How to Tow an Automatic 4x4: 5 Essential Tips (2023)

FAQs

How do you tow an automatic 4x4? ›

You must tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer. You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing feature.

Cars with an automatic transmission should be towed with care to avoid damage to the transmission system. If it is a must, the drive wheels should be on the ground. At the same time, the car should not be towed for more than 25 Kilometres and the speed should not exceed 40Km/hr.

If your vehicle is a front-wheel drive, and manual:

If the vehicle is on a dolly, put the vehicle in first gear and tow. If all four wheels are on the ground, put the vehicle in neutral and tow. Vehicles with manual transmissions can typically be towed without the car running, with no risk of transmission damage.

Leave the transmission in neutral (N) and turn the ignition as far as it will go toward the off position (it will not turn fully off when the transmission is in neutral). If your vehicle has an ignition key, you must leave the key in the ignition while towing.

You must tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer. You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing feature.

You can tow an automatic car, but you must lift the driven axle (or axles) off the road. That is, you can't pull an automatic behind your buddy's truck, attached by a tow rope. If your car is front-wheel-drive, the driven axle is at the front. If it's a rear-wheel-drive, it's at the back.

If your towing vehicle has an automatic transmission, you will need to install a towing package. Another option for automatic transmission towing is to install a transmission fluid temperature warning that will inform you if your transmission or coolant gets too hot.

Most automatic cars that can be flat towed are designed to be towed in neutral and with the steering wheel unlocked. However, before dinghy towing any vehicle, the owner's manual or vehicle manufacturer should be consulted for proper settings and procedures.

Your best approach is to use 4 wheel drive low and your trailer brake while driving at very slow speeds. Make sure that you keep an emergency kit on board, drive slow, and plan ahead when it comes to navigating rough terrain or inclement weather.

Most 4WD vehicles with a manual transmission, manual transfer case and manual lock out hubs can be towed on all four wheels safely with no problems. If your 4WD has no manual lockout hubs and/or no manual transfer case, then you will need a coupling device on the rear drive shaft to tow it safely.

How do I make my truck not squat when towing? ›

Towing Leaf Springs

If your truck squats when towing a trailer, leaf springs are the most cost-effective method of reducing your truck's squatting and boosting its carrying capacity. Vehicles have been using leaf springs to increase shock absorption for almost a century.

The 80/20 towing rule is a safety measure many RVers follow. Basically, the rule states that you shouldn't tow above 80% of your max towing capacity. This gives room for human error in calculations. It also protects the life of your vehicle by not pushing it to the max every time you tow your trailer.

4H is more commonly used than 4L, and this setting is beneficial because it allows you to drive up to 55 mph while transferring torque to all four wheels. This setting comes in handy when you need additional traction. Find Your Next Vehicle on Our Lot!

Fortunately, you can use cruise control while towing. There's nothing to stop you from engaging your truck's cruise control while you're in tow/haul mode. This won't necessarily do any damage to your vehicle.

Mechanical Issues and Transmission Damage

If you tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission while all the wheels are on the ground, it could result in a lot of damage. Similarly, all-wheel-drive vehicles require special precautions.

Is it still true that you can't tow an automatic vehicle. Conventional automatics tend to have speed and distance restrictions that would preclude towing of this type while modern automated manual transmissions can generally be flat-towed – though you would have to check the vehicle handbook to be certain.

See Automatic Transmission. Maximum speed is 31 mph (50 km/h). Maximum distance is 50 mi (80 km).

When using a tow dolly, the rear wheels of the towed vehicle are left on the ground to help take part of the load off your own vehicle. Four-wheel drive and rear-wheel drives can be used on a tow dolly as well, but the driveshaft must be disconnected.

On some four-wheel drive vehicles, when the transfer case is in the N (Neutral) position, the engine and transmission are disconnected from the rest of the driveline. Therefore, the vehicle is free to roll even if the automatic transmission is in P (Park) or the manual transmission is in gear.

Is it safe? This will cause your vehicle to do something called Freewheeling, this is unknown as coasting and is quite dangerous as it reduces your control of the vehicle. It reduces natural braking power from the engines activities, and you can overheat your brakes.

What should you not do in an automatic? ›

Neutral is the same as knocking a manual gearbox out of gear. It shouldn't be selected when moving - this is known as coasting - but can be used (along with the handbrake) if you're stopped for a short period of time. Drive will select gears automatically and allow the car to move forwards.

Overheat your vehicle as often as possible.

Most automatic transmissions are designed to operate at a maximum temperature of 200 degrees. For every 20 degrees you go above this limit, you risk cutting the expected lifespan of the transmission by a factor of two.

Lucas Transmission Fix is a non-solvent formula that stops slip, hesitation and rough shifting in worn transmissions and completely eliminates most seal leaks.

