Tow Bars for RV Towing: How to Choose the Right One

If you’re towing a car behind your motorhome, the tow bar is one of the main pieces that connect the whole setup. It links your RV to the vehicle you’re flat-towing, so choosing the right one affects how easy it is to connect, store, and use on the road.

Most RV tow bars are not vehicle-specific like baseplates, but the full setup still needs to be compatible and properly rated. You'll still want to match the tow bar to your towing style, vehicle weight, receiver setup, and how often you plan to use it.

What a Tow Bar Does in an RV Towing Setup

A tow bar connects your motorhome to a vehicle being flat towed. The vehicle behind the RV is often called a dinghy or toad, and it rolls on all four wheels while you drive. A complete flat towing setup usually includes:

• A tow bar

• A vehicle-specific baseplate

• Safety cables

• Wiring for lights

• A supplemental braking system

• Pins, locks, and other connection hardware

Flat Towing vs. Other RV Towing Methods

Before you choose a tow bar, make sure you’re choosing the right type of towing equipment. RV owners often use the term “towing” to refer to a few different setups, but they don’t all use the same parts.

Flat towing

Flat towing means your RV pulls another vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. This is the setup most people mean when they talk about using a tow bar behind a motorhome. You might use flat towing for:

• A small car

• A Jeep

• Some SUVs

• Some light trucks

Before you buy anything, check your vehicle owner’s manual. Not every vehicle can be flat-towed, and some require specific steps before towing.

Trailer towing

If your motorhome is pulling a trailer, camper, utility trailer, or enclosed trailer, you’re dealing with a different type of towing setup. Trailers use a hitch-and-coupler connection, not a flat tow bar.

For trailer towing, you’ll need to check your RV’s tow rating, hitch rating, trailer weight, tongue weight, wiring, and braking requirements.

Main Types of Tow Bars for RV Towing

Tow bars come in a few common styles. Some are simple and more manual. Others are built to make hookups easier, especially if you tow often.

Rigid A-frame tow bars

A rigid A-frame tow bar is one of the simpler styles. It can be a good fit if you only tow once in a while and don’t mind taking a little extra time to line up the RV and the towed vehicle.

The tradeoff is convenience. Since the arms do not adjust the same way telescoping arms do, you’ll usually need the motorhome and vehicle positioned more carefully before hookup.

This style may make sense if:

• You tow occasionally

• You want a simpler design

• You’re comfortable taking a few extra minutes during setup

• Only fits vehicles with tab width of 24”

Telescoping tow bars

If you plan to flat tow regularly, a telescoping tow bar is usually easier to live with. The arms extend and adjust during hookup, so you don’t have to line everything up perfectly before connecting.

That’s helpful in real RV situations. Campground sites, fuel stops, storage lots, and parking areas are not always perfectly straight or level. Telescoping arms give you more room to work.

You’ll usually like this style if:

• You tow on most trips

• You want hookup to be easier

• You don’t want to fight alignment every time you connect

For this type of setup, you may end up comparing options like the Blue Ox Alpha tow bar or Blue Ox Avail tow bar, depending on your towing weight and equipment needs.

RV-mounted tow bars

An RV-mounted tow bar stays attached to the motorhome when you’re not using it. If you travel often, this can make the whole setup feel easier because the tow bar is already in the right place.

Instead of removing the tow bar and storing it somewhere else, you fold it up and secure it at the back of the RV according to the product instructions.

This style works well if:

• You flat tow on a regular basis

• You want the tow bar stored on the motorhome

• You don’t want to move the tow bar in and out of a storage compartment

Vehicle-mounted tow bars

A vehicle-mounted tow bar stores on the front of the towed vehicle instead of the RV. This setup is less common for many modern RV owners, but it can still make sense depending on how you like to store your equipment.

The main question is where you want the tow bar to live when you’re not towing. If you prefer keeping it with the vehicle rather than the motorhome, this style may be worth a look.

Consider this style if:

• You tow less often

• You prefer storing the tow bar with the dinghy vehicle

• You do not want the tow bar mounted at the back of the RV

• Your setup is compatible with this style

Pintle hitch mount tow bars

Pintle-style tow bars are made for more specialized, heavier-duty towing setups. If you’re flat-towing a small car behind a motorhome, this probably is not where you’ll start. These tow bars are worth considering only when the connection style, weight rating, and full towing setup call for a pintle mount.

This type may apply if:

• Your setup requires a pintle connection

• You’re working with a heavier-duty application

• Your RV, tow bar, and towed vehicle equipment are all rated for the load

• You’ve verified the connection style before ordering

For specialized applications, products like the Blue Ox Apollo pintle tow bar or Blue Ox Trion tow bar are examples to compare after you confirm the ratings and connection requirements.

Which Tow Bar Type Fits Your RV Towing Scenario?

Start with what you’re towing behind the RV. That gives you a much better starting point than shopping by tow bar style alone.

RV Towing a Small Car

If you’re towing a small car behind your motorhome, you probably want a setup that is easy to connect, disconnect, and store.

