Towing Service Bakersfield CA
Motorhome Bakersfield Towing
This is the last of our series of reviews specifically on RV or Motorhome towing Bakersfield CA area. The purpose of this blog is to provide a review of existing information that may be helpful for those interested and who might have stumbled our blog while searching for towing companies in Bakersfield CA. This is an excerpt from Woodall's RV Towing Owner's Handbook's overview on this. This handbook is written by Gary Bunzer in the updated 4th edition. We give credit to the author for a comprehensive information he provides in his manual.
Towing with a Motorhome
Today, seemingly, more than just a few motorhome owners are adopting the practice of towing a small vehicle behind the coach. Affectionately called "dinghy" towing, this facet of RVing appears to be at an all-time high. The popularity and the attraction is evident enough; a smaller second vehicle allows for local side trips and errand running without breaking camp, unhooking the motorhome and leveling it again upon your return. For many RVers it also seconds as a larger closet to stow supplies and camping gear while traveling. There is a long list of good reasons to opt for one.
There are some limitations, though. With a car in tow, it is difficult to back up. The RVer must be cognizant of steep driveways, as well as space limitations, when searching for a parking area. The extended length of the rig necessitates longer stopping distances and more time for lane changes, plus special precautions may be mandated, etc.
Yet, motorhome enthusiasts overwhelmingly are willing to overlook any negatives in favor of the obvious benefits. Take an informal survey sometime and count the number of RVs you see towing a small car behind. It can open a whole new world of side trips to destinations you may never have thought of visiting because you thought you would be limited by the length of your coach.
Choosing the Dinghy
Although the previous statement may be true, limitations on dinghy towing still exist. The limiting factor is primarily determined by the motorhome. Mainly, how much is the motorhome rated to tow? Tow capacity rating is set by the coach manufacturer and is based on many things: engine size, transmission, rear end ratio, frame structure, etc. Modifications can be made to the motorhome that will increase the towing capacity such as adding an auxiliary transmission, a high performance exhaust system and an engine turbocharger.
If your motorhome has the power and performance to tow, the limiting factor then becomes gross combined weight rating (GCWR). This is the combined weight of the RV (and everything in it) and the towed vehicle (and everything in it). Some motorhomes may be further restricted solely by their design. Many extended Class As and Class Cs have a very long overhang – a lot of coach behind the rear axle. This may diminish their capacity to tow. It only has a minimal effect if you plan to tow a vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, however. The actual tongue weight in such cases is comparatively slight.
A third limiting factor when choosing a small vehicle is the overall length of the combined units. Some states have a limit on the total length. If your motorhome is extremely long the car you choose may push you over the combined length limit. Measure carefully.
Consider what interests you in a second vehicle. What features do you look for in a small car or pickup truck? If you are planning to purchase a new dinghy, ask your dealer about towing it behind your motorhome. Some can be towed without any modifications; others will need special towing equipment outlined later in this chapter. Many will have speed or distance restrictions as well. Do some homework in this area and you will avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Motorhome Magazine (www.motorhomemagazine.com) annually publishes a list of those vehicles suitable for towing behind a motorhome. The annual dinghy towing guide is available to download from their website.
Keep in mind that not every vehicle that can be towed behind a coach is listed. Some automobilers may shy away from publishing that information, fearing liability issues. Additionally, although the listed models can be towed, previous year models may not share that attribute. It is strongly suggested you contact the service department at the auto dealer of your interest and inquire for sure whether a certain model is authorized for dinghy towing. The auto dealer should also be able to state which aftermarket devices are needed for the vehicle you are considering.
Motorhome Hitches
Unlike standard tow vehicles, such as trucks and utility vehicles that have a known frame design for which the hitch makers already have a corresponding hitch, most motorhome frames have been modified or "stretched" to accommodate the RV section. Sometimes this is done by the chassis maker and other times by the coach manufacturer. There is no design guideline. Structural integrity is the only goal. So when it comes time to install a hitch on a motorhome, you may find it necessary to have a custom hitch fabricated to fit. Many coach manufacturers offer a hitch as an optional item, so check with your RV dealer first.
When installing any hitch on any motorhome, keep in mind this important fact: all holding tanks and fuel tanks must be accessible and be able to be removed. There can be no permanent structure prohibiting the removal and reinstallation of either type of tank. It is permissible, however, if the custom hitch is fabricated and then bolted to the frame of the motorhome. It cannot, however, be permanently welded in place directly below a holding tank.
Methods of Towing
So how does one go about towing a dinghy? The single-most important aspect involving towing a car behind a motorhome is planning. Sound planning is a must. First of all, realize that there are different methods of towing a second vehicle.
The three basic methods are:Tow Trailer
- Tow trailer
- Tow dolly
- Tow bar
The tow trailer is the least popular method mainly because of the bulkiness of the tow trailer itself. Also many motorhomes just do not have the towing capacity to lug a car and a full trailer behind. With the tow trailer, the entire car is positioned and secured on the trailer. A tow trailer may be fully enclosed or simply an open platform with short side rails."
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