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2014 Dinghy Guide

1. GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING BS How to Tow Like a Pro p Popular Dinghy Braking Systems Essential Accessories meu Euer Fae For Safe Travel r Supplement to MotorHome April 201 4 www motorhome com in y TruCenter Works like a horizontally mounted shock absorber When experiencing buffering crosswinds or uneven pavement push and hold the button adjust the wheel let go of the button and your coach is back on course TigerTralc Long parabolic springs and extended rear overhang cause gas motorhomes to sway from side to side A between the rear axle and the frame allows unhindered up and down movement of the springs virtually eliminating tail wag 13 800 228 9289 blueox com 2 facebook com BlueOxProducts 5 Strong As An Ox f you enjoy the thrill of exploring the open road in your motorhome you ve probably found a few instances where bigger is not always better That s where towing a dinghy behind your coach becomes advantageous Want to know more The 2014 Guide to Dinghy Towing provides a selection of infor mative articles and a listing of new vehicles ready made to enhance your RVing lifestyle Granted no manufacturer has yet to engi neer a plug and play setup directly from the factory but it s never been simpler to equip both dinghy and motorhome for road duty For starters as highlighted in Things to Know Before You Tow
2. 17 25 19 28 17 25 16 23 19 26 17 23 19 28 18 26 45 45 18 26 17 25 25 27 19 23 16 22 15 19 27 32 27 36 APPROX RETAIL PRICE RANGE 215995925 805 15 995 25 895 22 395 30 895 25 995 34 495 43 050 45 045 45 285 47 280 39 575 41 525 37 420 39 310 36 190 29 990 38 300 41 470 47 000 16 760 18 860 17 990 22 410 23 300 31 070 26 000 33 720 18 990 24 290 15 990 19 590 SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS pedal turn ignition key on engine off shift transmission into NEUTRAL shift transfer case into NEUTRAL start engine shift transmission into DRIVE release brake pedal shut en gine off shift transmission to PARK Put automatic transmission into PARK Manual transmission in gear not in NEUTRAL Transfer case in NEUTRAL Follow detailed procedure in owner s manual for shifting transfer case into NEUTRAL Put automatic transmission into PARK Manual transmission in gear not in NEUTRAL Transfer case in NEUTRAL Follow detailed procedure in owner s manual for shifting transfer case into NEUTRAL Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hou
3. i m s A Th et A eer E 1 ae f e Ex E cor CERE FIL f i i S MT jb Www motorhome com sss dinghy braking is a safe practice Fortunately there are a number of dinghy braking systems on the market Some are com pletely portable easily transferable from one ve hicle to another some are semi portable can be used in another vehicle with some exceptions and some are permanent require modification to coach and or dinghy and therefore can t be transferred from one vehicle to the next Recently a couple of new systems were introduced to the market The BrakeBuddy Stealth is the latest from Hopkins and it can be installed in an inconspicuous place virtually anywhere in the dinghy vehicle From Danko the RViBrake2 is the first unit to have a tire air pressure monitor as part of the package Refinements from Roadmaster and Blue Ox continue to make braking devices more effec tive and user friendly The popular systems on the following pages those from Blue Ox BrakeBuddy Roadmaster and RViBrake generally have a significant edge in ease of installation Use of a dinghy braking device saves wear and tear on your coach s brakes while providing the confidence of state and provincial compli ance and safe travels More complete and better than ever by Chris Hemer 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 29 DINGHY BRAKING SYSTEMS BrakeBuddy Digital Classic Portable Supplemental B
4. 13 425 17 625 28 410 36 995 15 135 21 400 21 970 36 500 34 700 36 500 23 105 36 305 35 335 44 410 N A 36 150 46 405 35 360 59 045 36 855 66149 26 465 34 935 SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS On automatic transmission equipped vehicles transmission must be in NEUTRAL during four wheel down towing ignition must be ON before shifting into NEUTRAL See Owner s Guide for more details start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Automatic transmission must be in NEUTRAL ignition must be ON before shifting into NEUTRAL see Owner s Guide for more details Release parking brake Place transmission in position N Place ignition in the orr position Place transmission in position P start vehicle and allow it to run 1 minute at the beginning of each day After allowing the vehicle to run place transmission back into N and the ignition in the Acc position Release parking brake Place transmission in position N Place ignition in the orr position Place transmission in position P start vehicle and allow it to run 1 minute at the beginning of each day After allowing the vehicle to run place transmission back into N and the ignition in the Acc position start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Run engine a
5. inside the motorhome where It is easily viewed and within reach HOW IT WORKS Senses the inertia of the braking event and communicates the exact amount of pressure to apply the towed vehicle s brake pedal After braking the vacuum pump restores vacuum to the towed vehicle FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Compact unit mounts anywhere in dinghy E Easy installation E Dual controller offers on the fly sensitivity and gain adjustments Can be switched between dinghy towing and conventional trailer towing E Dual braking mode allows towing a dinghy vehicle or trailer at the push of a button E Easy to use Plug in adapter while attaching the tow bar and it s ready to go also connects lights braking system and charge line WHAT S INCLUDED Main unit All In One adapter Dual Controller and mounting hardware CONTACT Hopkins Manufacturing Corp 800 470 2287 www brakebuddy com BLUE OX Patriot Portable Supplemental Braking System MSRP 1 395 HOW IT S INSTALLED Place the Patriot on the driver s side floor board adjust the push pad feet attach the spring loaded brake claw to the brake pedal plug the unit in push the button and the unit will self calibrate www motorhome com HOW IT WORKS When the coach s brakes are applied the Patri ot applies progressive and proportional braking force using an electric cylinder and actuator FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Self contained unit sits on
6. 845 25 965 48 880 37 635 62 154 37 635 64 800 15 595 22 435 12 170 15 290 46 300 58 400 N A 43 600 56 255 N A 30 795 41 255 SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 50 amp BATT1 fuse while towing Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse 32 while towing Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse 32 while towing For models without eAssist only Shift transmission to NEUTRAL Place the ignition in the ACC ACCESSORY position Remove fuse 8 22 Key Access only and 24 from the instrument panel fuse block Shift transmission to PARK Turn engine off and set parking brake Shift transfer case to NEUTRAL Release parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the motorhome Turn ignition to LocK oFF and remove key Steering wheel will still turn Shift transmission to PARK Turn engine off and set parking brake Shift transfer case to NEUTRAL Release parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the motorhome Turn ignition to 00 0 and remove key Steering whe
7. RVibrake2 housing pushes against the floor pan the rise in the floor where the driver s seat is mounted instead of the soft seat when activating This allows RVibrake2 to be truly proportional FEATURES AND BENEFITS E RVibrake2 is compatible with RVibrake Tire Pressure Sensors E Installation only takes 60 seconds E One touch auto positioning E True proportional braking E Three year warranty E Motorhome driver can monitor performance and adjust settings on the fly from the coach with the Wireless Monitor E Fits in all vehicles E Weighs 8 pounds E Available accessories include a soft shell case for storage 35 and a 12 volt DC Direct to Battery Kit 20 WHAT S INCLUDED Wireless Monitor and breakaway system CONTACT Danko Manufacturing 800 815 2159 www rvibrake com DG www motorhome com WHY ROADMASTER The leader in innovation quality durability fit and finish service and ease of use With Roadmaster you always know youre going to get the best product possible for your towing and suspension needs Roadmaster puts more into development testing quality control service and customer loyalty than anyone in the industry Period When we say The best on the planet we mean it _SINVISIBRAKE The world s best towed car supplemental braking system Why is InvisiBrake better NOTHING to put in or take out to tow or drive e HIDDEN from view No unsightly equipment to see in your car
