Dinghy Towing

Topic: Dinghy Towing (Read 3558 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #25 – June 22, 2012, 09:31:43 am

We tow a 2010 Jeep Liberty 4x4 four wheels down, transfer case in neutral and the ignition key in my pocket per owners manual with no problems. Have the US Gear breaking system installed, no problems stopping either.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #26 – June 25, 2012, 11:12:06 pm

I've found a Geo Tracker 4 x 4 auto with manual hubs. It's never been towed so I'll be looking for the base plate and tow bar. Key must stay in ACC so I guess a battery disconnect is necessary. Also, I need to figure out the best method of wiring the electrical. Advice appreciated.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #27 – June 26, 2012, 08:42:02 am

Dwayne, On my last two toads I have drilled holes in the rear tail light assemblies and installed a second two filament bulb and then led 4 wire cable down the chassis or frame rail. This gets away from putting diodes in line and is a simpler installation.
Gary B

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #28 – June 26, 2012, 09:53:40 am

Quote from: Dwayne – June 25, 2012, 11:12:06 pm

Key must stay in ACC so I guess a battery disconnect is necessary. Also, I need to figure out the best method of wiring the electrical. Advice appreciated.

Key in ACC might be for the steering wheel lock. That lock can be removed. My Focus requires the key, but does not required battery disconnnect.

The electrical is no problem. I hooked the Blue Ox electrical plug in on the front of the toad and ran the wiring all the way to the rear where I installed two Stop Turn Tail LED truck type lights to the rear of the vehicle. They stand out like a sore thumb when in used. No one can say that they could not see them.
Looks like this:

Fits into a rubber gasket attached to a metal housing you bolt to vehicle.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #29 – June 26, 2012, 02:22:27 pm

Thanks Gary & Pat. I like the simplicity of wiring independent wiring / lighting. I didn't think that the key at the ACC position wouldn't power things and run down the battery. Every car I've ever owned powers stuff at that position.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #30 – June 26, 2012, 08:37:12 pm

Dwayne,

Congratulations on finding a tracker to tow! What year and which model do you have? They are very easy to set up and maintain as other members will attest to. My Zuki was already set up to tow and you should be able to find a good used towbar and baseplate. I use safety cables from walmart and they work just fine. I tow between 55 and 65 mpg and usually stop around every 200 miles and let it run for a few minutes. No need for battery disconnect if you do this. Jeeps wranglers are great, but they can get expensive. Try craigslist or zukiworld.com/ classifieds for tons of info, parts, etc. Mine is basically stock but bigger tires make a huge difference in the ride and handling. You can go stock or modify all the way to a rock crawler! Either way they are a lot of fun and won't break the bank. Call me if you like and we can discuss this further.

Jerry
(228) 229-5492

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #31 – June 26, 2012, 10:14:00 pm

It is a 95 and looks almost like yours. I see your rig is the same color as mine too. I may take you up on the questions. I see you have the tow bar that stays on the truck. I have yet to see the tracker in person. The owner says it is super clean in and out but that it acts very cold on start up and must warm up before running good. Are these beasts cold natured?

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #32 – June 26, 2012, 10:53:11 pm

No, they are not cold natured if tuned up properly. Mine starts right up after sitting up for a week. Ask for any maintenance records, repairs etc. It could be the o2 sensor, EGR or vacuum leak. Is the check engine light on? If so, CHECK the codes and proceed from there. Mine did that when I first got and I took it to a mechanic who knew Zukis and he found a simple vacuum leak. Also Sea foam is good to use to clean up dirty air intakes and fuel lines. Get yourself a repair manual and start reading. Make sure it doesn't smoke and the 4w/d works properly. If it was just used as a daily driver and not too many miles on it you're probably okay. There should be a south Florida owners group you can join and you can get a lot of help there. These little guys make a great hobby and you will really love it when you fill it up for $25 bucks and can go 200+ miles!

Good luck

Jerry

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #33 – June 26, 2012, 11:33:10 pm

In my previous jeep cherokee there was an extra bulb socket hole. I bought another socket with wiring, fit the hole perfectly, then ran the wire forward (cable tied to frame member)to the 4wire trailer hookup and voila, wires for the jeep. I kept the plug in for the 4 hole near the bumper with some twisty ties and when in use took it off and plugged it in the socket. When not in use, put back on the twisty tie and drove with it and never experienced a problem. The brake/turn signal lamps were unchanged and the brake lights while towing were never a part of the jeep circuit. I don't know if other vehicles had/have this but just wanted to point out an easy fix for my old jeep cherokee. BTW towed on all 4 down, it was a 4WD in Neutral (used a tow bar).

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #34 – June 27, 2012, 03:22:07 pm

I'll check on all of that Jerry. I am leaning toward the extra lights such as Charles is talking about if there is room in the taillight assemblies to drill a hole for the new bulb. I really don't want to mess with the diode arrangement and don't want to do the magnetic lights either.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #35 – June 27, 2012, 10:47:32 pm

Dwayne, I did not drill the hole, believe it or not, it was already there. I can not say why, but it certainly was convenient. My jeep cherokee was a 1996. The light assembly may be different on later models. But it is easy to check. Just a couple of screws to remove. That has been a while since I owned that jeep.

