"Dinghy Towing guide can be incorrect!

Ladies and gents,
We're on a quest for pickup-toad so we can haul our motorcycle in the back and have a toad. We're presently using the Hydralift for that purpose and while it has worked flawlessly, due to certain reasons, we're changing our approach to this situation.

Well, we're considering a few different trucks. We really liked the F-150 4x4 and have for years but, it seems Ford doesn't have a clue in the fact that the F-150 4x4 is NON TOWABLE. And, a recent phone call to the local Ford dealer/parts counter found there is no "Neutral Tow Kit" available as there used to be for the Ford Ranger. So, as much as we like the Fords, it looks like their out.

OK, so, next in line is the Ford Ranger. As we understand it, the Ford Ranger 4x4 in manual transmission equipped units, IS flat towable right from the factory without any issues or special preps. But, the Ford Ranger 4x4 with an Automatic, is only flat towable AFTER the addition of the "Neutral Tow Kit" that supposedly is no longer produced and hasn't been since some time in 2011. But, in the event you can find one of these kits and, have a dealer install it and goof around with the computer so the truck sees a "Neutral" in the transfer case, you can then tow the Ford Ranger 4x4 Automatic. So, that may be our next unit.

But, just for grins, we drove down to a local dealer that had a 2010 Chevy Silverado, 4x4 Z-71 for sale. Well, it was a semi-nice truck. It had been smoked in and no matter how much dealer "foo-foo" they attempt to clean and install in those cars, we can smell smoke, yuck! Anyway, according to the 2010 Dinghy towing guide, that truck, IS FLAT TOWABLE, WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Well, sort of. It, and ANY 4x4 truck/vehicle is flat towable (with certain exceptions) if the transfer case has a NEUTRAL position in the gear case and, an indicator on the dash.

But, what we found out was, this truck, as well as many newer 4x4 trucks and vehicles, is electronically shifted, in the transfer case. This means, there is no "shift lever" on the floor with all the positions on the shift knob or accompanying the position of the lever on the floor stating what position you've shifted to.

So, this Silverado Z-71 4x4 has a little round dial on the dash, just to the right of the steering wheel. It has four icons on it. 2UP, AUTO, 4UP, and 4down. Now, when I say "up", the icon on the knob is actually a "2" with an arrow pointing up. And, Auto means it (the transfer case itself) decides if four-wheel-drive is needed or not. The 4 up means, four wheel high range and the 4 low means four wheel drive, "low range".

But, there is NO "N" on the knob. And, in the drivers manual, it has instructions for towing that truck. The manual IS for that truck. It has a couple of pages dedicated to towing it. Well, it specifically states" Place the shifter for the transfer case in "N" for towing the truck. Well, guess what, THERE IS NO "N" ON THAT KNOB! There's no place on it where a possible "N" used to be or, even should go.

So, in my opinion, the Dinghy Towing Guide for 2010 is wrong, the Chevy Silverado, 4x4 Automatic, is NOT FLAT TOWABLE. Just like the Ford F-150. I wonder how many other of those vehicles in that towing guide are inaccurate. No biggie. I just found this one.

Now, I haven't checked out a Dodge 1500 yet so, I'll have to look at it. But, please don't suggest a dolly or a trailer or any other means, I know all about those and will not use them, period. I am in need of a truck for multiple reasons which, include towing behind our coach. What seems to be is, the manufacturers, in their quest for better looks, ergonomic operations, cleaner appearances, possibly cheaper cost to build, have essentially eliminated the towing of many of the popular trucks. Toyota, a very, very popular truck, any version of it, is also not towable, at least according to the Dinghy towing guide anyway.

The Nissan pickup, if it's called the Frontier, is towable in the manual trans only.

So,

So, what may have to happen is, if we don't find a Ford Ranger Automatic 4x4 that suits our fancy, and then manage to acquire the particular part that's needed for the Neutral Tow Kit, I guess we'll have to settle for the stick version. Yuck! We'll just keep looking.
Scott

16 Replies

FIRE_UP
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
imgoin4it wrote:
WOW, I have been towing my 2012 chevy Silverado Z-71 4X4 for a year. A friend has towed three different model Chevy 1500 trucks over the past 10 plus years and no one told either of us they cannot be towed. There is a lot of misinformation in this thread. Get the book that goes with the particular vehicle and read it. The book that came with my truck is not the easiest to follow as it reference various pages before you get the whole story. I final copied it and put copy in the truck. Tows very nicely. (as for the round dial to change modes It may be that all tranny's and transfer cases are not towable and the round dial may not have a "N" on it if it is not. I have never seen one without it though. The "N" on mine is back lit and only lights up when the knob is held all the way to the right which has to be held for 10 seconds to get it into and stay in neutral. .

