Best Flat Tow Vehicle for an RV is… The Ford Maverick?
When I was searching for the best vehicle to tow behind my Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX, I initially wanted a Subaru Crosstrek, but due to the fact it has to be manual transmission and the Subaru’s official discontinuation of flat tow capabilities in 2015, I decided to look for other options.
That’s when the Ford Maverick Hybrid came across my radar. In my opinion, the Ford Maverick Hybrid is the perfect flat tow vehicle for RVs or affectional known as a TOAD.
Ford Maverick Hybrid, The Perfect Flat Towable Vehicle for RVs
I can’t stress the importance of weight limits when choosing a tow vehicle for a Sprinter based RV such as a Leisure Travel Van, Tiffin Wayfarer or Winnebago View / Navion. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, which is used by LTV, has a gross combined vehicle weight rating of 15,250 pounds. This means that the total weight of the Sprinter and the tow vehicle cannot exceed this amount.
My Leisure Travel Van has a GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) of 11,050 pounds and a GCVWR (gross combined vehicle weight rating) of 15,250, which puts me at about a 4,200 pound max limit for a TOAD and I would like to be slightly under for peace of mind. That’s where the Ford Maverick shines at 3,800 pounds. The extra weight savings basically allows for my Maverick to become another storage compartment to up my OCCC (occupant and cargo carrying capacity) to go from 1,502 pounds in the Leisure Travel Van to 1,900 pounds with the Maverick giving an additional 400 pounds of cargo weight I could carry.
After considering various factors, I conclude that the Ford Maverick is the perfect tow vehicle for a Sprinter based RV (or any motorhome). I cite several reasons for this, including:
It is Ford Supported flat towable: This means that the hybrid version of the vehicle can be towed behind the RV without sacrificing your warranty.
It has a hybrid engine: This makes it fuel-efficient, which is important for RVers who are often on the road. We get 42 mpgs average in our Maverick.
It has a truck bed: This provides additional storage space for things that you don't want to keep inside the RV or TOAD cab such as firewood, fire pits, spare tires etc.
It is affordable: The base model of the Ford Maverick starts at around $23,500, however my loaded out lariat came in at about $33,000. These are still on a waitlist, so expect to pay MSRP if you can get your hands on one.
Check out this playlist about flat towable vehicles perfect for Sprinters / Leisure Travel Vans
