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Flat tow question

I was discussing my motorhome with my father-in-law who is an over the road bus driver in Brazil. I was laughing and telling him about the time I got myself nosed in at a truckstop and had to get out and unhook the jeep so I could back out of there. He asked me why I just didn't back up with the jeep still attached? I said it's my understanding that you cannot back a vehicle that you're pulling with a tow bar. I'll have to admit that I've never tried it. I'm just going off what my dad told me who used to flat tow his jeep behind a motorhome . My father-in-law was adamant that it could be done. And being my first motorhome. Who am I to argue with him? What are the opinions here about backing up a vehicle that you're flat towing with a tow bar?
2008 Nimbus 342
Build# 6464
ISM 500
Allison 4000 w/retarder
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #1 –
Usually good for about two feet, and then the front wheels on the towd turn and everything binds up.  I have done the two feet many times.  I tried six feet once, and made a nice trough in a dirt road from the towd front tires.

Then people say have someone in the towd to keep the wheel straight.  Then stories about broken wrists.

Better than the stories, ask the towbar manufacturer what they say.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #2 –
Best answer is NO, it can't be done.

Because of caster on the toad, pushing it backwards if not EXACTLY STRAIGHT will cause the front wheels of the toad to quickly go all the way to locked position.  Try it with a grocery cart.  Push from the front, even a few inches off center and see what happens.

There have even been stories of wife holding the wheel straight in the toad while coach was backed up.  Force on wheel strong enough as it whips around to break an arm.

This is NOT like backing a trailer--they don't have steer tires and lots of caster.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #3 –
It can destroy the tow bar also.
 I did get into a bad situation many years ago and had my brother steer the car with the engine running for power steering while we backed up. Keep in mind we are both over 50 year truck drivers and know how to see a problem if it developed.
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: Flat tow question

Reply #4 –
So another problem unmentioned of the robust tow platform damaging its hitch and although no indications may be displayed during the event it could cause damage to be present down the road exceeding the hitch side load capacity. Toads produce much higher side loads than trailers ever could.
Scott

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #5 –
I have backed up a few times very carefully. My Suzuki wheels stay straight and as soon
as it goes out of alinement I quit backing up but as everyone has said you can put a lot
of strain on the tow bar if it gets out of alinement.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #6 –
Thanks for the answers confirming what I already thought. BUT. Who wants to argue with their Father-in-Law? 😂
2008 Nimbus 342
Build# 6464
ISM 500
Allison 4000 w/retarder
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #7 –
I've had to unhook the toad a few times for the exact reasons stated here and I do my best to not get into that situation.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #8 –
I've had to unhook. Get your spouse to go outside in a safety vest to direct traffic. They will feel sorry for her choice of mate and give you a little slack.
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: Flat tow question

Reply #9 –
If the towed steering wheel is hands on  and kept straight, you can back up straight for a few feet. maybe 20 .  The wheel has to be held tight .Engine running will help.     

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
If the towed steering wheel is hands on  and kept straight, you can back up straight for a few feet. maybe 20 .  The wheel has to be held tight .Engine running will help.

Or loop the seat belt through the steering wheel and move seat back to tighten.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Protech Racing –
If the towed steering wheel is hands on  and kept straight, you can back up straight for a few feet. maybe 20 .  The wheel has to be held tight .Engine running will help.     
Even without anyone holding the wheel, it can be done if the surface is paved, flat, and even and you are backing straight. The wheels will stay straight for a while, probably at least a car length, if nothing on the surface pushes them to the side.
Dave and Kathy Bennett
2004 U270
Build #6253
1600W Solar
700 AH Battle Born Lithium
2015 Jeep Wrangler

No matter what happens, remember you always get the trip out of it.

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #12 –
the 20 minutes to unhook and rehook are a small price to pay to not destroy or damage the tow bars
We have had to do it a couple of times, one at a truck stop to fuel up and I got in the wrong lane behind a truck that was getting service work done. I now look more careful before I pull in behind another truck.
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #13 –
Showed this thread to my wife, and she started yelling at me AGAIN for the 3 times we've had to unhook in the last 10 years!  Love that woman.  :)
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #14 –
As I said I have backed up a short distant. but I also have had to disconnect the toad.
When we went to Newfoundland we left the toad behind and if we had brought it we
would have been disconnecting a lot. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Flat tow question

Reply #15 –
The Nomadic fanatic on Utube uses a bungee cord on his Smart Car steering wheel to back up.

 A bungee might work other cars but I've seen him use it on his car.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR