Many RV owners have a second vehicle that travels with the RV:
- Motorhome owners: often tow a car behind the motorhome. RVers often call it a "toad" or a "dinghy."
- Trailer owners: have a truck or SUV that pulls the trailer.
When the RV goes into storage, the question is where that second vehicle goes. This page covers how towed cars are set up, what that means for storage, and what some facilities post for car and RV spaces. Sources were checked on October 25, 2026.
Three ways to bring a car along
Ford's 2026 RV and trailer towing guide describes the main ways to bring a car behind a motorhome:
- Four-wheel-down towing: all four of the car's wheels stay on the road. Ford notes this is sometimes called "flat tow" or "flat towing."
- Tow dolly: the car's front drive wheels sit on a small two-wheel dolly while the back wheels stay on the road. Ford says dollies aren't as long as traditional trailers, which makes turning corners easier.
- On a trailer: Ford also refers to towing a vehicle on a trailer.
Source: Ford: 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide, four-wheel-down and tow-dolly section (PDF)
Not every car can be flat towed
The maker decides whether a vehicle can be towed four-wheels-down. Ford's 2026 chart, for example, shows:
- Can be towed four-wheels-down: the Escape Hybrid and Escape Plug-in Hybrid, Bronco, Expedition 4x4, Maverick Hybrid, Ranger 4x4, F-150 4x4 and Super Duty 4x4.
- Can't be towed four-wheels-down: the Mustang, Mustang Mach-E, Bronco Sport, gas Escape, Explorer and gas Maverick.
- Tow dollies: front-wheel-drive models such as the Escape can go on a tow dolly. Ford says AWD and 4WD vehicles can't be towed with two wheels lifted off the ground.
- Brakes: Ford says towed vehicles, or the dollies or trailers carrying them, should have a separate working brake system.
- Warranty: Ford warns that aftermarket kits that let some automatics be flat-towed could void the warranty.
- Procedures: some models need a "Neutral Tow" mode or a transfer case in neutral, and hybrids have a maximum towing speed of 112 km/h.
Ford says individual vehicles have different restrictions and to check the owner's manual. Ford: 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide (PDF)
Other makers publish their own lists. Your owner's manual is the final word.
What this means for storage
When you store an RV and its car, you're storing up to three things: the RV, the car, and any tow gear such as a dolly. Your storage choices are:
- One long space for both: some facilities rent long spaces. Sanford RV & Boat Storage near Orlando lists open spaces up to 11x70, and Arrowhead near Phoenix lists uncovered spaces up to 11' x 41'. Sanford RV & Boat Storage, Arrowhead RV & Boat Storage
- Whether a car can share a space with the RV is up to the facility. Ask before you rent.
- Two separate spaces: an RV space plus a car-size space at the same facility.
- Keep the car at home: store only the RV, and drive the car to pick it up.
Car-size spaces at RV facilities
Some RV and boat facilities also rent car-size spaces. Here's what a few posted on October 25, 2026:
- Kansas City North Storage: an 8.5' x 20' uncovered space for "Cars, Trucks & SUVs Only" is $115 a month. A 9' x 30' space for "Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Campers, RVs & Trailers (No Boats)" is $120 a month, with a waitlist. Kansas City North Storage
- A&H Storage, Orlando: an outdoor non-covered 20 x 10 parking space for an auto or truck starts at $100 a month. Covered RV back-in spaces start at $200. A&H Storage
- Long Leaf Storage, Charleston area: a 10' x 15' space is $79 a month, which it says is "great for vehicle storage … or for a car and small trailer." Long Leaf Storage
- Ferguson Terminal, Seattle: prices go by the overall length of the boat and trailer or vehicle. Boats, cars, RVs and pickups start at $175 a month. Ferguson Terminal: Rates
- Portland Motor Club, Maine: outdoor storage is $175 a month for vehicles 25 feet or less. Winter vehicle storage needs a five-month minimum at $1,600, then $320 for each extra month. The page says it doesn't take electric cars. Portland Motor Club: Storage pricing
Measuring
Facilities price and assign spaces by length. Ferguson Terminal, for example, measures the overall length of the boat and trailer or vehicle. Ferguson Terminal
If you plan to store the RV and car hitched together, measure from the motorhome's front bumper to the back of the towed car. A dolly stored on its own needs its own space, unless the facility allows it next to the RV.
Tow vehicles for trailers
If you have a travel trailer or fifth wheel, you may only need to store the trailer. Trailer-only spaces are sold by length, like the 10' x 30' space at Long Leaf Storage that the facility says fits a 25-foot Airstream camper. Long Leaf Storage
Insurance
For what state insurance regulators say about RV coverage during storage, see our guide to RV and boat insurance while in storage.
Related guides
FAQ
What is a toad?
It's what RVers often call a car towed behind a motorhome, usually with all four wheels down or on a tow dolly. Ford calls four-wheel-down towing "flat tow." Ford: 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide (PDF)
Can any car be flat towed?
No. Ford's 2026 chart lists which models can be towed four-wheels-down, and many can't. Check your owner's manual. Ford: 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide (PDF)
Can I store my car in the same space as my RV?
It depends on the facility and the space length. Ask the facility before you rent.
How much does it cost to store a car at an RV storage facility?
Posted prices we found range from $79 a month for a 10' x 15' space at Long Leaf Storage to $175 a month at Ferguson Terminal and Portland Motor Club. Long Leaf Storage, Ferguson Terminal, Portland Motor Club
Does a towed car need its own brakes?
Ford says towed vehicles, or the dollies or trailers carrying them, should have a separate working brake system. State laws may also apply. Ford: 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide (PDF)