Electric vehicles are on the path to achieving complete dominance over combustion vehicles and serving as a viable substitute for global sustainable energy. Electric automobiles have a significant advantage over their predecessors, and they promise to improve the planet. With so many people opting for electric vehicles, some doubts may arise while standing in a Tesla or BMW showroom.
One of the queries that may perplex consumers and place them in a skeptical position is “Can I tow my electric car behind a motorhome or other recreational vehicle if my battery dies or my tire goes flat?” The quick answer is that you can tow your electric car behind a motorhome, however, there are some restrictions and you cannot use the same towing processes as you would with a combustion engine, as the wheel mechanism is different.
Can you tow an electric car if it breaks down?
Whether you drive a combustion engine or an electric vehicle, breakdowns occur and the first thought that comes to mind is towing. You cannot expect to repair your car in the middle of the road or just push it to a nearby service center. Towing has historically been the first option for drivers who encounter a breakdown.
Towing is the procedure of attaching your repaired automobile to a recreational vehicle or large truck and transporting it away. There are numerous towing options available, including flat towing, front-wheel dolly towing, and flatbed trailer towing, but drivers generally prefer flat towing. The reason drivers prefer flat towing over others is that it is simpler and requires no additional special equipment. You can flat tow by connecting the RV’s back end to the front panel of your automobile and driving along. While flat towing is the best option for combustion engines, it can be disastrous for an electric vehicle.
When you ask “Can I tow my electric car?” you are really asking “Can I damage my electric car?” Towing your electric car is never a good idea. Not only flat towing but any type of towing other than a trailer is not recommended, as it can result in serious damage, and the associated repair expenses will not be covered by the guarantee, since numerous electric car manufacturers are strongly opposed to towing.
The condition may be different in hybrid vehicles because their mechanism is different than that of electric vehicles. However, even with hybrids, certain precautions must be taken, such as removing the battery, in order to tow your car securely and without causing any damage.
The only practical method of transporting your breakdown vehicle, whether electric or hybrid, is via trailer. The trailer has always been the ideal option since it eliminates wheel rolling and eliminates the need for a transmission run during towing. Therefore, the next time you encounter a breakdown, go for a trailer rather than risk damaging your pricey electric car by flat towing.
What is the best way to tow an electric vehicle behind a motorhome?
The motorhome is one of the highly preferred recreational vehicles among campervans, caravans, and truck campers. Motorhomes are frequently used for travel as well as long-distance commuting. Travelers frequently bring their own cars along with their motorhomes. The reason for this is that RVs are fairly large and are therefore unsuitable for urban transportation or parking. As a result, vacationers pull their automobiles behind the RV in order to explore the city, drive to a hotel, or stay at a friend’s house, among other things.
Now, if you are one of the many people who have just made the switch to electric automobiles, you and your RV may have some difficulty transporting it the next time you travel.
Motorhomes are capable of towing any car efficiently, either flat tow or front-wheel dolly. However, the issue with electric vehicles is that they are not designed to tow. The fundamental issue is that, unlike conventional cars, electric cars lack a gearbox and rely on electricity to power their wheels and motors.
Without the application of electricity, the wheels cannot spin on their own. In conventional automobiles, you can shift into neutral and have the car hauled smoothly. However, electric vehicles lack gears, and the automobile cannot reach a completely self-contained state because the battery powers all of the components. Towing is acceptable for short distances, but over lengthy distances, your EV will suffer severe damage.
There is no single optimum approach for towing an electric vehicle, as each method has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. However, employing a trailer during the breakdown may result in less damage and more efficient carrying. You can easily transport your Tesla or other electric vehicles on the trailer, attach it to your motorhome and drive away. This prevents the wheels from spinning, resulting in less damage, and in some situations, allows you to charge your EVs while towing.
Can a Tesla be flat towed behind a motorhome?
