---
title: "Which tow method is safe — TowingDad"
canonical: https://towingdad.shop/vehicles/
lang: en
---

# How your vehicle should be towed
The safe method depends on which wheels drive the vehicle. Drive wheels must come off the ground. A flatbed is correct for every drivetrain and is the default when unsure; electric vehicles require one.

Which tow method is safe| Drivetrain | Flatbed | Wheel-lift (drive wheels up) | Tow dolly | Flat tow (4 down) 

| Front-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✓Safe, front up | ✓Safe, front on dolly | ✕No 

| Rear-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✓Safe, rear up | !Rear on dolly only | !Manual only 

| All-wheel drive | ✓Safe | ✕Drivetrain damage | ✕Drivetrain damage | ✕No 

| Four-wheel drive | ✓Safe | !Manual only | !Manual only | !Transfer case in N 

| Electric vehicle | ✓Required | ✕Pack damage / fire | ✕Pack damage / fire | ✕Never 

| Motorcycle | ✓Required, strapped | ✕No | ✕No | ✕No 

## By drivetrain
- Front-wheel drive: the **front** wheels are the drive wheels and must come off the ground. A wheel-lift from the front, or a flatbed, is correct.
- Rear-wheel drive: the **rear** wheels are the drive wheels and must come off the ground.
- All-wheel drive: **flatbed only** under most manufacturers. Towing with two wheels down spins one axle against another that is stationary or turning at a different rate, which overheats and shears transfer case or center differential clutches. Damage can happen within a few miles and may not surface for days.
- Four-wheel drive: some permit two wheels down **only** with the transfer case in Neutral or the driveshaft removed. This is model-specific and must never be generalized — check the manual for your exact vehicle and year.

## Electric vehicles
An electric vehicle goes on a **flatbed**. When the wheels are forced to turn, the drive motor acts as a generator and pushes uncontrolled current back into the pack and power electronics.

Tesla's Model 3 manual is explicit: **"NEVER TRANSPORT YOUR VEHICLE WITH THE TIRES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN SPIN."** Approved methods are a flatbed in either direction, or the front wheels lifted with the rear on a dolly for a maximum of 35 miles. Tow Mode releases the parking brake so the car can be winched.

Rivian is equally direct: **"Only transport the vehicle on a flatbed tow truck… towing with any wheels on the ground can lead to significant damage and overheating. Extreme overheating can cause a fire."** A rear-wheel lift is permitted only while loading. Transports over 50 miles use Shipping Mode.

## Weights and capacity
GVWR and GCWR are defined at 49 CFR § 571.3. **Towing capacity is GCWR minus the fully loaded tow vehicle** — not a standalone number off a brochure. Passengers, fuel, cargo and the hitch itself all come off before anything is attached.

Tongue weight runs 10–15% of loaded trailer weight for a conventional bumper-pull, and 15–25% for a fifth-wheel or gooseneck. Tongue weight counts against payload, not only against the tow rating.

Modern published tow ratings come from SAE J2807, which specifies a Davis Dam grade test and defined acceleration and braking criteria. The full standard is paywalled: we cite the standard and a manufacturer's J2807 explainer, and we never invent figures from it.

Always follow your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Improper towing can cause severe drivetrain damage that is not covered by warranty.

Sources (4)- Tesla — [Model 3 Owner's Manual — Towing and Transporting](https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/model3/en_us/GUID-C31D0C6E-C0F1-4C0B-9A1B-9C4C1E2B4E7A.html) (accessed 2026-08-17) T1
- Rivian — [Towing and Transporting Your Vehicle](https://rivian.com/support/article/how-do-i-tow-my-vehicle) (accessed 2026-08-17) T1
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — [49 CFR § 571.3 — Definitions (GVWR, GCWR)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-571.3) (accessed 2026-08-17) T1
- SAE International — [J2807 — Performance Requirements for Determining Tow-Vehicle Gross Combination Weight Rating](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2807_202002/) (accessed 2026-08-17) T2