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Dinghy Towing Guide

1. AQuY NEW Tire Pressure Sensors Sold Separately Si gt vd v a m fe be a fur protect the journey MAKE BASE SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MILEAGE APPROX SPECIAL PROCEDURES MODEL CURB DISTANCE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO CITY RETAIL SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT LIMITS TRANS TRANS HWY PRICE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Yukon 4WD 50557 None N A Yes 15 21 45 440 49 770 Only 4WD models equipped with a 2 speed automatic transfer case are towable Yukon 4WD Hybrid 5 917 None N A Yes 20 23 56 625 Transfer case must be set tO NEUTRAL Yukon XL 5 824 None N A Yes 15 21 47 690 51 870 Only 4WD models equipped 1500 4WD with a two speed automatic transfer case are towable CR V 3 305 65 N A Yes 23 31 22 795 29 045 Start engine press brake pedal 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 remove 7 5 A radio fuse CR V AWD 3 426 65 N A Yes 22 30 24 045 30 295 Start engine press brake pedal 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 remove 7 5 A radio fuse 2 496 2 577 65 wPu None Yes Yes 28 35 15 425 19 790 On automatic transmission
2. 2013 a L0 Essential Accessories For Safe Travel Supplement to MotorHome April 2013 www motorhome com IMPROVE YOUR STEERING SAFELY AND EASILY Blue Ox TruCenter Steering Control Blue TigerTrak track bar Everyone wants their motorhome to drive more like their car We re telling you it can be done with the TruCenter steering control system and TigerTrak track bars from Blue Ox Traveling in your motorhome should be about spending time with your loved ones exploring the great outdoors and enjoying the ride But too often you re fighting rear end sway from the side to side shift that happens in the springs TigerTrak improves your steering and your safety Couple this with the double sealed Nitrogen gas springs of the TruCenter which exert up to 270 pounds of pressure the floating feeling is elimiinated from driving It also keeps your steering stable in the event of a tire blow out Get improved steering and improved safety all around your coach Get the TruCenter steering control and TigerTrak track bar today Strong As An Ox f you enjoy the thrill of exploring the open road in your motorhome you ve prob ably found a few instances where bigger is not always better That s where towing a dinghy behind your coach becomes advanta geous Want to know more The 2013 Guide to Dinghy Towing provides a selection of in formative articles and a listing of new
3. For automatic transmission and push button start release parking brake activate ignition press START STOP button press brake pedal then shift tO NEUTRAL and release www motorhome com 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 17 MAKE BASE SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MODEL CURB DISTANCE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO WEIGHT LIMITS TRANS TRANS Flex 4 471 4 643 65 N A Yes Focus 2 907 70 wPu None Yes Yes Fusion 9 999 70 wPu None Yes No Fusion Energi SUIS 70 mPH None N A Yes Fusion Hybrid S615 70 wPu None N A Yes Taurus 3 5 L 3 969 4 196 65 mPH None N A Yes MILEAGE APPROX CITY RETAIL HWY PRICE 18 25 28 210 36 555 26 36 15 495 24 495 29 37 21 700 N A N A 47 47 27 200 19 20 Bees SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS brake pedal deactivate ignition press START STOP button disconnect negative cable from the battery After towing start engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting battery cable Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter For automatic transmission but no push button start release parking brake turn ignition to Il press brake pedal shift into NEUTRAL turn ignition key to OFF position release brake pedal disconnect negative cable from battery After towing start engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting battery cable For automatic transmission and push button start relea
4. In 2013 we ve done it again introducing Stealth A braking system so advanced it applies the brakes to either a towed vehicle or trailer no other braking system gives you this option Eliminates all setup getting ready to tow is as simple as plug and go Engineered to make the install up to 5x faster saving you hundreds of dollars enna ACTA lt sat QRS Soo The most versatile and easiest to use towed vehicle braking system on the market EY c MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN OUR SHORT VIDEO 2 Ae o visit www facebook com brakebuddy MUST SCAN HERE TO CHECK OUT THIS 12 2013 GUIDE TO Dinghy Towing 2013 Fuel Efficient Hybrids and Small SUVs Top This Year s List he practice of towing another vehicle four wheels down behind a motorhome is still the most practical way for motorhome owners to get around once they ve reached their destination In the early years only a handful of manufacturers recognized the practice but by the year 2000 it seemed that the movement was finally gaining steam Although some models have withdrawn for 2013 see sidebar Where are they now the demand for more fuel efficient cars has expanded the field of dinghy offerings Examples include vehicles by Dodge Ford Hyundai and Subaru which will suit a variety of needs and lifestyles You ve probably noticed that there are other vehicles o
5. 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 devices should be considered mandatory while others such as rock guards and RV un derskirts protect against road debris These components are addressed in Towing Accessories page 24 along with dinghy wiring and lighting Lube pumps allow towing of some automatic transmission equipped vehicles not manufacturer approved for flat towing Produced by the editors of MotorHome for the publication s April issue the 2073 Guide to Dinghy Towing was developed with assistance from the following companies Hopkins Manufacturing 800 835 0129 www hopkinsmfg com Demco 888 689 1810 www towdemco com Roadmaster Inc 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com Forest River 574 533 5934 www forestriverinc com RVibrake 800 815 2159 www rvibrake com 10 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com In 1996 BrakeBuddy revolutionized towed vehicle braking by creating the original brake in a box A BREAKTHROUGH THAT S OUT OF SIGHT
6. 1 149 How it s Installed First install the emergency breakaway system Next set the BrakeBuddy on the dinghy s driver s side floor in front of the driver s side seat and attach the clevis to the brake pedal Adjust the driver s seat for ward to touch the adjustable handle of the BrakeBuddy Plug in the 12 volt DC power and emergency breakaway cords Then verify the program settings customized to your dinghy s weight or braking sensitivity and plug in the wireless remote inside the motorhome Total installation time is less than 30 minutes after the initial installation the setup time for tow ing is less than five minutes How it Works By way of an electronic decel erometer the BrakeBuddy senses the inertia created during braking The sensed inertia activates an internal 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 op erator is notified of the towed vehicle s brak ing 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 lightweight at only 12 pounds Bec
