Can a class B camper van tow a car? The answer is ‘yes, but…‘ There are a handful of nuances that make the real answer to this question more complicated than a simple yes or no answer.
In this article, we’re diving into the topic of towing a car with a class B camper van or RV. You’ll learn everything you need to know to determine whether or not you can tow a car behind your class B camper van safely and successfully. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Can a Class B Camper Van Tow a Car?
Yes, most class B camper vans are rated to tow a vehicle behind them. In general, the towing capacity of most Class Bs is no higher than 5,000 lbs, but many max out around 3,000 lbs. As long as your car’s total weight is less than your Class B camper van’s towing capacity, you should be able to tow it.
However, there are a few things to consider and we will cover those in this article. For example: not every car is safe to tow without being loaded onto a trailer or tow dolly, and that will add more weight to your van. We will cover towing types and what kinds of cars you can safely tow behind your van in this article.
Important
Always check your vehicle’s manual before deciding on a towing method. If you try to tow a car that isn’t meant to be towed, you can ruin the transmission or worse.
Benefits of Towing a Car With a Class B Camper Van
There are many benefits of towing a car behind a class B camper van. As we mentioned in our article about the different RV types, one disadvantage of motorhomes is that if you don’t tow a vehicle, you will have to break camp and drive your motorhome for daily errands and adventuring.
The biggest benefit of towing a car with a class B camper van is that you’ll have a separate car for adventuring and errands. You don’t have to break camp just to run to the grocery store. That’s a huge plus, especially if you’re in a coveted boondocking spot that will likely get taken as soon as you break camp to run your errands.
Other benefits include:
- The ability to get around easier in a smaller car at your destination.
- Less wear and tear on your class B.
- Better gas mileage for daily errands and exploration.
Disadvantages of Towing With a Class B
Since class B RV camper vans aren’t that much bigger than a regular vehicle, towing with them does have some disadvantages. Here are the cons to towing a car with a class B.
- Driving and maneuvering is more difficult.
- Lower MPG while traveling.
- Reduced power on steep hills and mountains.
Do the pros outweigh the cons for you? The answer will be different for everyone, this is a highly individual topic.
Editor’s Note
I lived and traveled in a camper van for several months a few years back. I didn’t tow a car, but I sure wish I had! Towing a car behind my camper van would have made driving around the small mountain and tourist towns I love to visit so much easier.
It would have also been great to save my boondocking campsite when I wanted to head into town for groceries or to head out on a hike! I also know that it would have reduced my driving power and maneuverability around those mountain towns I love so much… But it would have made daily life a bit easier.
Towing Terms You Need To Know
If you’re totally new to towing and the RV lifestyle, there are several terms you should get familiar with. You will need to know the difference when trying to determine how much your class B camper van can tow.
If you already know these towing terms, feel free to skip this section.
Tongue/Hitch Weight
The terms ‘tongue weight’ and ‘hitch weight’ are used interchangeably. Tongue weight/hitch weight refers to the amount of weight placed on the ball of the towing vehicle when towing.
The tongue or hitch weight capacity of your class B camper van will be a major determining factor into how much you can tow.
This number matters most if you are towing with a trailer or tow dolly.
Towing Capacity
Towing capacity is the total amount of weight that your class B camper van can tow. If you know this number, then you know how big of a vehicle or car your camper van can tow.
The RVers general (unwritten) rule of thumb is to never exceed 80% of your maximum towing capacity if possible. This will make sure you aren’t maxing out your camper van and still have some power for steep hills, and it lowers the overall wear and tear.
GVWR
‘GVWR’ stands for ‘Gross Vehicle Weight Rating’. This is the maximum amount that your vehicle, trailer, or camper will weigh when fully loaded.
Alternatively, you will see ‘UVW’ – Unloaded Vehicle Weight – or ‘dry weight’ to indicate the weight of the vehicle or trailer without any added cargo, passengers, fuel, or water.
GCWR/GCVWR
‘GCWR’ or ‘GCVWR’ stands for ‘Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating’. This is the total amount of weight of both vehicles combined when towing.
