In order to ensure the safest possible towing of disabled vehicles, General Motors has preferred equipment and methods that will minimize any possible vehicle damage when towing General Motors passenger cars and Light Duty trucks. This equipment and these methods are designed to take into account current trends in automotive aerodynamics and design flexibility. List below is a summary of the method preferred to tow the M/L Van. For additional information, refer to the General Motors 1998 Passenger Car and Light Duty Truck Towing Manual.

The following components are subject to possible damage if the vehicle is towed improperly:

Platform Specific Disabled Vehicle Towing

Some of the equipment and procedures outlined below may not apply to all platforms.

Sling-type Towing Equipment

Sling-type equipment may be used when towing certain General Motors passenger cars and Light Duty Trucks. Many of the newer GM vehicles, however, cannot be towed without damage using the sling-type equipment.

Wheel Lift and Car Carrier Equipment

Other methods have been developed in order to prevent damage to bumpers, air dams, and drive train components. The wheel lift equipment is designed to prevent either the front or rear wheels from turning while the vehicle is being towed. The car carrier is the safest method for towing a disabled vehicle. The vehicle is locked onto a platform on the back of the towing vehicle. All wheels are prevented from turning. Also, any damage caused by irregularities in the road surface is prevented.

Towing Dolly

A towing dolly can increase ground clearance when towing over rough or irregular surfaces. This will help to avoid damage to the exhaust system or front valances that could come into contact with the ground. A towing dolly can also increase the clearance between the wheel-lift and the underbody of the towed vehicle. With the towing dolly installed, raise the vehicle until there are adequate clearances between the wheel-lift equipment and the underbody of the towed vehicle.

Towing Over Rough Terrain

Care must be taken in order to assure adequate ground clearance when towing over rough terrain or when crossing sharp rises such as curbs. Curbs and other sharp rises should be crossed at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. This will allow one wheel of the tow truck to cross the curb at a time. This will minimize the chance of scraping or other damage to the vehicle being towed.

Stopping

PANIC or SPIKE stops should be avoided. Damage to the vehicle being towed may result from fast stops.

Towing When the Keys Are Not Available

When the keys are not available, a towing dolly must be placed under the drive wheels and the opposite end of vehicle lifted.

Safety

Caution: In order to avoid personal injury and/or property damage, observe the following precautions:

Caution: A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it is not properly secured. This can cause a collision, serious personal injury, and vehicle damage. In order to secure the vehicle before towing, observe the following precautions:

Any loose or protruding parts of a damaged vehicle, such as hoods, doors, fenders, trim, must be secured prior to moving the vehicle. Also, NEVER allow anyone to ride in a vehicle being towed for any reason.

The safety of the operator and all others in the vicinity of the tow truck or the towed vehicle must be considered at all times during a towing operation. Safe operating speeds depend on weather, road, traffic, and visibility conditions. The condition of the towed vehicle must also be considered.

All state and local laws regarding such items as warning signals, night illumination, speed, etc., must be followed.

In order to ensure the safest possible towing of disabled vehicles, review the General Information listed previously.

Front Towing (Rear Wheel Drive)

Notice: Do not tow the vehicle with sling-type equipment or damage to fascia/fog lamps will occur.

If possible, the vehicle should be towed on the non-drive wheels. If towing the vehicle on the non-drive wheels is not possible, a towing dolly must be used. In order to tow the vehicle from the front:

Front Towing (Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive)

Notice: In order to help avoid property damage when towing an All-Wheel Drive vehicle, a towing dolly must be placed under the wheels that would otherwise be on the ground.

In order to tow the vehicle from the front:

Rear Towing (Rear Wheel Drive)

Notice: Do not tow the vehicle with sling-type equipment or damage to fascia/fog lamps will occur.

In order to tow the vehicle from the rear:

Rear Towing (Full-Time Four-Wheel Drive)

Notice: In order to help avoid property damage when towing an All-Wheel Drive vehicle, a towing dolly must be placed under the wheels that would otherwise be on the ground.

In order to tow the vehicle from the rear:

Flat Bed Towing

In order to tow the vehicle on a flat bed: