What is the smallest vehicle to tow behind a motorhome?
When planning a road trip with your motorhome, having a small, towable vehicle can make exploring your destination much easier. But what is the smallest vehicle you can tow behind a motorhome? In this article, we’ll explore the key considerations and some of the smallest options available for towing, ensuring you make the right choice for your travel needs.
Why Choose a Small Vehicle for Towing?
Small vehicles are ideal for towing behind a motorhome for several reasons:
- Weight: Lighter vehicles put less strain on your motorhome, improving fuel efficiency and reducing wear and tear.
- Maneuverability: Compact cars are easier to handle in tight spaces, such as campgrounds or city streets.
- Convenience: A small vehicle allows you to park your motorhome and use the towed car for errands or sightseeing.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Towable Vehicle
Before selecting a vehicle to tow, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Towing Capacity: Check your motorhome’s towing capacity to ensure it can safely tow the vehicle you choose.
- Towing Method: Decide whether you’ll use flat towing (all four wheels on the ground), a tow dolly (front wheels off the ground), or a trailer (all wheels off the ground).
- Transmission Type: Some vehicles, especially those with automatic transmissions, may require modifications for flat towing.
- Weight of the Vehicle: The lighter the vehicle, the easier it is to tow. Look for cars with a curb weight under 3,000 pounds for optimal towing.
Examples of Small Vehicles Suitable for Towing
Here are some of the smallest and most popular vehicles that are commonly towed behind motorhomes:
- Smart Fortwo: Weighing around 1,800 pounds, the Smart Fortwo is one of the lightest and most compact cars available, making it an excellent choice for flat towing.
- Fiat 500: This stylish and lightweight car is another popular option, with a curb weight of approximately 2,400 pounds.
- Chevrolet Spark: A small and affordable hatchback, the Chevrolet Spark is easy to tow and offers great fuel efficiency for local trips.
- Jeep Wrangler (2-door): While slightly larger, the 2-door Jeep Wrangler is a favorite among RV enthusiasts due to its off-road capabilities and ease of flat towing.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the smallest vehicle to tow behind your motorhome depends on your specific needs, your motorhome’s towing capacity, and your preferred towing method. Compact cars like the Smart Fortwo and Fiat 500 are excellent choices for their lightweight design and ease of towing. Always consult your motorhome’s owner’s manual and the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure safe and efficient towing. With the right setup, you’ll be ready to hit the road and explore with ease!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the lightest car to tow with an RV?
Flat Towing a Car
A compact or subcompact car is one of the smaller and more lightweight vehicles you can flat tow behind your RV. There are tons of benefits to choosing to bring along a car like the Chevy Sonic or Ford Focus.
What is the alternative to towing a car behind a motorhome?
Tow dollies are good alternatives to flat towing. They allow towing a vehicle by driving the front wheels onto the dolly. The vehicle can then be pulled by the RV while the rear wheels roll on the road.
Which is better, flat tow or dolly?
CONCLUSION. If you can't tell, we're big fans of flat-towing. For about the same price as a dolly, you can completely outfit your towed - and the convenience and longevity you get out of a flat-towing setup is far superior.
Is towing a car behind an RV bad for the car?
Towing your car behind an RV can cause wear on the front tires due to prolonged contact with the road. The added mileage and friction can contribute to tire wear, especially if the towed vehicle's wheels are not properly aligned or maintained.
Can you tow a small car behind a motorhome?
Absolutely, yes you can. The best method when towing with a motorhome is to use is a tow dolly. These work especially well with front-wheel drive vehicles.
What mini van tows 5000 pounds?
No minivan on the market is capable of towing 5,000 pounds. The standard minivan's towing capacity is around 3500 lbs.
What is the easiest vehicle to tow behind a motorhome?
Best car to tow behind a motorhome
Compact and subcompact cars are the best cars for flat towing. Some examples include select years of the Chevy Sonic, Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta. A car must have a transmission disconnect, steering lockout override and other features to be able to flat tow.
What is the best small towing vehicle?
Ford Ranger (optional tow package) and the diesel Corado/Canyon twins are the winners with over 7k lbs towing capacity.
What is the smallest car that can pull a trailer?
Models of small cars and their towing capacity
| Vehicle Model | Cargo Capacity | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Hyundai Accent | 1,300 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Kia Rio | 1,100 lbs | 1,100 lbs |
| Chevrolet Spark | 880 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
What is the smallest car that can tow a trailer?
Models of small cars and their towing capacity
| Vehicle Model | Cargo Capacity | Towing Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Fiesta | 1,000 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Hyundai Accent | 1,300 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
| Kia Rio | 1,100 lbs | 1,100 lbs |
| Chevrolet Spark | 880 lbs | 1,000 lbs |
