Towing a Car Behind Your Motorhome: Flat Tow vs. Dolly vs. Trailer

When Gene and I bought our Class A diesel pusher, one of the first decisions was how to bring a car along. Driving a 42-foot motorhome to the grocery store is not practical. You need a "dinghy" vehicle.

We researched all three options extensively. Here's our honest assessment.

Flat Towing (4 Wheels Down)

The car rolls behind the motorhome on its own wheels with a tow bar connecting the two. Not every car can be flat towed — you need one that allows it without damaging the transmission. Jeep Wranglers, Honda CR-Vs, and certain Chevys are popular choices.

Pros: Nothing to store when you get to camp. Easiest to hook up once you're practiced. No extra weight from a dolly or trailer.

Cons: Limited vehicle choices. Need supplemental braking system ($400-1,000). Tow bar is $300-600. And you put miles on the car while towing.

Tow Dolly

Front wheels of the car sit on a dolly, rear wheels roll on the road. Works with front-wheel-drive cars. More vehicle options than flat towing.

Pros: Works with most FWD cars. Cheaper initial cost. Car doesn't accumulate miles.

Cons: You have to store the dolly at camp. Loading and unloading is fiddly. Not great for rear-wheel or AWD vehicles.

Car Hauler Trailer

All four wheels on a trailer. Works with any vehicle. Period.

Pros: Any car works. Most secure. No wear on the car at all.

Cons: Heaviest option. Most expensive. Need somewhere to park the trailer at camp. Hardest to maneuver.

What We Chose

Flat tow with a Jeep Wrangler. Gene hated the idea of storing a dolly or trailer and the Jeep is perfect for exploring dirt roads near campgrounds. Setup took some practice but now we can connect in about 10 minutes.

Total investment: Jeep + tow bar + braking system + base plate = a lot of money. But for our lifestyle it was the right call.