4 Down Towing

[dengalbraith]

Can I really tow my 2000 Dodge Durango 4WD "automatic" with all four wheels on the ground ? My owners manual indicates that my 4WD shifter lever must be in "N" neutral position.

[tropical36]

Just so you all know, these forums and testimony from our members, who have been there and done that, are usually more correct with towing procedures, than your manual and also towing guides that are taken from these same manuals.
Example: It took the Jeep Wrangler a couple of years or so for the manual to catch up with the changes after the steering lock was removed and consequently the towing guides, as well.

[mowermech]

I follow the instructions in the Owners Manual to tow my Jeep, except that the I do the last step first. It just seems to make more sense to me to connect the towbar FIRST, then the vehicle can't roll away while I do the rest of the setup.
Just follow the instructions, and you will be fine. There is no penalty for doing the last step first.
Have fun.

[Bumpyroad]

lanerd wrote:
Bumpy, do you remember just a couple of years ago the Ford Escape and Chevy Cruse fiasco? Both of those auto's owners manual indicated 4-down was OK.

Ron

like I said, I towed my 98 Dakota auto tranny just fine. I would "assume" that his vehicle is similar:?
and the statement in the owner's manual gives you some legal legs to fall back on. reading the trailer life towing guide doesn't.

bumpy

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[lanerd]

Bumpy, do you remember just a couple of years ago the Ford Escape and Chevy Cruse fiasco? Both of those auto's owners manual indicated 4-down was OK.

Ron

[Bumpyroad]

dengalbraith wrote:
Can I really tow my 2000 Dodge Durango 4WD "automatic" with all four wheels on the ground ? My owners manual indicates that my 4WD shifter lever must be in "N" neutral position.

why do you think your owner's manual would lie to you. I towed my 1998 Dakota 4 down with auto tranny.
bumpy

[I_am_still_wayn]

dengalbraith wrote:
Can I really tow my 2000 Dodge Durango 4WD "automatic" with all four wheels on the ground ? My owners manual indicates that my 4WD shifter lever must be in "N" neutral position.

You can really do whatever the manufacturer says the vehicle can do. Why would they lie?

[Ivylog]

You want our opinions over your manual? You could check on www.remcotowing.com . I bought a used Pathfinder (no manual in the glove box) ASSUMING with a neutral position in the transfer that it would be towable 4 down... NOT. Solved the problem by "How I tow" below.
PS, Remco says it's towable without any speed or distance restrictions and YES you have to put it in N.

[Mfar1234]

I would think so - I tow my Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 by pushing an "N" button beside my transfer case selector. The Neutral button dis-engages the transfer case. I've towed 4 flat from Tx to Fl - onto NC and then back to TX. No problems w/ mine.

Good Luck and Safe Travels