TOYOTA PREVIA 91-97 REPAIR MANUAL

GENERAL INFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE 1-71

TOWING THE VEHICLE

I See Figure 220

The absolute best way to have the vehicle towed or transported is on a
flat-bed or rollback transporter. These units are becoming more common
and are very useful for moving disabled vehicles quickly. Most vehicles
have lower bodywork and undertrays which can be easily damaged by the
sling of a conventional tow truck; an operator unfamiliar with your particu-
lar model can cause severe damage to the suspension or drive line by
hooking up chains and J-hooks incorrectly.
If a flatbed is not available (you should specifically request one), the
vehicle may be towed by a hoist or conventional tow vehicle. Vehicles with
automatic transmissions must be towed with the drive wheels off the
ground. Manual transmissions can be towed with either end up in the air or

with all four wheels on the ground. You need only remember that the trans-

mission must be in neutral, the parking brake must be off and the ignition

switch must be in the ACC position. The steering column lock is not strong

enough to hold the front wheels straight under towing.

The 4WD vehicle presents its own towing problems. Since the front and

rear wheels are connected through the drive system, all four wheels must

be considered in the towing arrangement. A flatbed should be used (refer to

the illustration).

Most vehicles have conveniently located tie-down hooks at the front of

the vehicle. These make ideal locations to secure a rope or chain for towing

the vehicle or extracting it from an off-road excursion. The vehicle may only

be towed on hard surfaced roads and only in a normal or forward direction.

WHEN TOWING ALL-TRAC/4WD VEHICLES

1. Use one of the methods shown below to tow the vehicle.


2. When there is trouble with the chassis and drive train, use method ® (flat bed truck)


3. Recommended Method: No. ®
   Emergency Method: No. @

Conditions

Towing Method

© Flat Bed Truck

@ Towing with a Rope

Parking

Brake

Applied

Released

Transmission

Shift Lever

Position

Any Position

Neutral

(N range)

NOTICE : Do not use any towing method other than those shown above.

Fox example, the towing methods shown below are dangerous or will damage the vehicle, so do not

use them.

No

No

No

During towing with this towing method, there is a danger

of the drivetrain heating up and causing breakdown, or

of the front wheels flying off the dolly.

Never perform towing using a method where the lifted-up

wheel cannot rotate.

Do not perform sling type towing as this method causes

damage to the bumper, engine undercover, suspension

lower arm bushing and the air conditioning condenser

during towing.

Fig. 220 Previa 4WD towing precautions