How to Tow With Front Wheel Drive
While experts such as Edmunds.com recommend using rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles for towing, they also state that towing with front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles will work as well. The only real difference is that you must think about and approach certain situations differently because the weight that is normally on the drive wheels will be distributed further back in the vehicle due to the additional towing weight.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Check the weight ratings for both the tow vehicle and the trailer or vehicle you will be towing. Add the weight of the trailer/other tow device to the weight of the load in order to get the total amount of weight to be towed. Do not exceed your vehicle manufacturer's weight restrictions, even if it is just by a couple of pounds. The weight combined with movement will cause an exponential amount of stress on the vehicle and could cause a very dangerous situation.
-
2
Secure anything and everything you will be towing. If you are towing a motorcycle in a trailer, make sure it is strapped down so that it does not move but not so tightly that the straps compress the suspension. If you are towing a boat, make sure there are no parts that can fly out or off while it is being towed. Make sure to balance your load as evenly as possible so that the vehicle has the stress of towing divided evenly throughout.
-
-
3
Attach the tow hitch and ball to the trailer or the vehicle you are towing according to the manufacturer's instructions. Instructions may differ between manufacturers and devices, so make sure to check their instructions for specific guidelines.
-
4
Approach steep uphill climbs (such as ramps) carefully. Try to build momentum before you get to the uphill because your FWD vehicle's weight will naturally shift backwards, away from the drive wheels. This may make maintaining traction on the road more difficult than it would be without the load but will ensure a successful ascent.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If possible, avoid situations where you will be required to approach a steep uphill climb at an angle, such as during the middle of a tight turn, as it will be difficult to gain the necessary momentum due to the sharp curves.