If you own a Tesla, imagining yourself in the position of having to tow your most costly automobile can be a nightmare. Tesla automobiles are not easily prone to breakdowns and the company guarantees it to some extent. However, whether it’s a Tesla or another electric vehicle, breakdowns are an unavoidable and frustrating part of driving. When faced with a breakdown, you won’t have much time or peace of mind to choose an effective solution. Perhaps you’re reading this in the midst of a breakdown. If your answer is yes, then allow me to assist you by advising that you never flat tow your Tesla. Never, I repeat, never.
Teslas and other electric vehicles are not built for towing, and when you consider flat towing your EVs, you can almost hear the manufacturers crying No. This is because EVs are not well-suited for towing, as their wheels cannot spin in the absence of contact with the batteries and motors. When you experience a breakdown, the entire system shuts down, and you are unable to run the car by pulling it a long distance. Flat towing is one of the worst methods of transporting electrical vehicles, as the costs of repairs can be absurdly high.
What is the lightest electric vehicle to tow behind a motorhome?
Due to the weight of their battery packs, electric vehicles are heavier than conventional automobiles. Therefore, if you believe that electric vehicles can be lighter than traditional automobiles, you may be disappointed. Tesla and other electric vehicles are often quite large and cannot be easily transported in a camper, or other recreational vehicles.
Prior to towing, you must examine your RV’s weight and capacity. You may tow any electric vehicle if your RV is equipped to do so. Following that, you should determine whether the vehicle you intend to tow is capable of supporting the various sorts of towing. Because some vehicles are FWD (front-wheel drive) and others are RWD (rear-wheel drive), you should consult the owner’s manual or call the company’s service department to see whether the vehicle is capable of towing.
There are a few lightweight electric vehicles that you can simply transport in your motorhome. Among them are the Mini Cooper SE, the Fiat 500e, and the BMW i3. These electric vehicles weigh approximately 1300 kg and are rather easy to tow behind your motorhome on a trailer.
Rules for towing a car behind the motorhome
After reading this, you should be prepared to take your EVs or conventional automobiles together with your RVs on a lengthy road trip during the holiday season. Here are some guidelines for perfectly towing a car behind your RV so that you don’t have to stop in the middle or frequently check your side mirrors.
Before you begin towing, you should decide on the type of towing you will employ. Flat towing, tow dolly, and flat bed are all viable options. You can review those strategies briefly and then choose the one that works best for you.
When compared to other towing methods, flat towing is the most prevalent. It is simple and straightforward to use, but it may also be quite costly in some instances. Flat towing requires several critical pieces of equipment, including a tow bar and a base plate to which your cars will be connected. Additionally, you may want electrical wiring and safety wires to guarantee the tow is safe. There are several laws regarding flat towing, as it is possible to be involved in an accident due to brake failure when towing.
Dolly towing can be your next option if you find flat towing seems troublesome. This type of towing works well with vehicles with front-wheel drive. Utilizing a tow dolly is a rather simple technique. Simply drive the car up the provided ramps and secure it using the included heavy-duty ratchet straps. When towing a tow dolly, you must ensure that your RV is capable of towing not only the vehicle’s weight but also the tow dolly’s weight. Additionally, the increased weight has an effect on your fuel economy, which is already quite low if you’re driving a huge RV.
Finally, if flat towing and dolly towing are not working for you, you can a flatbed or enclosed trailer. This type of towing is required for many four-wheel or all-wheel drive cars as they can avoid severe damages both internally and externally.
For a flatbed, a ramp and ratchet straps are required. You’ll also need a brake controller if your trailer has electric brakes.
Towing your car behind your RV with a car hauler has similar disadvantages to towing with a tow dolly, including an increase in weight. However, when using a trailer, the added weight can be high. So, before going with a flat bed, ensure that your RV is capable.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the impacts and requirements of towing, as well as how electric vehicles are incompatible with simple towing methods, you may choose which option is ideal for your vehicle. Breakdowns are unavoidable, but the next time you find yourself in one, don’t panic; instead, take the appropriate actions to bring yourself out of it.