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Old 08-13-2019, 10:54 PM   #1
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Dinghy Towing

I'm planning to get a dinghy and tow it 4 down with my Class C Thor 29FE with Ford V-10 gas engine. I want 4WD or AW drive, auto trans, and seating for 6. Have not done this before and welcome suggestions as to what vehicle to look for. Also, this RV averages 8-9 mpg and I'm wondering how much mpg will be reduced. I know lots of factors influence this, but I'm just asking for a guesstimate.

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Old 08-13-2019, 11:31 PM   #2
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Begin your research by googling motorhome magazine dinghy list. They list all the specs for practically every vehicle that is 4 down capable.
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Old 08-13-2019, 11:42 PM   #3
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Also know your weights to determine what you can tow.
You can tow the LESSOR of:
- tow hitch rating
- GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) minus actual vehicle weight loaded for travel (water, fuel, propane, people, stuff all as you normally travel)
(Assumes actual vehicle weight is at/below GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
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Old 08-13-2019, 11:49 PM   #4
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Minimal impact on mpg while towing toad four down.

Here is the link to the reference Lt Keeker mentioned.

Downloadable Dinghy Towing Guides | MotorHome Magazine
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Old 08-14-2019, 03:01 AM   #5
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Can’t help with the seating for 6 but we tow our wrangler unlimited with our 30fe and we get 8mpg towing
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Old 08-14-2019, 10:17 PM   #6
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we give up about 1 mpg while towing

as for the 6-seater, that's going to be the pivotal find, as it is probably a larger, heavier, vehicle, and may be more than you can tow...

weigh your new RV, fully loaded with people, clothes, food, stuff, water in the tank, fuel in the tank, etc., and then subtract that from the RV's GVCW to find how much the CHASSIS can tow.... then, if that number is LOWER than the hitch is rated for, you are fine to find a vehicle within that weight range(including the tow dolly, for those in that camp...).
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Old 08-14-2019, 10:30 PM   #7
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Two words: "Jeep Wrangler"!
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Old 08-15-2019, 12:26 AM   #8
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A friend recently bought a Toyota RAV4 with AWD and discovered too late that it cannot be towed 4-down or on a dolly. His only option is to tow it with all 4 wheels up on a flatbed.

Moral of the story: Do plenty of research before buying a toad!
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Old 08-15-2019, 02:44 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Popfla View Post
A friend recently bought a Toyota RAV4 with AWD and discovered too late that it cannot be towed 4-down or on a dolly. His only option is to tow it with all 4 wheels up on a flatbed.



Moral of the story: Do plenty of research before buying a toad!


Or just read the owner’s manual.
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Old 08-15-2019, 11:44 AM   #10
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...Amen...
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Old 08-18-2019, 12:20 AM   #11
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We are looking at the Jeep Trailhawk. Not a six seater but look like it will fit our needs.
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Old 08-24-2019, 06:50 PM   #12
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Good choice as long as you find a reliable Trailhawk. Out toad is a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk behind a 2014 ACE 27.1 and it is an easy pull with the Ford V10 Triton engine. Recommend the Roadmaster Invisibrake system, it fits neatly under the passenger front seat and with the "anti-wobble" wire harness for our model year TH has removed all concerns over previous experiences with a death wobble. Make sure your Trailhawk has the proper transmission that allows full neutral for flat towing, there were several trans offered when we purchased ours that would not have worked.
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Old 08-24-2019, 07:14 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Baileyra View Post
We are looking at the Jeep Trailhawk. Not a six seater but look like it will fit our needs.
I have a 2017 trailhawk and tow it behind my motor home. I installed Blue Ox base plates my self and have a Blue Ox Aladdin Tow Bar. Hopkins Light harnes and the Flat tow wiring harnes installed by the jeep dealer.

