Recreational vehicle towing means towing the vehicle behind another vehicle - such as behind a motorhome. The two most common types of recreational vehicle towing are known as dinghy towing and dolly towing. Dinghy towing is towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the ground. Dolly towing is towing the vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels up on a device known as a dolly.

Here are some important things to consider before recreational vehicle towing:

Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle with any of its wheels on the ground.

The vehicle was not designed to be towed with all of its wheels on the ground. If the vehicle is front-wheel drive, it can be towed with two of its wheels on the ground. See "Dolly Towing" following. If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive, it cannot be towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It must be towed with a platform truck or trailer.

If the vehicle is front-wheel-drive, it can be dinghy towed from the front. These vehicles may also be towed by putting the front wheels on a dolly. See "Dolly Towing" later in this section.

If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive, it can be dinghy towed from the front. These vehicles can also be towed by placing them on a platform trailer with all four wheels off of the ground. These vehicles cannot be towed using a dolly.

For vehicles being dinghy towed, re-install the fuse and run the vehicle at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components.

To tow a vehicle with a 6-speed transmission from the front with all four wheels on the ground:

1. Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle and shift the transmission to P (Park).
2. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
3. Firmly set the parking brake.
4. Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
5. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
6. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
7. To prevent the battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse from the engine compartment fuse block and store in a safe location. See Engine Compartment Fuse Block.
8. Release the parking brake.

Notice: If the vehicle is towed without performing each of the steps listed under "Dinghy Towing," the automatic transmission could be damaged. Be sure to follow all steps of the dinghy towing procedure prior to and after towing the vehicle.

Notice: If 65 mph (105 km/h) is exceeded while towing the vehicle, it could be damaged. Never exceed 65 mph (105 km/h) while towing the vehicle.

Once the destination has been reached:

1. Set the parking brake.
2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse to the engine compartment fuse block.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park), turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key from the ignition.
4. Release the parking brake.

Notice: Do not tow a vehicle with the front drive wheels on the ground if one of the front tires is a compact spare tire. Towing with two different tire sizes on the front of the vehicle can cause severe damage to the transmission.

To dolly tow a front-wheel drive vehicle with a 5-speed transmission from the front with two of its wheels on the ground:

1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the dolly.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.

Notice: Towing an all-wheel-drive vehicle with all four wheels on the ground, or even with only two of its wheels on the ground, will damage drivetrain components. Do not tow an all-wheel-drive vehicle with any of its wheels on the ground.

If the vehicle is all-wheel-drive with a 5-speed transmission, it cannot be towed with any of its wheels on the ground. It must be towed with a platform truck or trailer.

To tow a front-wheel-drive vehicle from the front with two wheels on the ground:

1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
2. Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
3. Shift the transmission to P (Park).
4. Firmly set the parking brake.
5. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the dolly.
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.

All-wheel-drive vehicles must not be towed with two wheels on the ground. To properly tow these vehicles, they should be placed on a platform truck or trailer with all four wheels off of the ground or dinghy towed from the front.

Notice: Towing the vehicle from the rear could damage it. Also, repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Never have the vehicle towed from the rear.