Towing A 08 Gmc Sierra 4x4 Question

timmerk · July 5, 2009

I couldn't find this info in my manual, but how do I tow a 08 GMC Sierra 4x4 on a flatbed tow truck? Does the transmission just need to be in neutral while it is pulled onto the flatbed, *if* the transfer case is in 2 wheel drive mode? Or do I need the transfer case in neutral as well?

I ask because I just had to get my truck towed, and I think the tow truck guy just put the transmission into neutral while pulling it onto the flatbed, but the transfer case knob was set to 2 wheel drive.

ZZ327 · July 5, 2009

yea you should always have it in neutral if its getting winched onto anything. I dont think you can put the new 4wd transfer cases in nuetral can you? Isnt it either 4lo 4hi or 2wd? Either way as long as it was in neutral its fine.

brims · July 5, 2009

To pull it onto a flatbed should have no ill effects with putting just the tranny in neutral. That's how you'd do it with a 4x2. If you were going to have it towed with a wheel lift tow truck, then you'd need to put the transfer case into neutral.

yea you should always have it in neutral if its getting winched onto anything. I dont think you can put the new 4wd transfer cases in nuetral can you? Isnt it either 4lo 4hi or 2wd? Either way as long as it was in neutral its fine.

The new trucks have a neutral on the transfer case.

97SierraGMC · July 5, 2009

My dad owns a towing company and i also work for him..

Just put it into neutral, winch it up, put on the straps in the rear, safety chains in front and then i like to hop up on the bed and put the car/truck into park just to be sure and i take the keys out.

04CCSO · July 5, 2009

Ok. I'll ask. Why did it need to be towed?

timmerk · July 5, 2009

Ok. I'll ask. Why did it need to be towed?

Flat tire.

Haha, I should have left it at that. It really was a flat tire, but we couldn't get the spare tire out because the bumper tube was not connected to the lowering mechanism. I had to get some body work done, and the body shop didn't connect the tube when putting the bumper back on, and there was no way to get the steel pole to the lowering mech to lower the spare.

04CCSO · July 6, 2009

Good to here it was just a flat. I never like to hear of such a new truck with mechanical problems.

Heysdad · July 6, 2009

yea you should always have it in neutral if its getting winched onto anything. I dont think you can put the new 4wd transfer cases in nuetral can you? Isnt it either 4lo 4hi or 2wd? Either way as long as it was in neutral its fine.

You can neutral the transfer case by holding the 4x4 knob all the way to the right for like 10 seconds. The transmission has to be in neutral first thought.

When it go's into nutral you will hear it and on the knob a red "N" will light up. I do mine without the enging running. Be sure to read the manual if you're going to do it with the enging running.