Getting my jeep ready.
Click Here

Flat Tow Kit Mod Click Here

If I had it to do over I would have used Road Master instead. Cost a few bucks more but easier to install.
Mel
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Old 08-24-2019, 07:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philtho View Post
I'm planning to get a dinghy and tow it 4 down with my Class C Thor 29FE with Ford V-10 gas engine. I want 4WD or AW drive, auto trans, and seating for 6. Have not done this before and welcome suggestions as to what vehicle to look for. Also, this RV averages 8-9 mpg and I'm wondering how much mpg will be reduced. I know lots of factors influence this, but I'm just asking for a guesstimate.
In June, we bought a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2 door for our toad. We have pulled a trailer for years with motorcycles.
The Jeep is easy to tow 4 down due to the transmission setup. Our Jeep weighs 3250 dry .. which is well within the weight limits of our Axis hitch. We don't even know it is back there. You most likely, will need a Wrangler 4 door if you go with a Jeep...there are many folks on the Forum who tow Jeeps. We, also have the Triton V-10 in our Axis...with nothing in tow, we average between 9-10 mpg and sometimes 11 mpg...in a couple weeks we will know the true impact of towing the Jeep as we will be making an extended trip west...having made a few short trips around home, getting used to it...we surprisingly averaged about the same !

In addition..when pulling the trailer, we had no real difference in mpg.

You will get plenty of feedback from many knowledgeable folks here...

Happy camping !
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Old 08-24-2019, 08:56 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philtho View Post
I'm planning to get a dinghy and tow it 4 down with my Class C Thor 29FE with Ford V-10 gas engine. I want 4WD or AW drive, auto trans, and seating for 6. Have not done this before and welcome suggestions as to what vehicle to look for. Also, this RV averages 8-9 mpg and I'm wondering how much mpg will be reduced. I know lots of factors influence this, but I'm just asking for a guesstimate.
I towed a 2003 Dodge Durango all 4's down for years. It was AWD and had a transfer case you could put in neutral for towing. It seated 6. It was automatic. There was a sequence to put the transfer case in neutral and then I used a brake buddy for my auxiliary braking. Towed the Durango for 75,000+ miles and then sold to my next door neighbor fours years ago and they are still driving it.

My MPG stayed a steady 8-9 towing

Good luck on finding one and sounds like just what you need.
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Old 08-25-2019, 01:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnBroker View Post
Good choice as long as you find a reliable Trailhawk. Out toad is a 2015 Cherokee Trailhawk behind a 2014 ACE 27.1 and it is an easy pull with the Ford V10 Triton engine. Recommend the Roadmaster Invisibrake system, it fits neatly under the passenger front seat and with the "anti-wobble" wire harness for our model year TH has removed all concerns over previous experiences with a death wobble. Make sure your Trailhawk has the proper transmission that allows full neutral for flat towing, there were several trans offered when we purchased ours that would not have worked.

We have the 2015 Trailhawk. I agree with the above quote. Since we do not off-road, the Trailhawk is "overkill" for us but it was a 2015 left over and thus less expensive than the 2016 models that were not Trailhawks. Maybe I'll find time to look into off-roading.
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Old 08-25-2019, 05:49 PM   #17
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Toad

2014 or earlier Honda CRV. Good luck on the 6 seater. After 2014 Honda quit producing special tow friendly transmission.
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Old 08-25-2019, 05:57 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Philtho View Post
I'm planning to get a dinghy and tow it 4 down with my Class C Thor 29FE with Ford V-10 gas engine. I want 4WD or AW drive, auto trans, and seating for 6. Have not done this before and welcome suggestions as to what vehicle to look for. Also, this RV averages 8-9 mpg and I'm wondering how much mpg will be reduced. I know lots of factors influence this, but I'm just asking for a guesstimate.
We tow a 2018 Ford F150 4x4. It sounds bigger than it is. Withe the aluminum body it's just under 5,000lbs, seats 6 comfortably with the front bench seat and can take you anywhere you want to go at your destination. There are no speed or distance limits on flat towing and it does not require removal of fuses or disconnecting the battery, just turning some knobs. We tow it behind our V10 powered Thor Miramar easily. I haven't figured the MPG difference , sorry.
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Old 09-30-2019, 12:01 PM   #19
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Capt. Tom

I’m looking at F-150 to tow. I notice you said it just needs a few knobs to turn. I didn’t see that on the dinghy tow list. Can you be more specific please?
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Old 09-30-2019, 12:39 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigbur View Post
I’m looking at F-150 to tow. I notice you said it just needs a few knobs to turn. I didn’t see that on the dinghy tow list. Can you be more specific please?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford F150 Owners Manual
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle. See
Climate Control (page 137).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing, such as towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. We
designed these guidelines to prevent
damage to your transmission.