7. 3 640 65 N A Yes 47 47 24 995 27 995 Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter Edge 3 5 L 3 7 4 0566 65 weu None N A Yes 19 27 25 850 35 435 Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter Explorer 3 5 L 4 534 4 697 65 N A Yes 17 24 28 460 40 045 Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter F 150 4WD 4 925 None N A Yes 16 21 28 310 52 455 Turn ignition to on press and hold brake pedal move 4WD switch to 2H shift transmission to NEUTRAL Rotate 4WD switch from 2H to 4L and back five times Turn ignition as far as it will go toward orr Leave key in ignition while towing F 250 F 350 F 450 6 985 None N A Yes Not Rated 29 455 65 140 Only 4WD models with Super Duty 4WD manual shift transfer case not Electronic Shift On the Fly are towable Shift manual transfer case into NEUTRAL set hub locks to FREE Fiesta 20 DUE 70 wPu None Yes Yes 29 37 13 745 17 600 For automatic transmission but no push button start release parking brake turn ignition to Il press brake pedal shift into NEUTRAL turn ignition key to OFF position release brake pedal disconnect negative cable from battery After towing start engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting battery cable
8. 3 760 4 075 SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS None None None None TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO TRANS TRANS Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes MILEAGE CITY HWY 23 30 23 28 Ino 16 20 APPROX RETAIL PRICE 15 995 23 795 17 995 25 695 22 045 29 995 25 695 34 095 SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS V 8 models are towable Shift transfer case to NEUTRAL transmission must be in PARK See Shifting Into Neutral in owner s manual With engine off press brake pedal shift automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or press clutch pedal on manual transmission shift transfer case lever into NEUTRAL start engine Shift transmission into REVERSE release brake pedal and clutch pedal on manual transmissions for 5 seconds shift automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear release brake pedal and clutch pedal on manual transmissions for 5 seconds Turn engine off apply parking brake shift transmission into PARK Or place manual transmission gear not in NEUTRAL hook up vehicle to tow bar release parking brake With engine off press brake pedal shift automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or press clutch pedal on manual transmission shift transfer case lever into NEUTRAL start engine Shift transmission into REVERSE release brake pedal and clutch pedal on manual transmissions for 5 seconds shift automatic tr
9. C Connecting tow bar arms to the baseplate requires the use of pins and clips Then secure the safety cables and plug in the electrical umbilical cord D Once the pins are in the motorhome is driven ahead slowly or the dinghy is backed up to lock the arms in position Coach mounted units are the most desirable as there is less chance of damage when not in use and hitching is a one person operation Highly adaptable self aligning tow bars fit a broad range of vehicles by attaching to model specific baseplates Class Ill 5 000 Ib or Class IV 10 000 Ib models are available Contact tow bar manufacturers to find out if baseplates are offered for the dinghy you plan to tow Baseplates are perhaps the most critical vari able in this link While tow bars and obvi ously hitch receivers are intended for mass fitment various brands models and years of dinghy vehicles require different baseplates and installation procedures so proper selec tion and installation are essential Installing a baseplate typically entails very specific procedures On some vehicles the bumper covering fascia must be temporarily removed Some minor drilling may be re quired and the bumper covering and or grille may also require some trimming On some vehicles the baseplate installa tion process can be even more intricate For example the air dam may need to be trimmed or the factory installed belly pan may require either trimming or permanent rem
10. C MAX HYBRID AND C MAX ENERGI PLUG IN HYBRID The Ford C MAX Hybrid and C MAX Energi Plug In Hybrid are two new environmentally www motorhome com ORD FUSION ENERGI friendly choices on this year s list Designed specifically to compete with Toyota s popular Prius v the C MAX Hybrid combines a 1 4 kW lithium ion battery and a 2 0 1 four cylinder Atkinson cycle engine to achieve 47 mpc city highway mileage Standard features include seven air bags AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Sync with My Ford Touch an infotainment system that offers multiple ways for customers to manage their phone navigation climate and entertainment functions The C MAX Energi is mechanically similar but with its larger 7 6 kW lithium ion battery it gets an EPA estimated 108 city 92 highway MPGt miles per gallon equivalent The battery can be charged at home with a 120 volt AC outlet in roughly seven hours or just 2 5 hours with an available 240 volt AC charging station It offers the same standard features as the C MAX Hybrid plus an interesting remote control feature Using Ford s MyFordMobile smartphone app owners can receive instant vehicle status information perform key func tions monitor the vehicle s state of charge and current range get alerts when the vehicle requires charging or has finished charging program charge settings and download vehicle data for analysis all remotely For those interested i
11. 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 it but that doesn t mean towing without supplemental 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 This year 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 pro
12. 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 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 even routing cables and wiring through hollow arms the connection is more than easy it s eye pleas ing Plus manufacturers 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 tow ing 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 instal lations remain unobtrusive Dinghy brakes may not be mandatory in some states but any time you add a few tons of weight to the back of your motorhome you need a way to slow it down without taxing the brakes on your coach And make no mistake contemporary motorhomes can accommodate a lot of din ghy weight While many new chassis ar