BTW, I attached the connection for the tow bar to the front bumper. This was a bad idea as it started to come loose after a while. Perhaps needless to say to most, as the bumper was not stout enough. The issue showed up when I hit some potholes (while towing the jeep behind the motorhome), it put a lot of stress on the bumper/towbar connection which dang near took off the front bumper. I was able to fix the bumper attachment back to the jeep but did not tow it that way anymore. Here was a reminder that there is a logical reason for checking all that stuff on a regular basis. :-)

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #36 – June 28, 2012, 12:05:11 am

on our '03 Wrangler, I mounted an extra set of lights on the rear bumper that are totally independent of the Jeep's wiring. 3 years, and so far, so good.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #37 – June 28, 2012, 05:48:31 am

I also included the front parking & turn signal lights with the rear lights, as I nearly had a truck pull out behind the coach, as he did not see the toad until he nearly hit it. Have not had that issue since the front marker lights were included. Just sying.
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #38 – June 28, 2012, 10:08:00 am

Dave,
I did not do that but agree that would be a good idea. Hmm, will work on some side illumination for mine. I really like the idea of separate lights for the toad that are powered by the trailer hook up. LED which is now available would be a good idea too.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #39 – July 02, 2012, 04:51:53 pm

Couldn't get to look at the Tracker this weekend so plan to do it next weekend. I was looking at the coach and there is an electrical connection for the toad lighting and another thing with nothing connected to it from behind. Is this the electrical connection that is common today or will I need an adapter and what is the other thing?

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #40 – July 02, 2012, 06:23:50 pm

Somebody on this thread posted that they towed an HHR.
If you see this could you tell me whether it is a stick or auto and if it is a stick do you know if the auto can be towed flat
Thanks

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #41 – July 02, 2012, 07:48:41 pm

Randy,
Send Dan Stansel a note. He tows his HHR, which is an auto, know he added a switch to kill power rather than remove a fuse.

Just met him last Fri. when we were parked down the road from his home and he stopped by for a chat. I asked about his tow and what he had to do.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #42 – July 02, 2012, 07:59:49 pm

Dave is correct Randy, I tow an HHR and it tows great. Automatic transmission. All you have to do is (1) Put gear shift in Neutral(2) Place key switch in access<key will not come out so keep the second set in the coach if you desire to lock> (3) Pull one fuse in my case I got a fuse switch. (4) make sure emergency brake is off. You are ready to go. I have M&G brakes and break away and Blue Ox tow bar. Car has lots of room for storage and great AC in hot days. DAN

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #43 – July 02, 2012, 08:18:14 pm

Thanks Dan and Dave.
I'm not towing anything right now and I really like the looks and the space of the HHR. Another selling point for me is that I have a 2003 Saturn ION with 223,000 miles on it and it has the same engine as the HHR.
I guess it's time to go shopping.
Thanks again
Randy

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #44 – July 03, 2012, 12:54:58 am

Hi Dwayne, I have the same plug on my M.H. facing straight down. My tow dolly has a 6 prong flat. I found Autozone has a great selection of adaptors and good prices.

Respectfully, Mitch Sayer

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #45 – September 19, 2012, 10:29:56 pm

Just bought a 97 Geo Tracker Lsi on eBay. He bought it from an older couple who'd just gave up fulltiming. It is all rigged up for towing with base plate and tow bar. Seller says the inside is like new with just about every option offered including a removable hardtop. I asked about the hubs and he really didn't know except to say that you put the 4WD in neutral and the auto in park and it rolls around freely. Looks like the couple mounted a set of towing lights on the spare and just ran the wire up to the coach. I'll probably change that. The only issue is that it is in NC almost to Norfolk, VA so I've got to check into shipping vs. driving up in my P/U or the seller said he'd keep it until I can hitch a ride with family who'll be travelling from FL to PA in about six weeks. It will be nice having transportation with us on our travels and not dependent on our daughter when visiting in Gainesville. College kids are apparently too busy to be chauffeuring parents.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #46 – September 19, 2012, 10:48:58 pm

Quote from: Dwayne – September 19, 2012, 10:29:56 pm

I asked about the hubs and he really didn't know except to say that you put the 4WD in neutral and the auto in park and it rolls around freely.

I believe the front hubs, if it has them, should be unlocked - freewheeling. And congrats on the good catch!

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #47 – September 20, 2012, 12:11:15 pm

Dwayne,

I just looked at the tracker you just bought off ebay and it looks like you found a real gem! If I didn't own my 95 sidekick already I would have bid on it also! It looks to be in great shape and very well maintained by the prior owner who used it for his toad. New tires, battery, fluids, timing belt, hard tops, tow bar and base plate, ABS, a/c and cruise control, Wow! I would find out if possible how many towed miles (mine had over 50,000). Make sure you have manual front hubs and check the front wheel bearings and the 4wd drive operation. The only thing I would add would be an OME suspension kit (springs, shocks, & struts, 2.5" lift) designed specifically for these trucklets for superior ride comfort and light offroad capabilities. Off-Road Equipment for the Serious Enthusiast

Jerry

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #48 – September 20, 2012, 12:19:51 pm

I was hoping to not have to pay so much but considering how nice it is and that it already is equipped with the towing gear I'm satisfied. I was looking at a local one not nearly as nice and with the towing gear I'd be in the same ballpark. Now I just have to learn how to drive the rig with something in tow.

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #49 – September 20, 2012, 04:22:31 pm

Quote from: Dwayne – September 20, 2012, 12:19:51 pm

Now I just have to learn how to drive the rig with something in tow.

Geez our toad just keeps following us everywhere we go.

Important you don't forget anything when hooking it up.

Roland

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