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 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 (Five-Speed Automatic Transaxle and VTi Variable Transaxle)
Your vehicle was not designed to be towed with all four wheels on the ground. Your vehicle may be towed from the front with two of its wheels on the ground, or with car carrier equipment. See "Dolly Towing" later in this section.
Dinghy Towing (Manual Transaxle)
To tow your vehicle from the front with all four wheels on the ground, do the following:
- Set the parking brake.
- Turn the ignition key to ACC.
- Shift your transaxle to NEUTRAL.
- Locate and remove the IP BATT2 fuse from the engine compartment fuse block.
- Release the parking brake.
Once you have reached your destination, be sure to replace the IP BATT2 fuse to its original location in the engine compartment fuse block.
Notice: Too much or too little fluid can damage the transmission. Be sure that the transmission fluid is at the proper level before towing with all four wheels on the ground.
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 Transaxles)
To tow your vehicle from the front with two wheels on the ground, do the following:
- Put the front wheels on a dolly.
- If you have a five-speed automatic transaxle or VTi variable transaxle, shift the transaxle to PARK (P). If you have a manual transaxle, shift the vehicle to SECOND (2).
- Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
- Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
- Release the parking brake.
