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:
| • | What is the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be sure to read the tow vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. |
| • | What is the distance that will be travelled? Some vehicles have restrictions on how far and how long they can tow. |
| • | Is the proper towing equipment going to be used? See your dealer/retailer or trailering professional for additional advice and equipment recommendations. |
| • | Is the vehicle ready to be towed? Just as preparing the vehicle for a long trip, make sure the 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 dinghy tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle:
- Position the vehicle being towed behind the tow vehicle.
- Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission in 1 (First).
- Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake.
- Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.
- Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See "Shifting into N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF and remove the key -- the steering wheel will still turn.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
Caution: Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the automatic transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in any gear. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before the transfer case is shifted to N (Neutral).
After towing see "Shifting Out of N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
If the vehicle being towed will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent the battery from draining.
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, the vehicle must be towed 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 dolly tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle from the front:
- Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
- Drive the front wheels onto the dolly.
- Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission in 1 (First).
- Turn the engine off and firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake.
- Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See "Shifting into N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
- Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Caution: Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the automatic transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in any gear. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before the transfer case is shifted to N (Neutral).
After towing, see "Shifting Out of N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
If the vehicle being towed will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent the battery from draining.
Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a two-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
- Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
- Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake.
- Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission in 1 (First).
- Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
If the vehicle being towed will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent the battery from draining.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a four-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
- Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.
- Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
- Firmly set the parking brake. See Parking Brake.
- Put an automatic transmission in P (Park) or a manual transmission in 1 (First).
- Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Use an adequate clamping device designed for towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked into the straight position.
- Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See "Shifting into N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
- Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Caution: Shifting a full-time four-wheel-drive vehicle's transfer case into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even if the automatic transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in any gear. You or others could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before the transfer case is shifted to N (Neutral).
If the vehicle being towed will not be started or driven for six weeks or more, remove the battery cable from the negative terminal (post) of the battery to prevent the battery from draining.
After towing, see "Shifting Out of N (Neutral)" under Four-Wheel Drive.
