Towing

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"Trailer" redirects here. For game trailer videos, see Category:Trailers.
File:GTA 2 Semi-Truck.png
A Truck Cab pulling a flat bed Transporter trailer in GTA 2.

Towing refers to an ability in Grand Theft Auto games to tow or pull an object, specifically a trailer or vehicle, using another vehicle. The feature 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.

All in all, the game features three forms of trailers, one of which is somewhat useful in actual gameplay.

GTA San Andreas

File:Tanker (GTASA) (with trailer).jpg
A Tanker truck with a "Tanker Trailer" attached in 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 using a specific command or if physical force (i.e. jackknifing, dislodging due to rough terrains or jumps, excessive speed, etc.) is subjected to the trailer. However, there is no single button to detach the trailers. There is a glitch in the PS2 version where taking a picture of the attachment will detach the trailers but the glitch is fixed in subsequent versions.

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 more varied range of items, some of which are not available unless they are spawned using a third-party trailer. In total, GTA San Andreas features a eight types of trailers: Four semi-trailers and four specialized trailers.

All trailers in general are capable of exploding entirely if severely damaged or flipped over, but specialized trailers have several other peculiarities, including functional headlights and taillights that light up at night or in a dark location, and the ability to emit smoke if sufficiently damaged.

List of trailers

GTA 2

Image Name Description
File:Container (GTA2).png A container trailer.
File:Tanker (GTA2).png Tanker A tanker trailer for liquid loads. Not to be confused with a Tanker truck.
File:Transporter (GTA2).png Transporter A flat bed trailer. With the Transporter, the player has the ability to place any car on the trailer, using one of the cranes located in each district. When a gang car is placed on the truck, it loses its gang markings.

GTA San Andreas

Semi-trailers
Image Name Description
A "artict1" Articulated Trailer.
A "artict1" Articulated Trailer.
Articulated Trailer A trailer designed to carry solid loads. The trailer is available in three forms, two fully covered (artict1 and artict3) and one hopper (artict2).
A "artict2" Articulated Trailer.
A "artict2" Articulated Trailer.
A "artict3" Articulated Trailer.
A "artict3" Articulated Trailer.
A Tanker Trailer.
A Tanker Trailer.
Tanker Trailer A fuel tank trailer bearing Xoomer livery.
Specialized trailers
A Farm Trailer.
A Farm Trailer.
Farm Trailer A plow intended to be pulled by a Tractor, complete with functional chisels that move as the Farm Trailer is in motion. The Farm Trailer can be found at a farm in Tierra Robada near the Bait Shop, although no Tractors can be found in the Desert.
A Utility Trailer.
A Utility Trailer.
Utility Trailer A black utility trailer intended for the Utility Van. The trailer is not normally available in game, and can only be spawned using a third-party trailer or car spawner. The reason for its lack of availability in-game is unknown.
A Tug Stairs.
A Tug Stairs.
Tug Stairs A mobile staircase commonly found in airports, and intended for the Baggage. Its high center of gravity may often lead it to topple over during high speed cornering.
A "bagbox a" Baggage Box.
A "bagbox a" Baggage Box.
Baggage Box A luggage box commonly found in airports, and intended for the Baggage. Available open (bagbox a) or closed (bagbox b), and may also be attached to other Baggage Boxes or the Tug Stairs. The Baggage Box also features a steering axle.
A "bagbox b" Baggage Box.
A "bagbox b" Baggage Box.