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 your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground) and "dolly" (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. |
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 steps to tow your vehicle with all four wheels on the ground:
- Drive the vehicle to be towed into position behind the tow vehicle.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake for more information.
- Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).
- Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
- Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See Four-Wheel Drive for more information.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove the battery cable from the positive terminal (post) of the battery.
Caution: Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
Notice: If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
After towing see "Shifting out of NEUTRAL" under Four-Wheel Drive .
Dolly Towing
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
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.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Front Towing (Front Wheels Off the Ground)
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle from the front:
- Drive the vehicle up onto the dolly.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake for more information.
- Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).
- 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. See Four-Wheel Drive for instructions.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove the battery cable from the positive terminal (post) of the battery.
Caution: Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
Notice: If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
After towing see "Shifting out of NEUTRAL" under Four-Wheel Drive .
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with the rear wheels off the ground.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following steps to dolly tow your vehicle from the rear:
- Drive the vehicle up onto the dolly.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake for more information.
- Put an automatic transmission in PARK (P) or a manual transmission in FIRST (1).
- 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 2HI. See Four-Wheel Drive for instructions.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK. To prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove the battery cable from the positive terminal (post) of the battery.
Caution: Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in PARK (P) for an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
Notice: If you exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle, it could be damaged. Never exceed 55 mph (90 km/h) while towing your vehicle.
After towing see "Shifting out of NEUTRAL" under Four-Wheel Drive .