Class B RV Towing Capacity equation:
GCVWR – GVWR = Max Towing Capacity.
If you see a GCVWR of 15,000 lbs on your class B camper van and you know the camper van has a GVWR of 10,000 lbs, then you know you have a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 lbs.
Where To Find The Towing Capacity on a Class B Camper Van
The first place to look to find the towing capacity of your class B camper van is on the VIN sticker. This sticker is usually found inside the driver side door on the frame of the van.
If you can’t find the sticker or if the maximum towing capacity isn’t listed, you can head online and look at the manufacturers website. Additionally, you can call the manufacturer or ask around on online forums.
Sometimes uncovering the accurate towing capacity of your class B camper van can require a little detective work, but many manufacturers state it plainly on the VIN sticker or on their website.
Towing Capacity Examples from 10 Popular Class B RVs
Here are the max towing capacities for 10 popular class B RV models.
| Class B Camper Van Model | Total Towing Capacity |
|---|---|
| Thor Tellaro 20A | 2,150 lbs |
| Winnebago Revel 44E | 4,880 lbs |
| Winnebago Travato 59G | 2,650 lbs |
| Airstream Atlas | 5,000 lbs |
| Airstream Interstate | 5,000 lbs |
| Entegra Ethos | 2,150 lbs |
| Coachmen Galleria 24A | 4,220 lbs |
| Pleasure-Way Tofino | 2,950 lbs |
| Coachmen Beyond 22C | 2,240 lbs |
| Roadtrek Zion | 2,150 lbs |
Methods of Towing
When towing a car with a class B camper van, the most convenient, easiest, and most lightweight option would be to tow without a trailer or tow dolly.
However, not all vehicles are safe to tow like this. Depending on the make and model of your car, you can ruin the transmission (or worse) by towing improperly.
Flat, Dinghy, or 4-Down Towing
This method of towing is referred to by many different names. Flat towing, dinghy towing, or four down towing refers to towing a car with all four wheels on the ground. This method of towing doesn’t use a trailer or dolly – the only equipment you need is a towing bar on the front of your car that connects to the hitch of your camper van.
There are only a handful of cars that can be towed like this.
Tow Dolly Towing
A tow dolly is a type of miniature trailer that lifts either the front or rear wheels of your car off the ground for towing.
Some cars can only be towed with either the rear or front wheels on the ground. A tow dolly works great for this situation, but be aware it does add extra towing weight.
Trailer Towing
Trailer towing is towing a car on a trailer. This method is used for people who have cars that can’t be towed with any wheels on the ground.
This isn’t usually a feasible method for most class B camper vans unless you have a very lightweight trailer and lightweight car, because it adds a lot of weight.
What Kind of Car Can You Tow Behind a Class B Camper Van?
Flat towing is the best option for towing a car behind a class B camper van. Since class B RVs have limited towing capacity, your car will also need to be small and lightweight.
These two factors really narrow down what kind of car you can tow behind a class B camper van.
Here are a couple options to look at when considering a car to flat tow behind a class B camper van.
Important
Be sure to do your own research on any vehicle you plan to tow behind a camper van. Be sure it can be safely flat towed without any damage before ever attempting it! The information here is meant as a guide to get you started on your search. Things change over time, so be sure to do your due diligence.
| Vehicle Name | Vehicle Weight |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Spark | 2,246 – 2,312 lbs |
| Ford F-150 | 4,021 – 5,740 lbs |
| Ford Focus (select years) | 2,935 – 3,434 lbs |
| Chevy Malibu (select years) | 3,135 – 3,223 lbs |
| Toyota Yaris (select years/transmissions) | 2,396 – 2,445 lbs |
Wrapping Up: Towing a Car With a Class B RV
You can tow a car with a class B RV, but it will require some research, consideration, and maybe even a few calculations on your part.
If you want to travel in a class B camper van and you want the freedom and convenience of having a separate vehicle for errands and exploration, you should definitely go for it! It is possible and can be a great way to travel.