8. SIMPLE operation Works intuitively No fuss no hassle CHARGES your battery Trickle charges the battery while towing MONITORS towed car s braking with audio and visual alerts For more information scan the OR code at right with your smartphone or tablet FuSEMASTER Eliminates the hassle of pulling fuses What is FuseMaster An easy way to Simply push a button Stop the meu remove fuses that must be pulled to to disconnect Easy to Stop doing tow some cars Just flip a switch the fuse Install the fuse limbo FuseMaster stops the hassle of having to find amp pull fuses For more information scan the OR code at right with your smartphone or tablet 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com Time Tested and Time Proven SCAN FOR MORE INFO kh d NBzz E a N i J DE dg E 1 3l FRENZ XLEF T LFE k iu EE aW pr OSL INNOVALIVe The only system that works for towing a dinghy or trailer Eliminates all of the set up Just plug and go SCAN FOR MORE INFO eed ig E TENA D rA r ri 3 T 1 fF 3 c GOET rm L E M of es t pe me v aL 2 bok P X The only system with a patented One Touch Start Up Button Switch between full or proportional braking at the touch of a button emm at vv MOTORHOME READERS CHOICE AWARDS FIND OUT MORE Call 800 487 2287 or Visit www BrakeBuddy com
9. a TI met i ae a i e TET i ied cur ap P uii D 4 1 p is vas b ae VA 3 2 1 E s pia gis TR agite mr TS c tai ACT T we ae E x3 a JE ea 3 eo ae us FE Bari a x Nc m bm Po WR d nw TH fs wr SE usi IT E c om 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 5 DINGHY TOWNG 2014 Toyota Corolla models powered by Toyota s tried and true When you ve got a car that has been a suc 1 8 liter four cylinder This engine produces cess for nearly 5O years and has sold 40 mil 132 horsepower in the base L and sporty S lion copies in 154 countries you probably models the latter pictured here the only shouldn t mess with success But time march versions deemed towable by virtue of their es on so when Toyota decided to introduce six speed manual transmissions All Corollas an all new 11th generation Corolla it wanted come with an impressive list of standard fea to make sure it did everything right tures that includes LED low beam headlamps In a departure from previous models the with LED daytime running lights an in glass new Corolla offers a bolder more chiseled ex AM FM antenna color keyed outside door terior appearance that is decidedly modern An handles color keyed outside mirrors a 60 40 increase of almost 4 inches in both wheelbase split fold down rear seat power door locks and overall length translate to more passenger with
10. introduced to any other circuits in the dinghy vehicle Many late model vehicles are equipped with on board diagnostics that continuously check for proper operation of turn signal and brake light bulbs Unfortunately the introduction of aftermarket steering diodes into the vehicle s wiring can fool this diagnostic function www motorhome com typically causing it to give false warnings about burned out bulbs For this reason it s common to modify each of the vehicle s tail lamp assemblies to accept a separate bulb This bulb is then connected directly to the motorhome eliminating any connections to the vehicle s existing wiring harness This modification usually involves drilling a large hole in the tail lamp reflector Fortunately special snap in sockets are avail able that make this job somewhat easier Since the new socket takes up considerable space behind the lamp assembly care must be taken in selecting a location for the new hole that avoids socket interference with any other ob jects behind it Note that most states allow the turn signals to be either red or amber in color but only permit the brakelights to be red Thus on automobiles equipped with amber turn signals the new socket is typically installed behind the red brake lamp lens In situations where modifications to the dinghy s original wiring either aren t desir able or practical a set of removable towing Hopkins nVision Tire Pressure Monitoring
11. only factor to consider but they help to eliminate many choices based on weight alone The weight rating of the motorhome s hitch receiver is another concern although most are adequate and receivers can be upgraded Keep in mind however that an upgraded hitch receiver can not increase the specified towing limit set by the chassis manufacturer An economical four passenger compact car can double as a family s second car when not traveling but even a larger SUV or sport truck Demco s Dominator alumi num tow bar has a rating up to 7 500 pounds Easy trig ger release and self support ing arms provide convenient connection to baseplate Roadmaster s aluminum Sterling All Terrain tow bar is rated to handle vehicles up to 6 000 pounds Nonbinding design facilitates hookup Roadmaster s BlackHawk 2 All Terrain has a rating up to 10 000 pounds Aventa LX from Blue Ox uses a ball in socket de sign that allows the arms to swivel 360 degrees for quick hookup The tow bar Is rated to tow vehicles up to 10 000 pounds www motorhome com 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7 Above Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitch receiver make sure electric connections and safety cables are secure Below While driving your dinghy this type of tow bar remains on the coach out of harm s way can be towed providing its weight Is within the towing limit of your chassis Most flat towed dinghies track so well that many mot
12. shift transmission into DRIVE release brake pedal for 5 seconds turn engine off shift transmission to PARK None No Yes Not Rated 30 540 57 270 For models with manual shift transfer case shut engine off press brake pedal shift trans mission into NEUTRAL shift transfer case lever to NEUTRAL start engine shift transmission into REVERSE release brake pedal for 5 seconds shift transmission into DRIVE release brake pedal for 5 seconds turn engine off shift transmission to PARK 2 363 None Yes No 28 34 16 195 23 750 Transmission must be in NEUTRAL 2411 None Yes No 28 34 19 695 22 500 Transmission must be in NEUTRAL 3 203 None Yes No 25 33 19 100 24 195 Transmission must be in NEUTRAL 3 640 70 mPH None N A Yes 47 47 25 995 29 290 Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter 3 899 70 mPH None N A Yes 108 92 33 745 start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter 4 052 4 458 N A Yes 19 26 17 23 27 495 36 995 Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter 4 432 4 610 65 weH None N A Yes 17 24 17 23 28 910 40 570 Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter 4 925 None N A Yes 17 23 29 085 53 830 Place transfer case and trans mission in NEUTRAL position and engage the four whe
13. 16 500 Shift lever to N Turn engine switch to acc position Ensure audio system and other powered devices are turned off After towing leave engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driving 1 808 1 852 None Yes N A 34 38 13 270 17 930 Manufacturer recommends installing a matching on off switch on battery terminal and has very detailed procedures for towing See owner s manual for more information SUBARU None Yes No 21 27 21 295 24 295 None Yes No 25 34 17 895 20 795 None Yes No 21 28 20 295 28 895 None Yes No 19 27 23 495 29 095 None Yes N A 17 23 34 295 37 645 Requires driver s control center differential DCCD be set in MANUAL mode and DCCD control dial be set to the farthest rearward position None Yes N A 19 25 25 795 29 295 None Yes No 23 30 21 995 22 995 TOYOTA 2 845 None Yes No 28 37 16 800 21 300 After towing run engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driving 2 295 None Yes No 30 37 14 430 16 540 After towing run engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driving 24 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com VICTORY SERIES TOW Easy Trigger Release Independent Makes unhooking the Tow Bar Self supporting Arms safe and easy If it were any easier it would hook up itself Folds to either side and rides neatly on the bumper when not in use DOING OUR BEST TO PROVIDE YOU THE BEST Prepping a Dinghy Vehicle For Soe Towi er aod is po BENED he resea
