Vehicles you can flat tow behind an RV in 2026
Manufacturer-approved flat tow (dinghy) vehicles for 2026, with notes on transfer cases, base plates, and the speed cap most owners forget.
The Jeep Wrangler is still the easiest flat tow on the market. The Ford Bronco (real one, not the Sport), Jeep Gladiator, and select Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon configurations are also factory-approved for 2026. The list shifts every year, so always check the owner’s manual before buying.
Flat towing only works on vehicles the manufacturer explicitly approves. Doing it on a non-approved vehicle voids the warranty and usually destroys the transmission. The RV LIFE 2026 Dinghy Towing Guide is the source most people in the RV space treat as authoritative once Motorhome Magazine stopped publishing theirs in 2023.
Why this list is shorter than it used to be
Modern transmissions, especially CVTs and 8/10-speed automatics, don’t tolerate being towed with the wheels spinning. Lubrication in those gearboxes only runs when the engine is on, and a few hundred miles being dragged dry will cook the internals.
What survives the cut:
- 4WD with a true mechanical neutral in the transfer case
- A handful of manuals where the entire driveline can spin freely
- A few hybrids and EVs Ford specifically designed for flat tow (with steps to follow)
2026 flat-tow-approved vehicles
These are factory-approved for 2026 model year. Always cross-check against the owner’s manual and the RV LIFE guide before committing.
| Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|
| Jeep Wrangler (all trims) | Easiest setup. Transfer case neutral, manual and automatic both approved |
| Jeep Gladiator | Same drivetrain logic as the Wrangler. Adds a bed |
| Ford Bronco (2-door and 4-door, not Sport) | 4WD with 2H/4L/N. Approved across trims |
| Ford F-150 4WD | Specific configurations with 4WD transfer case. Check the manual |
| Ford Maverick Tremor / Lobo | Limited approvals, check the build |
| Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon (4WD diesel or gas with manual transfer case) | Approved configurations, mostly Z71 / AT4 |
| Chevrolet Equinox (specific trim) | Some recent model years approved |
| Honda CR-V (older AWD) | Approval narrowed over the years, verify model year |
| Dodge Durango (specific 4WD setups) | Verify exact trim |
| Ford Bronco Sport | NOT flat-tow approved. Common mistake |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | Not currently flat-tow approved for new models |
A note on the Smart Fortwo, Fiat 500, Chevrolet Spark, and Ford Fusion (which old lists often include): production has ended or approvals have changed. The Fortwo is gone from the US market. The Fiat 500 and Sonic are out of production. The Fusion’s flat-tow approval was conditional and the car is no longer sold new.
What you need beyond the vehicle itself
Approved vehicle alone doesn’t do it. The setup adds:
- Base plate mounted to the towed vehicle’s frame. Vehicle-specific. Roadmaster, Blue Ox, and Demco all make them.
- Tow bar that connects the RV hitch to the base plate. $400 to $1,500.
- Wiring harness so the towed car’s brake lights and turn signals mirror the RV’s.
- Supplemental braking system. Required in most states for any towed vehicle over a certain weight (usually 3,000 lb but varies by state). Air Force One, M&G, Demco Stay-IN-Play, RVi systems are the common ones.
- Breakaway switch. Activates the towed car’s brakes if the tow bar fails.
Total setup cost: $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the supplemental brake choice.
Speed limit while flat towing
55 mph is the broadly accepted maximum for flat towing. Some manufacturers list lower numbers (45 mph for certain hybrids). California caps you at 55 mph any time you’re towing anyway.
Going faster doesn’t break anything immediately. It heats up driveline components in the towed vehicle that aren’t actively cooled, which is how transmissions fail months later.
What the Ford recall means for flat towers
Ford recall 26C10 (NHTSA 26V104000) covers 2021 to 2026 F-150, 2024 to 2026 Ranger, and 2022 to 2026 Maverick among others. The Integrated Trailer Module software fault can disable trailer lights and brakes, which matters even when the “trailer” is your towed-behind car. Check the campaign status in FordPass before flat-towing if you’re affected. OTA fix started rolling out in May 2026.
What to do before each tow
- Wheels straight, ignition in the right position per the manual (some require Acc, some require fully off)
- Transmission in neutral or transfer case in N, per manual
- Disconnect any locking steering wheel
- Confirm taillights, brake lights, and turn signals work when the RV does
- Walk-around: tow bar latched, safety pins in, breakaway cable connected
What you cannot do while flat towing
- Back up. The tow bar isn’t built for it, and the towed car can’t steer. To reposition, unhook the bar.
- Drive on rough roads without checking the connection at every stop.
- Tow a car with the parking brake set (yes, it happens, and it ends badly).
EVs and hybrids
Most pure EVs are not flat-tow approved. The exceptions are vehicles Ford explicitly tested and listed, like the F-150 Lightning and certain Maverick hybrids in specific configurations. Tesla, Rivian, and others are flatbed-only.
A vehicle that uses regenerative braking through the wheels on a permanent basis (single-speed gearbox direct to motor) is essentially generating electricity while being towed, which the manufacturer almost always disallows.
When in doubt: flatbed. It’s slower to load and adds weight to your RV, but it works for any car ever made.