13. Forester 2 5X 3 250 None Yes No 21 27 21 295 24 295 Impreza 2 0i 2 911 None Yes No 25 34 17 895 20 795 Impreza WRX 3 208 None Yes N A 19 25 25 795 29 295 Impreza WRX STI 3 384 None Yes N A 17 23 34 295 37 645 STI requires driver s control center differential DCCD be set in MANUAL mode and DCCD control dial be set to the farthest rearward position Legacy 2 51 3315 None Yes No 21 28 20 295 Outback 2 5 uS None Yes No 19 27 23 495 29 095 XV Crosstrek 3 087 None Yes No 23 30 21 995 22 995 BY ETT a a ee Corolla 24134 None Yes No 27 34 16 230 18 230 After towing idle engine for at least 3 minutes before driving Matrix 1 8 L 2 844 None Yes No 26 32 19 275 After towing idle engine for at least 3 minutes before driving Matrix 2 4 L 2 9 6 None Yes No 21 28 20 265 After towing idle engine for at least 3 minutes before driving Yaris 2 295 None Yes No 30 37 14 370 16 480 After towing idle engine for at least 3 minutes before driving 22 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com THE 1 SELLING GAS MOTORHOME It Is In the Construction Feel protected at the campsite and the road With 3 laminated steel frame floors 2 laminated aluminum frame sidewalls and a one piece fiberglass roof our construction is second to none Life on the road has never been so safe It Is In the Details Georgetown is built for weekend campers and full time campers alike Engineered for the road and
14. None N A Yes N A N A N A N A Yes Yes N A N A N A N A N A Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 15 21 28 42 2232 20 29 15 21 20 23 25 39 32 38 1521 Iro ud 20 23 17 24 16 23 38 355 40 025 16 720 23 110 24 015 31 775 26 765 33 525 24 585 42 930 45 255 52 035 13 735 18 495 12 995 16 720 47 630 60 680 44 885 58 145 56 845 31 370 41 285 33 370 43 285 Requires optional Active 2 Speed Transfer Case Remove fuses 22 23 24 and 25 from fuse block Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse 32 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse 32 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse DLIS 1 8 model only Requires optional Active 2 Speed Transfer Case Requires optional Active 2 Speed Transfer Case Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 15 amp ECM and OnStar fuses and 50 amp BATT1 fuse Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 15 amp ECM and OnStar fuses and 50 amp BATT1 fuse Challenger Dart Durango R T AWD 5 7 L V 8 Ram 1500 4WD Ram 2500 4WD 16 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 4 082 3 186 0 4 893 5 997 65 None None None None None Yes
15. RIP Loading Ramps for optimal braking provide safe loading traction Since 1964 Doing Our Best to Provide You the Best Toll Free 800 543 3626 www towdemco com MAKE MODEL BASE CURB WEIGHT SPEED DISTANCE LIMITS TOWABLE TOWABLE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO TRANS TRANS MILEAGE CITY HWY APPROX RETAIL PRICE SPECIAL PROCEDURES SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS BUICK EU Enclave FWD AWD 4 724 4 922 65 wPu None Regal 3 600 3 671 60 mPH None N A Yes Yes No 17 24 16 22 39 270 46 450 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 15 amp ECM and OnStar fuses and 50 amp BATT1 fuse 19 31 25 36 29 900 35 865 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes SRX FWD AWD 42 7 4442 65 mPH None N A Yes 17 24 16 23 38 050 45 920 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove shift lever boot Press and hold manual release button Avalanche 4WD Cruze Equinox Equinox AWD Silverado 1500 4WD Silverado 1500 AWD Hybrid Sonic Spark Suburban 1500 AWD Tahoe 4WD Tahoe 4WD Hybrid Traverse Traverse AWD 5209 3 102 S 922 4 892 0 882 2 690 2 269 5 824 0 907 4 713 4 956 None 65 wPu None 65 wPu None 65 wPu None None None 65 wPu None 55 None None None 65 wPu None 65 wPu
16. Run engine for 1 minute at beginning of day shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL See Neutral Tow in owner s manual 370Z Coupe 3 245 70 wPH 500 miles Yes No 18 26 33 910 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles 370Z Roadster 3 459 70 mPH 500 miles Yes No 18 25 44 960 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Cube 2 68 60 wPH bOO miles Yes No 25 90 17 550 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Models with Continuously Variable Transmission CVT are not flat towable Frontier King 3 690 None 500 miles Yes No 19 23 20 085 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 Crew 2WD 1 4 minutes every 500 miles Frontier King 4 152 500 miles Yes No 16 20 23 965 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 Crew Cab 2WD V 6 minutes every 500 miles Frontier King 4 294 500 miles Yes No 15 19 27 915 Place transfer case in 2H Crew Cab 4WD V 6 range Idle engine in NEUTRAL 2 minutes every 500 miles Juke FWD SL SV 2 959 70 mPH 500 miles Yes No PUDA 21 481 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Sentra 2 822 500 miles Yes No 27 36 15 990 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Versa 2 345 500 miles Yes No 27136 10 990 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles Xterra Manual 4 143 500 miles Yes No 16 20 29 295 On 4WD models place transfer AWD S case in 2H range Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 minutes every 500 miles
17. Yes N A N A Yes No No Yes Yes Yes 18 27 25 36 13 20 16 24 25 795 44 775 15 995 19 295 37 095 42 195 23 595 46 270 Not Rated 31 405 48 875 Transmission in NEUTRAL Transmission in NEUTRAL Requires 2 Speed Transfer Case Transmission in PARK transfer case set to NEUTRAL Transmission in PARK transfer case set to NEUTRAL For automatic transmissions shift into PARK manual trans www motorhome com MAKE BASE SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MILEAGE APPROX SPECIAL PROCEDURES MODEL CURB DISTANCE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO CITY RETAIL SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT LIMITS TRANS TRANS HWY PRICE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS missions place in gear not NEUTRAL Manual and electronic shift transfer cases must be in NEUTRAL See Shifting Into Neutral in owner s manual Ram 3500 4WD 1152 None No Yes Not Rated 39 520 56 570 For automatic transmissions shift into PARK manual trans missions place in gear not NEUTRAL Manual and electronic shift transfer cases must be in NEUTRAL See Shifting Into Neutral in owner s manual 500 25399 None Yes No 31 40 15 500 17 500 Transmission in NEUTRAL 500 Cabrio 2 408 None Yes No 31 40 19 500 23 500 Transmission in NEUTRAL E D TREDIUM C MAX Energi D QU 65 N A Yes 108 92 33 745 Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter C MAX Hybrid
18. ansmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear release brake pedal and clutch pedal on manual transmissions for 5 seconds Turn engine off apply parking brake shift transmission into PARK Or place manual transmission in gear not in NEUTRAL hook up vehicle to tow bar release parking brake MKS FWD AWD 4 204 4 436 65 wPu None MKT 3 7 L FWD AWD MKX 3 7 L FWD AWD www motorhome com 4 702 4 942 65 wPu None 4 236 4 413 65 wPu None N A N A N A Yes Yes Yes 17 25 16 23 45 285 47 280 19 26 17 23 39 545 41 395 17 25 18 27 42 810 49 800 Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 21 MAKE BASE SPEED TOWABLE TOWABLE MILEAGE APPROX SPECIAL PROCEDURES MODEL CURB DISTANCE WITH MANUAL WITH AUTO CITY RETAIL SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR WEIGHT LIMITS TRANS TRANS HWY PRICE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS MKZ 3 7 L 3 719 3 874 65 mPH None N A Yes 22 33 22 31 35 925 39 045 Run engine at beginning of FWD AWD day for 5 minutes and every 6 hours thereafter See Neutral Tow in owner s manual MKZ Hybrid 3 828 70 wPu None N A Yes 45 45 35 925
