How to Flat tow your 80 series... safely. (1 Viewer)

[Mikesta]

Warning about One key click to right and my recommendation.

So after 4200 miles, we gassed up and pulled out of the station. I hear screeching after some serious bumpy New england potholes. My key chain with 20 keys on them caused the key to turn one click left which locked the wheels. After about 50' going 5mph, I pulled over, turned it to ACC and drove to my destination.

See the 1 click to the right before acc, unlocks your steering, however it doesn't turn on any of the systems. However the weight of the keychain CAN cause it to go back into locked possition.

My recommendation is to just use a single key to avoid this mishap as if this happened going 70mph down the road, you could be in for some trouble. Flaming tires? or worse a flipped truck... yea yea, I'm going overboard, but it COULD happen if you have too much weight on the keychain.

Just sayin. Learn from my experience.

 

[Mikesta]

Captains Log: 4600 miles. 4 wheels down flat towing.

1. TCASE in neutral
2. Tranny in park
3. 1 click to the right - I recommend no keychains.

 

[sleeoffroad]

You can also access all those wires under the car in the rear quarter panels. That way you don't have to take any panels off or route anything into the car. Catch is it is more cramped underneath and a lot dirtier as well.

 

[Mikesta]

You can also access all those wires under the car in the rear quarter panels. That way you don't have to take any panels off or route anything into the car. Catch is it is more cramped underneath and a lot dirtier as well.

YES INDEED! Thanks for that addition.

We have now gone 6,000 miles. Charlotte, NC (I think, can't keep up). We stopped at a sketchy walmart last night didn't sleep well..... only fear was someone unbolting the bumper making my rig untowable. I need to find someone with a welder along the way that can spotweld it to the bumper. I'll bring the beer... hit me up. We are headed to Chatnoooooga TN next, after greensville?... then down to Atlanta. PM me or post if you can hook me up with some spots!

All towing points are really holding up. Torqued the 15k hitch bolts down, they weren't loose, but I torqued them 3lbs over just to make sure, checked the pin's rusty, chrome stripped off.... the tow points, no wear. Having lights out back is really really nice!

 

[Mikesta]

Here is a view from our Land Cruiser as it is pulled behind our Motorhome. You can see the reflection of the rig in the Solar Heater I built and stored on the rear bumper.

 

[Mikesta]

6500 Miles - We are in Lakeland, Florida for a few weeks.

Tranny in Park
Tcase in Neutral
Key, 1 Click to right

NO PROBLEMS!!!

 

[FJFOOL]

Enjoy Florida, Mike !! You're missing some good rain, I bet you feel bad about that ! Great story, I'm enjoying it

 

[Mikesta]

Enjoy Florida, Mike !! You're missing some good rain, I bet you feel bad about that ! Great story, I'm enjoying it

Yes, I miss the rain... this 75 degree weather is for the dogs! How are all the seattle cruiserheads holdin up and hows the new 80?

 

[Mikesta]

We are at 8,000 miles now. No issues. Our cruiser is stock and is at 192,000 miles now. No tranny change. Just a brief update!

 

[Mikesta]

Anal Update from the Anal Spreadsheet

AVG PPG $3.89
Totalt Gals 958.329
Total Miles 8210
AVG MPG 9.05
AVG CPM .43
AVG MPH 61.42.
Best MPG 10.14
Highest PPG $4.29
Lowest PPG $3.65
Hours Driven 180 +

Bags of sunflower seeds eaten 12.3

Landcruiser is still holding strong at 191. Just rewarded it with new rubber.

 

[Mikesta]

Finally Washed the Set.... We are leaving Abq. NM and heading for Flagstaff tonight, staying at a campground in the south rim of the Grand Canyon over the weekend. Everything is still working flawlessly on the 80. 192248 miles on the clock.

 

[Mikesta]

Greetings from San Clemente, San Onofre. We will be hangin out in Cali for a few more weeks!

