Yes, a Class C RV can typically tow a car, often referred to as a "toad" (towed vehicle), behind it. This capability is one of the significant advantages of owning a Class C motorhome, offering owners the flexibility to have a smaller vehicle for local excursions once their RV is set up at a campsite.
Why Tow a Car with Your Class C RV?
Towing a car with your Class C RV greatly enhances your travel experience. Instead of having to pack up your entire RV every time you want to visit a local attraction, grab groceries, or explore nearby towns, you can simply unhitch your smaller vehicle. This adds convenience and expands the range of activities you can enjoy at your destination.
Essential Considerations for Towing
While Class C RVs are designed with towing in mind, it's crucial to understand the limitations and requirements to ensure a safe and legal towing setup. The most important factor is making sure your RV is rated to handle the weight of the vehicle you intend to tow.
Here are key aspects to consider:
- Towing Capacity: Every Class C RV has a specific Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), which is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded RV plus the towed vehicle and anything inside it. It also has a specific hitch rating. You must never exceed these ratings.
- Example: If your RV's GCWR is 20,000 lbs and the RV itself weighs 15,000 lbs fully loaded, you can tow a vehicle up to 5,000 lbs.
- Vehicle Weight: Be aware of the curb weight of the car you wish to tow. For instance, a small sedan might weigh around 3,000 lbs, while an SUV could easily exceed 4,500 lbs.
- Towing Method:
- Flat Towing (Four-Down): This method involves towing the car with all four wheels on the ground. It's often the most convenient as it doesn't require a dolly or trailer, but not all cars can be flat towed without transmission damage.
- Dolly Towing: The front two wheels of the car rest on a two-wheel dolly, while the rear two wheels remain on the ground. This is a good option for front-wheel-drive vehicles that cannot be flat-towed.
- Trailer Towing: The entire car is loaded onto a flatbed trailer. This is the heaviest option but offers the most protection for the towed vehicle and works for any car type. It also adds the weight of the trailer to your towing calculation.
- Braking Systems: For safety, especially when towing heavier vehicles, supplementary braking systems are often required for the towed car. These systems apply the brakes on the towed vehicle, reducing the strain on the RV's brakes and improving overall stopping power.
- Legal Requirements: Check the towing laws in your state and any states you plan to travel through. These laws may specify requirements for auxiliary braking, safety chains, lighting, and maximum towed weights.
To ensure your Class C RV can safely tow your chosen vehicle, always consult your RV's owner's manual for its specific towing capacities and recommendations. Additionally, resources like the Camping World Blog provide helpful insights into what Class C RVs can tow.
