A Class A motorhome loses power on US-27 between South Bay and Clewiston. It weighs several times more than a car, it may have air brakes, and it has a car hitched behind it. A regular car tow truck cannot move it. Here is how it is towed.
Short answer: A broken motorhome is towed by a truck matched to its size and weight. Small camper vans can ride on a flatbed. Larger Class C and Class A motorhomes are usually lifted by the front or rear wheels with a wrecker sized for the load. Call (561) 680-6198 with the class, length and model, and we send the right truck.
Can you tow a broken motorhome yourself?
In most cases, no. A motorhome is built to be driven, not towed by a pickup. Most motorhomes weigh more than a pickup is rated to tow, and a tow bar or car dolly is not designed for a vehicle that size. Towing it the wrong way can damage the transmission, the drive shaft, the frame or the brakes.
Which tow truck fits my motorhome?
Tow trucks are matched to weight. The usual guide is the federal weight classes by GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) in the U.S. Department of Energy vehicle weight class chart. The GVWR is printed on a label, usually near the driver’s seat or door.
| Motorhome type | Typical weight class | How it is usually towed |
|---|---|---|
| Class B (camper van) | Class 1 to 3 (light to medium) | Flatbed, or wheel lift on a van that allows it |
| Class C (cab-over, built on a van or truck chassis) | Class 3 to 6 (medium) | Wrecker that lifts the front or rear wheels; flatbed for smaller units |
| Class A (bus-style, gas or diesel) | Class 5 to 8 (medium to heavy) | Wrecker sized for the weight, lifting the front or rear axle |
These are general ranges. The real weight depends on the model, the length and the load, so the dispatcher asks for both.
Does a gas or diesel motorhome change the tow?
It can. Many gas Class A and Class C motorhomes have the engine in the front and drive the rear wheels. Many diesel Class A motorhomes have the engine in the rear, sit on a heavier chassis and use air brakes. A heavier diesel unit needs a larger wrecker, and the operator has to deal with the air brakes before the wheels can roll.
If you do not know which one you have, the make, model and year are enough. The fuel door, the owner’s manual or the label near the driver’s seat usually tells you.
How is a broken motorhome towed, step by step?
- The operator checks the motorhome’s class, weight and which wheels drive it.
- Any car or trailer hitched behind the motorhome is unhooked first. It is towed separately or driven away.
- The operator chooses which end to lift. On many rear-wheel drive motorhomes, the rear drive wheels are lifted, or the drive shaft is disconnected, so the transmission does not turn during the tow.
- If the motorhome has air brakes, the brakes are released or supplied with air so the wheels can roll.
- The motorhome is secured with chains and straps, and lights are connected to the rear.
- It is towed to the address you choose: an RV repair shop, a campground, a storage lot or another location.
Your owner’s manual usually has a towing section. If it says how the motorhome must be towed, have it ready for the operator.
What should I do before the tow truck arrives?
Safety first. Follow these steps on any road, including US-441 / SR 15 and SR 80 / Main Street.
- Pull as far off the road as you can and turn on the hazard lights.
- If you smell propane, do not use any flame or switch. Close the tank valve only if it is safe to reach, move everyone away and call 911.
- Place warning triangles well behind the motorhome. A long vehicle needs more warning distance than a car.
- Keep passengers and pets away from the traffic side, and off the shoulder if there is a safe place to wait.
- Turn off the generator, the water pump and propane appliances.
- Retract the slide-outs, the awning and the steps if they still work. If they do not, tell the dispatcher.
- Close and latch the cabinets, the fridge and the doors, and take medications, documents and valuables with you.
Florida’s Move Over law requires drivers to move over a lane, or slow to 20 mph below the posted limit, for stopped tow trucks and disabled vehicles with warning lights. Even so, do not stand between the motorhome and traffic.
What happens to the car I tow behind my motorhome?
The car comes off first. The operator cannot lift or move the motorhome safely with a car still on the tow bar or dolly behind it. If the car runs and you can drive it, you can follow the tow truck in it. If nobody can drive it, tell the dispatcher, and the car is towed separately. A car that is normally flat towed behind a motorhome can still be damaged if it is towed the wrong way by another truck, so all-wheel drive, lowered and luxury cars ride on a flatbed. See car and SUV towing for how we handle the car.
What should I tell the dispatcher?
- Your location: the road, the direction of travel and the nearest cross street, mile marker or landmark.
- The class (A, B or C), make, model, year and length of the motorhome.
- Gas or diesel, and whether it has air brakes, if you know.
- Whether a car or trailer is hitched behind it.
- What happened, and whether anyone is still inside.
- Whether the slide-outs, awning or steps are stuck open.
- Where the motorhome should go.
Where should a broken motorhome be towed?
Decide this before the truck arrives if you can. Not every repair shop can take a motorhome. A large unit needs a wide entrance, a tall bay and room to park, and some shops work only on the living area, not the engine or chassis.
- Engine, transmission or brakes: call the shop first and ask if it services your chassis and has space for your length.
- Living area only (slide-outs, awning, plumbing, appliances): an RV service shop may be the right stop.
- Repair can wait: a campground or storage lot that accepts motorhomes can hold it until a shop has an opening.
Give the dispatcher the full address and a contact name at the destination. That avoids a second move.
Does every broken motorhome need a tow?
Not always. Some problems can be handled at the roadside:
- Dead battery: we offer a jump start for light, medium and heavy duty batteries.
- Out of fuel: fuel delivery of regular, premium or diesel, enough to reach a gas station.
- Flat tire with a usable spare: a tire change puts your spare on. With no usable spare, the motorhome is towed to a tire shop.
- Stuck on a soft shoulder: a winch-out covers vehicles up to medium duty.
If the engine, transmission, brakes or steering have failed, the motorhome needs a tow.
Motorhome towing in Belle Glade and the Glades
Glade Savers Tow Truck Services tows motorhomes and RVs 24/7 in Belle Glade, Pahokee, South Bay, Clewiston, Canal Point and Lake Harbor, including US-27, SR 80 / Main Street, US-441 / SR 15 and SR 715. Our equipment includes flatbeds, wreckers, wheel lifts and dollies, and boom trucks. See motorhome and RV towing for details, or all towing services for cars, box trucks, semis and buses.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tow a broken Class A motorhome?
With a wrecker sized for its weight, usually lifting the front or rear axle. The drive wheels are lifted or the drive shaft is disconnected, and air brakes are released before the tow. Any car hitched behind it is unhooked first.
Can a Class C motorhome go on a flatbed?
Smaller Class C units can, depending on the length and weight. Larger ones are usually towed with a wrecker that lifts the front or rear wheels. Tell the dispatcher the model and length.
Do I need to unhook my car before the motorhome is towed?
Yes. The car or trailer behind the motorhome is unhooked first, then towed separately or driven away.
Can I stay inside the motorhome during the tow?
No. Nobody should ride inside a motorhome while it is being towed. Take your valuables, medications and documents with you.
How much does it cost to tow a broken motorhome?
It depends on the size and weight, the distance and the work at the scene. We are affordable. Call (561) 680-6198 or send the quote form to request a quote.