Vehicle - Towing Behind RVs Guidelines
Article No.98-5A-12
03/18/98
^ BRAKES - WEIGHT LIMITATIONS FOR TOWING
^ RECREATIONAL VEHICLES - WEIGHT RATINGS
FOR UNBRAKED TOWING LESS THAN GROSS
COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
^ TOWING BEHIND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES -
RECOMMENDED GUIDELINES
^ TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION/TRANSFER CASE -
VEHICLES TOWED BEHIND RECREATIONAL
VEHICLES - RECOMMENDED TOWING GUIDELINES
FORD:
1988-93 FESTIVA
1988-94 TEMPO
1989-96 PROBE, TAURUS SHO
1991-97 ESCORT
1994-96 ASPIRE
LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1988-94 TOPAZ
1991-94 CAPRI
1991-97 TRACER
LIGHT TRUCK:
1988-96 AEROSTAR, BRONCO, E-350, F SUPER DUTY, F-250, F-350, F-53 MOTORHOME, RANGER
1988-97 F-150
1991-96 EXPLORER
1997 MOUNTAINEER
ISSUE:
Many motorhome owners tow a vehicle when traveling. Improper techniques can "overload" the brake system of the tow vehicle or damage the drivetrain of the vehicle being towed.
ACTION:
Use the information and charts shown in this TSB article to properly match tow vehicle, towed vehicle and towing method.
TOWING METHODS
1. TRAILER - The vehicle is loaded onto and secured to a trailer and simply acts as "secured" cargo.
2. DOLLY - The vehicle is "partially" loaded and partially towed. Either front or rear wheels are loaded and secured to a "towing dolly" and the other wheels roll on the road.
3. TOW BAR - All of the vehicle wheels roll on the pavement. The towed vehicle's steering column must be unlocked so that it can track correctly behind the tow vehicle.
WEIGHT RATINGS AND BRAKES
^ GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) - is the MAXIMUM allowable weight of the towing vehicle, passengers and cargo
^ GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) - is the MAXIMUM allowable weight of the towing vehicle and the weight of the trailer or vehicle being towed, including all passengers and cargo
^ BRAKES - The motorhome brakes are designed and rated for the GVWR of that vehicle and will provide adequate braking for trailers and towing vehicles up to 680 kg (1500 lb)
CAUTION:
SEPARATE AUXILIARY BRAKES ARE REQUIRED ON TRAILERS OR TOWED VEHICLES OVER 680 KG (1500 LBS). DO NOT CONNECT A TRAILER'S, DOLLY'S OR OTHER TOWED VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM TO THE TOWING VEHICLE'S BRAKE SYSTEM.
TOWED VEHICLES
1. Trailer-towed - The vehicle should be loaded on the trailer in a manner to:
a. achieve a trailer tongue load of 10-15% of total trailer weight,
b. not exceed the trailer or hitch ratings and
c. be securely tied down.
2. Dolly-towed - For front wheel drive vehicles, towing an automatic transaxle (ATX)-equipped vehicle behind another vehicle, such as a Recreational Vehicle (RV), requires that a front wheel dolly or trailer be used.
NOTE:
TEMPO ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS MUST BE TRAILER-TOWED. DO NOT TOW THESE VEHICLES USING A TWO-WHEEL TOWING DOLLY.
CAUTION:
DO NOT TOW A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC (ATX) TRANSAXLE WITH THE DRIVE WHEELS ON THE GROUND. DAMAGE TO THE TRANSAXLE MAY RESULT.
3. Tow Bar-towed - Vehicles which can be successfully towed with a tow bar are listed in the following chart. Additional vehicle-specific information follows the chart.
ALL VEHICLES
NOTE:
DO NOT TOW ANY VEHICLE AT A SPEED FASTER THAN 88 KM/H (55 MPH). THE MAXIMUM TOWING DISTANCE (WHEN TOWED CORRECTLY) IS UNLIMITED.
WARNING:
NEVER USE A TOW BAR THAT ATTACHES ONLY TO THE BUMPER.
MTX-EQUIPPED VEHICLES
Towing a manual transaxle (MTX)-equipped vehicle with the drive wheels on the ground is acceptable only if the vehicle is towed in a forward direction. The parking brake must be released and the gear shift lever must be in Neutral.
^ For Aspire, Festiva, Escort and Tracer, the ignition key must be in the ACO position, the battery must be disconnected to eliminate battery drain, and the steering wheel must be unlocked
^ For Capri, the ignition key must be in the OFF position and the steering wheel unlocked
^ Refer to the specific vehicle Owner Guide for complete details
CAUTION:
TOWING MTX-EQUIPPED VEHICLES INCORRECTLY MAY RESULT IN TRANSAXLE DAMAGE.
TRUCKS
^ The steering wheel must be unlocked by placing the ignition key in the OFF position
^ Manual transmission shift lever must be in Neutral
^ On 4X4 manual shift transfer cases, the shift lever must be in Neutral
^ 4X4 locking hubs (both manual and automatic) must be unlocked
^ Refer to the specific vehicle Owner Guide for complete details
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 93-24-6
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 504000