Towing a Car Behind a Motorhome in Australia: Your Complete Guide

Why Tow a Car Behind Your Motorhome?

When you’re buying a motorhome, there’s always a compromise. You’re buying a vehicle that allows you to live on the road comfortably, for long periods of time. You can just about see it all with one. But what you miss out on is the ability to easily navigate tighter spaces, including car parks and smaller trails.

There is a way to do it all though, and that involves towing a car behind your motorhome. With this, you can leave the motorhome at the campsite, unhook the car, and run your errands or even head out on a day trip without worrying about any awkward parks.

But what’s the best way to tow a car behind a motorhome in Australia? What are the laws? Which vehicles are suitable to tow and are there any special tricks to the trade? We’ll cover this and more in this guide.

The Three Ways to Tow a Car Behind a Motorhome

There are three common approaches to towing a car with a motorhome. Each has its own strengths, costs and practical considerations, so it’s important to understand the differences and decide which works best for you.

A tow dolly is a convenient option for towing front-wheel-drive vehicles. It’s a good middle ground, avoiding the size and weight of a trailer. A-frames, when compatible, can be the simplest and most compact option for motorhome owners.

Full car trailers offer the greatest protection, keeping the entire vehicle off the ground. They’re also compatible with more vehicles than the smaller options, but can be more expensive and harder to store when not in use.

When deciding on how to tow a car with a motorhome, considerations like towing compatibility, towing capacity and frequency of hitching and unhitching should all come into play.

A-Frame and Tow Dolly Methods

Also known as flat towing, using an A-frame allows for the convenience of a smaller vehicle when travelling around the country. It's a triangle (or A) shaped frame that attaches to the front of the towed vehicle and hooks onto the tow bar of the motorhome.

If considering this method, it's important to check both your motorhome's towing capacity and your vehicle's compatibility. All A-frames must comply with Australian Design Rule 62 (Mechanical Connections Between Vehicles), and engineering certification is not transferable if you change the motorhome, towed vehicle or A-frame. In Australia, regulations generally reference the vehicle's GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass), so make sure you're using this figure rather than its tare weight when doing your research.

The tow bar's rated capacity must be equal to or greater than the GVM of the towed vehicle, and the combined weight of both vehicles must not exceed the motorhome's GCM (Gross Combination Mass) specified by the manufacturer.

A motorhome car towing dolly takes a slightly different approach, lifting the front wheels of the vehicle off the road while the rear wheels remain in contact with the surface. This means compatibility is generally limited to front-wheel-drive vehicles, but it can be a practical and more affordable alternative to a full-size car trailer.

Tow dollies also require less storage space and are often easier to manoeuvre when you're setting up camp or navigating tighter areas. Keep in mind a tow dolly adds to your total combination length, so factor this into any length limits. As with any towing setup, make sure the dolly's rated capacity exceeds the vehicle's weight and that the combined load remains within your motorhome's towing limits.

For many travellers, both options offer a convenient way to bring a runabout vehicle along for the journey, with the right choice depending on your vehicle, budget and travel style.

Towing with a Car Trailer

Using a car trailer for motorhome travel is a popular option thanks to its versatility, allowing for a broader range of vehicles to be towed. Because the vehicle remains completely off the road, trailers also reduce tyre, drivetrain and general wear and tear compared to other towing methods.

While practical, towing a trailer with a motorhome requires a little more planning due to the added size and weight. If not loaded correctly or driven responsibly, trailers can be more challenging to manage at highway speeds and over long distances.

When not in use, they also require additional storage space, which can add to the overall cost of ownership. For many motorhome owners, however, the added protection and flexibility make a car trailer well worth considering.

The biggest factor to understand before choosing this option is weight. Between the trailer itself and the vehicle being carried, it's essential to ensure your motorhome can safely and legally handle the load.

How Much Can Your Motorhome Tow?

Before choosing an A-frame, tow dolly or trailer, it's important to understand your motorhome's weight ratings. If you've ever wondered, "how much can my motorhome tow?", the answer starts with a few key figures provided by the manufacturer.

• GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass): The maximum weight your motorhome can legally weigh when fully loaded.
• GCM (Gross Combination Mass): The maximum combined weight of your motorhome and anything it's towing.
• Tare Weight: The unloaded weight of a vehicle or trailer before passengers, cargo and accessories are added.
• Towing Capacity: The maximum weight your motorhome can safely tow, usually shown as separate braked and unbraked ratings.

