Towing a dinghy or toad (towed vehicle) behind a motorhome provides local transport at your destination. However, there are several considerations, including:
The choice of towing with all 4 wheels of the dinghy on the ground v using a tow dolly.
Some vehicles can be towed all 4 down, while others require a tow dolly. Check the dinghy owners manual for “recreational towing” instructions.
Towing ‘all 4 down’ will still require some procedure before you drive away. In some cases this requires placing the transmission &/or transfer case in a specific state. It may also require disconnecting the dinghy battery. Check the owners manual for specific procedures for your dinghy.
Several brands of tow bar are manufactured for dinghy towing, including Roadmaster and Blue OX. The tow bar slides into the tow hitch on the back of the motorhome and is secured with a tow pin rated for the total towed load. The tow bar will have two adjustable arms that are connected to the baseplate on the toad. Each of the brands of tow bar offers different models with different weight ratings, and an all-terrain model that makes it easier to disconnect when the coach and toad are on uneven ground.
For towing all 4 down, a baseplate unqiue to your make/model of toad is attached to the frame or chassis of the toad. The arms of the tow bar are attached to the baseplate using removable pins.
The toad will also require connections for lights, stop lights, and turn signals.
An important consideration when dinghy towing is the choice of auxiliary braking system. The available auxiliary braking systems include:
Brake buddy or one its derivatives. This sits on the floor on the drivers side of the toad and attaches to the brake pedal. This brake system is actuated by a pendulum that moves when the motorhome slows.
Motorhomes such as diesel pushers usually have air-operated brakes. An air line can be connected between the coach and the toad to actuate an air-operated auxiliary braking system on the toad. Examples of this system are Air Force One and M&G.
A ‘breakaway’ cable activates the dinghy brakes in the event that the dinghy is separated from the motorhome.
A tow dolly adds towing weight which needs to be included in your calculation of towing weights and capacities. Furthermore, a dolly requires some manhandling at your destination, and requires additional space for storage. In some cases, RV parks require that tow dollies be stored in a designated area away from your site.