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Quick Picks
| Product | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for Flat or Dinghy Towing 5,000 lbs | Toads within the manufacturer's 5,000 lb gross towed weight rating | Check Price on Amazon |
| CURT 70141 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing | Select-year GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 toads | Check Price on Amazon |
| CURT 70130 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing | Select-year Ford F-150 toads | Check Price on Amazon |
| CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Adapter & Socket (7-Way RV Blade to 6-Way Round Vehicle) | Coaches with a 7-way blade outlet feeding a 6-way round toad plug | Check Price on Amazon |
| CURT 52204 RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus for Flat Towing | Stopping parasitic battery drain in the towed vehicle | Check Price on Amazon |
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Last Updated: September 2026
Flat towing — dinghy towing, four-down towing, toad towing, whatever your campground neighbor calls it — is the tidiest way to bring a vehicle along behind a motorhome without hauling a trailer. It is also the setup most likely to be assembled from mismatched parts, because it is not one purchase. It is a chain: base plate on the car, tow bar between the two, electrical connection so the toad's lights mirror the coach, and a way to keep the toad's battery from quietly dying on the road.
This roundup is a specifications read, not a road trip. Every number below comes from the manufacturer's published listing data as retrieved on 10 September 2026, and it is attributed to that listing rather than presented as something anyone here observed. Nobody on this website towed anything.
Here's the thing that trips up first-time dinghy towers: two parts can both say "flat towing" on the box and still refuse to connect to each other. That happens twice in this very lineup, and the listing bullets say so outright. I'll show you where.
- Complete assembly only weighs 31 pounds for easy handling
- Universal brackets bolt to the frame of the vehicle (trimming may be required)
- CONCEALED DESIGN. This base plate for towing has a hidden design to help maintain an OE, factory look on the vehicle
- SOLID STRENGTH. CURT towing base plates and tow bar brackets are constructed from high-strength steel and welded together with precision for dependable towing strength
- CUSTOM FIT. This tow bar base plate is uniquely engineered to fit select years of the Ford F-150. It bolts onto the frame, providing a reliable connection for flat towing (not
- CONCEALED DESIGN. This base plate for towing has a hidden design to help maintain an OE, factory look on the vehicle
- Ideal for connecting motorhome to dinghy vehicle for flat towing
- UV-resistant coiled cable extends up to 8' without scraping the ground
- PREVENTS BATTERY DRAIN WHILE TOWING — The CURT RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus stops unseen parasitic loss, ensuring your towed vehicle’s battery stays charged. You’ll never
- REAL-TIME LED VOLTAGE MONITORING — Multi-color LED indicators provide instant feedback on your towed battery’s voltage, charging status, and RV voltage levels. This ensures you
- Connects 6-way round outlets between
- Ideal for connecting motorhome to dinghy vehicle for flat towing
- PROFESSIONAL GRADE - Utilizing Heavy Duty OEM Connectors to create an exact fit - Easy Plug & Play Installation. Multi-Tow feature provides multiple towing options from single
- APPLICATION - 7 Blade & 4 Flat Towing Solution can provide power and braking for your RV (7 Pin), or power your trailer's tail lights and turn signals (4 Flat)
- Adjustable Height Range: Extends seamlessly from 11.5 inches to 17.5 inches, offering versatile and precise leveling for various needs, whether for campers, motorhomes, or
- Heavy-Duty Capacity: Engineered to support up to 6000 lbs per jack, these stabilizers ensure robust and reliable performance, making them perfect for heavy-duty applications
What a Flat Tow Setup Actually Consists Of
A flat tow setup is the combination of hardware that lets a vehicle roll on all four wheels behind a motorhome: a base plate bolted to the toad's frame, a tow bar that couples the toad to the coach's hitch, an electrical link that carries lighting signals, and — separately, and usually purchased on its own — a supplemental braking system plus safety cables.
That last sentence matters. None of the listings covered here describe a supplemental braking system, and the supplied listing information for the tow bar does not state whether safety cables are included in the box. Do not assume either is handled. Confirm both with the tow bar manufacturer's instructions and with your state's towing rules before the first trip.
One more prerequisite that no accessory can substitute for: your vehicle's own manufacturer has to approve four-down towing. The published data for these parts speaks to the parts, not to whether your specific drivetrain tolerates being towed with the wheels turning. Check the owner's manual first, then buy hardware.