14. All engines will be matched with a six speed automatic transmission equipped with features like grade braking and tow haul mode Some available features across the lineup include an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate factory installed spray in bed liner 8 inch diagonal color touch screen and multiple USB drives driver information screen next gen OnStar and MyLink with voice recognition and navigation E WIL IL IL o IT d c GMC Yukon Denali Chevrolet Suburban 16 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com BASE CURB WEIGHT CHEVROLET 2 690 2 209 5 824 5 775 5 967 9 045 4 713 www motorhome com SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS 4 724 4 922 6 60 None None 65 65 None None None None 65 None None None None None 65 N A Yes Yes No N A N A N A N A N A N A Yes Yes N A N A N A N A N A WITH AUTO TRANS Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes MILEAGE CITY HWY 21 31 25 36 N A 2292 20 29 25 36 15 21 Not Rated Not Rated 27 40 31 39 15 2 N A 15 21 N A 17 24 2014 DiNGHY ROUNDUP TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH MANUAL TRANS APPROX RETAIL PRICE RANGE 17 24 16 22 39 665 48 315 37 830 39 270 17 270 24 630 N A 24 440 33 400 24 440 33 400 23 570 25
15. GE CITY HWY 15 21 N A 15 21 N A 29 91 22 30 27 38 27 37 24 34 27 37 24 35 16 24 17 25 19 27 23 30 23 28 17 23 APPROX RETAIL PRICE RANGE 48 460 52 730 N A 50 710 54 830 N A 22 945 30 445 22 945 30 445 14 645 16 395 17 200 21 650 21 700 23 510 17 800 21 600 21 300 25 000 52 750 59 004 50 500 51 530 22 995 49 495 18 495 27 095 18 495 27 095 28 795 50 995 SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Run engine at the beginning of each day press brake pedal and move shifter through all positions shift into drive and hold for 5 seconds then to NEUTRAL and let engine run for 3 minutes Repeat at least every 8 hours thereafter thereafter When towing for long periods remove 7 5 A accessory radio fuse Run engine at the beginning of each day press brake pedal and move shifter through all positions shift into drive and hold for 5 seconds then to NEUTRAL and let engine run for 3 minutes Repeat at least every 8 hours thereafter When towing for long periods re move 7 5 A accessory ra
16. INESS OFFICE Tacy Sargent 772 288 0387 tacy sargent goodsam com 2750 Park View Court Suite 240 Sue Seidlitz 530 268 3005 sue seidlitz goodsam com Oxnard CA 93036 800 848 6247 Crompton Holdings Scott Crompton 334 546 7243 scottcrompton mac com Email info motorhomemagazine com MotorHome is a registered trademark of Affinity Group Inc Copyright 2014 by Good Sam Enterprises Inc All rights reserved Motor Home ISSN 0744 074X is published monthly by GS Media amp Events a division of Good Sam Enterprises LLC Subscription price U S and possessions 1 year 19 97 All other countries add 12 per year For more information visit www motorhome com i E COO 70 UN c TRU 7 len mM Sy eee Se a 2 41 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING j gt H www motorhome com ROADMASTER Tow bars and Roadmaster brackets Easiest tow bars to use READERSCHOICE AWARDS Roadmaster All Terrain tow bars are the easiest to release in the industry even when the tow bar is at a hard angle or the towed vehicle is out of level With Roadmaster s exclusive Freedom Latch a tow bar can be released at any angle level or bind first time every time ET E BINDING row T l A Includes safety yl cables and wiring For those who want simply the best For heavy duty hard core serious towers 10 000 Ib rated BLACKHAWK 2ALL TERRAIN Our best selling tow bar Simple Durable Time test
17. System keeps an eye on motorhome and dinghy tire air pressure The wireless system can be easily transferred between vehicles and used in the dinghy without the motorhome 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 27 EI gus Sport C Above left Adding large rubber flaps at the rear of a motorhome such as these from Blue Ox will minimize towed vehicle damage from debris dirt and grime kicked up by coach tires Above right The KarGard shield from Blue Ox attaches to the tow bar and adds yet another level of dinghy protection guarding against potential damage from road debris lights often provides a workable solution Most of these products are affixed with magnets although some models can be equipped with suction cups or hook and loop fasteners ideal for use on plastic or fiberglass surfaces A cable is then snaked across the vehicle to the connector at the motorhome hitch receiver In some cases the cable is semiperma nently routed inside or underneath the vehicle allowing the lights to be quickly removed and stowed inside the trunk Several companies offer wireless removable towing lights thereby eliminating the need for this cable altogether Although many motorhomes come with a factory installed 4 or 5 pin connector there are situations where a different connec tor is necessary Some unapproved dinghies equipped with an automatic transmission must also be equipped with an electric lube pump which requires a connect
18. automatic locking feature power windows room and the redesigned interior is a vast im with driver side one touch up down air provement in aesthetics and comfort conditioning with pollen filter and standard Corolla is offered in four grades with all Bluetooth connectivity DG 2015 General pal apa This is the first year we can recall that F Pe we re reporting on next year s vehicles even Si MP NT ee Mis il 1l 0 as the current year has been introduced n E i 2h but GM has already released details on many of its 2015 models Obviously we don t have all the info at this point but GM is claim ing that its 2015 Chevy Colorado GMC Canyon em gem mid size pick ups and full size Tahoe Subur ban and GMC Yukon Yukon XL 4WD 5 are towable The Chevy Tahoe Suburban and GMC Yukon Yukon XL get the new 5 3 liter V 8 from aMC the 1500 truck family as the only engine offer Ing paired with a six speed automatic transmission All of GM s full size SUVs deliver much improved refinement a quieter ride and interiors that rival many European sedans The Colorado Canyon meanwhile is expected to deliver class leading power payload and tow capacity to the midsize segment The base 2 4 liter inline four cylinder is estimated at 193 horsepower while the 3 6 liter engine is estimated at 302 horsepower Also available will be the segment s only diesel engine a Duramax 2 8 liter turbodiesel already offered in global markets
19. cific application HITCH RECEIVERS Check the rating of the hitch receiver to ensure that it is suited for the heaviest load you intend to tow If a receiver is already installed on your coach the weight limits and class should be visible on it However the riding height of a motorhome rarely matches up with that of the chosen din ghy oftentimes necessitating the use of a drop AS YOU GO THINGS TO BEFORE You Tow To hook up using a telescoping tow bar the dinghy vehicle only needs to be near the center and mid length of the bar receiver to allow the tow bar to ride level These are available in 2 to 10 inch variations Re ceivers should be bolted not welded in place using at least Grade 5 bolts and lock washers locking nuts and thread locking sealer TOW BARS Tow bars are available in two basic styles A frame or self aligning A frame tow bars offered as solid or folding while the most economical are designed to fit a limited number of baseplates the mounting brackets affixed to the dinghy or specific applications however the folding design will fit a wider range than the solid design These types of tow bars are strong but heavy and require storage space when not in use Hitching 5 easier with a helper to guide alignment E Observe the speed limit for towing in each state or province you traverse E Maintain adequate stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you A minimum fi
