Flat towing a 40

[webelk6]

I have a nice tow bar that the po had made to tow the 40 behind his RV.

Need to know any precautions before I take it down to the custom exhaust shop. I would tow it behind my pickup(tundra). Front bumper set up.

Scott

 

[fj hunter]

Here's one. Never lock the steering wheel. This will cause the Fj40's to "toe" in and roll, even though hooked to your Tundra back bumper, on corners at low speeds. I have towed several over 500 miles. I use an ordinary tow bar, and chain link it to the front bumper. This after a bad situation when I relyed on a weld to hold. Run a chain tensioner and a chain just like the triangle of the tow bar, and just above it. My chain runs down on the bottom of the ball, and I just snug it up, not real tight. I run all the usual extra lights, and if this is a long haul, you may consider pulling the drive lines. This saves on any unforseen issues with a tranny that is not tired and true. I run all the security chains for a loose towed item as well. That makes one full chain, and two drag chains in case it gets loose. My top speed for this was about 45 MPH. Turn up the music and enjoy the planning of the next step with your new rig. Also, do not have anything in or around the steering column, it will spin on corners and curves. No colateral damages needed.

 

[webelk6]

Here's one. Never lock the steering wheel. This will cause the Fj40's to "toe" in and roll, even though hooked to your Tundra back bumper, on corners at low speeds. I have towed several over 500 miles. I use an ordinary tow bar, and chain link it to the front bumper. This after a bad situation when I relyed on a weld to hold. Run a chain tensioner and a chain just like the triangle of the tow bar, and just above it. My chain runs down on the bottom of the ball, and I just snug it up, not real tight. I run all the usual extra lights, and if this is a long haul, you may consider pulling the drive lines. This saves on any unforseen issues with a tranny that is not tired and true. I run all the security chains for a loose towed item as well. That makes one full chain, and two drag chains in case it gets loose. My top speed for this was about 45 MPH. Turn up the music and enjoy the planning of the next step with your new rig. Also, do not have anything in or around the steering column, it will spin on corners and curves. No colateral damages needed.

I have to go 13.5 miles to the custom exhaust shop.
think I will have to go thru all that rigmorale?

 

[SD_rdcruzer]

If it's only a short distance, there isn't too much to look out for.
Make sure it's in neutral and tie off the steering wheel.

I use a bungee cord and the brake pedal. It keeps the wheels straight so they don't turn the opposite way you are and drag around corners.

If you want to be safe, you can disconnect the drive shafts and tie them up out of the way.

You might hear lots of opinions, but mine is not to worry too much if it's a short drive.

 

[crushr]

I would do the following - Disengage front hubs, bungee on steering wheel, disconnect rear drive shaft at third member and tie it up out of the way. I towed my 40 about 600 miles that way.

 

[PhilC64]

I flat towed mine form GB to Chicago and never had an issue. I did the following.

Disco's the drive shafts.
Unlocked the hubs.
Disco'd the battery.
Key in the ignition to the on position.
Leave the steering wheel loose and untethered.

Hook up to your tow rig with temp tow lights like mine. http://www.adventurerv.net/images/Magnetic-Tow-Lights.jpg

Tow to exhaust shop.

Jeepers it's like you're new or something Scotty!

I'd be even willing to stop up and loan you my tow lights if you make it worth my while.

 

[webelk6]

I flat towed mine form GB to Chicago and never had an issue. I did the following.

Disco's the drive shafts.
Unlocked the hubs.
Disco'd the battery.
Key in the ignition to the on position.
Leave the steering wheel loose and untethered.

Hook up to your tow rig with temp tow lights like mine. http://www.adventurerv.net/images/Magnetic-Tow-Lights.jpg

Tow to exhaust shop.

Jeepers it's like you're new or something Scotty!

I'd be even willing to stop up and loan you my tow lights if you make it worth my while.

I don't want to fawk up my rig. And I am not using tow lights. I am also not removing the drive shaft for the short distance. Think I will however bungee the steering wheel.

 

[kjohnson]

Ha Scott,

This must mean you are getting close, thats great.

I have towed my 40 a few times with no problems, just put everything in neutal.

Kevin

 

[werd]

I use to flat tow my 40 and its a thrill ride.

Do the following:

- Disconnect your rear drive shaft. Just take it off the rear diff and tie it to the frame. Everything else in neutral.
- DO NOT tie your steering wheel. The only problem you will have is turning out of your drive way. The 40 will want to go the opposite way you are turning.
- Make sure the tow bar and hitch on the tow vehicle are the same height. This is to insure proper braking.
- Have a large enough tow vehicle. Remember your 40 weights ~ 4,000 lbs.


Get things hooked up and drive around town for a bit. If your 40 isn't tracking well you are having other issues that need to be corrected before towing.

Drive slow. Mine seemed to tow wheel at lower hwy speeds.

I flat towed enough that I bought a trailer.

Good Luck!

 

[Living in the Past]

I might just add don't use your brakes if you don't have to going around corners. The back end of your truck is light compared to the 40. So plan ahead. I've flat tow thousands of miles when I owned a Tundra and would do it again

 

[67azcruizr]

Got AAA

 

[PhilC64]

Screw it and drive with an open exhaust to the shop if you're uncomfortable with the idea of flat towing it! Chicken.

 

[40's rock]

Flat towed mine all over the state....no probs with steering until I shackled it up. The only reason to tie steering is if you have lifted the 40 and not corrected the caster angle. Otherwise, hook it up, run one safety chain, everything unlocked / in neutral and drive slow. Piece of cake.....till a bolt on your tow bar fails.....

 

[werd]

The only reason to tie steering is if you have lifted the 40 and not corrected the caster angle.

If you tie your steering wheel you will be looking at more problems than just putting a pair of $20 shims in place to correct caster.

A tied steering wheel leads unneccessary stress on your steering components, knuckles, etc. Would you rather drag your front end through a turn or have it turn like it does when you are driving it normally?

If your 40 isn't tracking normally when you go on a test drive, I would not reccommend flat towing the vehicle. These issues should be corrected before flat towing, even if it's just across town.

You are towing 4,000 lbs of steel behind you and if something goes wrong it isn't going to be a pretty sight. I have flat towed my 40 well over 1,000 miles now and it's not something you should take lightly.

 

[Mace]

If you tie your steering wheel you will be looking at more problems than just putting a pair of $20 shims in place to correct caster.

A tied steering wheel leads unneccessary stress on your steering components, knuckles, etc. Would you rather drag your front end through a turn or have it turn like it does when you are driving it normally?

If your 40 isn't tracking normally when you go on a test drive, I would not reccommend flat towing the vehicle. These issues should be corrected before flat towing, even if it's just across town.

You are towing 4,000 lbs of steel behind you and if something goes wrong it isn't going to be a pretty sight. I have flat towed my 40 well over 1,000 miles now and it's not something you should take lightly.

The tied steering wheel thing is a bandaid for improper steering geometry..

That being said, for 12 miles, I would not hesitate doing it for a sec..

It is not going to make you die any more than towing flat would anyway.

I would be more concerned with making sure that the tow bar is level or at a slight angle down towards the tow rig. If it is angled up, you can lift the rear end of your truck reducing braking capability..

 

[rchandler]

Even with caster correction mine would sometimes lock over on bumpy hard turn... I tie off steering wheel with shot piece of rope , make the turns as wide as I can , hubs unlocked, everthing in neutral with rear drivline removed, I have towed long distance like this with no problems 60 MPH