The Picks
CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for Flat or Dinghy Towing 5,000 lbs — Best for toads at or under a 5,000 lb rating
This is the connective tissue of the whole system. CURT's listing rates the 19750 for 5,000 lbs. gross towed vehicle weight, and the product title identifies it as having a 2-inch coupler. That rating is the ceiling you plan around: a mid-size SUV or small pickup with fluids, gear and a full tank has to land under it, not near it, and the number refers to the towed vehicle's gross weight — not to what your coach's hitch is separately rated to pull.
The practical spec is the one buyers underrate. CURT states the complete assembly only weighs 31 pounds, and that it adjusts in width from 26" to 40" and folds closed for easy storage. Read those together and the folded geometry is what lets it live in a bay rather than rattling loose in the coach.
The caveat is in CURT's own bullet. The universal brackets bolt to the frame of the vehicle, and the listing adds that trimming may be required. "Universal" here means adaptable, not plug-and-play — budget for a shop visit if you are not comfortable modifying fascia or bumper trim to clear the brackets.
Pros
- Manufacturer-rated for 5,000 lbs. gross towed vehicle weight
- CURT states the complete assembly of the CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for Flat or Dinghy Towing 5,000 lbs, 2-Inch Coupler only weighs 31 pounds for easy handling
- Adjusts from 26" to 40" in width, covering a range of attachment point spacings
- Folds closed for storage between trips
- CURT notes trimming may be required to fit the universal brackets
- The supplied listing information does not state whether safety cables or a braking system are included
Verdict: Buy this if your toad's gross weight sits comfortably under CURT's 5,000 lb figure and you are willing to accept that universal brackets may need trimming to fit.
CURT 70141 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing — Best for select-year GMC Sierra and Silverado 1500 toads
Base plates are where the tow bar's load actually enters the vehicle, and CURT built this one for a narrow target: the listing says it is uniquely engineered to fit select years of the GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 1500, and that it bolts onto the frame. Frame-mounted, not bumper-mounted — that distinction is the whole point of a custom plate.
CURT describes a concealed design intended to help maintain an OE, factory look on the vehicle, construction from high-strength steel welded together with precision, and a dual-coated finish of A-coat plus black powder coat to protect it against the outdoor elements. For a part living in the spray zone behind the front bumper, a two-layer coating is a reasonable thing to pay for. CURT also states this baseplate is physically tested to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — that is the manufacturer's own validation claim, not an independent certification.
Now the compatibility landmine. CURT's first bullet explicitly says this base plate is not compatible with universal tow bar. So you cannot pair the 70141 with the universal 19750 above. Custom plates run on their own tow bar interface, and you need to confirm the matching bar before ordering either piece.
Pros
- Frame-bolting design engineered for select GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years
- Concealed design intended to preserve the factory front-end appearance
- Dual-coated A-coat and black powder coat finish for outdoor exposure
- CURT states it is physically tested to the vehicle's GVWR
- Explicitly not compatible with a universal tow bar, per CURT's listing
- Fits only select model years — verify your exact year before buying
Verdict: The right base plate for a Sierra or Silverado 1500 owner who wants a hidden, frame-mounted attachment and has already confirmed a compatible non-universal tow bar.
CURT 70130 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing — Best for select-year Ford F-150 toads
Same engineering philosophy, different truck. CURT states the 70130 is uniquely engineered to fit select years of the Ford F-150 and bolts onto the frame for flat towing. If the F-150 is your toad and your coach's tow rating supports it, this is the vehicle-specific half of the equation.
The finish and construction claims mirror the Sierra/Silverado plate: high-strength steel welded together with precision, a dual-coated shield of A-coat and black powder coat, and a concealed design meant to keep an OE, factory look. CURT again says the baseplate is physically tested to the gross vehicle weight rating. Treat that as the manufacturer's stated validation standard rather than proof of any third-party approval.
And the same restriction applies, in CURT's own words: not compatible with universal tow bar. Honestly, this is the single most common way a flat tow order goes wrong — buying a custom base plate and a universal bar in the same cart. Pick your tow bar interface first, then buy the plate that speaks the same language.
Pros
- Vehicle-specific fit for select Ford F-150 years, bolting to the frame
- Hidden mounting design to retain the factory front-end look
- A-coat plus black powder coat dual finish for corrosion exposure
- Physically tested to GVWR according to CURT's listing
- Not compatible with a universal tow bar, per the listing
- "Select years" fitment means model-year verification is mandatory
Verdict: For F-150 owners flat towing behind a coach, this is the frame-mounted, factory-look base plate — provided your tow bar is not a universal unit.
CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Adapter & Socket (7-Way RV Blade to 6-Way Round Vehicle) — Best for a 7-way blade coach outlet
Most motorhomes present a 7-way RV blade outlet at the hitch. Most flat tow wiring on the toad side uses a 6-way round plug. This cord is the translator: CURT's listing says it adapts a 7-way RV blade vehicle socket to fit a 6-way round plug, and that it includes a 6-way round socket for the front of the dinghy vehicle.
The cable itself is the part worth reading closely. CURT describes a UV-resistant coiled cable that extends up to 8' without scraping the ground. Coiled matters more than length here — a coil retracts as the toad tracks behind the coach, which is what keeps the cord off the pavement through turns and articulation. UV resistance is the manufacturer's material claim for a part that sits in sunlight for entire seasons.
On function, CURT states the 6-way connects tail, brake, turn signals, electric brakes and auxiliary power. That auxiliary circuit is the one people forget about, and it is often how charge or accessory power reaches the toad. If your coach outlet is not a 7-way blade, this is the wrong cord — see the extension version below.
Pros
- Directly adapts a 7-way RV blade outlet to a 6-way round plug
- Includes a 6-way round socket for the front of the dinghy vehicle
- UV-resistant coiled cable extends up to 8' without scraping the ground
- Carries tail, brake, turn signal, electric brake and auxiliary power circuits
- Only useful if the RV side is a 7-way blade outlet
Verdict: The default choice when your coach ends in a 7-way blade and your toad needs a 6-way round connection at the front bumper.
CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Electrical Extension & Sockets (6-Way Round) — Best for a 6-way round outlet on both ends
This is the sibling product, and the difference is entirely about what your coach already has.
The connection type is the meaningful distinction. CURT's listing for the CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Electrical Extension & Sockets (6-Way Round) states it connects 6-way round outlets between the dinghy vehicle and RV. The cable specification matches the adapter version: a UV-resistant coiled cable that extends up to 8' without scraping the ground, carrying tail, brake, turn signals, electric brakes and auxiliary power.
Where it does not help: it does not adapt anything. If your motorhome terminates in a 7-way blade, this cord cannot bridge that gap and you want the adapter version instead. Check the coach's outlet before you order — that one look saves a return.
Pros
- UV-resistant coiled cable extends up to 8' without dragging
- Supports tail, brake, turn signal, electric brake and auxiliary power circuits
- Purpose-described by CURT for connecting a motorhome to a dinghy vehicle
- No 7-way blade adaptation — both ends must be 6-way round
Verdict: Choose this one when both the coach and the toad use 6-way round connections.
CURT 52204 RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus for Flat Towing — Best for preventing toad battery drain
A flat-towed vehicle sits with its ignition in accessory or unlocked position for hours, and modules keep sipping current the entire time. CURT's listing frames this product exactly that way: it says the RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus stops unseen parasitic loss so the towed vehicle's battery stays charged.
What elevates it past a simple charge line is the feedback. CURT describes multi-color LED indicators that give real-time information on the towed battery's voltage, charging status and the RV's voltage levels. The inference for a buyer: instead of discovering a flat toad battery at the campground, you can glance at an indicator during a fuel stop. CURT also states the unit works with all 12V batteries and includes built-in connection protection to guard against electrical damage from incorrect installation, and backs it with a limited lifetime warranty.
One clarification that matters, because the RVibrake name suggests otherwise: this is a battery charger. The supplied listing information describes charging and monitoring, not braking. It is not a supplemental braking system and should not be counted as one when you check your state's requirements. For the braking side of the setup, see our notes on RV supplemental braking systems.
Pros
- Targets parasitic drain, the specific failure mode of long flat tows
- Multi-color LED indicators report towed battery voltage, charging status and RV voltage
- Compatible with all 12V batteries per CURT's listing
- Built-in connection protection plus a limited lifetime warranty
- Despite the RVibrake branding, the listing describes charging and monitoring — not supplemental braking
Verdict: Worth it for anyone towing long days between stops who has ever arrived to a toad that would not start.
Multi-Tow 7 Blade and 4 Flat Heavy Duty Trailer Connector/Towing Receiver — Best for rebuilding a tired coach-side outlet
If the socket on the back of your motorhome is corroded, cracked or missing its lid, the wiring behind it is rarely the problem — the connector is. This unit combines a 7-blade and 4-flat outlet in one housing, and the listing states it replaces the Hopkins 40950 and uses a USCAR plug on the vehicle side.
The durability details are specific enough to be useful. The listing describes a weatherproof lid that opens 180 degrees on an oversized hinge, stainless steel hardware, a powder coated mounting bracket and nickel coated weatherproof pins, with all installation materials included. A lid that swings a full 180 degrees is the sort of detail you appreciate when you are plugging in at dusk with one hand. Backing it is a stated 5 year warranty.