 

[rockrod]

great thread. we are planning on buying a class A diesel pusher and pulling our 80 behind it. nice to know it can be done with no issues with the t-case.

 

[Mikesta]

Well, our Year Long trip is over. We went around 12,000 miles towing the 80 with no issues. Added about 400lbs of weight to the 80, Arb, 8274 and MT Sliders.

No issues, so I'll personally consider this test conclusive - It can be done.

Now on to the next chapter. We are likely going to Sell the RV/80 with all the goodies for around 95k. Considering the coach had a sticker price of $161,000, someone will get a great deal.

I'll post exact stats up in a couple days. Cheers!

 

[Mikesta]

Well we aren't going to sell the RV, instead I spent a few hours and built a website and hope to rent it out this summer. www.rv4.org... couldn't believe the domain was available for 9 bucks.

Anyways, figure I need to update this thread for the unbelievers..... Put about 8k on the 80 series since we got back including a fun wheeling trip with the cruiserheads .... nothing wrong with the tranny.

The ARB made a perfect Base Plate with very little modification... and I use the winch all the time around the yard.

Cheers

 

[Mikesta]

Flat towed to flat towing

When first researching the Flat tow before our lengthy trip, a gent pm'd me and said he used a tow bar and connected directly to his front bumper tow loops.

He said he ground down the loops so that the tow bar would connect.

Today I tested this and while he did it for 10k miles, I don't recommend this after testing today.

I pulled a 6,400lb rig with a 7200lb rig (check the GRVW on the door tag) after grinding down the loops about 1/7" on each side so the tow bar would fit, however you only utilize 2 of the 3 tow bar connecting points. There is also play.

I was able to get it up to 60 mph and it tracked good, but there was lots of slop unlike the 3 point connection.

Ideally, I'd suggest making a 2 pt receiver and removing the loops and attaching to that same location for better control.

I don't advise anyone try this and if you do, do it at your own risk and only for short distances and in emergencies. It does work, however by grinding the loops, you lose some of the strength of the loop. The arb or a connecting point at this location would be ideal... not the loops.

Ok, I've beaten the horse to death... for the sanity and safety of all.

 

[Land Speeder]

You the man Mike! thanks for the testing!
After flat-towing Lorena BobIt with the Tundra... it's now time for me to flat-tow Number 6 with Cramalot!
Here it is on an impromtu uhaul trailer since my tow-bar isn't yet setup.





I plan on setting up the towbar with the same equipment I used for Lorena a few years ago. Let's hope this stock suspension tracks good and needs no castor correction!

 

[NLXTACY]

You guys are doing it wrong. Here's the only way I've managed to flat tow my LX. It works so well I've decided it's how to tow the 60 as well

 

[Mikesta]

You guys are doing it wrong. Here's the only way I've managed to flat tow my LX. It works so well I've decided it's how to tow the 60 as well

NLX- You're still doing it wrong! Put a base plate on that tow truck and you can flat tow 2 if your tow vehicle has the balls for it.

You the man Mike! thanks for the testing!
After flat-towing Lorena BobIt with the Tundra... it's now time for me to flat-tow Number 6 with Cramalot!
Here it is on an impromtu uhaul trailer since my tow-bar isn't yet setup.





I plan on setting up the towbar with the same equipment I used for Lorena a few years ago. Let's hope this stock suspension tracks good and needs no castor correction!

If it drives straight and is alligned, you will have no issues flat towing it.... as long as your tires are in good shape. I towed with ok tires and it was all over the place, after I put the new ones on... it was dreamy.

 

[Land Speeder]

If it drives straight and is alligned, you will have no issues flat towing it.... as long as your tires are in good shape. I towed with ok tires and it was all over the place, after I put the new ones on... it was dreamy.

It drives good considering. ALOT better than Lorena did... I've had ole number six up to 85 on the interstates and she only whined a lil' bit!