20. connect the offending circuit through an owner added switch allow ing these circuits to be made tow ready quickly and conveniently A charge line from the coach can often be a viable alternative 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING SPONSORS Produced by the editors of MotorHome for the publication s April issue the 2014 Guide to Dinghy Towing was developed with assistance from the following companies Blue Ox Products 800 228 9289 www blueox com Danko Manufacturing RVibrake 800 815 2159 www rvibrake com Demco 800 543 3626 www towdemco com Hopkins Manufacturing 800 835 0129 www hopkinsmfg com Roadmaster Inc 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com www motorhome com 1994 2001 2010 2011 Present a a EES ND PY Soa ea i wm arl SM Y PASS a i LI a 1 in ps ul we er kw i i k i i T eater t zn sughi 8 E R ma Baseplate installation doesn t require welding or specialized tools but can be involved If you have any reservations have a professional do it n essential ingredient in safe dinghy Ass involves a solid properly de signed and installed mechanical link age between the coach and the towed vehicle Hitch receivers tow bars and baseplates must all be in good working order rated for the weight you intend to pull and designed for the spe
21. dial tires provides safe controlled stopping make this tow dolly one you ll be proud to use for years to come for optimal braking provides fast easy loading Positive locking mechanism on tilt bed does not require a separate loose pin provide safe loading traction DOING OUR BEST TO PROVIDE YOU THE BEST Toll Free 800 543 3626 Toyota Corolla he practice of towing a vehicle four wheels down behind a motorhome is still the most convenient way for owners to get around once they ve reached their destina tion Rather than breaking camp every time you need to leave the RV park or campsite simply jump in your car and drive off just like you would at your home In the early years only a handful of manu facturers recognized the practice and most could only verify a few models as being tow able With each passing year however more manufacturers are recognizing the benefits of dinghy towing and are becoming more active in approving their vehicles As a result there are more choices now than ever and also a lot more variety from fuel sipping compact cars and hybrids to full size pickups and SUVs You ve probably noticed that there are other vehicles out there being dinghy towed that aren t on our list and you may have won dered why To put it simply the vehicles in our guide must be approved by the manufacturer for dinghy towing in order to qualify That means the manufacturer has confirmed t
22. dio fuse Idle engine in neutral for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in neutral for 2 minutes every 500 miles Transfer case must be shifted into NEUTRAL and transmission in PARK for recreational towing The NEUTRAL selection button is adjacent to the transfer case selector switch Shifts into and out of the transfer Case NEUTRAL can take place with selector switch in any position See owner s manual for details Only 4WD vehicles equipped with Quadra Trac II V 6 models and Quadra Drive systems V 8 models are towable Press brake 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 21 BASE CURB WEIGHT 3 149 9299 3 760 4 075 LINCOLN 4 126 4 479 4 702 4 942 4 236 4 413 3 849 4 002 9911 NISSAN 3 278 3 488 2 98 3 708 4 175 4 294 2 999 2 032 2014 DINGHY ROUNDUP SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS None None None None 65 mPH None 65 65 65 70 mPH None 70 MPH 500 miles 70 MPH 500 miles 70 mPH 500 miles None 500 miles None 500 miles None 500 miles 70 MPH 500 miles None 500 miles 22 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING WITH MANUAL TRANS Yes Yes Yes Yes N A N A N A N A N A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH AUTO TRANS No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No No MILEAGE CITY HWY 2328 22 28 17 21 16 20
23. ectors or soldered splic es In order to prevent any chance of corrosion all connections should be waterproof Heat shrink tubing works very well for this purpose as does self vulcanizing plastic tape DG www m torhome com f you re like a lot of motorhome owners you d probably like to put a bumper sticker on the back of your towed vehicle that reads It s a motorhome thing You wouldn t un derstand Because only motorhome owners realize the benefits of dinghy towing the freedom to travel anywhere without having to break camp But when you re shopping for the necessary equipment to tow a vehicle behind your motorhome don t stop at the tow bar and baseplate A supplemental dinghy brake system designed to apply the brakes in the towed vehicle when the coach s brakes are applied should be considered a necessity as well Anytime you tow something and apply the brakes that towed load 5 going to push on the coach extending its stopping distance For that reason some chassis manufacturers Specify that towed loads in excess of 1 500 pounds should have independent brakes and safety breakaway systems The fact that dinghy brakes are not always required by law in all states is inconsequential Many state and local governments are either unfamiliar with the practice of dinghy tow ing or simply have not considered but that doesn t mean towing without supplemental JJ ub J Ea i
24. ecurely when motorhome A drop receiver might be needed to keep the tow bar level 6 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING storage Is filled within weight restrictions and there is the security of having a spare set of wheels in the event of an emergency It s not without consequences towing a dinghy will affect the acceleration fuel economy and braking of any coach to some degree However proper selection of a dinghy vehicle and towing equipment will enable you to safely and conveniently enjoy the benefits of auxiliary transportation The first and most essential step in selecting a dinghy vehicle is to make sure it is approved by its manufacturer for flat towing see 2014 Dinghy Roundup page 14 While you do have www motorhome com other options many nonapproved passenger cars or light trucks can safely be used as a dinghy provided a towing accessory Such as a transmission lube pump 5 available for that specific model as an aftermarket add on or towing on a dolly or trailer is planned these vehicles have been certified for four wheels down towing without affecting their warranties However buyers should always first confirm flat towability by consulting the respective vehicle s owner s manual before the purchase is finalized When selecting a dinghy first find out the maximum towing limit of your motorhome and then determine which vehicles fall within that limit Towing limits aren t the
25. ed Proven 6 000 Ib rated FALCON ALL Roadmaster brackets I in the industry Every bracket design is subjected to computer simulated finite elemental analysis to ensure superior strength and structural integrity Every bracket is custom made to fit a specific range of vehicles for the easiset of installations Every new bracket comes off easily and leaves no unsightly steel hanging off the front of your car Every bracket is powder coated for maximum durability and superior finish baked right in Roadmaster has the widest selection of bracket in the industry currently more than 2 000 fits 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com Time Tested and Time Proven 1 e X The Right eames dds Safety Simplicity id E am oe aa e M eni ence F raveling with a dinghy vehicle is almost agiven with today s larger motorhomes E Although the trend to bigger coaches has injected camping with more creature comforts than a luxury hotel room it s not without its drawbacks Even rigs with a 60 degree wheel cut will encounter some difficulty negotiating narrow roads in smaller towns during sight seeing tours and it s just not fun trying to park a 40 footer at local markets when picking up perishables A dinghy simplifies such tasks and elimi nates the need to break camp and stow every thing each time you need or want to venture away from the campground Additionally the dinghy can stow gear s
26. ed the tow bar or ball fails Safety chains or Coach mounted units are the most desirable as cables should be connected securely to the there is less chance of damage when not in use dinghy and crossed under the tow bar then and hitching is a one person operation High secured to the hitch receiver They should ly adaptable self aligning tow bars fit a broad be long enough to allow full turning without range of vehicles by attaching to model specific binding but should not drag when slack baseplates Class 5 000 pound or Class IV 10 000 pound models are available Contact tow bar manufacturers to find out if baseplates T are offered for the dinghy you plan to tow BASEPLATES Baseplates are perhaps the most critical vari able in this link While tow bars and obviously hitch receivers are intended for mass fitment w various brands models and years of dinghy vehicles require specific baseplates and installation procedures so proper selection B and installation are essential Installing a baseplate typically entails very detailed procedures On some vehicles the bumper covering fascia must be temporarily E removed Some minor drilling may be required and the bumper covering and or grille may also require some trimming On some vehicles the baseplate installation process can be even more intricate For exam ple the air dam may need to be trimmed or the E factory installed belly pan may require either t
27. el towing feature See Owner s Manual 6 990 None N A Yes Not Rated 30 035 67 765 Only with manual shift transfer case vehicles not Electronic Shift On the Fly or 4x2 vehicles Transmission in NEUTRAL manual transfer case shifted into NEUTRAL 18 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com b o With decades of experience BrakeBuddy is the Inventor and Leader in portable Towed Vehicle Braking Get on the road quicker with hassle free set up Most miles of experience and dependability opu 0 WOW WL m MOTORHOME READERS CHOICE FIND OUT MORE Call 800 487 2287 or Visit www BrakeBuddy com MODEL BASE CURB WEIGHT 2 578 4 439 4 637 2 907 3 668 9 919 3 969 4 196 4 656 4 850 N A 4 587 5 962 6 092 3 853 SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS 70 mPH None 65 70 mPH None 70 mPH None 70 mPH None 65 65 None None None None 65 2014 DINGHY ROUNDUP TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH MANUAL TRANS Yes N A Yes N A N A N A N A N A N A N A N A N A 20 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING WITH AUTO TRANS Yes Y D S Yes Yes Yes Y D S Y D S Yes Yes Yes Yes Y D S MILEAGE CITY HWY 29 39 18 25 17 23 26 36 47 47 108 92 19 29 18 26 17 24 16 23 N A 17 22 N A N A 22 32 20 29 APPROX RETAIL PRICE RANGE
28. el will still turn Remove fuse DL1S 1 8 L model only Requires optional Active 2 Speed Transfer Case Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Requires optional Active 2 Speed Transfer Case Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 50 amp BATT1 fuse while towing 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 17 2014 DINGHY ROUNDUP MODEL BASE SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MILEAGE APPROX SPECIAL PROCEDURES CURB DISTANCE WITH WITH CITY RETAIL SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT LIMITS MANUAL AUTO HWY PRICE RANGE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS TRANS TRANS 4 956 65 mPH None Yes 16 23 32 795 43 255 Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 50 amp BATT1 fuse while towing 65 mpH None Yes No 18 27 26 295 44 775 Transmission must be in neutral None Yes No 25 29 15 995 19 295 Transmission must be in neutral None N A Yes a 14 16 29 795 43 395 Transmission in PARK transfer case must be set to NEUTRAL a 4x4 V 8 only None N A Yes 16 23 24 385 51 510 None Yes Yes Not Rated 29 785 56 180 For models with manual shift transfer case shut engine off press brake pedal shift trans mission into NEUTRAL shift transfer case lever to NEUTRAL start engine shift transmission into REVERSE release brake pedal for 5 seconds
29. eration When the coach brakes are applied an electronic microproces sor Inside Even Brake signals a magnetic valve to release a proportional amount of air pres Sure activating the brake cylinder which ap plies braking force on the towed vehicle s brake pedal The amount of brake pressure applied 5 determined by the amount of braking pressure applied in the motorhome FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Proportional braking E Three tiered motorhome monitor LED light LCD text message audio tone provides complete continuous braking information at a glance Reports any braking activity or a change in system status to a wireless monitor in the motorhome E Continuous monitoring allows any changes in system status to be transmitted to the coach monitor E Power Save low battery protection warns of a low battery in the towed vehicle with LED and LCD alerts at the motorhome monitor E Automatic brake protection alerts the driver after an extended period of continuous braking then releases braking pressure to avoid excessive wear on dinghy brakes E On board memory remembers the settings even when unplugged and will automatically adjust itself E Includes a brake relay to allow the dinghy s turn signals and brakelights to work simultaneously with the dinghy to motorhome electrical connection WHAT S INCLUDED Even Brake unit motorhome monitor towed vehicle transmitter breakaway system brakelight relay easy to read in
30. essure in the coach controls the brakes in the towed vehicle Whenever the motorhome s brakes are applied BrakeMaster automatically applies the same pressure to the dinghy vehicle FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Proportional braking means the towed vehicle s brakes respond to the coach s brakes at the same time and at the same intensity E Emergency breakaway system is included E Works in virtually any vehicle with power brakes E Monitor light in the motorhome s dash illuminates when the towed vehicle s brakes are applied E Meets U S and Canadian braking requirements WHAT S INCLUDED BrakeMaster system monitor light breakaway system wiring and electrical components easy to read installation and operating instructions Even Brake Portable Braking System MSRP 1 555 60 HOW IT S INSTALLED The initial installation of electrical components in the towed vehicle takes less than an hour Once the initial installation is complete Even Brake connects and disconnects from the towed vehicle in just a minute or two Position Even Brake between the driver s seat and the brake pedal and adjust the pedal clamp over the brake pedal move the driver s seat forward against Even Brake plug in the wiring harness cord and the power cord and press the TEST button HOW IT WORKS Even Brake automatically increases or 32 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING decreases braking pressure in direct proportion to motorhome decel
31. ght at only 12 pounds Because it is portable it can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle WHAT S INCLUDED Diagnostic wireless remote and emergency breakaway system 30 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING HOPKINS MANUFACTURING BrakeBuddy VANTAGE SELECT Portable Supplemental Braking System MSRP 1 499 HOW IT S INSTALLED same installation procedure as the Digital Classic BrakeBuddy HOW IT WORKS Operates the same as the Classic BrakeBuddy but with the addition of a fully automatic one touch startup button Choose between Full and Proportional braking technology at the touch of a button FEATURES AND BENEFITS E On the fly Braking Adjustability Vantage Select lets the driver adjust braking sensitivity on the fly from the coach to react to changing road conditions Utilizes radio frequency technology and is AA battery powered E Fully Automatic Startup feature Push the AUTO START button and Vantage Select prepares itself for use This allows the driver the opportunity to ensure the dinghy brake lights are operational WHAT S INCLUDED Diagnostic wireless remote and emergency breakaway system BrakeBuddy STEALTH Supplemental Braking System MSRP 1099 www motorhome com DINGHY BRAKING SYSTEMS HOW IT S INSTALLED STEALTH main unit mounts anywhere in the towed vehicle you desire Patent pending all in one adapter mounts at the front of the vehicle and the dual controller mounts
32. hat its vehicle can be dinghy towed without causing damage to the drivetrain or otherwise voiding the warranty Second the vehicle must be towable without requiring significant mechanical modification such as disconnect ing the driveshaft for example Finally the 14 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING vehicle must be towable at a speed of at least 55 MPH for no fewer than 200 miles before some sort of prescribed startup procedure is required to circulate fluid through the trans mission and or transfer case You ll note that some vehicles will appear and disappear from the list every year and that s largely because of changes to the vehicle and or its drivetrain In other instances a manufacturer may not have had time to test a new vehicle s dinghy towing worthiness in time for last year s guide and has since deter mined that the vehicle is towable Keep in mind that we ve made every effort to check and double check with each manufac turer to make sure that the listings are correct and current However much of the informa tion we receive is preliminary when the guide is compiled and can change by the time this Issue goes to press Therefore we cannot stress enough that you check with the dealer to be certain that the vehicle you are considering is dinghy towable Ask to see a copy of the owner s manual somewhere in the index there should be a notation for recreational four down or flat towing If the owner s
