Maybe – and the exact vehicle matters. Two vehicles with the same model name can have completely different flat towing requirements because of differences in model year, engine, transmission, drivetrain, or transfer case. The safest place to start is the recreational towing section of the owner’s manual for your exact vehicle. That section will normally explain whether the vehicle can be towed with all four wheels on the ground and what steps are required before towing. Some vehicles may require a specific transmission position, transfer-case setting, steering setting, battery procedure, fuse procedure, or startup routine while traveling. A tow bar or available baseplate does not automatically mean the vehicle is approved for four-down towing. If you are unsure, give Cliff’s the year, make, and model of the vehicle. Additional drivetrain or transmission information can help when available, but we understand that not every customer knows those details. We can help determine what information is needed from there.

Most complete RV flat tow setups include several main components.

• Tow bar: Connects the motorhome to the towed vehicle.
• Vehicle-specific baseplate: Provides the structural attachment point on the vehicle.
• Safety cables: Provide a secondary connection between the motorhome and vehicle.
• Lighting and electrical wiring: Allows the vehicle’s brake lights, turn signals, and running lights to work with the motorhome.
• Supplemental braking system: Allows the towed vehicle to assist with braking.
• Breakaway system: Works with the braking system to help apply the towed vehicle’s brakes if it were ever to separate from the motorhome.

Depending on the vehicle, the setup may also need a battery charge line, battery disconnect, special wiring components, a rise/drop receiver, or other vehicle-specific equipment. Then there are optional accessories such as rock protection, locking pins, tow bar covers, tire-pressure monitoring, and other convenience or protection equipment. Cliff’s builds the equipment list around the actual motorhome and vehicle so customers are not buying parts they do not need or missing something important for their particular setup.

A complete flat tow installation can take anywhere from about half a day to two days or more. The amount of time depends heavily on the vehicle and what is being installed. A straightforward baseplate and wiring installation may be completed relatively quickly. A more involved setup that includes supplemental braking, battery management, additional accessories, complicated front-end disassembly, or unusual vehicle fitment can take longer. Cliff’s keeps a good amount of common flat towing equipment in stock, which can help shorten the time between the quote and the installation. During slower periods, some installations may be scheduled as soon as the next day when the required parts and shop capacity are available. The busiest RV season in Arizona generally runs from October through May. During that period, the installation schedule can sometimes extend to around two weeks. When you request a quote, Cliff’s can give you a better idea of both installation time and current scheduling based on your specific setup.

Yes. Cliff’s can install customer-supplied or previously owned flat tow equipment at the shop’s discretion. Used equipment normally does not carry a surcharge. If you already have a tow bar, braking system, baseplate components, or other flat towing equipment, let us know before purchasing replacements. Used equipment needs to make sense for the new setup and be in a condition that Cliff’s is comfortable installing. Compatibility is especially important because tow bars, baseplates, adapters, and braking equipment are not universally interchangeable. In many cases, customers changing vehicles may be able to reuse a tow bar, portions of a braking system, locks, rock protection, or other accessories. The baseplate and much of the vehicle-side wiring are normally specific to the vehicle. The easiest approach is to bring in what you already have or send us the manufacturer and model information. Cliff’s can review it before building the rest of the quote around it.

Cliff’s works with major RV flat towing manufacturers including:

• ROADMASTER
• DEMCO
• BLUE OX
• CURT

Each manufacturer offers different tow bars, baseplates, braking systems, wiring products, and accessories. We do not believe one brand is automatically the right answer for every customer. The best combination depends on the motorhome, towed vehicle, equipment compatibility, vehicle weight, and what the owner values most. One customer may care most about having a lightweight tow bar that is easy to remove. Another may want a permanently installed braking system with very little setup before each trip. Another may already own equipment that can be reused. Cliff’s looks at the complete setup and recommends equipment that works together.

Cliff’s generally recommends using a supplemental braking system when flat towing a vehicle. The basic reason is simple: the vehicle behind the motorhome has its own weight, so we prefer having that vehicle help with braking instead of asking the motorhome to do all of the work. A supplemental braking system applies the towed vehicle’s brakes when the motorhome slows or stops. There are portable systems that can be removed from the vehicle and permanently installed systems that stay with the vehicle and require less setup. The motorhome can also affect which system makes the most sense. For example, some systems are designed specifically around air-brake motorhomes while others are better suited to different coach configurations. Cliff’s can explain the options and help choose a braking system that fits both the equipment and the way you travel.

