Can Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Be Towed?
2 Answers
Four-wheel drive vehicles that meet the requirements can be towed. Here is an introduction to towing-related content: 1. Towing with a tow rope: Towing with a tow rope involves providing power to the towed vehicle through a tow rope. Usually, the towed vehicle also needs a driver to control the steering wheel. If the towing vehicle slows down, the towed vehicle also needs to brake to slow down. Towing a four-wheel drive vehicle with a tow rope is not recommended because if the vehicle is not started, the steering wheel cannot be turned, and the brake assist does not work. Forced towing may cause the anti-theft module and transmission to lock up, damaging the vehicle. 2. Flatbed towing: Using a tow truck to lift the two front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground and relying on the rear wheels to roll for towing. Four-wheel drive vehicles have all four wheels turning together, coordinated by the transmission, central differential, and drive shaft. If only the rear two wheels are turning, these three major components are not properly coordinated, which can cause damage to the drivetrain, central differential, and other components, causing significant harm to full-time four-wheel drive vehicles.
As a seasoned off-road driver with over a decade of experience, I believe towing a 4WD vehicle requires careful handling. Towing is possible, but don't do it recklessly—for instance, if your vehicle breaks down on the roadside and the drivetrain isn't in neutral, towing could damage the transmission or differential, costing thousands in repairs. My own vehicle is a rugged 4WD, and after shutting off the engine, I must disengage the center differential before towing gently; otherwise, wheel rotation can cause severe component friction. City SUVs with automatic 4WD systems are even more fragile and may only tolerate short-distance, low-speed towing. Remember, always check the owner's manual or call the dealership before towing—safety comes first. Using professional towing services is the safest bet; don't cut corners to save money.
