Towing

Which model Jeep? Which transmission and transfer case? There should be no problem flat towing, but there are things you should know depending upon the particular tranny/transfer case.

Robert Bills KG6LMV Orange County CA

I believe flat towing instructions are in the owners manual. (I could be wrong, though.) Try a google search for "flat towing". Normally you leave the transmission in gear (or park if it's an auto), the xfer case in neutral, and the key unlocked (this is *very* important - it lets the front wheels follow you through turns). I'm sure if I forgot anything, I will be corrected. ;-) Also - don't back up.

Ken had a trailer in mind it would appear. I flat tow my XJ behind my motorhome and it is much easier than lugging around a huge trailer. It is quick and cheap to use a tow bar and is less weight that a double axle trailer. consider getting a transmission temp gauge when towing heavy loads. What motor does your rv have? KH

These are the advantages of flat-towing, but a somehwat serious disadvantage is the lack of brakes, which a trailer with brakes should eliminate. Drive sensibly when flat-towing, keeping in mind you are essentially towing a 3,000+ pound trailer with no brakes...

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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It is a 75 CJ5, T-18, Dana 20

Put your tranny in 3rd gear, transfer case in neutral, and be sure your steering is unlocked. That's about it. However, you should stop every 200 miles or so and run the engine with the tranny in gear to sling oil around the transfer case bearings.

Novak Conversons has this to say:

"[I]t is recommended that the rear drive shaft be disconnected and the front axle hubs disengaged for flat towing of any distance.

You won't need to mess with the driveshaft if you run the engine for a few minutes every 200 miles as mentioned above. It is a method recommended by Jason Bunch at Tri-County Gear in Pomona CA, and has worked for me for many thousands of miles of trouble free flat towing.

Be sure you have good trailer lights. I have my jeep wired to use the jeep lights for towing, but used magnetic lights for many years.

Have fun.

Robert Bills KG6LMV Orange County CA

I just installed a towbar on my YJ, $99.00 at Pep Boys for a universal

5000# rated. Magnetic tow lights were ~ $60.00, chains from Home Depot about $20.00. I have the stock, flat bumper on mine, universal brackets were perfect for me, may not work on XJ. BTW, for the safety chains, I use my tow hooks.

For mine I left the tow hooks on, added a front receiver hitch bolted under the air dam. (Reese 90 bucks) and used big bolts to mount the mounting brackets to the receiver steel.See the second picture down on my website.

I use my jeep to maneuver the boat around my driveway using the fronthitch. I have a Reese tubular tow bar but like other ones I've seen better.I use magnetic electric lights.KH

Hmm I leave mine in park while flat towing with the steering column unlocked and the tcase in neutral. When I tow in sand I put a bungee on the steering wheel to hold it straight so the tires dont turn and start to plow. KH

Duh... Thanks Matt. KH

I'm starting to think this is a troll, same guy with the 4500# winch sob story. He can't be serious about the above statement!!

Tookie

Dunno.

The rental trailers from a local tool rental place don't have any lights and the old law used to be that no lights were required in daylight as long as the towing vehciles lamps could be seen.

Even though. It's safer to run with lamps than without. Tickets aside, what you should be worried about are dumb drivers with smart lawyers.

I wouldn't have u-hell install bumper sticker!