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").
When towing your vehicle turn the ignition to the LOCK position. To prevent your battery from draining while towing, remove the 10 amp BCM/Cluster fuse from the instrument panel fuse block. Be sure to replace the fuse when you reach your destination. See "Fuses" in the Index.
* Towing with all four wheels on the ground is limited to 62 miles (100 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h). This is for disabled towing only.
Front-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive Vehicles equipped with the Variable Transaxle (VT) or Automatic Transaxle
Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the variable transaxle (VT) or automatic transaxle should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground. To properly tow these vehicles, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground. Front-wheel drive vehicles equipped with the VT may also be towed from the front by putting the front wheels on a dolly.
Powertrain Combination and Towing Method | Rear Wheels on a Tow Dolly | Front Wheels on a Tow | All Four Wheels on the Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
2.2L L4 (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Manual Transaxle | No | Yes | Yes |
2.2L L4 (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and VT | No | Yes | No |
2.2L L4 (L61) Engine with All-Wheel Drive and VT | No | No | No |
3.0 L V6 (L81) with All-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transaxle | No | No | No* |
3.0L V6 (L81) with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transmission | No | Yes | No* |
(If Equipped) | |||
* Towing with all four wheels on the ground is limited to 62 miles (100 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h). This is for disabled towing only.
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. |
Towing Your Vehicle from the front With Font Wheels on Tow Dolly
2.2L L4 (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Manual Transaxle or VTi Variable Transmission
3.0L V6 (L81) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Automatic Transmission (If Equipped)
To tow your vehicle with a dolly, do follow these steps:
- Put the front wheels on a dolly.
- Move the shift lever on your manual transmission to SECOND (2). Move the shift lever on your VTi variable transaxle (if equipped) or five-speed automatic transaxle to PARK (P).
- 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.
Towing your Vehicle with All Four Wheels on the Ground
2.2L L4 (L61) Engine with Front-Wheel Drive and Manual Transaxle
To tow your vehicle will all four wheels on the ground, follow these steps:
- Position and attach vehicle to tow it behind the recreational vehicle.
- Turn the ignition key to "ACC" position.
- Turn fog lamps and all accessories off.
- Shift the transaxle to "N" (Neutral).
- Open the door of the instrument panel fuse block, located by passenger's left leg, and remove the following fuse: 10 amp BCM/Cluster fuse.
- Close the door of the instrument panel fuse block and store the fuse.
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.
Once you have reached your destination, follow these steps:
- Set the parking brake.
- Shift the transmission to "1" (First Gear).
- Turn the ignition key to "LOCK" position. Remove the key from the ignition.
- Open the door of the instrument panel fuse block, located by the passenger's left leg, and replace the 10 amp BCM/Cluster fuse.
- Close the door of the instrument panel fuse box.
Towing Your Vehicle from the Rear
