When Using a Tow Dolly, Should the Vehicle Being Towed Be In Park or Neutral?

Question:

I have a 2014 Toyota Corolla, when I tow it with a tow dolly should it be in park or neutral?

asked by: Thomas A

Expert Reply:

When towing a Front Wheel Drive vehicle like your 2014 Toyota Corolla with a Tow Dolly like Roadmaster's Tow Dolly with Electric Brakes, # RM-2050-1, you will tow with the vehicle in park. With your front wheel drive vehicle in park, turn off your ignition and remove the key. Turn your steering wheel so that it clicks into a locked position. If it will not lock, you will need a steering lock like # WICL303RED. To finish securing your vehicle, prior to attaching it appropriately to the car dolly with wheel nets and chains, make sure you do not have the parking brake engaged because that puts unnecessary tension the rear brakes of your vehicle when towing.

expert reply by: Jason S

Tom A.

7/20/2020

I have a all wheel drive and I’m going to use a dolly to pull it do I have to take the drive shaft off or not it’s a standard transmission

Chris R.

7/26/2020

This depends on what model vehicle you have. If you can tell me this information I will be happy to see what's needed - otherwise this should be listed listed in the vehicle's owner's manual.

Bill Q.

8/6/2020

I have a 2019 Honda CRV AWD/ 4 wheel drive. We have a tow dolly. What are your recommendations for towing, neutral? park? click steering wheel? No parking brake.? Thanks I appreciate your recommendations. Bill

Chris R.

8/17/2020

I looked up the owner's manual for your 2019 Honda CR-V and it actually states NOT to tow the AWD behind a motorhome with any of its wheels on the ground. You will need to put it up onto a flat bed trailer to tow it safely.

Larry V.

1/10/2021

Question? Motor home with 12 ft overhang crossing railroads or crossing dips where the rear scrapes or nearly scrapes the ground and the hitch can raise to nearly 24 inches. Can the towed vehicles front wheels turn enough to damage the transmission while locked down in park. My crude experiment shows the wheels need to turn 6 to 8 inches. Roll 6 to 8 inches that is.

Jon G.

1/11/2021

If you're planning on using a tow dolly like what is mentioned above then your front wheels don't need to have the ability to turn. If you're talking about flat towing then you need to make sure that you follow the instructions in your vehicle owner's manual to ensure that your front wheels don't get locked up.

Brian

7/28/2024

I have a 2024 Mitsubishi Mirage and the owners manual says to put it in neutral when the front wheels are off the ground being towed on a dolly don’t understand why that would be what could I possibly hurt by leaving it in park? I want to tow it behind my motorhome with a master tow.

Jameson C.

7/29/2024

@Brian I would always recommend following the owners manual instructions. You'd have to check with Mitsubishi if you wanted to go a different route.

Brian

7/29/2024

@JamesonC thank you