Towing the Mahindra Roxor? SECRET ADVANTAGE over ALL UTVs!
ROXOR: No UTV can compare!
In my previous articles I have listed the MANY reasons I sold my UTV and bought the 2026 Mahindra Roxor.
The Mahindra Roxor has similarities to the World War II Willys MB Jeep. But is more closely comparable to the old AMC Jeep CJ5 and CJ7 of the 1970's.
The Roxor "UTV" is not a Willys or a Jeep.
The Roxor is assembled and sold in the U.S. market as an off road utility vehicle.
But the Roxor shares one feature common to new and old Jeeps: a manual transfer case. The geared transfer case means that there is a true NEUTRAL position where the transmission is fully disconnected.
Like all Jeep CJs and Wranglers, this means that the Roxor can be FLAT TOWED. With the transfer case disengaged, the Roxor rolls along without any strain or tension on the drivetrain or engine.
This feature explains why Jeep Wranglers are the choice as a tow vehicle for motorhome owners. Anywhere you see RVs, you will see Jeeps being towed by motorhomes.
Jeeps - and ROXORS - are the ULTIMATE tow vehicles!
I have THOUSANDS of miles of towing experience!
After the sale of my company, I started delivering motorhomes as a side gig. I had my CDL commercial license so I was qualified to drive the largest, most expensive motorhomes with air brakes. I also delivered and transferred some semi tractor trucks!
To get to and from the delivery locations, I had a small tow vehicle. RV owners like to call their tow vehicles "TOADS"! Many small cars with MANUAL transmissions can be towed - but most vehicles with automatic transmissions CANNOT be flat towed.
The Roxor CAN be flat towed. NO other UTV can be towed!
I chose the Smittybilt Tow Bar for my Roxor because it INCLUDED mounts that attach to the D-rings on my bumper. (The kit also included mounts that you can bolt to a stock bumper - but D-rings are much sturdier than any thin bumper!)
The Smittybilt Tow Bar attaches to the D-rings on the Roxor bumper.
Prepping the Roxor for Flat Towing:
The Roxor factory bumper is installed with only two bolts on each end of the frame. Instead of installing the included accessory brackets, I installed heavier bumper D-rings. To install the D-rings, you need to drill two new holes on each side, then bolt the heavy plates through the bumper. See the related article where I provide more details on this process.
Bumper D-rings for recovery points AND the tow bar!
The Roxor is now equipped with heavy-duty attachment points bolted directly to the frame. The On the Rox D-rings shown are built 1/4" steel base plates and 1/2" D-rings, then powder-coated for durability.
D-rings for recovery AND to connect the tow bar.
The Smittybilt Tow Bar is rated for 5,000-pounds - or a loaded Jeep Wrangler. My Roxor weighs less than 3,500-pounds for a comfortable safety margin.
My Nissan Frontier Pro-4X has a towing rating of 7,160-pounds. I would NEVER feel comfortable towing that much! The Roxor obviously weighs less than HALF this maximum.
Because the Roxor is "lightweight", auxiliary brakes are also not required. (Check your states for towing regulations, as well as your tow vehicle limitations.)
Flat Towing is POSSIBLE with the Roxor - But WHY?
LOTS of reasons!
1. Towing your Roxor means never needing a trailer!
2. Towing your Roxor reduces TOTAL towed weight.
3. Towing your Roxor reduces wear and tear.
Large side-by-sides won't fit on a basic utility trailer. You need a wide and long trailer with TANDEM axles! Flat towing your Roxor ELIMINATES the cost of buying, maintaining, and storing a big trailer - SAVING you at least $4,000!!!
A big trailer adds over 1,000 pounds to the total weight being towed. You will save fuel by flat towing the lighter Roxor. The combined gross weight of the trailer and UTV also means that the trailer would require BRAKES - meaning that you also need to install an electric brake controller in your tow vehicle.
Towing a lighter package saves wear and tear on your vehicle. The Roxor tows easily behind my Nissan Frontier Pro-4X with a V6 engine. On flat roads I never use the "tow mode". If the total weight was 1,000 pounds heavier AND the Roxor was 2-feet higher on a trailer I would be fighting both a larger load and much greater wind resistance.
In addition, unlike any trailer, there is ZERO tongue weight! The Roxor rolls along on four wheels. It absorbs bumps in the road, unlike a trailer that bounces away from the towing vehicle. There is no constant banging on the truck suspension. NOTE that the front wheels "steer" around corners - and this REQUIRES that you install lock-out hubs on the front axles.
The total length is shorter than any trailer, and since the tow vehicle STEERS you have a greatly reduced turning radius. (The Roxor does NOT have a steering column lock.)
Finally, when you reach your destination you do NOT need to store a trailer. If you are at a trail head or staying in a campground or motel there is no need to make room for a trailer - or worry about it being stolen.
No side-by-side can match the Roxor UTV!
I drive a "mid-size" truck. You NEVER want to tow a trailer that is close to the weight of the tow vehicle. It is very dangerous to have the trailer steer the towing vehicle, especially on downhills and on slippery roads (rain or snow.)
Check YOUR vehicle tow rating before towing the Roxor flat or on a trailer! Also note that your Roxor will require accessory LIGHTS - taillights, brakes, and turn signals - see the related Review article.
Preparing the Roxor for towing was the last in a LONG list of modifications I completed in the transformation on my new Roxor into a capable overlanding vehicle. Please see the related articles here on the Great Out There blog.
But the CAPABILITY to flat tow the Roxor was one of the FIRST requirements in selecting it over all the SXS alternatives. What do you think? Would a Roxor meet your off road and overlanding requirements?
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