Does Towing a Car Behind an RV Put Miles on It?

You’d be surprised how many RV owners discover thousands of unexpected miles on their towed vehicle’s odometer after their first cross-country trip. Whether your car accumulates miles while being towed depends on several critical factors, including your vehicle’s odometer type, drivetrain configuration, and the specific towing method you’re using. Understanding these variables can save you from maintenance headaches and potential resale value concerns that most travelers don’t anticipate until it’s too late.

How Odometer Mileage Accumulation Works During Towing

When you’re towing a car behind your RV, whether miles accumulate on the odometer depends entirely on what type of system your vehicle uses.

Modern cars have electronic odometers that won’t record mileage when you’re towing with the engine off. The system simply isn’t active to track wheel rotations.

However, if you’re towing an older vehicle with a mechanical odometer, it’ll accumulate miles whenever the wheels turn, regardless of whether the engine’s running. This happens because mechanical systems directly connect to the transmission or wheels.

You can prevent mileage accumulation by disconnecting the battery or setting the ignition to ACC mode. Some drivers have discovered that forgetting to turn off the engine can result in unexpected mileage being recorded on their odometer.

Using a tow dolly that keeps the driven wheels off the ground also stops the odometer from recording miles during your journey.

Vehicle-Specific Factors That Affect Mileage Recording

While understanding how odometers work during towing provides the foundation, your specific vehicle’s design ultimately determines whether those miles will actually show up on your dashboard.

Your car’s drivetrain configuration plays a significant role—if you’re towing a front-wheel drive vehicle on a dolly with rear wheels rotating, you won’t accumulate mileage since the odometer sensors are typically on the front wheels.

Front-wheel drive cars towed on dollies typically won’t add miles since odometer sensors are usually located on the front wheels.

Your vehicle’s age matters too. Older cars with mechanical odometers will rack up miles regardless of which wheels turn, while newer electronic systems only record when specific sensors detect movement. Frequent towing can lead to increased wear on the engine and additional strain on the transmission under heavy loads.

Each manufacturer places these sensors differently—some on front wheels, others on rear, and some connected to the transmission output. Check your owner’s manual for towing guidelines and sensor locations.

Different Towing Methods and Their Impact on Odometer Readings

The method you choose to tow your car behind your RV directly affects whether miles accumulate on your odometer.

With flat towing, your car’s four wheels remain on the ground, but modern vehicles with electronic odometers typically won’t record miles since the engine isn’t running. However, older cars with mechanical odometers might increment if the driveshaft spins.

Dinghy towing works similarly to flat towing, keeping all wheels down but generally not affecting electronic odometer readings unless the drivetrain’s engaged.

Dolly towing lifts your front wheels off the ground, leaving only rear wheels turning. This method has minimal odometer impact since the front wheels usually drive the speedometer.

Regardless of method, you’ll experience additional wear that isn’t reflected in odometer readings. Some vehicle owners have reported that certain models, like the 2008 Saturn Vue, may show mileage increases when towed, making it important to consult your owner’s manual for specific towing procedures.

Physical Wear vs. Recorded Miles When Towing

Although your odometer mightn’t tick up during towing, your car’s still experiencing real physical wear that won’t show up in those recorded miles.

Your tires are constantly rotating against asphalt, creating tread wear and generating heat that can affect tire pressure. Wheel bearings work overtime, and your suspension components handle road stress without engine support.

Your towing equipment takes a beating too. Base plates, tow bars, and hitch connections gradually wear from repeated cycles.

Road debris pelts your car’s exterior while salt and chemicals accelerate corrosion on exposed undercarriage parts. Vibrations can loosen components and dust penetrates seals over time.

This creates a disconnect between your odometer reading and actual vehicle condition—you’re getting physical wear without the mileage documentation. When it comes time to sell, odometer transparency becomes crucial since potential buyers need to understand the true wear history versus what the odometer displays.

Best Practices for Tracking and Managing Towed Vehicle Maintenance

Smart towed vehicle owners develop systematic maintenance routines that account for the hidden wear their cars experience on the road.

While your odometer mightn’t reflect towing miles, your car’s components still endure stress from heat, vibration, and road conditions.

Here are three essential tracking practices:

1. Document everything – Keep detailed logs of mileage, tire pressure checks, fluid levels, and brake services to identify wear patterns before problems develop.
2. Schedule by time and usage – Use digital or paper trackers to plan maintenance based on both calendar intervals and actual towing frequency, not just odometer readings.
3. Inspect after every trip – Check tires, brakes, suspension, and hitch components immediately after towing to catch damage early and prevent costly repairs down the road. Consider using a CAT weight scale to ensure your setup remains within safe weight limits and prevent excessive wear on your towed vehicle’s components.

Recap

You’ve learned that towing’s impact on your odometer isn’t black and white—it depends on your car’s setup and how you’re pulling it. Electronic odometers typically won’t rack up miles when the engine’s off, but mechanical ones might if the driveshaft spins. Your best bet? Check your owner’s manual and choose the right towing method. Remember, even if miles aren’t adding up, your car’s still experiencing wear, so don’t skip regular maintenance schedules.