Can Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Not Be Towed?
2 Answers
Four-wheel drive vehicles cannot be towed. There are three main towing methods: Tow rope towing, lift towing, and flatbed towing. Four-wheel drive vehicles are also categorized into full-time four-wheel drive, part-time four-wheel drive, and on-demand four-wheel drive. Towing methods: Tow rope towing involves providing power to the towed vehicle through a tow rope, usually requiring a driver in the towed vehicle to control the steering wheel. If the towing vehicle slows down, the towed vehicle also needs to brake to decelerate. Since this method requires a driver in the towed vehicle, traffic police usually do not choose this method when towing illegally parked vehicles. Tow rope towing is also not recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles 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 car. Lift towing is often the method chosen for towing illegally parked vehicles. A tow truck lifts the two front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground, relying on the rear wheels to roll. Since 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 parts. The damage to full-time four-wheel drive vehicles is particularly severe. Fortunately, many tow trucks are now equipped with towing assist wheels, which are fixed under the wheels so that neither the front nor rear wheels turn during towing, minimizing impact on the vehicle. Flatbed towing involves lifting the vehicle or using other methods to place it on a flatbed truck, effectively parking the vehicle on the truck. Since neither the front nor rear wheels turn, as long as the vehicle is securely fastened, there is basically no damage. Therefore, flatbed towing can be used for any vehicle, whether it is four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive.
Having worked in the auto repair industry for over 20 years, I can tell you that four-wheel-drive vehicles should never be towed carelessly, especially full-time 4WD systems. Towing with wheels on the ground forces the driveshaft to rotate passively, causing severe wear to differential gears - repairs can cost thousands. I've seen many owners take shortcuts by towing directly, only to have their cars stall on the road or even suffer complete drivetrain failure. It's best to use a tow dolly to lift some wheels off the ground or call for professional flatbed towing. Remember to check your vehicle manual first for exceptions - some part-time 4WD systems can switch to 2WD mode for towing. Regularly inspecting tow hook conditions during maintenance can also prevent accidents.