33. manual states that the vehicle is not towable consider some thing else or be prepared to modify the vehicle and probably void any stated warranties With all that being said let s take a look at some of the new flat towable offerings for 2014 www motorhome com Flat If a little is good then more must be better at least that s the thinking behind Fi at s five door five passenger 5OOL Borrowing from the smaller 500 s exterior design cues the 500L was built on the company s new small wide vehicle architecture for a length increase of 27 inches and a height width increase of 6 inches The changes result in a whopping 42 percent extra space over its sibling delivering an EPA Large Car interior with increased comfort and versatility In fact Fiat claims best in class front headroom shoul der room and rear cargo space with rear seats up With side glass from the A to D pillars the 5OOL promises nearly 360 degrees of panoram ic Views and with the elevated second row seats and an available dual glass panel sunroof passengers are afforded even more opportuni ties to admire the passing scenery The 500L is powered by a 1 4 liter MultiAir Turbo four cylinder engine with 160 horsepower and is offered with a six speed manual or Euro Twin Clutch transmission although only the manual model is approved for dinghy towing The 5OOL model is avail able in four trim levels Pop Easy Trekking and Lounge each wi
34. nts to your coach folding away when not in use e Signature Series easy release handles for hassle free disconnect e Off set triple lugs to better align towing forces ox e Lightweight e Three year warranty 800 228 9289 hlueox com sii facebooK com BlueOxProducts is amp Strong As An Ox 2014 DINGHY ROUNDUP MODEL SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MILEAGE APPROX SPECIAL PROCEDURES DISTANCE WITH WITH CITY RETAIL SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT LIMITS MANUAL AUTO HWY PRICE RANGE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS TRANS TRANS 2 412 None 500 miles Yes No 27 36 13 990 18 490 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles 2 363 None 500 miles Yes No 27 36 11 990 15 240 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles 4 358 None 500 miles Yes No 16 20 26 020 30 040 On 4WD models place transfer case in 2H range Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles None Yes No 23 31 19 965 Shift lever to N Vehicles without Smart Key system Turn engine switch to Acc position Vehicles with Smart Key system Turn ENGINE START STOP switch to ACC mode Ensure audio system and other powered devices are turned off After towing leave engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driving None Yes No 22 26 17 725 Shift lever to N Turn engine switch to acc position Ensure audio system and other powered devices are turned off After towing leave engine in idle for at least 3 minutes before driving None Yes No 21 33
35. or pin for 12 volt DC power and ideally a separate connector pin for ground in order to avoid drawing excessive current through the exist ing one Also some auxiliary braking systems require connections to the motorhome further increasing the connector pin count Many motorhome manufacturers provide a standard Tow Defender s mesh material is suspended over the tow bar covering the space between the coach and dinghy vehicle 28 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING seven way receptacle from the factory Ideally the industry standard connection scheme should be observed when installing a new connector so that it can also be used when towing boats ATVs horse trailers etc Unfortunately since no industrywide standard exists for wire color codes used in automobiles another hurdle in dinghy wiring involves identifying the proper wires for the stop turn and tail lamps as well as a suitable ground connection If you ve had the foresight to purchase a service manual for your particular vehicle this can sometimes be accomplished by visual inspection of the wire harness More often than not it involves connecting a test light to each suspected wire in order to match It with the corresponding bulb Note that on 4 wire systems the same wire may be hot when either the brake or one of the turn signals is operated When splicing diodes or other connections into the vehicle s wiring harness it is important to use top quality conn
36. orhome drivers don t even know It s there Front wheel drive FWD vehicles with manual transmissions and most compact 4WD vehicles with manual transfer cases are among the easiest and most economical to tow Plus they tend to rank among the lightest vehicles Some auto manufacturers also produce FWD vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions that are flat towable They are popular because they re easier to drive and the setup for towing Is usually just as simple as a manual But some vehicles do require special pro cedures such as starting the engine every 200 miles to circulate transmission fluid Note that this cannot simply be circumvented by overfill ing the transmission before towing because the problem isn t caused by lack of sufficient fluid but rather by lack of oil circulation Such practices although inconvenient are designed to prevent drivetrain damage and must be in 8 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING corporated into the towing routine Another vehicle specific consideration is that towing some dinghies with the ignition switch in a position that allows the steering column to remain unlocked also leaves power applied to various electrical circuits Over the course of a full day of towing this can lead to significant battery drain While strategies for dealing with this vary by model most fixes involve temporarily unplugging one or more fuses from the vehicle s fuse box before towing Another alternative is to
37. page 6 the hard hookup between motorhome and dinghy has become an easy one person operation self aligning tow bars make cinching up a breeze with some tow bar designs routing cables and wiring through hollow arms the connection is more than easy it s eye pleasing Plus manu facturers are offering an array of accessories to help keep it that way An RV underskirt fitted beneath the equipment will safeguard the dinghy vehicle and towing hardware from debris For more ironclad protection nearly indestructible rock guards are available that quickly attach to the tow bar and shield the dinghy from road debris Yet another device to aid in safe dinghy transport supplemental braking systems have likewise evolved Portable systems can be installed in just minutes and permanent installations remain unobtrusive Dinghy brakes may not be mandatory in some states but any time you add a few tons of weight to E gt 4 Ci the back of your motorhome you need a way to slow it down without overtaxing the brakes on the coach And make no mistake contemporary motorhomes can accommodate a lot of dinghy weight While many new chassis are rated to handle at least 4 000 pounds of dinghy weight certain luxury coaches today carry gross combined weight ratings GCWR of 60 000 pounds or more with up to 25 percent of that available for towing The focus of our annual dinghy towing guide is the dinghies themselves Manufactur er
38. raking System MSRP 1 149 HOW IT S INSTALLED First install the emergency breakaway system Next set the BrakeBuddy on the dinghy s driv er s side floor in front of the driver s side seat and attach the clevis to the brake pedal Adjust the driver s seat forward to touch the adjust able handle of the BrakeBuddy Plug in the 12 volt DC power and emergency breakaway cords Then verify the program settings are custom ized to your dinghy s weight or braking sensitiv ity and plug in the wireless remote inside the coach Total installation time is less than 30 minutes after the initial installation the setup time for towing is less than five minutes HOW IT WORKS By way of an electronic decelerometer the BrakeBuddy senses the inertia created during braking The sensed Inertia activates an inter nal air cylinder that puts a specified amount of pressure on the towed vehicle s brake pedal An air compressor and tank supply the air pressure The coach operator is notified of the towed vehicle s braking via the BrakeBuddy Alert System which has a light that indicates that safe braking has occurred FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Billions of miles of experience E Three year 30 day money back guarantee E Meets or exceeds all state and provincial towing laws E Utilizes advanced terrain sensing technology and provides the right braking force needed E The unit s compact design fits within all towed vehicles and is lightwei