Two-wheel Drive Vehicles
You cannot tow a two-wheel drive vehicle
with any wheels on the ground as vehicle
or transmission damage may occur. You
must tow your vehicle with all four wheels
off the ground, such as when using a
car-hauling trailer.

Towing
Four-wheel Drive Vehicles
You can only tow a four-wheel drive
vehicle with all wheels on the ground by
placing the transfer case in its neutral
position and engaging the
four-wheel-down towing feature. Perform
the steps outlined in the following section
after positioning your vehicle behind the
tow vehicle and properly securing them
together.
Note: Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Put the ignition in the on position, but
do not start the engine. If your vehicle
has an ignition key, turn the key to on.
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine START/STOP button
once without pressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch to
2H.
4. Shift the transmission to position N.
5. Rotate the four-wheel drive switch
from 2H to 4L and back to 2H five
times within seven seconds.
Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows NEUTRAL TOW
LEAVE IN N or NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED
LEAVE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the
display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts into its neutral position.
This is normal.
6. Leave the transmission in position N
and turn the ignition as far as it will go
toward the off position (it will not turn
fully off when the transmission is in
position N). If your vehicle has an
ignition key, you must leave the key in
the ignition while towing. To lock and
unlock your vehicle, use the keyless
entry keypad or extra set of keys. If your
vehicle has intelligent access, press the
engine START/STOP button once
without pressing the brake pedal. You
do not need to leave your keys in the
vehicle. You can lock and unlock your
vehicle as you normally do.
7. Release the brake pedal.
WARNINGS
Do not disconnect the battery during
recreational towing. Doing so will
prevent the transfer case from
shifting properly and may cause the vehicle
to roll even if the transmission is in P
(Park).
Shifting the transfer case to its
neutral position for recreational
towing may cause the vehicle to be
able to roll even if the transmission is in P
(Park). The driver or others could be
injured. Make sure the foot brake is
depressed and the vehicle is in a secure
and safe position while the transfer case
is being shifted to its neutral position.
Failing to put the transfer case in its
neutral position will damage vehicle
components.
Note: You can check four-wheel-down
towing status at any time by opening the
driver's door or turning the ignition to the
accessory or on position and verifying the
NEUTRAL TOW ENABLED message
displays in the cluster.
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return
the transfer case to its 2H position:

Towing
1. With your vehicle still properly secured
to the tow vehicle, put the ignition in
the on position, but do not start the
engine. If your vehicle has an ignition
key, turn the key to on. If your vehicle
has intelligent access, press the engine
START/STOP button once without
pressing the brake pedal.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission out of N and into
any gear.
4. Release the brake pedal.
Note: If completed successfully, the
instrument cluster displays 4X2, and
NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.
Note: If the indicator light and message do
not display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts out of its neutral
position. This is normal.
Note: If SHIFT DELAY PULL FORWARD
displays in the instrument cluster, transfer
case gear tooth blockage is present. See the
instructions after this section.
5. Apply the parking brake, and then
disconnect the vehicle from the tow
vehicle.
6. Release the parking brake, start the
engine, and shift the transmission to
position D to make sure the transfer
case is out of position N.
7. If the transfer case does not
successfully shift out of position N, set
the parking brake until you can have
your vehicle serviced.

Resolving the SHIFT DELAY PULL
FORWARD Message

If the instrument cluster displays SHIFT
DELAY PULL FORWARD perform the
following:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Put the transmission into position N,
and then start the engine.
3. With the engine running, shift the
transmission to position D and let the
vehicle roll forward, up to 3 feet (1
meter). You may hear an audible noise
as the transfer case shifts out of its
neutral position. This is normal.
4. Make sure the instrument cluster
displays NEUTRAL TOW DISABLED.
From the Owners Manual.
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