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Old 09-06-2017, 04:00 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 26' Chateau Class C
State: Texas
Posts: 15
THOR #6437
Tow car

I'm just back from a month in Ruidoso in my '15 THOR Chateau 26' Class C first trip out with no tow car. Rented a car but found that not satisfactory. I need advice on what is available for easy towing 4 wheels on the ground. Thank you!!

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Old 09-06-2017, 04:06 PM   #2
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Tow Cars

Motorhome magazine publishes a booklet annually that lists the current year's vehicles and which are towable and the best way to tow.

We flat tow a 1999 Chevrolet Tracker but had to have a driveline disconnect gizmo installed since it has an automatic transmission.

We have noticed that a lot of people flat tow Jeep Wranglers. I would advise that you do a lot of homework if you plan to tow anything with an automatic transmission.
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Old 09-06-2017, 04:49 PM   #3
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Someone on this forum or the Crossroads forum has a Saturn Vue (small SUV) already setup to tow for sale, might do some searching.
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Old 09-06-2017, 05:03 PM   #4
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Jeep Wranglers work pretty well...
But the older CJs can be even better!
You can actually purchase locking (and unlocking!) hobs for them,
Get one for each corner, and unlock them.... To make DOUBLY sure: you can even put the transfer case in neutral.
Nothing will be spinning needlessly!
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Old 09-07-2017, 11:45 AM   #5
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I tow a 2016 Ford Focus. Not to hard on the budget and easy to tow.
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Old 09-07-2017, 12:14 PM   #6
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What do you have to do to tow the Focus?
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Old 09-07-2017, 12:19 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJBlanton View Post
What do you have to do before towing the Focus? Is it automatic transmission?
My toad will need to be my main car Alco when I'm not traveling.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Dippytwo View Post
I tow a 2016 Ford Focus. Not to hard on the budget and easy to tow.
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Old 09-07-2017, 12:49 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by RJBlanton View Post
What do you have to do to tow the Focus?
Every car is different - by year - and features may be flat towable or not... (and I didn't see HOW Dippytwo was towing - flat or dolly.
The owners manual for the particular vehicle wins - but there are resources to help...

Looking at the 2016 Focus - per Motorhome Magazine:
http://webcontent.goodsam.com/motorhomemagazine.com/2016DinghyGuide.pdf
it is flat towable with trans in neutral. 70mph max... no mileage limits.

When shopping for my new Explorer recently -they are all auto transmission... the 4 cylinder FWD version could NOT be flat towed... the 6 cylinder FWD version could... 65mph max... run engine at start of every day and every 6 hours.

You can get guides from 2000-2017 here to start... but always confirm with owners manual... If it breaks you get to keep both pieces.
Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine
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Old 09-07-2017, 01:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by RJBlanton View Post
What do you have to do to tow the Focus?
You need a Tow bar, a base plate for the car (vehicle specific) and a breaking system for the car (you will need all this for any kind of car). There are different brands. On my Focus to get ready for flat towing:
Put the climate control system in recirculated air mode.
Release parking break.
Switch ignition switch to on position.
Press break pedal and then move gearshift to the neutral position.
Wait for message display to indicate that the transmission is ready, and then switch off the ignition and release break pedal (key remains in ignition).
Disconnect negative cable from the battery (I use a battery disconnect switch).
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Old 09-07-2017, 01:05 PM   #10
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sorry GMC

I should have said that I flat tow and my Focus is automatic transmission. I really should figure out how to add it to my profile.
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Old 09-07-2017, 01:32 PM   #11
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Thanks for all your replies. Looks like I have a good bit of research work to do. I previously towed an '09 Honda CRV but sold it and my other motorhome a few years ago. Things have changed considerably as far as tow vehicles since then. The last year Honda gave its blessing on towing the CRV was 2014 model. I was told recently that all Chevys were towable and told by a car salesman the Chevy Traverse 4WD was towable. Confusing! I will check out the Motorhome web page towing guide.
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:03 PM   #12
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Never go by what a sales person says, I have had them tell me that they "think" or "should be able" to tow. Have them show you the owner manual for the car you are Looking at and see what that says.
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:07 PM   #13
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We tow a 2016 Chevy Sonic. Less than 3000 lbs and it is my daily driver when home. Need to pull a fuse (or install a fuse switch) to allow you to turn the ignition off with the gear shift in Neutral. 65 MPH max. No steering wheel lock.

And unlike Dippity, we install a braking system.
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:40 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dippytwo View Post
Never go by what a sales person says, I
Truer words have NEVER been spoken!
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:50 PM   #15
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Hard to beat a Jeep Wrangler. They tow great. Don't have to leave the key in them and very versatile getting around different destinations.
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Old 09-07-2017, 02:58 PM   #16
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I'm wondering about a Jeep Wrangler and the weight. I think I am limited to under 5k lbs.
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:02 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by RJBlanton View Post
I'm wondering about a Jeep Wrangler and the weight. I think I am limited to under 5k lbs.
All Wranglers are under 5K lbs. Even the 4 door Unlimited. With that said, the Unlimited may be close so if it is loaded with stuff, it may push the limit.

We had a 2010 Wrangler Unlimited and it towed just fine behind our 98 Itasca Sunflyer.
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RJBlanton View Post
I'm wondering about a Jeep Wrangler and the weight. I think I am limited to under 5k lbs.
I'm pretty sure the Wrangler is under that.

My 2017 26' freedom elite is very similar to yours and we have no problem. I don't have brakes installed and it stops great. I do have the E450 chassis so if you have a E350 maybe it will make a difference? The most important thing is to not exceed the GCVW rating.
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Old 09-07-2017, 03:52 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by gentilebrian View Post
i'm pretty sure the wrangler is under that.

My 2017 26' freedom elite is very similar to yours and we have no problem. I don't have brakes installed and it stops great. I do have the e450 chassis so if you have a e350 maybe it will make a difference? the most important thing is to not exceed any weight rating.
ftfy
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Old 09-07-2017, 04:45 PM   #20
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I have the E350. Maybe someone knows the answer to this. These are things my husband always took care of so I'm learning a lot more than I ever planned on now that he is gone. I'm determined not to make a move until I can put all the info together. I really appreciate all your input!
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