Recreational vehicle towing means towing your vehicle behind another vehicle - such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as "dinghy towing" (towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly towing" (towing your vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a "dolly").
With the proper preparation and equipment, many vehicles can be towed in these ways. See "Dinghy Towing" and "Dolly Towing," following.
Here are some important things to consider before you do recreational vehicle towing:
| • | What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be sure you read the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. |
| • | How far will you tow? Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow. |
| • | Do you have the proper towing equipment? See your dealer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations. |
| • | Is your vehicle ready to be towed? Just as you would prepare your vehicle for a long trip, you'll want to make sure your vehicle is prepared to be towed. See Before Leaving on a Long Trip . |
Dinghy Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice: If the vehicle is towed with all four wheels on the ground, the drivetrain components could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Do not tow the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
- Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
- Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
- Firmly set the parking brake.
- Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
- Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See Four-Wheel Drive for the proper procedure to select the neutral position for your vehicle.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition off and lock the steering column.
Caution: Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in Neutral. See Parking Brake.
Dolly Towing
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Notice: If a two-wheel-drive vehicle is towed with the rear wheels on the ground, the transmission could be damaged. The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground.
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with the rear wheels on the ground. Two-wheel-drive transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed. To dolly tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle, you must tow the vehicle with the rear wheels on the dolly. See "Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)" later in this section for more information.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
- Drive the vehicle up onto the tow dolly.
- Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
- Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
- Firmly set the parking brake.
- Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow dolly.
- Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See Four-Wheel Drive for the proper procedure to select the neutral position for your vehicle.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition off and lock the steering column.
Caution: Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in Neutral. See Parking Brake.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent your battery from draining while towing.
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle from the rear:
- Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake for more information.
- Put the transmission in PARK (P).
- Follow the dolly manufacturer's instructions to attach and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
- Turn the ignition off and lock the steering column.
Make sure the wheels are straight before proceeding to the next steps.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent your battery from draining while towing.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle from the rear:
- Drive the vehicle onto the dolly.
- Put the transmission in PARK (P).
- Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition on.
- Firmly set the parking brake.
- Follow the dolly manufacturer's instructions to attach and secure the vehicle being towed to the dolly and then the loaded dolly to the tow vehicle.
- Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See Four-Wheel Drive for the proper procedure to select the neutral position for your vehicle.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
- Turn the ignition off and lock the steering column.
Make sure the wheels are straight before proceeding to the next steps.
Caution: Shifting the transfer case to Neutral can cause the vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in P (Park). You or someone else could be seriously injured. Be sure to set the parking brake before placing the transfer case in Neutral. See Parking Brake.
If the tow vehicle will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent your battery from draining while towing.