19. ation for recreational four down or flat towing If the owner s manual states that the vehicle is not towable consider something else or be prepared to modify the vehicle and probably void any stated warrantees With all that being said let s take a look at some of the new flat towable offerings for 2013 DODGE DART With old model names like Charger and Chal lenger making a comeback at Chrysler Corp it should come as no surprise that it has added another to the list the Dodge Dart All new for 2013 the Dart is the first child of the Chrysler Fiat marriage based on Fiat Group architec ture Built in the U S the Dart is available in five trim levels 12 exterior colors 14 interior color and trim combinations six wheel op tions three engine options and three trans missions although only the six speed manual version is deemed towable It also was engi neered with more than 60 safety and security features including 10 air bags four wheel 60 Kd 2 m A 4 d b DODGE DART anti lock disc brakes stability control hill start assist and more Inside the Dart features a class exclusive floating island bezel which houses an available 7 inch thin film transistor TFT LED customizable gauge cluster display or the available Uconnect Touch 8 4 inch touchscreen Media Center the largest touchscreen in Its class according to Chrysler FORD
20. ause it is portable it can easily be transferred from vehicle to vehicle What s Included Diagnostic wireless remote and emergency breakaway system portable supplemental braking system MSRP 1 499 How it s Installed Same installation proce dure 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 AurO START button and Vantage Select prepares itself for use This allows the driver the opportunity to ensure the dinghy brakelights are operational What s Included Diagnostic wireless remote and emergency breakaway system supplemental braking system MSRP 999 1099 How it s Installed STEALTH main unit 28 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com QW BA ERIE o L1 X 4 4 Pul 3 4 a ala 1 Patent 6502847 6612604 6764092 7837216 amp Patent Pending Er Ts Capacit Box se Since 1964 AWARDS Ji Doing Our Best to Provide You the Best Toll Free 800 543 3626 www
21. dal plug unit in push the button and the unit self calibrates How it Works When the coach s brakes are applied the Patriot applies progressive and proportional braking force using an electric cylinder and actuator 30 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING Features and Benefits e Self contained unit sits on 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 including hardware and brake bracket assembly Contact Blue Ox 888 425 5382 www blueox com 0 9 ROADMASTER BrakeMaster permanently mounted brake system MSRP 1 304 68 for coaches with hydraulic brakes 883 85 for motorhomes with air over hydraulic or air brakes How it s Installed The BrakeMaster 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 connects and disc
22. designed for living each model offers expansive storage and amenities And with multiple floorplans decors and paints to choose from you are sure to find a model that meets your needs Life on the road has never been so stylish Sotaa FIND YOUR To learn more about Georgetown Motorhomes visit eke p DEALER www Forest Riverinc com Georgetown today ES 2013 Forest River Inc Berkshire Hathaway company FIND US ON FACEBOOK w MO MU Plug receptacles added to the dinghy and coach allow 3 hookup of an signals and the supplemental braking system he research has been done the financing arranged the papers signed and that new dinghy vehicle is now sitting in your driveway You ve shopped carefully to pick a model that s certified 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 op tions 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 ting a new vehicle to the point where it can be towed safely Unfortunately no automaker 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 towing equipment dealer to get the job done right DINGHY WIRING One of the most impor
23. e Proven Just one of the many things being said about the latest breakthrough from BrakeBuddy Getting ready to tow behind your motorhome should not be where your adventure starts The BrakeBuddy Stealth eliminates the setup making getting ready to tow as easy as plug and go Who says you can t have your cake and eat it too lt NS S VER V The most versatile and easiest to use towed vehicle braking system on the market Setup is easier than ever We definitely recommend Stealth to all of our KV ng friends Rich and Lisa C 45 Itasca Meridian SCAN HERE TO SEE i AND Bens WHOLE STORY A MUST SEE _
24. e rated to handle at least 4 000 pounds of dinghy weight certain luxury coaches today carry gross combined weight ratings of 60 000 pounds or more with up to 25 per cent of that dedicated to towing The focus of our annual dinghy towing guide is the dinghies themselves Manufactur ers are becoming increasingly sensitive to the needs of the motorhome community and the 2013 Dinghy Roundup beginning on page 12 lists vehicles that have been manufacturer certified for four wheels down towing The list includes many of the newest vehicles in cluding nine hybrids For all terrain fun there are plenty of AWD vehicles to choose from While some vehicles are easy to tow others re quire that very specific procedures be followed before and during towing to prevent damage This year we ve included expanded informa tion 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 TOWING ACCESSORIES Prepping your dinghy for safe travel THINGS TO KNOW Serene adi BEFORE YOU TOW Popular devices to improve Linking up with the proper equipment stopping power 2013 DINGHY ROUNDUP Our annual guide to manufacturer approved flat towable cars trucks and SUVs f ADVERTISING Publisher Bob L
