Vehicles you can flat tow
Not every make and model can be flat towed, manual or automatic. In New Zealand what matters most is your vehicle’s class and how the baseplate is fitted.
Always check your own vehicle first
Before you buy, confirm the exact vehicle against the manufacturer’s instructions and with a Blue Ox installer. Whether a car can be flat towed, and kept legal, comes down to its make, model, year and class. Treat this page as a starting point, not a guarantee for any one vehicle.
What needs certifying in
New Zealand?
The A-frame and brake do not need certification. Although the A-frame does have to be fit for purpose, and rated for your towed weight. Many baseplates are sold as DIY-fit kits.
For an automatic, the driveline disconnect (a dog clutch) is fitted by an installer.
This needs LVV certification, as it shortens the driveshaft.
Class MC, off-road 4WD
No LVV certification needed
Class MA, passenger car
Check before you buy
Your vehicle’s class is the key
Whether you need certification comes down to your car, and specifically its baseplate.
An off-road 4WD (Waka Kotahi Class MC), like the Suzuki Jimny, can take a baseplate without LVV certification, as long as it sits recessed behind the bumper, clear of the crumple zones, and does not stiffen the front. On these vehicles the baseplate is treated much like a bull bar.
A passenger car (Class MA), like a Suzuki Swift, is a different story. A bull bar is not allowed on an MA car, so a baseplate can be questioned at a warrant check or by a certifier.
You can check your vehicle’s class on the Waka Kotahi vehicle classes page, and read the A-frame towing requirements.
Flat-tow friendly 4WDs in New Zealand
These off-road 4WDs are the usual flat-tow choices here. Most are registered Class MC, so confirm your own vehicle’s class and check its towing details against the manufacturer’s instructions.
| Make and model | Years | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suzuki Grand Vitara | 2000-2018 | Manual | Factory-approved for flat towing with the transfer case set to neutral. |
| Suzuki Jimny | 1999 on | Manual and auto | Automatics need an installer-fitted dog clutch, which is LVV certified. The manual is widely towed here, though not factory-approved. |
| Toyota FJ Cruiser | 2007-2014 | Manual and auto | |
| Jeep Wrangler | 2007-2025 | Manual and auto | Tow with the transfer case in neutral. Check your owner’s manual. |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 2011-2021 | Manual and auto | Tow with the transfer case in neutral. Check your owner’s manual. |
Smaller Passenger Cars
The rules for fitting a baseplate to an ordinary passenger car (Class MA) are tighter than for a 4WD, so whether it can be done well comes down to the exact vehicle. If you have a smaller car in mind, talk to us first and we will help you work out where it stands before you commit.
Not sure about your vehicle?
Tell us the make, model and year you have in mind. We will talk you through what it needs to be flat towed and kept compliant, before you commit.