GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

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 in this section.

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/retailer 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


Object Number: 1235863  Size: B3

If you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, 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 you have an all-wheel-drive vehicle, it can be dinghy towed from the front. You can also tow these vehicles 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, the vehicle should be run at the beginning of each day and at each RV fuel stop for about five minutes. This will ensure proper lubrication of transmission components. Re-install the fuse to start the vehicle.

To tow your vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground:

  1. Position the vehicle to tow and then secure it to the towing vehicle.
  2. Shift the transmission to P (Park) and turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
  3. Set the parking brake.
  4. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY.
  5. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
  6. To prevent your battery from draining while the vehicle is being towed, remove the 50 amp BATT1 fuse from the underhood fuse block and store in a safe location. See Underhood Fuse Block .
  7. 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 you have reached your destination:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Reinstall the 50 amp BATT1 fuse to the underhood 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.

Dolly Towing (All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles)


Object Number: 1757020  Size: B3

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 trailer with all four wheels off of the ground or dinghy towed from the front.

Dolly Towing (Front-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Only)


Object Number: 1235862  Size: B3

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

  1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
  2. Move the shift lever to P (Park).
  3. Set the parking brake.
  4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
  5. Remove the key from the ignition.
  6. Secure the vehicle to the dolly.
  7. Release the parking brake.

Towing Your Vehicle From the Rear


Object Number: 1235864  Size: B3

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.

Do not tow your vehicle from the rear.