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Flat Towing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Not every vehicle can be flat towed with all four wheels on the ground. Check the owner's manual for your exact year, model, drivetrain, and transmission and follow the manufacturer's recreational-towing instructions. Some vehicles allow flat towing only in certain configurations or require specific preparation before towing. Once you confirm your vehicle is flat-towable, start by finding a vehicle-specific Baseplate.

A typical flat-towing setup includes a tow bar, vehicle-specific baseplate, safety cables, lighting/wiring, and a supplemental braking system. The exact parts depend on both the motorhome and the vehicle being towed. OmniGarage separates these components within Flat Towing, so confirming the towed vehicle first makes it much easier to determine which Baseplate, Tow Bar, Towed Vehicle Wiring, and Braking System you need.

In a conventional flat-towing setup, yes. The baseplate mounts to the front structure of the vehicle and provides the attachment points for the tow bar. Baseplates are generally vehicle-specific, so choosing one begins with your vehicle's year, make, model, and configuration rather than simply matching the brand of tow bar. Shop Baseplates once you have confirmed that your vehicle can be flat towed.

Choose a tow bar that is compatible with your motorhome's hitch, the towed vehicle's baseplate setup, and the weight of the vehicle you're towing. OmniGarage currently carries tow bars with different mounting styles, types, and weight capacities. If you already have a baseplate from a different manufacturer, also check whether an adapter or mounting bracket is needed. Start with Tow Bars, then use Tow Bar Mounting Brackets or Tow Bar Accessories when required.

A supplemental braking system helps the towed vehicle brake along with the motorhome instead of making the motorhome's brakes handle the full stopping load. Braking requirements also vary by jurisdiction and towing setup, so check the rules that apply wherever you'll travel. For the equipment itself, shop Towed Vehicle Supplemental Braking Systems and choose a system compatible with both your motorhome and towed vehicle.

Usually, yes. The vehicle being towed needs a way to display the appropriate brake, turn, and tail-light signals from the motorhome while it is being towed. The correct wiring solution varies by vehicle and can include vehicle-specific harnesses, diode systems, or other lighting setups. Shop Towed Vehicle Wiring after confirming your vehicle so you can choose a system designed for its electrical configuration.

It depends primarily on your vehicle and how you plan to travel. Flat towing keeps all four wheels on the road and can make campsite setup and equipment storage simpler, but only compatible vehicles can be flat towed and the vehicle needs dedicated towing equipment. A tow dolly carries two of the vehicle's wheels off the ground and may work for vehicles that are not suitable for four-down towing. If flat towing isn't approved for your vehicle, explore Tow Dollies & Accessories instead.

Some automatic-transmission vehicles can be flat towed, while others cannot. The answer depends on the exact vehicle, drivetrain, transmission, and manufacturer instructions—not simply whether the vehicle is automatic. Check the recreational-towing section of the owner's manual before buying equipment. If the manufacturer does not approve four-down towing for your configuration, consider Tow Dollies & Accessories or another approved towing method instead.