2022 Dodge Durango Owners Manual - Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome)

Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome)

Note:

• When towing your vehicle, always follow applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and provincial Highway Safety offices for additional details.

• A flat tow electric power steering enable kit is available for increased flat tow performance, contact an authorized dealer for further details.

RECREATIONAL TOWING — REAR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS

DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain will result.

Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground. This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:

1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following the dolly manufacturer's instructions.

2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.

3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Shift the transmission into PARK.

4. Turn the ignition OFF.

5. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for towing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.

CAUTION:

Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will cause severe transmission damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

RECREATIONAL TOWING — ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS (SINGLE-SPEED TRANSFER CASE)

Recreational towing is not allowed. These models do not have a N (Neutral) position in the transfer case.

Note:

This vehicle may be towed on a flatbed or vehicle trailer provided all four wheels are OFF the ground.

CAUTION:

Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

RECREATIONAL TOWING — ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS (TWO-SPEED TRANSFER CASE)

The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral) and the transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing. The N (Neutral) selection button is adjacent to the transfer case selector switch. Shifts into and out of transfer case N (Neutral) can take place with the selector switch in any position. There is a Mopar® Flat Tow Harness kit available to enable the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) while flat towing the vehicle, to provide more front axle stability. See an authorized dealer for more information and installation.

Note:

If the Mopar® Flat Tow Harness kit is installed, the EPS will use power from the battery to keep the EPS powered during a flat tow. A battery charging system is recommended so that the battery is not depleted over a long trip.

CAUTION:

• DO NOT dolly tow any AWD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).

• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.

• The transmission must be in PARK for recreational towing.

• Before recreational towing, be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) "⇨Shifting Into N (Neutral)". Otherwise, internal damage will result.

• Towing this vehicle in violation of the above requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.

SHIFTING INTO N (NEUTRAL)

WARNING:

You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.

CAUTION:

It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground, with the engine running.

2. Press and hold the brake pedal.

3. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

   Note:

   • Steps 1 through 3 are requirements that must be met before pushing the N (Neutral) button, and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met before pushing the N (Neutral) button or are no longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the N (Neutral) button is released.

   • The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.

   • A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.

4. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case N (Neutral) button (located by the selector switch) for four seconds. The light behind the N symbol will blink, indicating shift in progress. The light will stop blinking (stay on solid) when the shift to N (Neutral) is complete. A “FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IN NEUTRAL” message will appear in the instrument cluster.

   

   N (Neutral) Button

5. After the shift is completed and the N (Neutral) light stays on, release the N (Neutral) button.

6. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or DRIVE.

7. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.

8. Press and hold the brake pedal. Shift the transmission back into NEUTRAL.

9. Firmly apply the parking brake.

10. With the transmission and transfer case in NEUTRAL, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the engine turns off.

11. Place the transmission gear selector in PARK. Release the brake pedal.

12. Push the ENGINE START/STOP button twice (without pressing the brake pedal) to turn the ignition to the OFF mode.

    CAUTION:

    Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.

13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.

14. Release the parking brake.

SHIFTING OUT OF N (NEUTRAL)

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.

2. Firmly apply the parking brake.

3. Start the engine.

4. Press and hold the brake pedal.

5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

   Note:

   • Steps 1 through 5 are requirements that must be met before pushing the N (Neutral) button, and must continue to be met until the shift has been completed. If any of these requirements are not met before pushing the N (Neutral) button or are no longer met during the shift, the N (Neutral) indicator light will flash continuously until all requirements are met or until the N (Neutral) button is released.

   • The ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode for a shift to take place and for the position indicator lights to be operable. If the ignition is not in the ON/RUN mode, the shift will not take place and no position indicator lights will be on or flashing.

   • A flashing N (Neutral) position indicator light indicates that shift requirements have not been met.

6. Using a ballpoint pen or similar object, push and hold the recessed transfer case N (Neutral) button (located by the selector switch) for one second.

   

   N (Neutral) Button

7. When the N (Neutral) indicator light turns off, release the N (Neutral) button.

8. After the N (Neutral) button has been released, the transfer case will shift to the position indicated by the selector switch.

9. Shift the transmission into PARK and turn the engine off.

10. Release the brake pedal.

11. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.

12. Start the engine.

13. Press and hold the brake pedal.

14. Release the parking brake.

15. Shift the transmission into REVERSE or DRIVE, release the brake pedal, and check that the vehicle operates normally.