What's the verdict on best way to flat tow? Rear driveline removed, hubs unlocked, battery unhooked, key in the ignition to unlocked the steering wheel, T case in 2wd high, transmission in neutral, bungee cord attached to the steering wheel from each side to return to center. What else? If you don't remove the rear driveline I've heard putting the T case in neutral and transmission 2nd gear is ideal........... For the serious flat towers the "blue ox" flat tow system to give yourself trailer brakes but I'm personally I'm not serious enough of a flat tower to spend that kind of money.
Best way to flat tow
- Thread starter sandec
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Dolly the front and the rear drive line disconnected at the pumpkin. D Line joint taped and strapped up out of the way. Electric brakes on the dolly with tow rig control would be nice.
I've never liked the idea of flat towing a 40 behind anything. A 40 is well worth the expense of buying (or borrowing) a flatbed.
Just my opinion
Just my opinion
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- #4
I have a trailer. There are plenty of situations I find myself in where I can't use my trailer. I have an upcoming trip where I can't use my trailer so it's nice to have flat towing as an option.
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- #6
I think you guys might have misunderstood the post. The post was, "best way to flattow." Somehow you all are reading it, "post a picture of your 40 on a trailer and tell me how that's a better option."
If we all read it wrong, then perhaps you wrote it wrong first.
I tried bungies on the steering wheel. Worked ok going in a straight line - didn't work for tight turns like getting out of a parking lot. Once flat towed a small dump truck, 30 miles or so. Snapped off the input shaft to the tranny 100' from the lot. Would have made it except we had no tools to disconnect the drive line and I put it in low speed axle as I was coasting to a pull out to stop. No spark due to points arm snapping off. They wouldn't allow me to have any spare parts or tools - state highway department , go figure.
I tried bungies on the steering wheel. Worked ok going in a straight line - didn't work for tight turns like getting out of a parking lot. Once flat towed a small dump truck, 30 miles or so. Snapped off the input shaft to the tranny 100' from the lot. Would have made it except we had no tools to disconnect the drive line and I put it in low speed axle as I was coasting to a pull out to stop. No spark due to points arm snapping off. They wouldn't allow me to have any spare parts or tools - state highway department , go figure.
It can be done; most who have tried are not satisfied, and if your caster and camber are not spot on or a little greater than spec (or your steering components are loose.. it will start going in another direction (think going through dips or over speed bumps changing the effective camber caster slightly), once they start they will keep turning until whatever you put on the steering wheel to keep it generally straight is all bound up.
If all that is excellent just pull the rear driveshaft, don’t even have to do that for short distances (T case in neutral). I have a POS trailer (mobile home axles n tires) now. When we were towing my son’s CJ7 rig to Moab from Northern CO we played w/ flat towing then just rented the two wheel dolly from U-haul.
But to maintain the present course of the thread, I would suggest…
If all that is excellent just pull the rear driveshaft, don’t even have to do that for short distances (T case in neutral). I have a POS trailer (mobile home axles n tires) now. When we were towing my son’s CJ7 rig to Moab from Northern CO we played w/ flat towing then just rented the two wheel dolly from U-haul.
But to maintain the present course of the thread, I would suggest…
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- #10
Thank you. That's all good to know. Trailer is safer but it's hard to match the convenience of flat towing. Since I mentioned I have a trailer here are some situations I've opted to flat tow vs trailering:
1). I've loaned out my trailer. My dad usually has dibs on it for 1 week during hay season.
2). I'm going somewhere that has limited trailer parking but parking two separate vehicles is possible.
3). I drop off or pick up my truck at a different location like a mechanic. I can tow the landcruiser, unhook it and drive it home.
4). I buy a used truck somewhere. Drive the landcruiser there with the town bar and tow it home with the newly purchased truck.
5). I'm shuttling a vehicle somewhere.
6). I needed two separate vehicles with no place to drop a trailer (like a car show).
It is not that bad , i did a long trip back in 2004 , quebec to miami (2880km) with no trouble exept for the first turn, 5 minutes after leaving home , the solution was to tie the steering to the cage to prevent overturn, with about 1/4 turn left and right it was fine, with locking hubs front and rear it make it easier
I flat towed many years ago. On long trips I disconnected the d/s. Trans and tcase in neutral. As rlong mentioned sometimes when pulling out of parking lots or hard turns the frt wheels may turn too much and you'll have to get out and straighten the wheels. I would use a bungee cords to help keep the wheel straight, but it isn't bullet proof. On curvey roads you have to watch your speed. The vehicle behind you wants to go straight, so the back of the towing truck can get pushed or fishtail. I try to set up the towbar so the ball is slightly below the towbar mounting point of the vehicle being towed. That way during braking the the towbar pushes down on the towing truck and puts weight on its rear axle. On the highway and sweeping turns using a tow bar works ok.
The PO of my bj42 flat towed it to mexico twice, he just remove the rear driveshaft. when he need to drive the 42 for short ride to the store on his way south, he just drive it in front wheel drive
Trans and t-case could be on 4 low and reverse gear if the rear driveshaft is disconnected and front locking hubs at free , only the rear diff is turning
So I recently had to flat tow my 40 because of no other options. First word of advice, is the tow vehicle. I think it goes with out saying but the towing vehicle should be bigger ( weigh more than your 40 ). When the thrust bearing went out on me I was 60 miles away from home or so. I used my wife's Highlander to tow it back, because there was nothing else available. With the mix of over confidence and under weighted vehicle there was a couple of fishtail incidents that just about made me soil my self. The second time that I had to flat tow it I had the proper vehicle this time I had a 2010 Tundra as my towing vehicle and it made all of the difference in the world. I put the transmission and transfer case in neutral and towed it about 100 to the shop that is changing the engine for me. I didn't have the drive shaft removed but you do need to pay attention to the steering of the vehicle being towed because they will want to turn the opposite way sometimes. If you have to flat tow definitely double neutral and probably a really good idea to remove the rear drive shaft. Even better at least a front wheel dolly again double neutral and probably drive shaft. Even better still small U-Haul car transport, and best of all a dedicated flat bed trailer like has been mentioned before. I would also say that try to keep the milage down as much as humanly possible. Oh I almost forgot There is never too much security, safety chains if you have to flat tow, car dolly strap both front tires with strong straps safety chains on the trailer, small 4 wheel car hauler strap every wheel if possible, flat bed every axle and the bumpers. Most importantly double check everything and when you are confident say that's not going anywhere
Don't flat tow a 40 with another 40! Desperation makes you do dumb things. Used a towbar and double neutral with the steering wheel bungee corded. Turns sucked and weight of the rear one nearly made me rear end a couple cars. Scariest 20 miles of my life. 
I feel your anguish. Flat towing with that highlander was damn near the scariest thing I have done in a while.Don't flat tow a 40 with another 40! Desperation makes you do dumb things. Used a towbar and double neutral with the steering wheel bungee corded. Turns sucked and weight of the rear one nearly made me rear end a couple cars. Scariest 20 miles of my life.
Flat towed from Dothan Alabama in the worst snowstorm, back in 1978, to Statesville NC. Tow car was a 1968 Mercury Montego 4 speed with 390 engine, oh a convertible. Disconnected rear shaft and that was it. The snow and ice on the road was so bad, you couldn’t drive faster than 40 mph.
Just young and stupid. Me not you.
Just young and stupid. Me not you.