Flat tow a 40 advice??
- Thread starter fjatheart
- Start date
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
If this is directed at me it doesn't answer my question.
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Box Rocket
Well-known member
Excellent recommendation to take it for a short tow first to make sure everything checks out. If you plan to tow at freeway speeds then you better check how it tows at those speed too.
My earlier comments about caster, suspension etc having an affect on how the towed vehicle behaves comes from personal experience. Several years ago I planned to flat tow my 40 to the Rubicon behind my 80 series. I did several short tows around my neighborhood and everything seemed great. The day before the trip, I figured I better make sure it was good on the highway. Took it for about a 15 mile tow from my house to a friends shop. Lots of bad behavior showed up on the highway that never happened at slower speeds. It was a total white knuckle experience and I didn't even bother towing it on the return to my house. I unhooked it and drove it back.
It's worth noting that at least part of my problem was the suspension on the tow rig (in this case my 80). The suspension was too soft. When the 40 would sway even a little it would transfer to the 80 and was very difficult to control. A better tow rig with stiffer rear suspension would have helped for sure, but the point is, it is worth your time to make sure things are going to work as you expect them to. Better safe than sorry.
My earlier comments about caster, suspension etc having an affect on how the towed vehicle behaves comes from personal experience. Several years ago I planned to flat tow my 40 to the Rubicon behind my 80 series. I did several short tows around my neighborhood and everything seemed great. The day before the trip, I figured I better make sure it was good on the highway. Took it for about a 15 mile tow from my house to a friends shop. Lots of bad behavior showed up on the highway that never happened at slower speeds. It was a total white knuckle experience and I didn't even bother towing it on the return to my house. I unhooked it and drove it back.
It's worth noting that at least part of my problem was the suspension on the tow rig (in this case my 80). The suspension was too soft. When the 40 would sway even a little it would transfer to the 80 and was very difficult to control. A better tow rig with stiffer rear suspension would have helped for sure, but the point is, it is worth your time to make sure things are going to work as you expect them to. Better safe than sorry.
doug720
Expedition Leader
As I noted earlier, I tow my 60 behind a large motorhome. To tow a 40 with a 80 is asking for issues and problems not related to mechanics of the drive train.
When using a tow bar, or even towing a trailer, it bad practice to use a tow vehicle of the same or similar weight as the towed vehicle. In this case 80 pulling a 40, way too close in weight.
Another issue is brakes. The 80 has marginal brakes from what I understand (never driven one!?) and now you are basically doubling the braked load! Not good!
By law(California) and good practice, any towed load over 1500 lbs must have brakes and emergency brake away brakes. Something to think about also.
I have never had problems towing my 60, and you see thousands of jeeps and other 2 and 4 wheel drive vehicles being towed via tow bars with no problems. Common sense prevails, use it and few issues arise, don't use it at your own risk.
Doug
When using a tow bar, or even towing a trailer, it bad practice to use a tow vehicle of the same or similar weight as the towed vehicle. In this case 80 pulling a 40, way too close in weight.
Another issue is brakes. The 80 has marginal brakes from what I understand (never driven one!?) and now you are basically doubling the braked load! Not good!
By law(California) and good practice, any towed load over 1500 lbs must have brakes and emergency brake away brakes. Something to think about also.
I have never had problems towing my 60, and you see thousands of jeeps and other 2 and 4 wheel drive vehicles being towed via tow bars with no problems. Common sense prevails, use it and few issues arise, don't use it at your own risk.
Doug
fjatheart
Adventurer
It's not.
timbercruiser
Adventurer
When I flat towed my 40, it had a fun habit of having the front tires turn the wrong way when I was turning. It was especially fun in a busy intersection! Apparantly it was a caster issue.