Flat towing, tow dollies and car trailers

Choose flat towing, a dolly or a car trailer by the car’s approved transport method and the motorhome’s loaded limits. Flat towing leaves all four wheels rolling; a dolly lifts one axle; a trailer carries the whole car. None automatically suits every vehicle.

Three transport methods and their first checks
MethodFirst checkExtra equipment or space
Flat towingExact vehicle approval and preparationCompatible bar, baseplate, lights and braking
Tow dollyCar and dolly approval for the lifted/rolling axlesDolly weight, brakes, tire fit and storage
Car trailerCar fits payload, deck and loading geometryTrailer weight, tongue load and campsite storage

A dolly still has a whole-vehicle weight limit

Demco’s published guidance describes its dollies for front-wheel-drive vehicles up to 4,800 lb, with axle capacity up to 3,500 lb. The full vehicle limit and supported-axle limit are separate checks. Use the installed dolly’s actual rating and instructions.

An assumed 4,900-lb car exceeds a 4,800-lb limit by 100 lb even if its supported axle weighs only 2,700 lb. Passing the axle check does not cure the whole-vehicle overload. Do not assume a front-drive badge alone establishes fit.

Choose the transport methodConfirm how the exact car may be transportedThen: Check loaded car plus dolly or trailer against coach limitsThen: Confirm equipment, braking, lights and storage fitChoose the transport methodConfirm how the exact car may be transportedCheck loaded car plus dolly or trailer against coach limitsConfirm equipment, braking, lights and storage fit

Flat towing needs a vehicle-specific procedure

Ford’s 2026 Maverick HEV manual permits four-wheels-down towing under stated conditions, including Neutral Tow and a 70-mph maximum. That is approval for the specified vehicle and procedure, not for every Maverick or every hybrid.

Read the eligibility guide before buying equipment. A manual transmission, an AWD badge or an aftermarket baseplate listing is not independent approval to tow.

Add the carrier before checking coach capacity

Assume a loaded car weighs 4,200 lb and a proposed trailer weighs 1,800 lb. The towed total is 6,000 lb before any additional trailer cargo. A 5,000-lb hitch would be exceeded by 1,000 lb; a higher-rated tow bar would not change that receiver limit.

Check GCWR, loaded coach weight, axles, receiver, tongue load and all towing equipment together. Follow each maker’s backing restrictions and plan an exit that does not require reversing an attached flat-towed car. Confirm storage for a dolly or trailer at the booked campsite.