39. rch has been done the financing Above Plug receptacles added to the dinghy arranged the papers signed and that and coach allow easy hookup of an electrical new dinghy vehicle is now sitting in your connector for taillights turn signals and the driveway You ve shopped carefully to pick a model that s approved by its manufacturer for flat towing you ve checked the vehicle s weight to confirm that it s within the motorhome s safe towing capabilities and you ve ordered it with any requisite factory options to make it towable with all wheels rolling Now what As any seasoned motorhome owner will tell you there are a lot of steps involved in get One way diodes such as this one from ting a new vehicle to the point where it can Roadmaster prevent electrical feedback be towed safely Unfortunately no automaker when using the dinghy s lighting circuit offers a plug and play solution that makes its products ready for safe dinghy towing right from the factory Thus it s up to you and perhaps a knowledgeable tow ing equipment dealer to get the job done right ROADMASTER Di HYtech f H Ypower neri pem 6 WIRINGDIODE As an alterna tive you can install an extra pair of lamps in the dinghy s tail light assembly independent of its electrical system 26 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING Accessory kits such as this one from Demco include everything needed for a safe hook
40. rimming or permanent removal Such require BI ments are described in the manufacturer s fitment charts hopefully eliminating any unpleasant surprises at installation time Today s baseplates do a good job of blending into the exterior lines of the dinghy vehicle Remember that all 50 states require prop erly rated safety chains or cables to keep the www motorhome com 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 11 a F Ls n 4 a ag di a A m ST 4 1 EM i Fs Oth 1 f hould you choose or already own a ma vehicle that is not flat towable as pro duced there are retrofit kits for many models A good percentage of passenger vehi cles can be modified to serve as dinghies using retrofit products that are on the market For rear wheel drive RWD and some four wheel drive applications couplers from REMCO DSC www superflow com enable the driveshaft to be easily disconnected from the transmission or differential by a cable or lever mounted near the driver s seat These kits run about 750 and can be installed in about three hours A transmission lube pump sold by Remco Industries www remcotowing com can be mounted and plumbed into some automatic transmissions to keep fluid circulating while the vehicle is in tow Check with your dealer to make sure a spe 121 P 1 12 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING Baseplate kits are designed for specific models and come complete wi
41. rs thereafter Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Select NEUTRAL TOW mode refer to Owner s Manual Start engine and allow it to run 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Select NEUTRAL TOW mode refer to Owner s Manual Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Models with Continuously Variable Trans mission CVT are not flat towable Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Place transfer case in the 2H range Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles www motorhome com Stop worrying about braking and enjoy what s ahead Patriot e Works with all vehicles including hybrids e Self calibrating with the touch of a button e Easy to install transferable between multiple vehicles e Unique easy to use pedal clamp e Two way wireless RF remote e Adjust the amount of braking and manually apply brakes from the coach e Lightweight only 15 Ibs m F fed X iaa F A i x Wouldn t it be fun to see the places your coach cannot go Aventa LX e Tow bar mou
42. s are becoming increasingly sensitive to the needs of the motorhome community and the 2014 Dinghy Roundup beginning on page 14 lists vehicles that have been manufactur er approved for four wheels down towing The list includes many of the newest vehicles from luxurious to economical For all terrain fun there are plenty of 4WD vehicles to choose from While some vehicles are easy to tow others require that very specific proce dures be followed before and during towing to prevent damage This year we ve included expanded information on the manufacturer guidelines required for flat towing though you ll still need to check the owner s manual for more detailed procedures As motorhomes continue to grow in size and stature life on the road has never been more comfortable A dinghy adds to that enjoyment 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 3 CONTENTS 4 e Linking up with the proper equipment m Our annual guide to manufacturer approved flat towable cars trucks and SUVs Prepping a dinghy vehicle for safe travel Popular devices to improve stopping power Publisher Bob Livingston ADVERTISING Editor in Chief Eileen Hubbard VP National Sales Terry Thompson Technical Editor Chris Hemer Art Director Susie Lieu Almazan ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Contributors Scott Hirko Tori Tellem Lou Cicirelli 954 297 9234 lou cicirellicogoodsam com Scott Oakes 206 283 9545 scott cakes goodsam com EDITORIAL BUS
43. stallation and operating instructions InvisiBrake Fully Automatic Progressive Supplemental Braking System MSRP 999 99 www motorhome com RVb rake where PASSION meets INNOVATION State by State Towing Laws Auxiliary Brake Require Before you tow know DINGHY BRAKING SYSTEMS HOW IT S INSTALLED In most applications the InvisiBrake controller is installed beneath the front seat of the towed vehicle An air cylinder is installed close to the controller a bracket and cable pulley are installed on the brake pedal arm The entire system Is designed to stay in the vehicle HOW IT WORKS InvisiBrake uses the towed vehicle s electrical harness the same electrical signal that activates the towed ve hicle s brakelights also activates InvisiBrake FEATURES AND BENEFITS E Nothing to put in or take out to tow or drive E Hidden from view no unsightly equipment in the car InvisiBrake is so small 8924 by 834 by 2 4 inches it can usually be mount ed under the driver s seat E Simple operation Works intuitively No fuss no hassle E Charges the battery InvisiBrake connects directly to the towed vehicle s battery provid ing a constant charge during towing S InvisiBrake engages the power braking system whether towing or driving E Works in virtually any towed vehicle with vacuum powered brakes including hybrids and those with full time active power braking systems E Incl
44. t the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 50 amp BATT1 fuse while towing Only 4WD models equipped with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable shift transmission to PARK Turn engine off and set parking brake shift transfer case to NEUTRAL Release parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the motorhome Turn ignition to LocK orF and remove key Steering wheel will still turn shift transmission to PARK Turn engine off and set parking brake Shift transfer case to NEUTRAL Release parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the motorhome Turn ignition to LocK oFF and remove key Steering wheel will still turn Run engine at the beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 min utes Remove fuse 32 while towing www motorhome com BASE CURB WEIGHT 3 907 2 945 5 824 SN EU HYUNDAI INFINITI 4 044 4097 3 260 4 632 www motorhome com 2014 DINGHY ROUNDUP SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS None None None None 65 65 mPH None None None None None None 70 MPH 500 miles 70 MPH 500 miles None None None None TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH MANUAL TRANS N A N A N A N A N A N A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N A Yes Yes N A WITH AUTO TRANS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No No No No No Yes No No Yes MILEA