A telescoping RV-mounted tow bar is usually a practical choice for this type of travel. It gives you more flexibility during hookup because the arms can adjust as you connect the car to the RV.

Check these details before choosing:

• The tow bar’s weight rating

• The car’s flat towing instructions

• The baseplate required for that specific car

• Whether you need a drop receiver to keep the tow bar level

• Wiring and braking requirements

RV Towing a Truck or SUV

If you’re towing a truck or SUV, pay close attention to weight. A larger vehicle can add more load behind your motorhome, especially if it has cargo, larger tires, aftermarket accessories, or extra equipment.

Do not choose a tow bar based only on the words "SUV" or "truck." A compact SUV and a full-size pickup have very different towing loads. Before making a decision, take a few minutes to compare: 

• The actual weight of the vehicle, including cargo and accessories

• Tow bar, baseplate, and motorhome hitch ratings

• Safety cables and supplemental braking requirements

• The height difference between the RV receiver and baseplate tabs

• Any additional equipment that affects your towing setup

How to Choose the Right Tow Bar

1. Confirm the vehicle can be flat towed

Check the owner’s manual for the exact year, make, model, drivetrain, and transmission. Some vehicles require specific procedures before flat towing. Some cannot be flat towed at all.

2. Match the tow bar to the vehicle weight

Use the vehicle’s actual weight, including accessories and cargo. Then choose a tow bar rated for the full setup. Do not rely only on a general vehicle category like “small SUV” or “truck.”

3. Decide how often you’ll tow

If you tow a few times a year, a simpler tow bar may be enough. If you travel often, a telescoping RV-mounted tow bar can save time and frustration because hookup is usually easier.

4. Check receiver size and height

Your tow bar needs to connect correctly to your motorhome. Check the receiver size and compare the height between the RV receiver and the baseplate connection points on the towed vehicle.

If the tow bar is not close to level, you may need a drop receiver. The tow bar should be no more than 3” above or below the attachment tabs of the baseplate. Blue Ox lists options such as a 2-inch tow bar drop receiver and a 10-inch tow bar drop receiver, but you should measure your setup before choosing one.

5. Plan the full flat towing system

The tow bar is only one part of the setup. You’ll also need the right baseplate, cables, wiring, and braking system. Useful related categories include:

• Tow bar parts and accessories

• Safety cables

• Locks and pins

• Tow bar covers

A Simple Way to Narrow Your Choice

If you’re new to RV towing, use this quick guide:

• Choose a rigid tow bar if you tow occasionally and want a simpler setup.

• Choose a telescoping tow bar if you want an easier hookup and plan to tow regularly.

• Choose an RV-mounted tow bar if you want the tow bar stored on the motorhome.

• Choose a vehicle-mounted tow bar if you prefer the tow bar stored with the towed vehicle.

• Do not choose a flat tow bar for a trailer or camper. Use trailer towing equipment instead.

• Choose a heavier-rated tow bar only after checking the actual weight and all equipment ratings.

Find the Right Tow Bar for Your RV Setup

The best tow bar is the one that fits the way you actually travel. If you tow a small car a few times a year, your needs may be simple. If you’re pulling a heavier SUV or truck on long RV trips, you’ll want to pay closer attention to ratings, hookup style, storage, and the rest of the flat towing system.

Start by confirming whether your vehicle can be flat towed and what your motorhome is rated to tow. Then compare Blue Ox tow bars by mount style, weight rating, receiver size, and ease of use.

If you’re not sure which setup makes sense, contact the Blue Ox team before you order. A little help up front can make it much easier to choose the right tow bar, baseplate, braking system, and accessories for your RV towing setup.

FAQ About Tow Bars for RV Towing

Are tow bars vehicle-specific?

Tow bars are generally not vehicle-specific, but the baseplate usually is. You still need to make sure the tow bar, baseplate, safety cables, receiver, and braking system all work together and are rated for your setup.

Can I use the same tow bar for different vehicles?

Sometimes, yes. The tow bar may work with multiple flat-towed vehicles, but each vehicle requires the correct baseplate and compatible connection hardware. Always verify the full setup before towing.

What is the easiest tow bar type for a beginner?

A telescoping RV-mounted tow bar is usually the easiest style for many beginners because it gives you more flexibility during hookup and stores on the motorhome when not in use.

Do I need a braking system with a tow bar?

In many towing setups, yes. A supplemental braking system helps the towed vehicle brake behind the motorhome and may be required depending on your setup and where you travel. Check your RV manual, vehicle manual, tow bar instructions, and state requirements.

Can I tow a trailer with a tow bar?

A flat tow bar is not the right equipment for towing a trailer or camper. Trailers use a hitch and coupler setup, not a flat towing tow bar.

How do I know what weight rating I need?

Start with the actual weight of the vehicle being towed, including cargo and accessories. Then confirm that the tow bar, baseplate, safety cables, RV hitch, and other equipment are rated for that load.

What should I check before each trip?

Check the tow bar arms, pins, clips, safety cables, wiring, brake system, receiver connection, and baseplate attachment points. Follow the product instructions for inspection and maintenance before towing.