What Comes in a Complete Tow Bar Package?
Flat towing requires more than a tow bar. Here is every component in a complete setup and why each one matters.
You bought a motorhome, and now you want to bring your vehicle along for the ride. The natural first step is to search for a tow bar. But the tow bar is only one component of a complete flat tow setup. Buying a tow bar without the rest of the system is like buying a trailer hitch without a ball mount, wiring, or a trailer. The bar connects, but the setup is not complete.
As a local towing equipment provider in Kent, WA, Torklift Central installs complete tow bar packages, not just individual pieces. This article covers what comes in a real flat tow setup, what each component does, and why getting the full system right matters before the first trip.
Flat Towing Is a System, Not a Single Part
Flat towing (also called dinghy towing) means towing a vehicle behind a motorhome with all four wheels on the ground. It looks simple: the vehicle rolls behind the motorhome. But making that happen safely, legally, and without damaging either vehicle requires a coordinated system of components that are all compatible with each other and with the specific towed vehicle.
The Components of a Complete Tow Bar Package
| Component | What It Does | Why It Matters | What to Verify |
| Tow bar | Connects the towed vehicle to the motorhome. | Must be rated for the towed vehicle's weight. Must be compatible with the base plates. | Weight rating, compatibility with base plates, and motorhome hitch class. |
| Base plates / mounting brackets | Mount to the towed vehicle's frame and provide the connection points for the tow bar. | Vehicle-specific. Wrong base plates mean the tow bar has nothing to attach to. | Fitment for the exact year, make, model, and trim of the towed vehicle. |
| Safety cables | Backup connection between the motorhome and towed vehicle in case the tow bar disconnects. | Required for safe towing. May be legally required depending on state. | Rating, length, and proper attachment points on both vehicles. |
| Wiring / lighting | Transmits brake light, turn signal, and running light signals from the motorhome to the towed vehicle. | Other drivers need to see the towed vehicle's lights. May be legally required. | Wiring harness compatibility with the towed vehicle and motorhome connector type. |
| Supplemental braking system | Applies the towed vehicle's brakes when the motorhome brakes. | Reduces stopping distance. May be required by state law. | System type, vehicle compatibility, and installation requirements. |
| Breakaway system | Activates the towed vehicle's brakes if the towed vehicle separates from the motorhome. | Emergency safety measure. | Compatibility with the braking system and proper installation. |
| Flat tow conversion kit | Required for some vehicles that need additional setup to allow flat towing. | Some vehicles require a kit to safely tow with all four wheels on the ground. | Check the vehicle owner's manual. Not every vehicle can be flat towed. |
Why a Tow Bar Alone Is Not Enough
We see customers at Torklift Central who arrive with a tow bar they purchased online and assume they are ready to tow. In almost every case, they still need base plates, wiring, safety cables, and a braking system. Some also need a flat tow conversion kit for their specific vehicle. The tow bar is the most visible component, but it is one of six or seven pieces that need to work together.
Why Vehicle-Specific Fitment Matters
Base plates are vehicle-specific. A set designed for a Jeep Wrangler will not fit a Honda CR-V. The tow bar must be compatible with the base plates and rated for the towed vehicle's weight. The wiring must connect to the towed vehicle's lighting system. The braking system must interface with the towed vehicle's brakes. Every connection point in the system is vehicle-specific, and getting any one of them wrong can mean incompatibility, return shipping, and wasted time.
Torklift Central Installs the Complete Package
At our Kent, WA shop, our technicians install complete tow bar packages: tow bar, base plates, wiring, braking system, safety cables, and breakaway system. We review the towed vehicle, the motorhome, and the compatibility of every component before installation begins. When the customer leaves, the full system has been installed, tested, and reviewed.
Call 253-854-1832 to discuss your motorhome and towed vehicle or schedule an appointment.
Key Takeaways
- A complete flat tow setup includes a tow bar, base plates, safety cables, wiring, a supplemental braking system, and a breakaway system.
- A tow bar alone is not enough. Every component must be compatible with the towed vehicle and the motorhome.
- Base plates, wiring, and braking systems are vehicle-specific. Fitment must be verified before purchasing.
- Some vehicles require a flat tow conversion kit. Check the owner's manual first.
- Torklift Central installs complete tow bar packages at our Kent, WA shop. Call 253-854-1832.
Schedule tow bar package installation at Torklift Central in Kent. [Insert appointment URL]
Call 253-854-1832 to discuss your motorhome and towed vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What comes in a complete tow bar package?
A tow bar, base plates or mounting brackets, safety cables, wiring or lighting, a supplemental braking system, and a breakaway system. Some vehicles also require a flat tow conversion kit.
Is a tow bar enough to flat tow a vehicle?
No. A tow bar is one component of a complete system. Base plates, wiring, braking, safety cables, and breakaway protection are also needed.
What are base plates?
Vehicle-specific mounting brackets that attach to the towed vehicle's frame and provide the connection points for the tow bar.
Do I need a supplemental braking system?
In most flat towing situations, yes. Many states require supplemental braking. It reduces stopping distance and is an important safety component. Verify requirements for the states you travel through.
Can Torklift Central install the whole package?
Yes. We install tow bars, base plates, wiring, braking systems, safety cables, and breakaway systems at our Kent, WA shop. Call 253-854-1832.
What is a breakaway system?
A safety device that activates the towed vehicle's brakes if it separates from the motorhome during towing.