as a dinghy,
provided a towing accessory (such as a trans-
mission lube pump) is available for that specifi c
model as an aftermarket add-on, or towing
on a dolly or trailer is planned — these vehicles
have been certifi ed for four-wheels-down tow-
ing without affecting their warranties. How-
ever, buyers should always fi rst confi rm
fl at-towability by consulting the vehicle’s
owner’s manual before the purchase is
fi nalized.
When selecting a dinghy, fi rst fi nd out the
maximum towing limit of your motorhome
and then determine which vehicles fall within
that limit. Towing limits aren’t the only factor
to consider, but they help to eliminate many
choices based on weight alone. The weight
rating of the motorhome’s hitch receiver is
another concern, although most are adequate,
and receivers can be upgraded. Keep in mind,
however, that an upgraded hitch receiver can-
not increase the specifi ed towing limit set by
the chassis manufacturer.
An economical four-passenger compact car
can double as a family’s second car when not
traveling, but even a larger SUV or sport truck
can be towed, providing its weight is within
the towing limit of your chassis.
Most fl at-towed dinghies track so well that
many motorhome drivers don’t even know it’s
there. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles with
manual transmissions and most compact 4WD
vehicles with manual transfer cases are among
the easiest and most economical to tow. Plus,
they tend to rank among the lightest vehicles.
Some auto manufacturers also produce
FWD vehicles equipped with automatic trans-
missions that are fl at-towable. They are popu-
lar because towing equipment is readily avail-
able, and readying for towing usually involves
fewer steps.
A) Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitch receiver, make sure electric connections and safety cables are secure.
B) While driving your dinghy, this type of tow bar remains on the coach, tucked out of harm’s way.
A drop receiver might be needed to keep the tow bar level.
Things To Know Before You Tow
The Right Equipment Adds Safety, Simplicity and Convenience
www.motorhome.com 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING | 7 6 | 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING
P6x10-2013_dinghy_guide_what you need to know.indd 6 1/24/13 4:29 PM