45. th all mounting hardware Modern baseplates are secured to the frame of the dinghy vehicle While some installations are a little more complicated the end result usually is a clean appearance cific modification does not affect the dinghy s warranty Tow dollies also offer an alternative to flat towing although they take up space In camp Remember that the dolly weight must be fig ured in with the total weight of the dinghy Trailers track better than dollies but they take up even more precious Space in camp Also the weight of the trailer drastically cuts into the total weight that can be pulled behind a motorhome thereby making this method a distant third choice There are a number of other accessories for dinghy towing Some like dinghy braking de vices should be considered mandatory while others such as rock guards and RV under skirts protect against road debris These com ponents are addressed in Towing Accessories page 26 along with dinghy wiring and lighting DG Lube pumps allow towing of some automatic trans mission equipped vehicles not man ufacturer approved for flat towing www motorhome com Unfolded Kar Kaddy SS length is 133 Folded Kar Kaddy SS length is 67 Many RV park lots are not deep enough to Many RV park lots are not deep enough to accomadate your motor home and tow dolly accomadate your motor home and tow dolly with custom chrome wheels and ra
46. th its own distinct styling theme Fiat 500L Jeep Cherokee Small SUVs are popular with the mainstream but enthusiasts tend to disregard them as soft roaders not capable of true off road duty Jeep hopes to change that perception with its all new Jeep Cherokee For openers it s available with three 4WD systems although only those with a neutral position in the trans fer case are cleared for dinghy towing A new Jeep Selec Terrain traction control system offers up to five customized modes includ ing Auto Snow Sport Sand Mud and Rock And when equipped with the new 3 2 liter Pentastar V 6 it has a best in class tow rating of 4 500 pounds It s also the first SUV with a nine speed automatic transmission the only one offered with the V 6 or 2 4 liter Tigershark four cylinder Up to 31 MPG is promised due in part to an industry first rear axle disconnect that results in reduced energy loss when 4x4 capability isn t needed Of course most of the time SUVs are driven on paved roads so the Cherokee was built on FIAT Group architecture that features increased torsional stiffness and independent suspension front and rear for better ride and handling Offered in Sport Limited Latitude and Trailhawk trim levels Cherokee s interior was designed to raise the bar in the small SUV segment with sophisticated design and high quality materials dai cm bA EA T La pi EA sgh 5 Pi A AE Jj Aj T E ba iia f
47. the floor in front of the driver s seat Installed within a few minutes after the initial installation E Works with all coaches and towed vehicles E Features internal 12 volt battery to extend towed vehicle battery life E Adjustable push pad and feet E Weighs only 15 pounds WHAT S INCLUDED Everything needed for basic installation in cluding hardware and brake bracket assembly CONTACT Blue Ox 800 228 9289 www blueox com ROADMASTER BrakeMaster Permanently Mounted Brake System MSRP 1 304 68 for coaches with hydraulic brakes 883 85 for coaches with air over hydraulic or air brakes HOW IT S INSTALLED The BrakeMas ter is connected directly to the motorhome s air or hydraulic brake line The initial installation in the coach and the towed vehicle takes from four to six hours depending on the motorhome s brake system and the specific towed vehicle Once the initial installation is complete BrakeMaster con nects and disconnects from the towed vehicle in just a minute or two without any tools ad justments or settings Attach the brake pedal clamp to the towed vehicle s brake pedal secure to the floor or seat adapter and quick connect the air hose HOW IT WORKS Because it connects directly to what powers the motorhome s brakes BrakeMaster is a truly 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 31 DINGHY BRAKING SYSTEMS proportional truly synchronized braking system brake line pr
48. udes an emergency breakaway system and two stage monitor alarm WHAT S INCLUDED The InvisiBrake controller cable air cylinder brake pedal bracket all electrical wiring and a breakaway system CONTACT Roadmaster Inc 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com DANKO MANUFACTURING RVibrake2 Auxiliary Braking System MSRP 1 350 RVibrake2 is the first braking system to integrate tire pressure monitoring and towed vehicle braking all in one RVibrake Tire Pres sure Sensors simply thread on to the towed vehicle s valve stems and are activated when the RVibrake2 Wireless Monitor is enabled HOW IT S INSTALLED The Breakaway System is the only thing that has to be permanently installed in the dinghy vehicle Installation of the breakaway takes approximately 25 to 45 minutes Once the 34 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING breakaway 5 installed place RVibrake2 on the floorboard of the towed vehicle and push the AUTO START button This will not only deplete the vacuum in the brakes but it will also auto position itself There is no need to adjust the seat because RVibrake2 pushes up against the rise in the floor pan Setting up the RVibrake2 takes less than 60 seconds HOW IT WORKS RVibrake2 is an inertia activated system It ap plies the brakes in the towed vehicle in propor tion to motorhome braking RVibrake2 s cut ting edge software adjusts for terrain whether the motorhome is going uphill or downhill The
49. up including wiring kits pins locks receptacles and a cover to keep the tow bar protected from the elements DINGHY WIRING One of the most important aspects of dinghy prep involves connecting the wiring between the two vehicles Tail brake and turn signals on the back of the dinghy are required in all 50 states and all Canadian provinces so this Isn t a step that you can overlook Neither side clearance nor backup lights are required and are rarely used The most common source of dinghy wiring confusion centers on differences in the way the turn signal lights are wired on various cars and motorhomes Some models are wired to supply turn signal power to the same bulbs that are used for the brakelights commonly referred to as a 4 wire system while others use separate amber bulbs for the rear turn signals a 5 wire system Note that 4 and 5 wire systems are used on both motorhomes and cars so any one of four solutions may be needed for any partic ular application Adapters are readily available to electronically match the wiring systems of the dinghy and motorhome The traditional method of wiring a dinghy vehicle involves the use of steering diodes which function as one way gates to the flow of electricity allowing power from either the motorhome or vehicle to be supplied to the rear bulbs Because no electricity can flow back ward through a diode it also prevents power from the motorhome from being inadvertently
50. ve second interval is recommended E Avoid towing in snowy or icy conditions E Pay particular attention to traffic merging onto the freeway and be prepared to take evasive action to avoid daydreamers E Plan ahead most flat towed dinghies can t be backed more than a few feet so it s necessary to focus on easy ingress and egress Most tow bar manufacturers will not warrant damage caused by backing Dollies tend to jackknife quickly It s better to disconnect the dinghy and drive to a safe place to reconnect E Avoid having to make tight turns they put a lot of pressure on tow bars E Towing in deep sand or gravel may cause the dinghy s front wheels to turn to one side If this happens you must manually re center them before continuing E Walk around the coach and dinghy to inspect all connections check tire pressure or use a monitoring system like the nVision TPMS from Hopkins and look for signs of trouble every time you stop 10 2014 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com THINGS TO BEFORE You Tow Ker AE FE In Connecting tow bar arms to the baseplate requires Once the pins are in the motorhome is driven the use of pins and clips Then secure the safety ahead slowly or the dinghy is backed up to cables and plug in the electrical umbilical cord lock the arms in position Self aligning tow bars are available in two dinghy from separating from the coach if Styles dinghy mounted and coach mount

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