Community Forums

JF1957 · 03-03-2016, 12:01 PM

Hi, i'm looking at buying a toad for my motorhome and i make research for some base plate on the blue ox net link. I've notice that there are base plate for a LOT more cars and vus that the ones mentionning on the dinghy towing guide for exemple ? Is there an explanation for that ? Can i consider that all cars and vus on the blue ox base plate site can be towed 4 flat ?
Regards

Mr_D · 03-03-2016, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JF1957

Can i consider that all cars and vus on the blue ox base plate site can be towed 4 flat?

I wouldn't till I had verification from the vehicle manufacturer.
But sometimes the vehicle manufacturer just says no because they don't want the liability if owners don't follow directions but the vehicle is towable four down.
For instance: the Honda Odyssey we bought in Dec '04 was supposed to be towable four down (got it in writing on Honda letterhead), then Honda changed their legal minds and said it wasn't. Been towing ours with no troubles.

dennis45 · 03-03-2016, 12:25 PM

Base plate manufacturers supply a base plate based on demand. If they can sell it, they make it. Some vehicles can be towed with modifications such as Transmission Lube Pump or Driveshaft Disconnect.
To answer your question properly, take a look at the attached link for the year, make and model you are considering. Then, look at the owners manual to see what the manufacture says. Especially if you are looking at a new vehicle that is under warranty.

Downloadable Dinghy Guides | MotorHome Magazine

BFlinn181 · 03-03-2016, 12:36 PM

Also the base plates are made to match the frame and front end design of the auto, not the other equipment options available to individual models. Subaru is a good example, base plates made and sold, but everyone should know that they only apply to manual transmissions, not automatics.

JF1957 · 03-03-2016, 12:46 PM

Has i can understand, downloadable dinghy guide refers to manufactures specs while blue ox base plate are made by demand as noted by dennis45 so you can tow your toad with aftermarket stuff like auto trans pump etc...

powercat_ras · 03-03-2016, 12:56 PM

The FMCA towable guide is a good starting point as to which vehicles are flat towable with which equipment combinations without modification to vehicle other than providing a charge line to the tow vehicle battery or pulling fuses to keep towed vehicle battery from running down.

Beyond that, as was noted many additional vehicles can be flat towed with some modifications. These include drive shaft disconnect devices and automatic transmission lube pumps.

Finally, in most states the tow vehicle must have braking when being flat towed. There are many ways to do this.

The ads in the FMCA flat tow guide will give you a starting place as to vendor solutions you can use. Many RV dealers sell and install flat tow solutions and would be a resource for solutions and can bid you various solutions to flat tow vehicles using stuff from Roadmaster, Blue Ox, etc.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-03-2016, 04:05 PM

The dinghy tow guides are for vehicles that an be towed without modifications, at least not mods other than pulling a fuse. Just about any vehicle can be towed 4-down if you are willing to spend the $$ on it. Transmission lube pumps work for nearly all FWD vehicles, and drive shaft disconnects work for most rear drives. If you are willing to spend an extra $1800 or so to make that Lexus or Mazda automatic towable, somebody will sell you a base plate for it. Or custom make one if needed.