Whether you're getting ready for vacation or hauling your car to a race, how you get it there is important. Some vehicles can be safely flat towed, while others require tow dollies or other hauling methods. We researched the topic extensively to give you the best possible answer. See our findings below.
Whether or not you can flat tow your Hyundai Veloster will depend on its transmission. If you have an automatic transmission, you will need to dolly tow it or trailer tow it. However, if your Veloster has a manual transmission, it can be safely flat towed.
There is still a lot you need to know about flat towing your Hyundai Veloster. Read along as we discuss which other models can be flat towed, what equipment you'll need, how much weight it adds, and more.
Can You Flat Tow a Hyundai Veloster?
While you can flat tow your manual transmission Hyundai Veloster, you cannot safely do so if it has an automatic transmission. Instead, automatic Velosters must be dolly towed or trailer towed. Before flat towing, you will need the following equipment:
- Tow Bar
- Base Plates
- Safety Cables
- Auxiliary Braking System
- Lighting/Wiring Kit
- Hitch Adapter
- Battery Maintainer Cable
How to Flat Tow Hyundai Veloster
Make sure you have a hitch on your RV as well as a tow bar. You will need to attach parts to both your RV and your car. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for this. There is a designated spot to screw on the breakaway switch and the valve on the base plate.
Do not skip this step. The breakaway switch is important and will save you from a lot of damage if your Hyundai ever comes loose from the tow bar. It will automatically apply the brakes in your car, preventing it from rolling down the highway.
You can find tow bars on Amazon.
On the inside of your Veloster, locate the auxiliary braking switch, and turn it on. If the car is running, turn it off. You do not flat tow with your car in neutral. Instead, turn your key to accessory mode, and put the car in park.
Don't forget to set up a battery maintainer cable. Since the key will be turned on for the duration of your trip, it will drain the battery. However, the maintainer cable will allow the RV to keep your battery charged as you drive. Depending on which supplemental braking system you install, it may have its own battery maintainer included.
Check out this battery maintainer cable on Amazon.
You can watch this excellent setup guide on YouTube.
How to Install the Auxiliary Braking System
To legally flat tow your vehicle, most states require the use of a supplemental braking system. There are two separate processes for installing the auxiliary braking system. Most of the work will be done to your Veloster, but you will also need to install parts on your RV.
You can view this supplemental braking system on Amazon.
Installing the Braking System on Your Veloster
Under the hood, find a convenient spot to mount your control panel. This can be anywhere as long as you avoid locations with excessive heat. You can use zip ties to secure the panel into place.
Air Lines
First, you'll need to clamp the air solenoid onto the brake pedal inside the car. This solenoid will be the mechanism that engages the brake pedal in your car when you press the brakes in your RV. You will need to place it high enough on the pedal to keep it out of your way when driving. However, you don't want to attach it so high that it interferes with your normal driving.
Behind the firewall under the dash, you will see a wire. Connect it to the air solenoid. Next, connect an air line to the solenoid. The auxiliary braking system features a light facing out the windshield of your car, letting you know the system is working. Tape this light to the back of your review mirror. Run one end of the wires to the light, and attach the other side to the air solenoid.
The next step is to attach an air line to the valve on the front of your car. Run it all the way up, and attach it to the control panel under the hood. Now, using another air line, attach one end to the control panel. Run the other end to the inside of the car, and attach it to the solenoid.
Electrical Components
It's now time to install the electrical components of the braking system. This process will be a bit difficult for someone with no prior experience in this area.
First, you'll need to create a ground tap across the battery. Next, connect a wire to the emergency braking switch on the front of your Hyundai. Connect the opposite end of this wire to the control panel under the hood. Now, connect another electrical wire to the emergency switch, and run it up to the battery.
Now, it's time to install a signal switch. Remember the light you taped behind the mirror? You have already connected an air line to it, but now you need to also connect an electrical wire, running it down to the solenoid. Next, install a signal switch on the battery, and run it to the solenoid.
Installing the Braking System on Your RV
Under the rear of your RV, find a place to mount the valve. Now, take an air line and attach one end to the valve on the RV and the other to the valve on the front of the Veloster. The RV has a main feed line that is always live. Tap into it, running that line to the reservoir tank.
Now, find the metered air underneath your RV, and install a T-line on it. Attach the tank to a suitable location on the underside of the RV. Lastly, run the plumbing from the tank, connecting it to the rear valve on the RV. Don't forget to test it out before you leave and make any necessary adjustments.
Check out this YouTube video for an easy-to-follow guide.
Can I Dolly Tow an Automatic Transmission Veloster?
As you know, only the manual transmission Veloster can be safely flat towed. However, whether your automatic transmission needs to be dolly towed or trailer towed will depend on which drivetrain it features.
If your Hyundai Veloster is FWD, you can tow it on a dolly with the front wheels lifted. Never tow it backward. However, if your Hyundai Veloster is AWD, you must load it onto a flatbed trailer with no wheels touching the road.
How to Use a Car Dolly
When attaching a car dolly to an RV, you won't need any additional tools. You'll use the same method used for attaching typical trailers. Place the trailer hitch over the ball, and latch it into place. Next, attach the safety brake underneath the RV, followed by the chains.
You should always cross the chains. The left chain hooks to the right side of the RV and vice versa. Now, it's time to plug in the lights. Take the wires from the trailer, and attach them to the wires on the RV. That concludes hooking the trailer to the motorhome.
Amazon has dolly trailers here.
Here comes the easiest part - driving the car onto the trailer. Before doing so, release the safety lever on the rear of the trailer, lowering it to the ground for easy loading. Now, all you have to do is slowly drive the car onto the trailer. You will feel the wheels click into place. You can now put your car in park and turn off the ignition.
The last step is securing the tires to the trailer. Take your basket straps, and wrap them over the wheels. Hook the straps into place, and ratchet them down snuggly.
You can find basket straps on Amazon.
This YouTube video includes easy-to-follow instructions for using a tow dolly.
Additional Questions
What Hyundais can be flat towed?
All 2WD Hyundai vehicles featuring manual transmissions can be flat towed. However, you should never pull a 4WD Hyundai behind an RV. No automatic transmission Hyundai models are approved for flat towing.
What is required to flat tow?
When flat towing your Hyundai, you will need these additional supplies:
- Tow Bar
- Base Plates
- Safety Cables
- Auxiliary Braking System
- Lighting/Wiring Kit
- Hitch Adapter
- Battery Maintainer Cable
Does Flat towing add miles?
Flat towing does not typically add miles to your vehicle. Modern vehicles use computer systems to operate, including an electric system for calculating mileage. Older vehicles, however, use mechanical systems for calculating miles. Therefore, if you are driving a newer car, you shouldn't have to worry about mileage when flat towing.
How much weight does flat towing add?
Flat towing is one of the lightest methods of towing. Flat towing only adds about 100 - 150 pounds to your total weight.
Conclusion
Unless you own a manual transmission Hyundai Veloster, it should not be flat towed. However, some automatic transmissions are approved for dolly towing, which is a simple alternative to flat towing. Always check your owner's manual before attempting to haul your car.
For more helpful tips for towing behind an RV, check out this other post on our blog:
Towing Capacity and Trailer Weight – What RV Owners Need to Know