Can any EV or Hydrid vehicles be towed 4 down?

[NOLAfolks]

As so many auto manufactures scramble to switch some or all of their products to EV or hybrid vs traditional ICB engines and even the RV industry is exploring the electric approach, I am wondering where the RV industry is headed? Does anyone know if there is a plan to publish a list of, if any, Hybrids or EV's coming down the pike in the next couple of years that can be towed 4 down or dolly towed?

[pasdad1]

The usual sources lists hybrid vehicles as four down towable.

Some off the top of my head are

Ford Escape hybrid
Ford C-Max hybrid
Ford maverick hybrid

[Farrier]

Since the big issues with towing are related to automatic transmissions, I'd say that all electric vehicles should be fine with being towed.

[radar]

No BEV’s that I know of can be towed four down and comply with warranty.

Rivian originally said yes but changed their mind last year.

Leafs and I think bolts can be towed on a dolly.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Farrier

Since the big issues with towing are related to automatic transmissions, I'd say that all electric vehicles should be fine with being towed.

I can't think of a pure electric (BEV or battery electric vehicle) that can be towed or even pushed without causing damage to the electric system. The issue is regenerative braking would more or less be engaged for the duration...not a good thing.

In some EV classes, we were warned to not even push an EV around the shop for fear of damage.

[Farrier]

Originally Posted by kdauto

I can't think of a pure electric (BEV or battery electric vehicle) that can be towed or even pushed without causing damage to the electric system. The issue is regenerative braking would more or less be engaged for the duration...not a good thing.

In some EV classes, we were warned to not even push an EV around the shop for fear of damage.

Really? Obviously I had no idea!

Thanks for the info.

[Tskadberg]

Originally Posted by kdauto

I can't think of a pure electric (BEV or battery electric vehicle) that can be towed or even pushed without causing damage to the electric system. The issue is regenerative braking would more or less be engaged for the duration...not a good thing.

In some EV classes, we were warned to not even push an EV around the shop for fear of damage.

But then how are hybrids towed 4 down? They have regenerative braking. A plug in hybrid is a EV just with a small battery and a ICE. Surely it could be done.

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by Tskadberg

But then how are hybrids towed 4 down? They have regenerative braking. A plug in hybrid is a EV just with a small battery and a ICE. Surely it could be done.

And you know of many manufacturers that approve flat towing their hybrids? Every one I have serviced so far has notes warning NOT to do so. There may be a handful, or less, of exceptions. I have not investigated how or why their hybrid drive systems avoid damage.

Flat towing is much harder on a vehicle than many people think. I would avoid it as much as possible.

[Big-Foot]

Maybe consider the new Jeep Wrangler Hybrid…
Wranglers have been the perfect toads due to their transfer case design. Put transfer case in neutral, then transmission in Park and the vehicle rolls without any resistance. I would be very surprised if Jeep changed how all that worked as I’ve seen a number of the new Wranglers used as toads.
My toad is a 2015 Wrangler (not a hybrid)..

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by Tskadberg

But then how are hybrids towed 4 down? They have regenerative braking. A plug in hybrid is a EV just with a small battery and a ICE. Surely it could be done.

Maybe it’s because they have transmissions….. my 2010 Mercury Mariner hybrid doesn’t charge battery or do regenerative braking when in neutral gear. Transmission is designed to lubricate itself without engine running, as obviously on battery power ICE engine is not running.

[Indy Glenn]

Flat towing I believe is going to get harder & harder as the new generations of vehicles comes out.

We thought we were going to have to replace our Ford Fiesta last winter and started shopping for 4 down towables.... not many there.

Back I believe just a couple years ago, most Ford vehicles could be towed 4 down, I am not familiar with other brands - but shopping a few months ago showed this is no longer the case, except for some of the higher end SUVs.

Seems many of the vehicles had a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). I've never heard of it before and read up on them, interesting but they cannot be towed 4 down.

One new model Ford, The Ford Maverick pick-up, the hybrid version can be flat towed, but not the full gas version. Good luck finding either version out there.

One thing I started to do when finding a vehicle we were interested in was pulling up the Owners Manual on line for the model we were considering - went to the tow section and read if it could be towed behind an RV.

We own a gas class A so have a limit on how much weight we can tow.

Good luck finding a vehicle that suits you.

g

[radar]

Our Tesla has a tow hook and there are instruction for towing it. But it’s not meant to be towed behind a Motorhome.

[pasdad1]

Originally Posted by Indy Glenn

Seems many of the vehicles had a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). I've never heard of it before and read up on them, interesting but they cannot be towed 4 down.

Not true across the board.

Ford C-Max hybrid has CVT and is towable
Ford Escape hybrid has CVT and is towable
Ford Maverick hybrid has CVT and is towable

[kdauto]

Originally Posted by pasdad1

Not true across the board.

Ford C-Max hybrid has CVT and is towable
Ford Escape hybrid has CVT and is towable
Ford Maverick hybrid has CVT and is towable

Sure. Read all the fine print and footnotes on precautions. It doesn't make me feel all warm and fuzzy. Hundreds or thousands of miles dragged behind a moho. One slip-up and it's done, thousands and thousands of dollars of damage.

Good luck finding one of the above vehicles for sale.