A breakaway system is an additional safety feature used with the supplemental braking system. A cable connects between the motorhome and a breakaway switch on the towed vehicle. If the vehicle were ever to completely separate from the motorhome, the cable would pull the switch and activate the towed vehicle’s braking system. The breakaway cable is different from the safety cables. Each has its own job. The safety cables help keep the two vehicles connected. The breakaway system is designed to help apply the towed vehicle’s brakes if a complete separation occurs. Proper cable length and routing matter, which is why the breakaway connection is checked during the final setup.

Some vehicles can experience battery drain while being flat towed. The reason varies by vehicle. Some vehicles need certain electronics powered while they are in their recreational towing mode. Supplemental braking equipment can also use 12-volt power. Other vehicles may require specific battery or fuse procedures before towing. A charge line can be added on many setups to help maintain the towed vehicle’s battery using power from the motorhome. However, a charge line is not automatically the correct solution for every vehicle. Some vehicles require different battery-management procedures. Cliff’s reviews the requirements of the vehicle and the installed equipment before deciding whether a charge line or another battery solution makes sense.

The tow bar should generally operate close to level between the motorhome and the towed vehicle. The hitch receiver on the motorhome and the attachment points on the towed vehicle do not always sit at the same height. When there is too much difference, a properly rated rise or drop receiver may be needed to improve the towing geometry. The allowable height difference depends on the tow bar and equipment being used, so Cliff’s checks the complete setup rather than relying on one measurement for every system. Tow bar levelness is also checked during the final motorhome-and-vehicle hookup before the customer leaves.

In general, you should not plan on backing the motorhome while the towed vehicle is connected for flat towing. When the combination moves backward, the front wheels of the towed vehicle may not track correctly. The tow bar and steering system are designed around the vehicle following the motorhome forward. If you pull into an area where backing up becomes necessary, the safer approach is normally to disconnect the towed vehicle and reposition the motorhome. This is one reason experienced flat-tow owners pay attention to parking lots, fuel stations, campsites, and other areas where turning around may be difficult.

That depends on what you mean by miles. Some vehicles may record odometer mileage while being towed and others may not. But even if the odometer does not increase, the vehicle is still physically traveling down the road. The tires are rolling. Wheel bearings are turning. Suspension and steering components are moving. Those parts still experience normal use while the vehicle is behind the motorhome. Flat-tow owners should continue checking tire condition and pressure and keep the vehicle’s normal maintenance needs in mind when putting significant towing mileage on it.

Often, at least some of it. A good tow bar may be reusable with another vehicle if it is still in good condition, has enough capacity, and can be connected using approved equipment. Many supplemental braking systems can also be transferred or reinstalled in another vehicle. Baseplates, on the other hand, are normally designed for a specific vehicle application. A new vehicle usually requires a new baseplate and vehicle-side installation. Lighting, battery-management equipment, and other wiring may also change with the vehicle. Before replacing everything, let Cliff’s look at what you already own. There may be components worth keeping.

Cliff’s does not simply install the equipment and hand over the keys. The towed vehicle is tested separately after its installation is completed. The motorhome side is also tested separately once its work is complete. Then the motorhome and towed vehicle are connected together for the final test with the customer present. During that final setup, Cliff’s checks items including:

• Tow Bar and Connection Points
• Safety Cable Length and Routing
• Electrical Pigtail Length and Clearance
• Tow Bar Levelness
• Supplemental Braking System Operation when Installed
• Brake Lights
• Turn Signals
• Running Lights
• The Way the Complete System Works Together

That final combined test is also part of the customer walkthrough.

Yes. Every complete flat tow installation includes a detailed walkthrough with the customer at no additional charge. We go through the equipment, show how the system connects and disconnects, explain how to operate the installed components, and discuss safe-use situations that may come up while traveling. Customers can ask questions and go through the process until they feel comfortable with it. There is no set time limit on the walkthrough. Flat towing is much easier when you understand what every connection does and have practiced the process before your first trip. Our goal is for the customer to leave knowing how their specific system works rather than figuring it out later at a campground.

Flat tow setups are quoted individually because equipment and installation requirements vary by motorhome, towed vehicle and selected options. A typical quote includes the tow bar, vehicle-specific baseplate, electrical wiring, a braking system when applicable, required setup-specific accessories, selected optional accessories and installation labor. The customer walkthrough is included at no charge. Request a quote from Cliff’s Welding for current pricing.

All flat-tow products are installed in-house at Cliff’s. After installation, the towed vehicle is tested separately and the motorhome is tested separately. The complete motorhome-and-towed-vehicle combination receives its final test alongside the customer during the walkthrough. Final checks include connections, proper safety cable and electrical pigtail lengths, tow-bar levelness, braking-system functionality if installed, and towed-vehicle lights working with the motorhome lights. The walkthrough is free and detailed, with no time limit. Cliff’s demonstrates connection, disconnection and use of the setup, including safe-use situations, so customers can leave comfortable operating their equipment.