25. eceiv towing involves a solid properly ers should be bolted not welded in place esigned and installed mechanical using at least Grade 5 bolts and lock washers linkage between the coach and the towed ve locking nuts and thread locking sealer hicle Hitch receivers tow bars and baseplates must all be in good working order rated for TOW BARS the weight you intend to pull and when appli Tow bars are available in two basic styles cable designed for the specific application A frame or self aligning A frame tow bars offered as solid or folding while the HITCH RECEIVERS most economical are designed to fit a limited Check the rating of the hitch receiver to en number of baseplates the mounting brackets sure that it is rated for the heaviest load you in affixed to the dinghy or specific applications tend to pull If a receiver is already installed on however the folding design will fit a wider your coach the weight limits and class should range than the solid design These types of be visible on it tow bars are strong but heavy and require However the riding height of a motorhome storage space when not in use Hitching is rarely matches up with that of the chosen din easier with a helper to guide alignment ghy oftentimes necessitating the use of a drop Self aligning tow bars are available in two receiver to allow the tow bar to ride level These styles dinghy mounted and coach mounted ESI EE not warran
26. ecessary Some unapproved dinghies equipped with an automatic transmission must also be equipped with an electric lube pump www motorhome com the turn signals is operated tant to use top quality connectors or splices which requires a connector pin for 12 volt DC power and ideally a separate connector pin for ground in order to avoid drawing exces sive current through the existing one Also some auxiliary braking systems require con nections to the motorhome further increasing the connector pin count Ideally the industry standard connection scheme should be observed when installing this 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 suit able 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 con necting 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 When splicing diodes or other connections into the vehicle s wiring harness it is impor In order to prevent any chance
27. ed 18 High Gloss Floor Tiles with Color Coordinated Key Inserts destination these unrivaled motorhomes set the standard for luxury To learn more about the Berkshire Difference use the erkshire QR Code or visit ENSE o s a www forestriverinc com Berkshire 2013 2013 Forest River Inc a Berkshire Hathaway company 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 ve hicle s electrical harness the same electrical signal that activates the towed vehicle s brake lights 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 824 by 834 by 234 inches it can usually be mounted 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 and constantly charges the battery during towing e InvisiBrake engages the power braking sys tem providing the same power brakes 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 Includes an emergency breakaway system and two stage monitor alarm What s Included The InvisiBrake controller cable air c
28. h 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 6 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING A drop receiver might be needed to keep the tow bar level FLAT TOWING 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 2013 Dinghy Roundup page 12 While you do have other options many passenger cars or light trucks can safely be used as a dinghy provided a towing accessory such as a trans mission lube pump is 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 tow ing without affecting their warranties How ever buyers should always first confirm flat towability by consulting the 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 only factor to consider but they help to eliminate many Roadmaster s aluminum Sterling All Terrain tow bar is rated to handle vehicles up to 6 000 pounds Non binding design facilitates hookup Roadmaster s Black Hawk 2 All Terrain has a rating up to 10 000 pounds choices based on weig
29. he hitch receiver They should be long enough to allow full turning without binding but not drag when slack 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 9 gt Modern baseplates secured to the frame of the dinghy vehicle While some installations are a little more complicated the end result usually is a clean appearance Other Towing Equipment hould you choose or already own a vehicle that is not flat towable as pro duced there are retrofit kits for many models One retrofitter Remco Manufacturing www remcotowing com estimates 80 percent of passenger vehicles can be modified to serve as dinghies with its line of retrofit products For rear wheel drive RWD and some 4WD applications couplers 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 can be mounted and plumbed into some automatic transmissions to keep fluid circulating while the vehicle is in tow Other FWD vehicles can be adapted using a Remco axle lock disengagement device Check Baseplate kits are designed for specific models and come complete with all mounting hardware Blue Ox Products 800 228 9289 www blueox com with your dealer to make sure a specific modi fication does not affect the dinghy s warranty Tow dollies also offer an alternative to flat
30. hind the red brake lamp lens Hopkins nVision Tire Pressure Monitoring System keeps an eye on motorhome and dinghy tire air pressure The wireless system can be easily trans ferred between vehicles and used in the dinghy without the motorhome In situations where modifications to the dinghy s original wiring either aren t desirable or practical a set of removable towing 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 semipermanently routed inside or underneath the vehicle allow ing the lights to be quickly removed and stowed inside the trunk Several companies offer wire less removable towing lights thereby eliminat ing 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 n
31. ht 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 can be towed providing its weight is within the towing limit of your chassis Most flat towed dinghies track so well that many motorhome 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 trans missions that are flat towable They are popu lar because towing equipment is readily avail able and readying for towing usually involves fewer steps Aventa LX from Blue Ox uses a ball in socket design which allows the arms to swivel 360 degrees for quick hookup The tow bar is rated to tow ve hicles up to 10 000 pounds Demco s Dominator aluminum tow bar has a rating up to 7 500 pounds Easy trigger release and self supporting arms pro vide convenient connection to baseplate But some vehicles do require special proce dures such as starting the engine eve
32. ivingston Editor in Chief Eileen bend VP National Sales Terry Thompson ee Art Director Rick Damien NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES ae Managing Editor Laura Michaels Contributors Rich Cox Chris Hemer Southeast Region Tacy Hendershot 1010 SW Lighthouse Drive Palm City FL 34990 772 288 0387 EDITORII BUS IESS Northeast Region Lou Cicirelli Minneapolis MN 55447 1400 NW 108th Avenue 266 Plantation FL 33322 954 297 9234 800 848 6247 ili Seattle Washington Scott Oakes John Marciano SUL a AN 1818 Westlake Avenue N 420 Seattle WA 98109 Tel 206 283 9545 Fax 206 283 9571 MotorHome is a registered trademark of Affinity Group Inc Copyright 2013 by Affinity Group Inc All rights reserved MotorHome ISSN 0744 074X is published monthly by GS Media amp Events a division of Good Sam Enterprises LLC Subscription price U S and pos sessions 1 year 19 97 All other countries add 12 per year For more information visit our website www motorhome com 4 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com InvisiBrake is the world s best towed car supplemental braking system READERS CHOICE NOTHING to put in or take out to tow or drive HIDDEN from view No unsightly equipment in your car SIMPLE operation Works intuitively No fuss no hassle CHARGES your battery Trickle charges the battery while towing Never drains your towed vehicle s battery MONITORS your towed car Rest easy
33. justs for terrain whether the motorhome is going uphill or downhill The 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 rue 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 www motorhome com Roadmaster ALL TERRALA tow bars can help you get out of any bind With our patented Freedom Latch technology Roadmaster All Terrain tow bars can release from nearly any bind to get you going on your way safely and easily STERLING ALL TERRAIN e Sterling All Terrain tow bar Na va 6k Ib capacity RV mounted tow bar with iie safety cables and a six wire power cord with one 6 wire plug attached and one 7 wire plug Scan this 800 669 9690 or visit with your j www roadmasterinc com phone Time Tested Tim
34. knowing your towed car s braking condition with audio and visual alerts SAFETY is standard Includes breakaway kit amp monitor alarm for safety IinvisiBrake Is the most effective and easiest to use supplemental braking system on the market Nothing to put in Nothing to take out 800 669 9690 Towing and Suspension Solutions amp eWww roacdmasterinc com CHER m C p 2 Ga Ses BU j The Right Equipment Adds Safety Simplicity and Convenience raveling with a dinghy vehicle is almost a given with today s larger motorhomes 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 sightseeing 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 securely when motor home storage is filled within weight restric tions 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 econo my and braking of any coac
35. lowing power from either the motorhome or vehicle to be supplied to the rear bulbs Because no electricity can flow backward through a diode It also prevents power trom the motorhome trom being inad vertently 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 brakelight bulbs Unfortunately the introduc tion of aftermarket steering diodes into the vehicle s wiring can fool this diagnostic function typically causing it to give false warn ings 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 au tomobiles equipped with amber turn signals the new socket is typically installed be
36. models 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 remove 30A radio fuse T m Accent 2 396 None Yes No 28 37 14 545 16 095 Elantra all 2 661 None Yes No 28 38 16 815 18 395 Tucson GL FWD 9 919 None Yes No 22 29 19 245 Genesis Coupe 31367 None Yes No 21 30 22 250 Veloster 2 584 None Yes No 2097 17 450 Veloster Turbo 2 800 None Yes No 24 35 21 950 HIE Mr M MMM H 9n 0375 Sport 4 149 70 wPH 500 miles Yes No 16 24 52 000 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 6MT Convertible minutes every 500 miles G37S8 Sport 3 708 70 wPH 500 miles Yes No 25 50 500 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 6MT Coupe minutes every 500 miles G37S8 Sport 3 709 70 wPH 500 miles Yes No 17 25 41 500 Idle engine in NEUTRAL for 2 6MT Sedan minutes every 500 miles a Compass Suo None Yes No 23 30 19 210 24 495 Compass 4WD None Yes No 23 28 21 395 26 395 Grand Cherokee 4 850 None N A Yes 16 23 26 995 42 995 Only 4WD vehicles with Limited and Overland Quadra Trac V 6 models and Quadra Drive II systems 20 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com MAKE MODEL Patriot 2WD Patriot AWD Wrangler 4WD Wrangler Unlimited 4WD BASE CURB WEIGHT Sy 91209
37. n a more familiar form Ford is also offering its Fusion in plug in hybrid form with the introduction of the Fusion Energi Using the same drivetrain as the C MAX Energi Ford projects that the Fusion Energi will be the most fuel efficient midsize car in America HYUNDAI VELOSTER TURBO Last year the unusual Hyundai Veloster made the list and this year it s followed by the even sportier Veloster Turbo Powered by a 201 1 6 L direct injected turbocharged four cylin der engine Hyundai claims the 2 800 pound 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 13 2013 Dinghy Roundup Each year we see models come and models go This year a few real favorites are no longer approved for towing by their manufacturers including the Ford Escape and Suzuki Grand Vitara As we re sure you re aware the Ford Escape was completely redesigned for 2013 and that update includes a non towable six speed automatic transmission as its sole offering And American Suzuki Motor Corporation has unfortunately filed for bankruptcy so obviously we can t list any 2013 models though you can probably make a smoking deal on a 2012 while they last The Dodge Caliber has been discontinued the Hyundai Sonata is no longer ap proved for dinghy towing Kia has withdrawn the models it said were towable last year and Toyota s Scion brand has politely excused all of its models from dinghy tow duty iPod interface SiriusXM Radio navigation with SiriusXM Travel Link
38. of corrosion all connections should be waterproof Heat shrink tubing works very well for this purpose as does self vulcanizing plastic tape Sport Guard Above Adding large rubber flaps at the rear of a motor home such as these from Blue Ox will minimize towed vehicle damage from debris dirt and grime kicked up by coach tires Below 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 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 25 by Chris Hemer Dinghy Braking Systems More complete and better than ever 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 understand Because only motorhome own ers 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 is going to push on the coach extending its stopping distance For that reason some chassis manufacturers
39. onnects from the towed ve hicle in just a minute or two without any tools adjustments 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 Brake Master is a truly proportional truly synchro nized braking system brake line pressure in the coach controls the brakes in the towed vehicle Whenever the motorhome s brakes are applied BrakeMaster automatically applies www motorhome com brake where PASSION meets INNOVATION me E State Town Law ws Na Before you tow you need to know 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 require ments What s Included BrakeMaster system moni tor light breakaway system wiring and electri cal components easy to read installation and operating instructions portable braking system MSRP 1 555 60 How it s Installed The initial installation of electrical components in the to
