GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2003 🢒 L300/LW300 🢒 Driving Your Vehicle 🢒 Towing 🢒 Recreational Vehicle Towing

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 proper preparation and equipment, may vehicles can be towed in these ways.

If you are towing your Saturn vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (dinghy towing), the transaxle and tire maintenance should be scheduled by mileage accumulated through both driving and towing, not to driven (odometer) mileage. Tire wear will reflect actual "rolling" mileage and may be greater than expected for the current odometer mileage.

Here are some important things to consider before you do recreational vehicle towing:

    • What's the towing capacity of the towing vehicle? Be sure your read the manufacturer's recommendations for the tow vehicle.
    • 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 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 the following information about "Dinghy" and "Dolly" towing in this section.

Towing Your Vehicle from the front

There are two ways to tow your vehicle from the front.


Object Number: 810288 Size: B3

To tow your vehicle with a dolly, do follow these steps:

  1. Put the front wheels on a dolly.
  2. Move the shift lever to "P (Park).
  3. Set the parking brake and then remove the key.
  4. Clamp the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a clamping device designed for towing.
  5. Release the parking brake.

Towing your Vehicle with All Four Wheels on the Ground
Object Number: 807908 Size: B3

To tow your vehicle will all four wheels on the ground, follow these steps:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Position and attach vehicle to tow it behind the recreational vehicle.
  3. Turn the ignition key to "ACC" position.
  4. Turn the fog lamps and all accessories off.
  5. Shift the transaxle to "N" (Neutral).
  6. Open the hood of vehicle.
  7. Open the lid underhood fuse block (UHFB) and remove the following fuses. Refer tot he underside of this underhood fuse block cover for specific fuse locations.
    8. • IGN 0/3/CR
    • IGN 1/2
  8. Close the lid of the underhood fuse block and store the 2 fuses in a safe place.
  9. Close the hood.
  10. Release the parking brake.

Once you have reached your destination, follow these steps:

  1. Set the parking brake.
  2. Shift the transaxle to "P" (Park).
  3. Turn the ignition key to "OFF" position. Remove key from ignition.
  4. Open the hood of vehicle.
  5. Open the lid of the underhood fuse box.
  6. Replace the following fuses:
    7. • IGN 0/3/CR
    • IGN 1/2
  7. Close the lid of the underhood fuse box.
  8. Close the hood of the vehicle.
  9. Release the parking brake.

Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear
Object Number: 1532755 Size: B3