Towing: If you drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission, low gear can help when you are towing heavy cargo. When you tow items like a trailer or boat you'll benefit from extra added engine power. For added peace of mind when hauling bulky items, remember to use low gear.

Expert Reply: You would not lock out the steering on the vehicle being flat towed. Doing so would cause the wheels to scrub (drag sideways) when turning. The steering needs to be unlocked and the wheels will turn accordingly and straightened back out when needed.

You use 2H for normal road driving. In 4H (four-wheel drive, high range) all four wheels are driving your vehicle. You use 4H for surfaces on which you may need greater traction than you would for bitumen; think firm sand, dirt roads, gravel tracks and the like.

Where should the weight be on a trailer? More weight should be placed in front of the trailer axle and less weight behind. The ideal distribution of weight is 60% in front of the axle and 40% behind the axle.

When pulling a trailer down a long steep hill you should? ›

Navigating Steep Hills: Always use a lower gear when going up or down steep hills. This reduces stress on your towing vehicle's engine. When ascending a long uphill grade, keep your speed at 45 mph or less. The slower speed will help prevent overheating of your towing vehicle's motor.

Four-wheel-drive pickups typically have slightly lower towing capacities than their 2-wheel-drive counterparts due to the extra weight of the 4-wheel-drive components. They're also typically less fuel efficient than 2-wheel-drive trucks, but having a 4×4 can be very handy, especially for pulling a trailer.

Do not use 4WD on flat, smooth and dry roads, as it can damage your vehicle, according to Consumer Reports. Family Handyman adds that 4WD uses up more fuel to get the gears and drive shaft going. Turn it off when you don't need it to save on gas.

Roger Marble of RV Tire Safety recommends additional 10% PSI for Class A vehicles and other tow vehicles. Look for item "A" (Total Front Axle Weight) on your Weight Safety Report.

Manufactured, modular, or mobile homes must not be transported at a speed in excess of 10 miles below the maximum posted speed limit when the maximum posted speed limit is in excess of 45 mph, and never in excess of 55 mph. A person driving a vehicle towing a house trailer must not drive faster than 45 mph.

Towing speed limit in New South Wales (NSW)

Along motorways and highways, this is 100 kilometres per hour. However, the tow vehicle should have a gross vehicle mass (GVM) that does not exceed 4,500 kilograms or 4.5 tonnes. If your CVM is greater than 4.5 tonnes, the speed limit is capped at 100 kilometres per hour.

First, we recommend maintaining a speed limit of 55 miles per hour or less. Driving too fast can contribute to issues like trailer sway and combination disturbance, which can be dangerous not only for you but also other drivers and passengers on the road.

Towing a car in park is possible, but not with all four wheels on the ground. Automatic cars have a mechanical lock in P-Mode, which can get broken if the wheels are forced to move. It's safer to put it in neutral while you tow it to avoid any damage.

How do you tow a 4 wheel drive vehicle? ›

You must tow your vehicle with all four wheels off the ground, such as when using a car-hauling trailer. You can only tow a four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on the ground by placing the transfer case in its neutral position and engaging the four-wheel-down towing feature.

You can move the control from 2H to 4A or 4H at a stop or while driving.

Typically, you should disengage overdrive when towing a trailer. This is due to the heat that can be created with overdrive on – both from the vehicle trying to hunt back and forth between gears and from the engine RPMs not being high enough to cool the transmission.

Slow down earlier as you come up to intersections. You'll need more space between you and other vehicles, so you have more time to stop when you need to. Use the 4-second rule. Because it takes longer to speed up, you'll also need bigger gaps when pulling out into traffic.

With a partner to visually confirm, check that the trailer's running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are all working in correlation with the tow vehicle.

If done so, the transmission could be damaged. It recommends that the vehicle be placed on a flatbed truck to transport it.

Although not always optimal for efficiency and wear of your vehicle 4wd driveline, AUTOMATIC 4 HI can be used on any road condition without risk of damaging your vehicle.

The 4-1-1 on Four-Wheel Drive

Four-wheel drive vehicles generally have three settings: 2H, 4L, and 4H. 2H is ideal for normal, everyday driving. Use 2H for dry, flat, paved roads. 4L is best suited for a time when you need maximum traction and power.

Car and Driver notes that 4WD is not meant to be used all the time. It's only for certain road types, including rugged terrain and off-roading, as well as slippery conditions, like snow or mud. Otherwise, 4WD vehicles should be driven in two-wheel drive, according to Car and Driver.

Is it still true that you can't tow an automatic vehicle. Conventional automatics tend to have speed and distance restrictions that would preclude towing of this type while modern automated manual transmissions can generally be flat-towed – though you would have to check the vehicle handbook to be certain.

Should you use cruise control when towing a trailer? ›

As long as you're within the towing parameters of your vehicle, using cruise control should be ok. Similar to everyday driving with cruise control, there are instances where road conditions, terrain, and traffic make it unsafe to use cruise control while towing.