A common question I hear is, “Can a Chevy Spark Be Flat Towed?” Let’s get right to it.
In brief, a Chevy Spark may be flat towed; but, it must be a manual transmission Chevrolet Spark; automatic sparks are nearly impossible to flat tow since they will cause major gearbox damage.
When it comes to flat tow, weight considerations will stop you from including a trailer or a dolly in the situation. More importantly, any vehicle that needs flat towing should instead add the weight to the vehicle’s weight. Also, your vehicle must have flat towing accessories such as a base plate, tow bar, and a wiring kit. Secondly, you should not compare these parts to the dolly or trailer.
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Which year of the Chevrolet Spark can be flat-towed?
To begin, it’s important to remember that we only looked at Chevy Sparks made after 2009. We discovered that all generations of the Spark could be flat towed. There are, however, some rules you should be aware of. If you don’t follow these guidelines could result in significant damage to your car. The following are the rules:
Only Chevy Sparks with automatic transmissions may tow a recreational vehicle flat. Chevrolet Sparks with automatic transmissions should not be flat towed because the engine will be damaged. Only a dolly can tow a Chevy Spark with an automatic gearbox.
Furthermore, when towing your Spark, you should be aware of various speed limits.
Towing a Chevy Spark with manual transmission from 2009 to 2016 should never exceed 55 mph (89 km/h). Sparks with manual transmissions manufactured after 2017 should never exceed 70 mph (113 km/h).
Why Is the Chevy Spark a Good Flat-Towing Vehicle?
The Chevy Spark is an ideal flat tow vehicle for a number of reasons.
Size: Small
Because of its slim and portable design, the Chevy Sparks makes a fantastic RV attraction. At just under 11.9 feet, the 2022 Chevy Spark adds less length to an existing long motorhome. Yet, the Chevy Spark has a width of 5 feet and a height of little about 5 feet.
Making it a great little and delicate car At the same time, the Chevy Spark’s size and weight make it invisible to most RV drivers. When you arrive at the campground, it is simple and compact to park.
Lightweight
The Chevrolet Spark is the smallest of the Chevrolet automobiles. It’s a compact four-door vehicle with seating for four people. The lightweight nature of the Chevy Spark has increased its popularity as a dinghy vehicle for RV owners.
As the owner of a large Motorhome, you will want to carry the lightest car possible to pull behind your RV. The Chevy Spark is attractive to RV owners since it helps to reduce RV fuel use. Furthermore, because there is less mass to slow down, less weight means less wear and tear on the RV braking system.
Additionally, lightweight vehicles less damage the gearbox system as you drag less weight up a hill. The Chevy Spark (currently the lightest car to flat tow behind a motorhome) could be a terrific vehicle that checks all the criteria for your RV lifestyle.
Budget
A brand new Chevy Sparks 2022 costs start at $13,600. Older models are less expensive. Furthermore, you can find it on the used market for even less money. The Chevy Spark, with its 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine, is also fuel-efficient.
J.D. Power awarded the 2021 Chevy Spark a “Best” reliability and performance grade (91-100), saying that it is a cost-effective vehicle to purchase and manage.
What Is the Chevy Spark’s Weight?
Depending on the model, the 2022 Chevy Spark’s overall weight ranges from 2246 to 2312 pounds. The closest competition is the 2021 Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback, which weighs 2095 to 2140 pounds less.
In addition, the Mirage hatchback produces 78 horsepower versus the Spark’s 98 horsepower. The Mirage hatchback is still a non-flat towable vehicle, therefore even with the weight of a dolly or a trailer, the Sparks is the lightest.
More crucially, combining the Chevy Spark’s low weight and low profile with the 98 hp delivered by the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine makes this tiny vehicle fast and handy for RVs.More crucially, combining the Chevy Spark’s low weight and low profile with the 98 hp delivered by the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine makes this tiny vehicle fast and handy for RVs.
How Do You Flat Tow a Chevrolet Spark?
If you wish to flat-tow your Chevy Spark, you need to become aware of motor home towing laws. These rules differ by region, and you may wish to obtain guidelines for the area where you live in. Below are some details about flat towing your Chevy Spark.
Only a 5-speed manual transmission is available for the LS model
You must install a base plate to equip your vehicle with an attachment point for your tow bar. You’ll also need a high-quality bar for your flat towing adventure.
A wired kit is helpful since it ensures that the brake light, tail lights, and turn signals from the RV are replicated on the car’s rear lights. Check for brake and getaway protection as well. Once you’ve completed all of these steps, you’re ready to tow your vehicle.
Flat Towing
In order to tow your RV, you must position your Chevy Spark behind it. Then, secure your Spark to the RV by following the instructions on your tow bar. Notably, the 2021 Chevy Spark lacks locking steering, so there’s no need to prepare it for towing by unlocking the steering. Never exceed 70 mph when towing the Spark.
Dolly Tow a Spark Using an Automatic or Manual Transmission
If you wish to Dolly tow your Chevy Spark, Automatic and manual Sparks are available. To tow a vehicle that has two wheels on the ground and the front wheels on a dolly.
- First, place the front wheels on a dolly.
- Then, with an automatic transmission, change into first gear.
- Apply the parking brake.
- After then, make sure the steering wheel is pointed straight ahead.
- Towing claps should be used. Turn off the ignition.
- Make sure the car is securely attached to the dolly.
- Then, let off of the parking brake.
Keep in mind
- Using a shield in front of the Spark’s bonnet could restrict airflow, causing transmission damage.
- Also, make sure to read the towing vehicle manufacturer’s suggestion on towing capacity.
- Some vehicles have limitations on how far and how long they can be towed. Consult your manufacturer for the correct towing kit.
- Similarly, for extra guidance and equipment recommendations, your dealer is the best person to contact.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Which tiny car is ideal for towing a motorhome?
ANS: Chevrolet Spark. If you want a lightweight car to tow behind your RV, the Chevrolet Spark is one of the lightest options available. It’s a hatchback, so you’ll have room to bring what you need for a day at the beach or going on a picnic somewhere special.
Should You Buy a Chevy Spark to Tow Behind Your Motorhome?
ANS: As always, this is a question that only you can answer!
The Chevrolet Spark is a small, lightweight vehicle with a high-reliability rating. It gets good gas mileage, is inexpensive to buy, and comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The first factor is size. Depending on what you need to do with it, it might be both a positive and a drawback.
The Chevy Spark has only four seats, and the rear seats are somewhat tight. This one is off-limits if you have a family of five to transport. If you have a couple of kids and a Great Dane – or, to be honest, if you only have a Great Dane – the Chevy Spark isn’t the toad for you. The same can be said about cargo capacity. If you need to carry a lot of material while driving your toad, or if you require an automobile that can carry huge items, you should search elsewhere. It’s a great option, but because of its shape, it has some limitations.
Conclusion
Yes, you can tow a Chevy Spark. However, before towing a Spark, be careful to educate yourself about the rules and regulations governing vehicle towing in your area. You must also guarantee that you have all of the towing vehicle types of equipment. If you are unsure about the type of equipment to use, consult with your dealer.
Finally, if you’re an adventurer like us and want to be able to climb mountains and explore locations with tough terrain, the Chevy Spark is probably not the tow vehicle for you because it just has two wheels. Our Honda CR-V may just be “all-wheel drive” in comparison to the many real off-road capable 4-wheel drive vehicles on the market, but it’s carried us to some incredibly remote spots without ever having an accident!
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