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Topic: Towing full size pickup  (Read 1278 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #25 –
The last flat tow Rav4 was 2005. And buying a used AWD/4x4 flat tow capable SUV that isn't a gas hog or already nearly worn out is getting hard.
Every Subaru that was more than two-three years old already had 100,000 miles. I swear that people must put their Subaru's on jacks and run them 24/7. Subaru and most other makers of smaller "capable" AWD are moving to un-towable CVT's. We like our Subaru because it has a more traditional transfer case and is full time AWD, In that it always has a 55F-45R split. Not the FWD that adds the rear if there is slip.


Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #26 –
I tow a Ram 2500 crew cab 4X4 diesel with a 45 gal aux fuel tank in the bed { I had a 5th wheel). I use a blue ox 10,000 lb tow bar with air force one braking system (these came with the coach). I haven't towed it long distances or in the mountains but I am sure I will know it is back there. When my brother and I went to pick the coach up in AZ we pulled his Yukon back. He said he could tell that it was slower getting on the freeways but seemed to do good otherwise. That extra 100 hp I am sure makes a difference.
Just my two cents
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #27 –
I may research changing my transfer case to one with a neutral in it.  I have a 2000 Ford F-250 super duty 4x4 I have owned since new.  130k miles.  Thought about a drive line disconnect but my research is that the transfer case is switchable as my current one has no neutral.

Used to tow a 86 Ford F-250 4x4 long bed std cab in the 90's when I ran a country coach store.

You definitely could tell it was there.

I have a extra road-master 6k tow bar here now truck weighs 6,500 empty.  Wonder if it would work safely?

"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
I may research changing my transfer case to one with a neutral in it.  I have a 2000 Ford F-250 super duty 4x4 I have owned since new.  130k miles.  Thought about a drive line disconnect but my research is that the transfer case is switchable as my current one has no neutral.

Say...I have a 2000 F350 4x4 6 speed DRW 7.3. 4.10 gears The nice thing about one of these as a toad is you can put it up front and tow the coach for a change of pace!

So Ford is adamant that no wheels can be on the ground while towed.  Would adding a manual xfer case and getting rid of ESOF make it towable?

"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #29 –
     I may research changing my transfer case to one with a neutral in it.  I have a 2000 Ford F-250 super duty 4x4 I have owned since new.  130k miles.  Thought about a drive line disconnect but my research is that the transfer case is switchable as my current one has no neutral.
[/quote]
  Caflashbob,      keep us posted if you do a transfer case switch, I have a 150 and have looked at drive line disconnect, but would be interested in transfer case switch
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #30 –
I'm towing 2018 Colorado 4x4 which has neutral in transfer case and also requires battery disconnect. I installed Roadmaster battery disconnect on positive terminal. Once installed a simple push of button to connect and disconnect from button on dash. Would work with half ton late model GM trucks. When reconnecting the dash asks you to lower and raise driver side window for some reason. After that it's happy. Radio presets are not lost.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
I may research changing my transfer case to one with a neutral in it.  I have a 2000 Ford F-250 super duty 4x4 I have owned since new.  130k miles.  Thought about a drive line disconnect but my research is that the transfer case is switchable as my current one has no neutral.

Used to tow a 86 Ford F-250 4x4 long bed std cab in the 90's when I ran a country coach store.

You definitely could tell it was there.

I have a extra road-master 6k tow bar here now truck weighs 6,500 empty.  Wonder if it would work safely?
If your hubs are not un-lockable a drive line disconnect could still damage the transfer case while the fronts were on the ground.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #32 –
Quote from: craneman –
If your hubs are not un-lockable a drive line disconnect could still damage the transfer case while the fronts were on the ground.

That's got to be the reason, thanks Craneman.  Not a big deal to install manual lockers though. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #33 –
The hubs are auto lock.  Un locked normally.  I understand it vacuum in the front housing to engage them.

Plus they have a manual lock ability on each hub.

The superduty forums long ago talked about the transfer case swap.

Last reference I read talked a our 4 different cases.  One each for gas and diesel and one each for stick and auto trans.

The hole was alleged to already be in the floor for the in and out lever.

Someone posted his on the fly was wired to work and his dash light showing the boxes function lit up correctly.

Seems just to need someone who has experience doing this swap 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #34 –
I flat towd a 1942 Willys MB and did rock crawling for 10 years, so have researched "flat towing".

Some cautions to be aware of:
All two speed transfer cases have a neutral but some do not have a neutral indent which keeps transfer case in neutral.
Having a neutral indent in transfer case does not mean the vehicle can safely be flat towed - it depends.
The problem here is twofold: lubrication and what is spinning?
Some transfer cases do not have sufficient lubrication when being flat towed in neutral.
Some manual transmissions do not have sufficient lubrication when being flat towed in neutral.

Some transfer case shifting causes front drive shaft engagement when in neutral, some do not.
Auto front hub lockers can become engage when being flat towed - not good.

  manufacturer indicate that a vehicle cannot be flat towed does not mean it cannot be safely flat towed.I flat towed a 1984 Bronco II, which Ford indicated could not be flat towed. I over filled the Dana 18 transfer case with Ford automatic transmission fluid and towed it thousands of miles, and so did many others. The front drive shaft was not engaged when the transfer case was in neutral which I liked.

I flat towed a 1998 Suzuki X90 automatic which Suzuki indicated could be flat towed after auto lock front hubs were replaced with manual hubs, which I did. The front drive shaft was engaged and spinning when transfer case was in neutral so I would disconnect the rear drive shaft at the rear diff when doing long tows.

i flat tow a 1984 Toyota Supra automatic, which of course Toyota says cannot be done. I installed a drive shaft disconnect and boy, does it ever turn heads when being towed. I have owned this car for 24 years and it has 85,000 miles.

I also flat tow a 2015 Jeep Wrangler automatic, which Chrysler indicates can be flat towed. Note that not all Jeep Wrangler can be flat towed, only the ones with the 4WD transfer case, not the ones with the AWD transfer case.
The front drive shaft is spinning even though it is not engaged at the transfer case, because the front wheels are always connected to the half shafts (no front wheel locking hubs).


Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Towing full size pickup

Reply #35 –
Thanks for the input from everyone. I need all the info I can get for my learning curve.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola" sold 2020
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318