Functionally, the seller describes the 7-pin side as able to provide power and braking for your RV and the 4-flat side as powering a trailer's tail lights and turn signals. Note that this is the seller's own quality and fitment claim, including the assertion of an exact fit via OEM connectors — confirm the USCAR plug matches your harness before ordering.
Pros
- Two outlet types — 7-blade and 4-flat — in a single connector
- Weatherproof lid opening 180 degrees on an oversized hinge
- Stainless steel hardware, powder coated bracket and nickel coated pins
- Mounting bracket and hardware included; 5 year warranty stated
- Sold as a USCAR-plug variant, so harness compatibility must be verified first
- Quality superiority over other manufacturers is the seller's claim, not independent verification
Verdict: The fix for a coach or tow vehicle whose factory connector has weathered out, assuming the USCAR plug matches your existing harness.
Useful at Camp, But Not Flat Tow Equipment
A few items surface constantly in "dinghy towing" searches without belonging in a flat tow chain. Being clear about that is more useful than padding the list.
MaxxHaul 50999 RV Stabilizer Jacks 4 Pack are camp-setup gear, not towing hardware. They stabilize a parked rig; they do nothing for the toad behind it. Pair them with your RV leveling blocks rather than your tow bar. Check Price on Amazon
GliCraft 3 Point Dinghy Towing Bridle with Float is a marine product, and the word overlap is pure coincidence. It is a boat towing harness built from 1 inch wide polyester webbing with a 2000 lb breaking strength and 316 stainless steel carabiners and rings, intended for towing inflatable boats and tenders behind a vessel. It has no role in towing a car behind a motorhome. Check Price on Amazon
Multifunctional Folding Flatbed Hand Truck is a platform cart with 5" wheels and a handle that folds flat onto the platform. Handy in a garage or for hauling gear to a site — but it is moving equipment, not tow equipment. Check Price on Amazon
What to Look For in Flat Towing Equipment
- Confirm the toad can be flat towed at all. The vehicle manufacturer decides this, not the accessory maker. No listing here establishes which drivetrains tolerate four-down towing.
- Match the base plate to the tow bar interface before anything else. Both CURT custom base plates state they are not compatible with a universal tow bar, so this decision cascades through the whole build.
- Compare weights against the right limit. CURT rates the 19750 tow bar for 5,000 lbs. gross towed vehicle weight, and that is separate from your motorhome's hitch and towing ratings. Every applicable limit must be satisfied on its own terms.
- Identify your coach's electrical outlet by shape. A 7-way blade needs the adapter cord; two 6-way round ends need the extension kit. The two CURT cords are not interchangeable.
- Plan for the toad's battery separately. Parasitic drain is the problem the CURT 52204 addresses; nothing else in this lineup does.
- Treat braking and safety cables as their own purchase. No product covered here is described as a supplemental braking system.
- Check safety recall listings before buying used towing hardware. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes recall information for consumer products at cpsc.gov, and general consumer protection guidance is available through USA.gov.
How We Research
Every specification in this guide comes from two source types and nothing else: Amazon Creators API verified product records and the product listing feature bullets published on each item's retail page, all retrieved on 10 September 2026. We read those bullets line by line, compare the stated figures against each other, and flag the places where two products in the same category cannot physically work together.
What we do not do is handle the hardware. This website performs no physical or laboratory testing, so you will never see a torque figure, a road impression or a durability result presented here as something observed. Where a number exists, it is the manufacturer's or seller's published claim and is labeled as such. Where a number does not exist in the supplied listing information, we say the listing does not state it rather than guessing.
Recommendations by Use Case
Towing a select-year F-150 four-down: the CURT 70130 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing, because CURT engineers it for select Ford F-150 years, bolts it to the frame, and states it is physically tested to GVWR — just remember it will not accept a universal tow bar.
Towing a select-year Sierra or Silverado 1500: the CURT 70141 Custom Tow Bar Base Plate Brackets for Dinghy Towing, for the same frame-mounted, concealed-design reasons, with the same non-universal tow bar restriction.
Building a universal setup for a lighter toad: the CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for Flat or Dinghy Towing 5,000 lbs, whose 5,000 lb gross towed vehicle weight rating and 26" to 40" width adjustment cover a wide range of smaller vehicles, with the understanding that CURT says trimming may be required.
Wiring a 7-way blade coach: the CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Adapter & Socket, which adapts a 7-way RV blade socket to a 6-way round plug and includes the socket for the toad's front end.
