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 will 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 an automatic transmission to PARK (P), or a manual transmission to FIRST (1).
- 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. 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 leave the steering column unlocked.
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.
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 an automatic transmission to PARK (P), or a manual transmission to FIRST (1).
- 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. 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 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.
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
- 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. Make sure the wheels are straight before towing.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure the wheels are straight before proceeding to the next steps. On automatic transmission vehicles, use an adequate clamping device to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position.
Four-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
- 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
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the tow vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK.
For manual transmission vehicles, make sure the wheels are straight before proceeding to the next steps. On automatic transmission vehicles, use an adequate clamping device to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position.
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.
