Which GM Vehicles Can Be Dinghy Or Dolly Towed?

While regular maintenance and careful driving will go a long way to keeping you on the road, damage can still occur, and as a result, you may need a tow. In such circumstances, it is important to know whether your vehicle can be towed by boat or dolly, rather than loaded onto a flatbed. Now, GM Authority is diving into General Motors vehicles that can be towed with a dinghy or dolly.

For readers who may not know, dinghy towing is when a vehicle is towed behind another vehicle, with the towed vehicle keeping all four wheels on the ground. This method is commonly used by RV owners and requires that the towed vehicle be properly configured so that the transmission and drivetrain components are not damaged when rolling down the road, otherwise the internal components may continue to rotate without proper lubrication, causing premature wear or failure.

Meanwhile, dolly towing involves lifting two wheels onto a small trailer (dolly), while the remaining wheels remain on the ground. This method is often used on front-wheel drive vehicles, where the driven wheels can be lifted to prevent transmission damage.

According to official General Motors recommendations, towing procedures vary greatly depending on the vehicle’s drivetrain. Vehicles with two-wheel drive or single-speed transfer cases should not be towed with all four wheels on the ground, as this could damage drivetrain components. Only four-wheel drive vehicles equipped with a two-speed transfer case and Neutral setting are approved for flat towing, provided proper steps are followed to remove the drivetrain.

For dolly towing, General Motors outlines a special preparation process that includes placing the vehicle on level ground, ensuring the parking brake is released, and engaging a special mode for the electric parking brake before loading the vehicle. Once secured, the vehicle should be turned off, the hood opened, and the negative terminal of the 12-volt battery disconnected to prevent onboard systems from accidentally activating while towing.

Critically, General Motors recommends against towing a vehicle from behind, as doing so could cause damage. Additionally, vehicles should not be towed with two wheels on the ground unless explicitly permitted, and inappropriately sized tires (such as the use of a spare) can also cause transmission damage. It is important to read the owner’s manual as the instructions may differ from one GM model to another.

See the table below to find out whether your vehicle can be towed by a dinghy or dolly:

2026 and 2027 MY General Motors Dinghy And Dolly Towing Vehicles

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