RV Tow Bar Basics
RV travel continues to grow rapidly around the world. Travel home away from home is convenient, comfortable, flexible, allowing the traveler to go to a wide variety of historic sites, beautiful places, and just get away anywhere. Once the RV settles into the campground, RV park, or wilderness area, and you’ve seen and visited all the sites within walking distance or on the park bus, are you happy to sit back and watch the park grow? Grass? Wouldn’t it be great to not have to drive your big beautiful RV and just jump in a car to see the next towns, the nearby historic site, go shopping?
Then just tow your car!
It’s a comprehensive three-part system when it comes to towing a vehicle: the RV, the towed vehicle, and the towing device. There are also three basic methods of towing: the transport unit/trailer, with vehicles inside; the dolly, where the vehicle moves on a two-wheel trailer. Both of these systems are great and useful, but can often be a hindrance when trying to park at a campground or RV park with your RV and trailer, usually without enough room for such a large system.
That’s why the third option, RV tow bars, are so popular. Tow bars are stowable, lightweight, and allow an RV owner greater flexibility with the choice of vehicle to be towed. There are also three types of tow bars:
*Rigid Frame A – Least expensive, uses solid arms, often difficult to attach towed vehicle to RV alone as two people are often required to do the job. The towed vehicle must be positioned precisely due to the rigidity of the solid arms.
*Self-Aligning Car Mount – Greater flexibility in positioning the vehicle into position thanks to the adjustable arms. The tow bar, if left on the car, could be damaged while left on the car and cause safety issues, can be heavy on the car being towed, and could distract from the natural “beauty” of the towed vehicle.
*Self-Aligning RV Mount – This system becomes more popular each year. Eliminates the RV’s tow ball hitch, which is often low and hits the ground when pulling into parking lots, and can be folded down to keep it secure.
When choosing a tow bar type and manufacturer, consider where you travel and your access to parts and service for the brand you choose.
It is also important to get a tow bar that is suitable to work with your vehicle. Points to consider include where the bar can be mounted on your vehicle, the weight of your vehicle, and even the type of vehicle you are towing. Front wheel drive, manual transmissions can be easily towed; Front-wheel drive automatic transmissions will likely require an additional lube pump; Rear wheel drive vehicles require some sort of release for the driveshaft; certain 4WD vehicles are easily towed. Every automaker has certain vehicles that are set up to be towed from the lot, as they say; the recommendation is always to refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations and what works best for you in terms of access, serviceability and performance.
Proper care of your tow bar system is crucial. It’s a fact that most travelers get a new vehicle towed every two years, and a different RV a few years later, but the tow bar is rarely updated. The tow bar is an absolute integral part of your towing system and should be treated with the same respect as the RV and other vehicle. Check all your parts, pins and tighten all bolts, even replace them when possible. The price of a bolt is much less than a totaled vehicle and loose parts can increase vibrations resulting in damage to all parts. Make sure you have all the necessary accessories and that they all function as required, such as straps, light connectors, and safety cables.
So before you choose your new tow ball, make sure you know:
A) If your vehicle can be towed,
B) The towing capacity of the RV,
C) how often you travel and tow,
D) that has matched weight capacities,
E) It has all the necessary accessories.
Answer that, choose your tow bar and tow.
