What is the Best Way to Tow a 2012 Fiat 500 Behind a Motorhome

Updated 10/05/2018 | Published 10/04/2018

Products Featured in This Question

Roadmaster Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes - 4,250 lbs

(8)

$3525.00

Roadmaster Crossbar-Style Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(2075)

$525.00

Tekonsha Prodigy P3 Trailer Brake Controller - 1 to 4 Axles - Proportional

(6450)

$179.89

Replacement Quick Disconnect Crossbar Assembly for Roadmaster Tow Bars

(291)

$137.04

Curt Custom Tail Light Wiring Kit for Towed Vehicles

(35)

$107.57

Pollak Black Plastic, 7-Pole, RV-Style Trailer Connector - Trailer End

(661)

$7.94

Roadmaster Nighthawk All-Terrain Tow Bar w/ LED Lights - Non-Binding - RV Mount - 8,000 lbs

(763)

$1405.00

Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit - Fiat

(580)

$38.69

Demco Stay-IN-Play Duo Flat Tow Brake System for RVs w/ Hydraulic Brakes - Proportional

(703)

$1175.00

Question:

What is best method to tow the Fiat behind a 34 ft motorhome. It is manual transmission.

asked by: Ronald

Expert Reply:

According to the owner's manual for a 2012 Fiat 500 with a manual transmission (excluding 500c and 500 Abarth), the vehicle can be flat towed with all four wheels down and dolly towed with either the front two or rear two wheels off of the ground. In regards to which is better between flat-tow and dolly tow, they both have their benefits. If you have a leased vehicle or don't want to make any modifications as you plan to exchange it, dolly tow would be your best option but if you plan to have the vehicle for an extended period of time and don't mind making minor modifications then flat-tow is going to be the best.

The best tow dolly we have is the Roadmaster Tow Dolly part # RM-2050-1. This tow dolly has electric brakes for safety, and all of the required lighting. The only thing you will need to use this dolly is a trailer connector like part # PK12706 and a brake controller like part # 90195.

In order to flat-tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome you are going to need a tow bar, base plate kit, safety cables, tail light wiring harness, supplemental braking system, and possibly a high-low adapter. There may also be a few other smaller components that are needed depending on the options the vehicle is equipped with.

For a tow bar, I recommend the Roadmaster Nighthawk All Terrain Tow Bar part # RM-676. The Nighthawk is one of the best tow bars we offer. It has a non-binding and self-aligning design which makes for an extremely easy hookup. It also comes with safety cables and a wiring extension. This towbar is then compatible with the Roadmaster EZ2 Base Plate Kit part # 522013-1A when using the Quick Disconnect Crossbar Assembly part # 910021-00. The EZ2 Base Plate Kit is a custom fit for your Fiat 500 and will provide you with removable arms which makes for a clean look while not in tow.

Then for a flat-tow wiring harness I recommend the Curt Towed-Vehicle RV Harness part # C58911. This kit is almost completely plug and play. In order to then make the harness compatible with the wiring extension on the Nighthawk tow bar you will need to cut off the 4-way and wire the 6-way connector which comes with the tow bar.

For a supplemental braking system, I recommend the SMI Stay-IN-Play DUO Supplemental Braking System part # SM99251. I like this system because it is a one time setup and everything will be hidden once installed. In order for this system to operate properly in your vehicle you will also need to use the Roadmaster Stop Light Switch Kit part # RM-751455.

Finally, you may or may not need to use a high-low adapter. In order to determine if there is a need to use one measure from the ground to the center of the base plate kit on the vehicle and compare that distance to the measurement from the ground to the center of the hitch pin hole on your trailer hitch on the motorhome. If this distance is not within 3" of one another then you want to use a high-low adapter which I have attached a list of for you in addition to several other review videos on the above products.