Wiring 6-way round on both ends: the CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Electrical Extension & Sockets (6-Way Round), whose CURT listing states it connects 6-way round outlets between the dinghy vehicle and RV.
Long highway days between stops: the CURT 52204 RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus for Flat Towing, for its stated parasitic-drain prevention and multi-color LED voltage monitoring.
A rotted connector on the back of the coach: the Multi-Tow 7 Blade and 4 Flat Heavy Duty Trailer Connector/Towing Receiver, with its 180-degree weatherproof lid, nickel coated pins and stated 5 year warranty — after you verify the USCAR plug fits your harness.
Final Verdict
If I had to name the decision that determines whether your flat tow build works, it is not which tow bar you buy. It is whether the base plate and the tow bar share an interface. CURT states plainly on both the 70130 and the 70141 that they are not compatible with a universal tow bar, which means the 19750 universal bar and those custom plates belong to two different build paths. Choose the path first.
For an owner whose toad falls under CURT's 5,000 lb gross towed vehicle weight rating and who wants the simplest single-purchase bar, the CURT 19750 Universal Tow Bar for Flat or Dinghy Towing 5,000 lbs is the strongest pick in this lineup — 31 pounds assembled, 26" to 40" of width adjustment, and it folds closed for storage. For Sierra, Silverado 1500 and F-150 owners who want a factory-looking front end and frame-level mounting, the CURT 70141 and CURT 70130 base plates are the vehicle-specific answers.
Then add the cord that matches your coach's outlet shape, add the CURT 52204 RVibrake Towed Battery Charger Plus for Flat Towing to keep the toad's battery alive, and handle supplemental braking and safety cables as a separate, deliberate purchase. That is a complete plan built from what the manufacturers actually publish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What weight of vehicle can the CURT 19750 tow bar handle? CURT rates it for 5,000 lbs. gross towed vehicle weight. That figure applies to the towed vehicle's gross weight, and it is separate from your motorhome's own hitch and towing limits — every applicable limit has to be satisfied independently.
Which dinghy towing cord do I need, the adapter or the extension? It depends on the outlet on your motorhome. The CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Adapter & Socket (7-Way RV Blade to 6-Way Round Vehicle) adapts a 7-way RV blade vehicle socket to fit a 6-way round plug and includes a 6-way round socket for the front of the dinghy vehicle. According to CURT's listing for the CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Electrical Extension & Sockets (6-Way Round), it connects 6-way round outlets between the dinghy vehicle and the RV. That same listing (ASIN B08V1X5CLZ) also describes the CURT 8' Dinghy Towing Electrical Extension & Sockets (6-Way Round) as ideal for connecting a motorhome to a dinghy vehicle for flat towing.
What does a 6-way round connection actually carry? CURT's listings for both cords state that the 6-way connects tail lights, brakes, turn signals, electric brakes and auxiliary power. That auxiliary circuit is often how accessory or charge power reaches the towed vehicle.
Is the CURT 52204 RVibrake a braking system? No. The supplied listing describes it as a towed battery charger that prevents parasitic loss and provides multi-color LED voltage monitoring for the towed battery, charging status and RV voltage. Supplemental braking is a separate product category and a separate purchase.
Do I still need safety cables? Plan on it. The supplied listing information for the tow bar in this guide does not state whether safety cables are included, so verify the contents with the manufacturer's instructions and check your state's requirements rather than assuming.
Can any vehicle be flat towed? No, and no accessory changes that. Only the vehicle manufacturer can confirm whether a given model may be towed with all four wheels on the ground; the product data covered here describes the towing hardware, not drivetrain suitability.
Sources & Methodology
Nothing on this page was bolted to a truck. This website does not perform physical or laboratory testing, and no one here has installed a base plate, coupled a tow bar or plugged in one of these cords. What we did do was pull the Amazon Creators API verified product records and the published listing feature bullets for each item on 10 September 2026, then read them against each other to find the specifications that decide a purchase — the 5,000 lb tow bar rating, the 26" to 40" width range, the 8' coiled cable length, and the compatibility statement that separates CURT's custom base plates from its universal tow bar.
That kind of reading is genuinely decisive in this category, because most flat tow mistakes are compatibility mistakes rather than quality mistakes, and compatibility is spelled out in writing by the manufacturer. What it cannot tell you is how a given bar feels to couple in a gravel lot after ten hours of driving, or how the finish holds up after three winters of road salt. For those questions, talk to owners running your exact toad and coach combination, and follow the manufacturer's installation instructions rather than any summary of them.