Pulling a car on a flatbed

[Quincybear]

does anyone have experience pulling a car on a flatbed trailer? I now pull a Honda 4 wheels down but I live in two places and don't always have it with me. I have a few other cars I would like to take with me that I can't tow even with a car dolly. I have a place to store it so no problems there. Is it a real pain or easy? Any other advice? thank you

[Triker56]

What are you going to pull the trailer with? You may be limited to only pull one car then a few on a trailer.

[Lincolnut]

I do it all the time with my HR Admiral........


No problems at all just watch on the corners they don't follow as good as 4 down...I love it and will not tow 4 down any more.......

Mike

[montyhp]

I tow a 2015 Jetta on an aluminum 16' long utility trailer. I chose the trailer because it is very light (1100lbs) and keeps the total below 5000lbs.

My 2005 Discovery is rated for 5000lbs, 10000lbs with a weight distributing hitch and 10000lbs toad. My motorhome came with a trailer brake controller already installed. That is unusual as most people don't tow a trailer with a motorhome.

It works very well, but not as convenient as flat towing (just pull two pins and unplug the electric cable). On the trailer you have to hook up the trailer, then load the car with the ramps, and make sure the car is in the right position on the trailer to balance the tongue weight. Then you have to tie down the car. I use a set of exotic car straps and ratchets.

The biggest problem with tying down the car is I get dirty (clothes and arms). I am usually loading the car on the way out for a trip in the Motorhome. Then I have to drive dirty. I need to get a set of coveralls to wear.

I do have a 2013 silverado that I can tow, but I will need to pay the ~$4000 to get it set up.

[George Schweikle]

We have towed car trailers for many years. Be sure the trailer weight and tongue weight are within the range of your hitch, and the trailer is rated for the car weight. Have a trailer brake controller, proper car tie-downs, trailer lights, correct trailer tires, etc. and correct placement of the car on the trailer. Do all of this and you will be fine.

Trailers can range from simple steel versions with wood plank floors to nice aluminum ones like Featherlite. Your pocketbook will influence your choice.

Originally Posted by Quincybear

does anyone have experience pulling a car on a flatbed trailer? I now pull a Honda 4 wheels down but I live in two places and don't always have it with me. I have a few other cars I would like to take with me that I can't tow even with a car dolly. I have a place to store it so no problems there. Is it a real pain or easy? Any other advice? thank you

[USA-RVNomads]

I see a lot of folks towing a car trailer...just plan ahead so that the places you stop along the way have the length of site necessary or a place you can easily stow the trailer.

Its also a good idea that the vehicle being toted on the trailer can also be used to tow the trailer just in case something happens or its impractical for the MH to spot the trailer where its going to be stowed. Seen a guy really struggle at a RVP that had a very tight storage yard, there wasn't sufficient room to back the trailer with the bus.

[Healeyman]

I frequently tow a Classic Austin Healey on/in a 16' flat bed that I enclosed.

Been from Dallas to both coasts several times. Never had an issue.

Tim

[Dennis_K]

I use a 16' flat open trailer for the last 12 years. I didn't flat tow until 3 years ago. I flat tow a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the overall length difference between the trailer the the Jeep is less than 1". So it takes the same length site for either (if I stay connected with the GC). Over the 9 years I used the trailer exclusively I always looked for RV parks with long pull-through sites and only had to disconnect the trailer once. I prefer to tow the trailer when I can plan ahead, and I like being able to back up. As for the extra work to use a trailer, that depends on your tie downs. There are tie down system/methods that can make the process very fast and easy. I still use the trailer when I take my off-road Jeep and may use it for the GC too. Over all I spent less money setting up the trailer than I did setting up the GC to flat tow.
For some, the problem with a trailer is a place to store it when not in use and the added maintenance of 4 more tires, brakes, and licensing.

[jackreno]

I tow a trailer with a Jeep and a boat, I find it as easy as flat towing, with a trailer you can back up..

[anotherone]

I have a rollback kwik load trailer that I have towed a car and goldwing on all over the country. Rollback trailers use no ramps and lower like a wrecker ; simple and quick. I'm selling the rollback and buying another trailer so I can carry a car and my slingshot at the same time. Easy peasy.

[GraySeal65]

No problem.

[BigLar368]

Curious if anyone has had any problem hooking up a brake controller for the trailer brakes. We just purchased a 2004 Monaco Camelot and I need to install one as I will soon be towing my car to the track. Thanks in advance.

[OLYLEN]

For the Camelot you should have the seven pin and the wiring for. the controller pre wired. You just need to find the wires under the steering column. I towed with a tilt bed trailer for seven years.

LEN

[DonDee]

185hp Cummins/AT545, pull 14 ft. steel trailer with Geo Tracker many miles over lots of mountains.




Back up forever, see it in the mirrors, 4 more tires to thump.