Towing
Towing refers to an ability in Grand Theft Auto games to tow or pull an object, specifically a trailer or vehicle, using another vehicle. This ability is first made possible in Grand Theft Auto 2, when semi-trailer trucks possess the ability to pull trailers, but only one game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, similarly offers such a feature.
Description
Attachments with trailers simply require the player reverse their vehicle into the front of a trailer until the camera readjusts itself to center on both the hauler and the trailer, confirming the coupling is complete. When pulling a trailer, the vehicle will possess poorer performance due to the need to pull extra weight, especially with regards to steering as the vehicle is now longer.
GTA 2
In GTA 2, the Truck Cab and the Truck Cab SX represent the game's only two semi-trailer trucks, and are also the only vehicles in GTA 2 capable of attaching to and pulling trailers. After a trailer is attached to a truck, the trailer cannot be detached.
The game features three forms of trailers:
- Container, a container trailer.
- Tanker, a tanker trailer for liquid loads.
- Transporter, a flat bed trailer, some of which may carry actual vehicles.
GTA San Andreas
GTA San Andreas is the only game after GTA 2 to reintroduced the ability to pull loads. The game mechanics of attaching to and pulling a trailer is roughly the same as in GTA 2, but trailers may decouple from a vehicle if physical force (i.e. jackknifing, dislodging due to rough terrains or jumps, excessive speed, etc.) is applied.
Along with the game's three semi-trailer trucks (the Linerunner, Tanker and Roadtrain), the game also introduces a different range of vehicles with roughly the same capability, including:
- The Tow Truck, which employs an adjustable boom at the back to pull any large vehicle.
- The Tractor, which uses an adjustable tow hitch to pull smaller hauls or large vehicles.
- The Utility Van and Baggage, which feature a stationary tow hitch to pull smaller hauls.
The trailers themselves consist of a wider range of items, some of which are no available unless they are spawned using a third-party trailer.
Semi-trailers
- Articulated Trailer, a trailer designed to carry solid loads. The trailer is available in three forms, two fully covered and one hopper.
- Tanker Trailer, a fuel tank trailer featuring Xoomer livery.
Specialized trailers
- Farm Trailer, a plow intended to be pulled by a Tractor.
- Utility Trailer, an utility trailer not normally accessible in the game, intended for the Utility Van.
- Tug Stairs, a mobile staircase commonly found in airports, and intended for the Baggage.
- Baggage Box, a luggage box (available open or closed) commonly found in airports, and intended for the Baggage.