Can Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles Not Be Towed?
1 Answers
Yes, but it depends on the situation. Among the three towing methods—tow rope towing, lift towing, and flatbed towing—only flatbed towing is suitable. Tow Rope Towing: Tow rope towing refers to providing power to the towed vehicle through a tow rope. It is not recommended to tow a four-wheel drive vehicle this way because if the vehicle is not started, the steering wheel cannot be turned, and the brake booster does not work. Forcibly towing may cause the anti-theft module and transmission to lock up, damaging the car. Lift Towing: This involves using a tow truck to lift the two front wheels of the towed vehicle off the ground, relying on the rear wheels to roll for towing. In a four-wheel drive vehicle, all four wheels rotate together, coordinated by the transmission, central differential, and drive shaft. If only the rear two wheels rotate, these three major components fail to coordinate, potentially causing damage to the drivetrain, central differential, and other parts, with significant harm to full-time four-wheel drive vehicles. Flatbed Towing: This method involves lifting the vehicle or using other means to place it on a flatbed truck. In this case, the vehicle is essentially parked on the truck, with neither the front nor rear wheels rotating. As long as it is properly secured, there is minimal risk of damage to the vehicle.
