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
Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
- Shift the transmission to PARK (P).
- Turn the engine off, but leave the ignition in accessory.
- Firmly set the parking brake.
- Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
- Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL (N). See All-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. You can use your vehicle's front mounted receiver with the proper accessories to tow it. See "Front Mounted Receiver" under If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow .
- Turn the ignition off and leave the column unlocked.
Caution: Shifting an all-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in Park (P). You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.
When towing your vehicle for extended periods of time, start your vehicle as often as possible to prevent battery drain. This should only be done when the tow vehicle is parked.
Dolly Towing
Your vehicle cannot be dolly towed. If you must tow your vehicle behind another, use the dinghy towing procedure listed previously.
Notice: Dolly towing the vehicle will damage drivetrain components. Do not dolly tow the vehicle.