These figures work together to determine what you can safely and legally tow. Before purchasing any towing equipment, check your motorhome's compliance plate and owner's handbook, and confirm that your chosen setup remains within all manufacturer weight limits.

Choosing a Car Suitable for Towing

An old green car

For some, the vehicle they already own will dictate their preferred tow method, and for others, they will be starting from scratch and may buy a vehicle to travel with based on what tow method looks best suited for them. Cars suitable for towing behind a motorhome in Australia range from small daily drivers to capable 4X4s that allow you to explore more of Australia, and your choice will decide how you travel.

What Cars Can You Tow Behind a Motorhome?

There is no single best car to tow behind a motorhome in Australia, as suitability depends on the towing method you choose and the vehicle's design. Always check the owner's manual and manufacturer guidance before towing any vehicle behind a motorhome. Some commonly used lightweight vehicles include:

• Jeep Wrangler
• Suzuki Jimny
• Toyota Corolla (selected manual models)
• Kia Rio (selected manual models)

Unless approved by the manufacturer, most automatic vehicles shouldn’t be flat towed. Electric vehicles also shouldn’t be flat towed, as it can damage their electric drivetrains. When flat towing, you'll also need to disengage the steering lock, and for keyless vehicles a specific ignition sequence is usually required.

Matching the Car to Your Towing Method

A dolly or trailer will widen your vehicle options, especially if you want a larger vehicle in tow. A dolly’s compatibility will largely come down to weight and whether or not the vehicle is front-wheel-drive. Popular options for tow dollies include:

• Toyota Prius
• Honda Civic
• Mini Cooper
• Toyota Camry

Always check your owner’s manual as to whether your vehicle is compatible.

For a car trailer, you open up your options even further. This can allow you to bring along larger vehicles, including some full-size 4WDs, provided your motorhome remains within the towing capacity and weight limits covered in the previous section.

If you're still wondering what cars you can tow behind a motorhome, the answer comes down to matching the vehicle to your preferred towing method, your motorhome's towing limits and how you plan to travel. By understanding these factors upfront, you'll be in a much better position to choose a safe and practical setup for your next adventure.

Is it Legal, and What the Rules Say

Just because you’ve bought the gear and have towed a box trailer in the past doesn’t mean you can just set off and think it's the same deal. The rules and laws for towing a car behind a motorhome in Australia can vary between states and territories, so it’s always worth checking the current requirements. This means for where you live as well as where you’ll be travelling through. While the details may differ, there are some areas which are commonly covered by Australian road rules:

• Braking requirements: Trailers above certain weight thresholds are generally required to have their own braking systems.
• Maximum length: The total length of the motorhome and any vehicle or trailer being towed must remain within applicable legal limits, which in most states means the combination must not exceed 19 metres.
• Lighting and visibility: Tail lights, indicators and number plates must remain clearly visible at all times.
• Signage and safety equipment: Depending on the towing method and jurisdiction, specific signage, safety chains or breakaway systems may be required. For example, a "Do Not Overtake Turning Vehicle" sign may be needed when your combination exceeds 7.5 metres.

Requirements can change over time, and some rules differ between towing with an A-frame, tow dolly or trailer. Before setting off, consider checking the relevant road authority information and confirming that your setup complies with the latest regulations.

Protecting Your Setup with Specialist Cover

Towing a vehicle behind your motorhome can open up more travel opportunities, but it also adds another layer of responsibility. Whether you're using an A-frame, tow dolly or trailer, it's worth taking the time to understand how motorhome towing insurance and your existing cover apply to your setup and the way you travel.

For many Australians, a motorhome or converted bus is more than just a vehicle. It's a home away from home, packed with gear, memories and plans for the next destination. That's why specialist motorhome insurance is often worth considering alongside regular vehicle cover, particularly if towing forms part of your travel lifestyle.

As cover, conditions and exclusions vary between insurers, always refer to your insurer's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and policy documents to understand what is and isn't included.

To learn more about the options available, take a look at KT Insurance's range of RV cover, including slide-on camper and tow vehicle insurance, and find a policy that suits the way you travel.

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