Can a skoolie tow a car?

Absolutely, a skoolie or school bus conversion can tow a car. In nearly all cases of vehicle towing, a skoolie will be able to tow a standard car, truck, jeep, and even trailers. These former commercial vehicles have very strong chassis and powerful diesel engines, so they can put up typically with towing behind vehicles and even trailers.

Where you run into difficulties is if your vehicle can be towed at all. Many newer model vehicles can’t be towed, and you can find that out by looking at the owner’s manual of your vehicle. This was actual the case with our 2018 VW Atlas – the manufacturer guidelines said it could not be towed behind any vehicle for long periods.

Comprehensive Answers to Common Skoolie Myths

We aim to bust the common myths you read about school bus conversions by providing solid resources and research from the skoolie community.

Examples of skoolies towing vehicles

I’ve compiled a list of videos where skoolie owners are towing a vehicle.

How to install a tow hitch on your skoolie

Installing an after-market tow hitch on a skoolie is a relatively simple thing to do (after having built out an entire rig anywa). Simply purchase an after-market tow hitch kit like this one from Curt and bolt or weld to your skoolie. Make sure the tow hitch kit includes a light kit or buy a light kit so you remain safe and compliant on the road. You may also want to consider adding magnetic lights to keep on your towed vehicle while pulling.

Here’s a v i deo of someone installing a hitch on their skoolie.
Here’s a tutorial on how to install a tow hitch on a skoolie.

Why should I not tow a vehicle behind my skoolie?

Towing a vehicle behind an RV is first and foremost a personal preference. Some reasons why you may elect to not tow a vehicle behind a skoolie and drive separately are:

Car Seats
You prefer to drive with your children in car seats per factory instructions.
Comfort
An unairconditioned bus is hot for passengers to sit in.
Motion Sickness
Some passengers get motion sickness, so driving separately may be their best solution.
Personal Vehicle Cannot Be Towed Per the Manufacturer
This was the case for us. Our newer model VW didn’t allow long-distance vehicle towing, so we had to drive separately.

Conclusion to “Can a skoolie tow a car?”

I hope this post answers the common question of whether a skoolie can tow a vehicle behind it. If you tow a vehicle behind your skoolie, let me know in the comments your experiences with it.

If you like this post, check out this other skoolie-related content:

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