40. oval Such requirements are described in the manufac turer s fitment charts hopefully eliminating any unpleasant surprises at installation time www motorhome com Make sure your equipment is rated for the dinghy s weight and that you are not exceeding your motorhome s gross combination weight rating GCWR Confirm hitch height is correct Confirm all hitch bolts and tow bar and baseplate fasteners are securely tightened Confirm all hitch and wiring connections are engaged and secure all safety chains or cables are attached and all locking pins are properly installed Connect brake system and breakaway device Check motorhome and dinghy for proper function of taillights brakelights and turn signals Check tire pressure of all tires on coach and dinghy including spare tires Make sure the dinghy is set up for tow ing steering unlocked emergency brake off gear selector in the position specified by manufacturer ignition in proper position lube pump switch driveshaft coupler 4WD transfer case and hubs if applicable in proper position 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 dinghy from separating from the coach if the tow bar or ball fails Safety chains or cables should be connected securely to the dinghy and crossed under the tow bar then secured to t
41. power sunroof and a pre mium audio system Veloster turbo has a better power to weight ratio than rivals like the Mini Cooper S and VW GTI Aside from the more powerful engine the Veloster turbo also gets sport tuned suspen sion 18 inch alloy wheels with chrome inserts a unique front fascia with fog lights ground effects package and more Inside Veloster turbo features leather seating with the word turbo stitched into the seatbacks and Hyundai Blue Link which offers voice to text messaging point of interest POI web search download turn by turn navigation and other features Only manual transmission models are towable SUBARU XV CROSSTREK Subaru is famous for high riding all wheel drive models like the Forester and Outback JEEP PATRIOT 4WD Adventurous drivers will be glad to know that the Jeep Patriot AWD with manual transmis sion Is now approved for towing Billed as the best priced compact sport utility vehicle in America the Patriot includes standard features such as electronic stability control electronic For 2013 it offers a new addition to the lineup with the XV Crosstrek Boasting the best fuel efficiency of any AWD crossover utility in America according to Subaru the XV Cross trek offers 8 7 inches of ground clearance 17 inch alloy wheels larger front brake rotors and a 15 9 gallon fuel tank It s available in Premium and Limited models with standard features like heated front seats mirro
42. rs and windshield de icer tilt telescoping steering wheel power door locks and mirrors Bluetooth connectivity and more The upscale Limited model adds luxury features like leather auto climate control and auto on off head lights Only manual transmission models are towable roll mitigation hill start assist anti lock disc brakes fog lamps tilt steering column cruise control and a 60 40 split folding rear seat Op tions include a Uconnect media center with JEEP PATRIOT 225 This guide addresses only 2013 vehicles Guides for earlier model years are available online at www motorhome com 14 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com KARKADDY Solves the space storage problem Before Unfolded Kar Kaddy SS length is 133 Folded Kar SS length is 67 Many RV park lots are not deep enough to By using only half the space you can fit both accommodate your motor home and tow dolly motor home and tow dolly comfortably in almost any RV lot Or you can store your tow dolly in front of your car in your garage at home Durable Galvanized Finish with custom chrome wheels and radial tires make this Hydraulic surge brake system tow dolly one you ll be proud to use for mas to come provides safe controlled stopping LS Tilt bed Frame provides fast easy loading Positive locking mechanism on tilt bed does not require a separate loose pin Attached SURE G
43. ry 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 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 tem porarily unplugging one or more fuses from the vehicle s fuse box before towing A more involved alternative is to connect the offending circuit through an owner added switch allow ing these circuits to be made tow ready by the mere flip of a switch A charge line from the coach can often be a viable alternative A Once the tow bar is pinned in the hitch receiver make sure electric connections and safety cables are secure B While driving your dinghy this type of tow bar remains on the coach tucked out of harm s way www motorhome com 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING 7 The Motorhome Dinghy Link n essential ingredient in safe dinghy are available in 2 to 10 inch variations R
44. se park ing brake activate ignition by pressing sTART STOP button press brake pedal then shift to NEUTRAL and release brake pedal deactivate ignition by pressing START STOP button disconnect negative cable from the battery After towing start engine within 15 minutes of reconnecting battery cable Transmission in NEUTRAL Start engine and allow it to run for 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Start engine and allow it to run for 5 minutes at the beginning of each day and every 6 hours thereafter Select Neutral Tow mode refer to owner s manual Run engine at beginning of day for 5 minutes shift into DRIVE then REVERSE and NEUTRAL and every 6 hours thereafter Acadia FWD AWD 4 656 4 850 65 wPu None N A Sierra 1500 4WD 4877 None N A Sierra 1500 5 791 None N A 4WD Hybrid Terrain FWD AWD 3 853 65 mPH None N A 18 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING Yes Yes Yes Yes 17 24 16 23 35 070 46 965 14 18 27 330 43 085 20 23 44 705 51 485 22 32 20 29 26 660 32 995 Run engine at beginning of day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove 15 amp ECM and OnStar fuses and 50 amp BATT1 fuse Transfer case must be set tO NEUTRAL Transfer case must be set tO NEUTRAL Run engine at beginning of each day and at each fuel stop for 5 minutes Remove fuse 32 After towing let engine idle for more than 3 minutes before driving vehicle www motorhome com
