Tow Bars and Baseplates
Tow Bars and Baseplates at H&H Truck Accessories
Trucks and RVs can take you anywhere –but sometimes the places you travel to aren’t equipped for large vehicles. With a tow bar for trucks or RVs, you can bring smaller vehicles along for the ride. Bringing another vehicle with your RV allows you to go places extra large vehicles cannot. This makes a tow bar a valuable tool for anyone who wants a flexible and more comfortable experience while traveling.
Attaching a vehicle to your motorhome is known as “flat towing”. Tow bars –or “flat tow bars”– offer you plenty of freedom while traveling. In the spirit of freedom, you’ll find plenty of tow bars to choose from at H&H. Our flat tow bars are available for different weight ratings, so whatever your rig is capable of, there’s a tow bar to back up that performance.
The next time you travel, don’t be caught without one of our flat tow bars. The ability to take another vehicle with you opens up plenty of opportunities while traveling. For all your travel needs, you can shop at H&H.
Tow Bars & Baseplates for Flat Towing, Shop Blue Ox, CURT, Demco & More
Traveling by RV opens up the country, but your motorhome can't go everywhere. A tow bar system lets you bring a smaller vehicle along for the ride, flat towed directly behind your rig with all four wheels on the ground. At H&H Truck Accessories, we carry a wide selection of tow bars and baseplates from trusted brands including Blue Ox, CURT, Demco, ARB, and Smittybilt, with over 700 products available to match your vehicle, your motorhome, and your towing capacity needs.
What Is Flat Towing?
Flat towing, also called dinghy towing or four-down towing, is the practice of towing a vehicle behind a motorhome with all four wheels rolling on the road surface. Unlike a trailer, which lifts the towed vehicle's wheels off the ground, flat towing requires no separate trailer or dolly. The result is a simpler, lighter setup that's far easier to maneuver and store.
What You Need for a Complete Flat Tow Setup
A proper flat tow system requires three core components working together. First, a tow bar connects the motorhome's hitch receiver to the towed vehicle's baseplate. Second, a baseplate mounts directly to the towed vehicle's frame, providing the structural attachment points the tow bar needs. Third, safety cables or chains provide a backup connection between the two vehicles. Most setups also require a supplemental braking system in the towed vehicle, required by law in many states, as well as a wiring harness to power the towed vehicle's lights.
Types of Tow Bars
Motorhome-Mounted Tow Bars
The most common configuration for RV travelers, motorhome-mounted tow bars attach to the hitch receiver on the back of the motorhome. When not in use, these bars fold up neatly against the back of the rig. They're available in a range of weight ratings, typically from 5,000 to 10,000 lbs gross towed weight, and many feature self-aligning arms that make hitching up solo much easier.
Car-Mounted Tow Bars
Car-mounted tow bars are stored on the towed vehicle rather than the motorhome. They're a popular choice for travelers who flat tow with multiple motorhomes, since the bar travels with the car. The trade-off is that the bar is more visible when the vehicle is driven independently.
What Is a Baseplate?
A baseplate is a vehicle-specific bracket that mounts to the frame or unibody of the towed vehicle, giving the tow bar's arms a solid, engineered attachment point. Baseplates are not universal; they are designed for specific year, make, and model combinations. Using the correct baseplate is critical for safe flat towing, as it ensures the tow forces are transferred directly to the vehicle's structural frame rather than to body panels or bumper fascias.
H&H carries baseplates from Blue Ox, CURT, and Demco to fit a wide variety of flat-towable vehicles, including Jeep Wranglers, Chevy Equinoxes, Ford Escapes, and many more. Use our vehicle selector to find the right baseplate for your specific car or SUV.
Shop Tow Bars & Baseplates at H&H Truck Accessories
With more than 700 tow bars and baseplate products in stock, H&H has one of the most comprehensive flat tow selections available. Whether you're setting up your first dinghy tow or upgrading an existing system, our team is here to help you get the right components. Call 800-953-7108 or visit a store location for expert guidance.
Frequently: Truck Tow Bars & Baseplates
What is the difference between a tow bar and a trailer hitch?
A trailer hitch connects your vehicle to a trailer that carries another vehicle or cargo. A tow bar connects your motorhome directly to a flat-towed vehicle, with the towed vehicle's own wheels rolling on the road, no trailer involved.
Do I need a baseplate to use a tow bar?
Yes. A baseplate is required on the towed vehicle to give the tow bar a secure, frame-level attachment point. Without a proper baseplate, there is no safe way to connect the tow bar arms to the front of the vehicle.
Are baseplates vehicle-specific?
Yes. Baseplates are engineered for specific year, make, and model combinations. Using the wrong baseplate or improvising an attachment can cause serious damage to the vehicle and create an unsafe towing connection.
What weight rating do I need for a tow bar?
Your tow bar's gross towed weight (GTW) rating must meet or exceed the total weight of your fully loaded towed vehicle. Most passenger cars and SUVs used as dinghy vehicles weigh between 3,000 and 5,500 lbs, so a tow bar rated for at least 6,000 lbs is a common choice that provides a reasonable safety margin.
Is a supplemental braking system required for flat towing?
Many states legally require a supplemental braking system in the towed vehicle. Even where it's not mandated, it's strongly recommended that the towed vehicle's brakes reduce stopping distance significantly and reduce wear on your motorhome's braking system.
Can any vehicle be flat towed?
No. Flat towing is only safe for vehicles that are approved for four-down towing by the manufacturer, typically those with a manual transmission or specific automatic/transfer case configurations that allow the drivetrain to freewheel without engine lubrication. Always verify your vehicle's owner's manual before flat towing.
What brands of tow bars does H&H carry?
H&H stocks tow bars and baseplates from Blue Ox, CURT, Demco, ARB USA, and Smittybilt, covering a broad range of towing capacities, price points, and vehicle fitments.
I had recently purchased a Warn winch and I was looking at tow bars to go with it, H&H had the best prices and their customer service couldn't be beat. I will be back for more accessories!
- Jackson Champion