imgoin4itnow,
Well Sir, you confirmed my problem when we were sitting in that 2010 Chev Z-71. That knob DID NOT have an N on it. But, as has been stated, it's there but can't be seen unless it is back lit. And, like I and you stated, the book does reference multiple pages/paragraphs before you get to the point where it describes EXACTLY how to put it that transfer case in neutral. So, now I know.
Scott
j-d
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2013
We have a Nissan Frontier. As noted above, only the manual transmission versions are towable. I say version*S* because the 2WD is towable with shift in Neutral AND the 4WD is towable with shift in Neutral and Transfer Case in Two High. That Transfer Case is Manually Shifted BUT no Neutral. Only has 3 positions. 2H, 4H and 4L if I recall. So even though it's manual it doesn't make for a towable 4WD with Automatic.
The_Texan
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
Scott corrected the mis-information. Yes, the round dial does NOT have a "N" that is readily visible, until it is lit up with the red light.
imgoin4it
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
WOW, I have been towing my 2012 chevy Silverado Z-71 4X4 for a year. A friend has towed three different model Chevy 1500 trucks over the past 10 plus years and no one told either of us they cannot be towed. There is a lot of misinformation in this thread. Get the book that goes with the particular vehicle and read it. The book that came with my truck is not the easiest to follow as it reference various pages before you get the whole story. I final copied it and put copy in the truck. Tows very nicely. (as for the round dial to change modes It may be that all tranny's and transfer cases are not towable and the round dial may not have a "N" on it if it is not. I have never seen one without it though. The "N" on mine is back lit and only lights up when the knob is held all the way to the right which has to be held for 10 seconds to get it into and stay in neutral. .
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
Well Gang,
I will have to apologize for my stupidity here. As usual, I'll have to pry my foot out of my mouth. You see, "The Texan" corrected my statements about not being able to put the electronic transfer case of the "2010 Chevy 1500 Z-71 4x4 into neutral. This is one of those things that's there, but not there, in the book.

You see, while at the dealership (Dodge) where the truck was a trade-in, the salesman, the wife and I all looked at the owners manual for putting that electronic transfer case into "N" for neutral, for towing purposes. Well, in a way, it said how to do it. But, it did not go deep enough ON THAT PAGE, for complete instructions. So, I jumped to conclusions and thought that GM was nuts and put out something in an owners manual that simply was not so.

So, The Texan straightened me out. And just a short while ago, I went on line and looked up an owners manual for the 2010 and read, in depth, the procedures. And, where we stopped reading while at the dealership, it kept on going for a couple of pages 'till you hit the spot that told you how to put the electronic shift transfer case into neutral.

They still goofed up though. They explain to turn the transfer case shift dial clockwise, all the way, to the "N" position and hold it for at least 10 seconds. Then, that will lock it into neutral. Well, where they goofed up is, there is no visible "N" on that dial. I'm assuming the "N" will light up when you turn the dial and hold it.

So, my mistake for putting out incorrect material BEFORE, I did COMPLETE research and reading. What an air head. Sorry.
Scott

P.S. AS for the Fords, yep, the 2012 and newer IS FLAT TOWABLE with 4x4 and Automatic and, electronic shifting transfer cases. Learning every day here.
Scott
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
read what is said in the owner's manual. that is your only back up if problems occur. other references are just a guide as are personal opinions.
bumpy
Horse_Doctor
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
The newer model F-150 4x4s are towable. You follow the instructions in the manual to electronically switch to neutral tow mode and away you go.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Jun 08, 2013
Here's the 2013 towing guide:

http://www.royrobinsonrv.com/images/pdf/DinghyGuide2013.pdf

On Edit: Ooops...sorry....I see you're talking about a 2010 not 2013.
The_Texan
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
FIRE UP wrote:
The Texan,
Well Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar. You see, this is what it takes, someone to set the record straight. First, we were at a Dodge dealership and that's where the 2010 Z-71 was traded in. So, while it was a salesman I was with, it was "Dodge" salesman at that. But, all three of us, wife, me and the salesman all read all the pages that pertained to the operations for towing the Z-71 and I cannot recall anything that states that knob should be held in a certain position for any length of time, in order for the N to appear.

I even went on line a while ago and found the owners manual for a 2010 Chev 1500 4x4 Z-71. I opened up to the towing section and it was the same as the one in the truck we were at. I'll go through that online manual again to see if I can find where it states to hold that knob in order for the system to present the N on the knob. Thanks for that info.

As for the Fords being able to be flat towed. I just found that out about an hour ago by reading the "toads/motor home" section of the IRV.2 forums. The topic on there about "F-150 now towable from Ford", is all the info that I needed for certainty. But, it's the '12s and up, not anything below. So, that's good to know too. Thanks again.
Scott
Check carefully Scott, as I don't think all the 2012 F-150's are towable, as IIRC, the changeover was not at the beginning of the model year. Also, NONE of the F-250 or F-350 are towable. Now, if you can find one of the older models with the "manual" transfer case, in any of the F series, it will be towable.

If you have any questions about the GM line, PM me and I will get with you.
FIRE_UP
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
The Texan,
Well Sir, you are a gentleman and a scholar. You see, this is what it takes, someone to set the record straight. First, we were at a Dodge dealership and that's where the 2010 Z-71 was traded in. So, while it was a salesman I was with, it was "Dodge" salesman at that. But, all three of us, wife, me and the salesman all read all the pages that pertained to the operations for towing the Z-71 and I cannot recall anything that states that knob should be held in a certain position for any length of time, in order for the N to appear.

I even went on line a while ago and found the owners manual for a 2010 Chev 1500 4x4 Z-71. I opened up to the towing section and it was the same as the one in the truck we were at. I'll go through that online manual again to see if I can find where it states to hold that knob in order for the system to present the N on the knob. Thanks for that info.

As for the Fords being able to be flat towed. I just found that out about an hour ago by reading the "toads/motor home" section of the IRV.2 forums. The topic on there about "F-150 now towable from Ford", is all the info that I needed for certainty. But, it's the '12s and up, not anything below. So, that's good to know too. Thanks again.
Scott