45. t damage caused by backing Dollies tend to jackknife quickly It s e Observe the speed limit for towing in each better to disconnect the dinghy and drive state or province you traverse to a safe place to reconnect e Maintain adequate stopping distance e Avoid having to make tight turns they put from the vehicle in front of you A minimum a lot of pressure on tow bars five second interval is recommended e Towing in deep sand or gravel may cause e Avoid towing in snowy or icy conditions the dinghy s front wheels to turn to one e Pay particular attention to traffic merging side If this happens you must manually onto the freeway and be prepared to take re center them before continuing evasive action to avoid daydreamers e Walk around the coach and dinghy to e Plan ahead most flat towed dinghies inspect all connections check tire can t be backed more than a few feet so pressure or use a monitoring system like it s necessary to focus on easy ingress and the nVision TPMS from Hopkins and look egress Most tow bar manufacturers will for signs of trouble every time you stop 8 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING www motorhome com cw NI TEX A Baseplate installation doesn t require welding or specialized tools but can be involved If you have any reservations have a professional do it B To hook up using a telescoping tow bar the dinghy vehicle only needs to be near the center and mid length of the bar
46. tant 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 AL F T A 24 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING Left One way diodes such as this one from Roadmaster prevent _ electrical feedback when using the dinghy s lighting circuit neam tm Right As an alternative you can install an extra pair of lamps on your dinghy independent of its electrical system motorhomes Some models 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 particular 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 al
47. towdemco com mounts anywhere in the towed vehicle you de sire Patent pending all in one adapter mounts at the front of the vehicle and the dual con troller mounts 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 ve hicle 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 adapt er Dual Controller and mounting hardware Contact Hopkins Manufacturing Corp 800 470 2287 www brakebuddy com 9 9 9 9 BLUE portable supplemental braking system MSRP 999 99 a How it s Installed Place on the driver s side floorboard adjust push pad feet attach spring loaded brake claw to brake pe
48. ut 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 ord hat M ula Ba erm 6 E 2 erie ae INGHY TOWING without causing damage to the drivetrain otherwise voiding the warranty Second the vehicle must be towable without requiring significant mechanical modification such as disconnecting the driveshaft for example Lastly the vehicle must be towable at a speed of at least 55 for no fewer than 200 miles before some sort of prescribed startup proce dure is required to circulate fluid through the transmission 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 z are correct www motorhome com by Chris Hemer 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 not
49. utomatic brake protection alerts the driver after an extended period of continuous brak ing then releases braking pressure to avoid excessive wear on dinghy brakes e On board memory remembers the settings even when unplugged and will automati cally adjust itself e Includes a brake relay to allow the dinghy s turn signals and brakelights to work simulta neously with the dinghy to motorhome elec trical connection What s Included Even Brake unit motor home monitor towed vehicle transmitter breakaway system brakelight relay easy to read installation and operating instructions fully automatic progressive supplemental braking system MSRP 999 99 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 www motorhome com shire MOTORHOMES Perk ARTA BERKSHIRE 2013 INTERIOR FEATURES DIFFERENCE Mosaic Hand Laid Tile Backsplash A living experience without equal is around Solid Surface Countertops every turn when traveling in a Berkshire Hardwood Cherry Doors Sophisticated decor sumptuous hardwoods Hardwood Slide Out Room Fascia and unsurpassed attention to detail are all On Demand Tankless Hot Water Heater Berkshire hallmarks Whether a weekend Three Interior Decor and Two Woodgrain Options excursion or an extended stay at a favor
50. viding the confidence of state and provincial compliance and safe travels WOULD YOU LIKE TO ENJOY THE HILLS AND THE VALLEYS Blue Ox has the solution We call it the Patriot You ll call it peace of mind When traveling in your motorhome it should be about creating new friendships breathing the fresh air of the outdoors and spending time with those you love Too often you re spending precious time holding your breath as you slowly make your way through unavoidable mountain passes and steep hills Blue Ox offers a braking system built of all electric components that stops your towed car smoothly and proportionally It is compatible with all towed vehicles even hybrids so you don t have to worry We have thousands of specially designed baseplates with removable tabs to keep things clean Each baseplate has safety cables convenience links and breakaway brackets that come standard We do this so you can spend less time shopping and more time exploring We also have tow bars that range from 5 000 pounds to 20 000 pounds allowing you to bring along whatever vehicle you wish Now you can spend more time enjoying the ride y Joying BRK2012 Patriot Brake and let us handle the rest System BX7365 Alpha Tow Bar E a BX1128 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee with tow hook option it a Strong As An Ox HOPKINS MANUFACTURING portable supplemental braking system MSRP
51. wed vehicle takes less than an hour Once the initial instal lation 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 ad just 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 decreases braking pressure in di rect proportion to the motorhome When the coach brakes are applied an electronic micro processor inside Even Brake signals a magnetic valve to release a proportional amount of air pressure activating the brake cylinder which 32 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING applies braking force on the towed vehicle s brake pedal The amount of brake pressure ap plied is 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 moni tor in the motorhome e Continuous monitoring allows any changes in system status to be transmitted to coach monitor e Power Save low battery protection warns of low battery in the towed vehicle with LED and LCD alerts at the motorhome monitor e A
52. ylinder brake pedal bracket all electrical wiring and a breakaway system Contact Roadmaster Inc 800 669 9690 www roadmasterinc com 9 9 DANKO MANUFACTURING RVibrake2 auxiliary braking system MSRP 1 350 RVibrake2 is the first braking system to inte 34 2013 GUIDE TO DINGHY TOWING grate tire pressure monitoring and towed vehi cle braking all in one RVibrake Tire Pressure Sensors simply thread on to the towed vehi Cle 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 in stalled in the dinghy vehicle Installation of the breakaway takes approximately 25 45 min utes Once the breakaway is installed place RVibrake2 on the floorboard of the towed ve hicle and push the AurOo srART 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 applies the brakes in the towed vehicle only when the coach driver applies the brakes in the motorhome RVi brake2 s cutting edge software ad

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