Flat towing the XJ

[tcm glx]

Is this any good?? Where can i get a good quality flat towbar?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TowBar-Tow-Bar-Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-TJ-Cherokee-CJ8-CJ7-CJ5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33653QQihZ002QQitem Z120203797398QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[89xjJe3per]

Make one...

[scottmcneal]

Try a RV shop, like camping world...

[Kejtar]

Is this any good?? Where can i get a good quality flat towbar?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TowBar-Tow-Bar-Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-TJ-Cherokee-CJ8-CJ7-CJ5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33653QQihZ002QQitem Z120203797398QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Got lockers? If so take those into account when planning to flat tow.

[saki669]

Thats the same or really similar to what I use. It works fine. You will need a lot more than 30" of chain, so plan on getting more.

[Leep]

http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/c-HT02/p-7514.html

That is the same one that both Alan and I have Tony. That is a good price if shipping does not gouge you.

You just need to make sure that your stock bumper is gusseted to the frame and not just relying on the bumper as a mount. Any tow bar will tear the bumper like paper.

The only thing that I did was change the hardware to grade 8.

Dennis

[saki669]

Got lockers? If so take those into account when planning to flat tow.
?

[tcm glx]

http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/c-HT02/p-7514.html

That is the same one that both Alan and I have Tony. That is a good price if shipping does not gouge you.

You just need to make sure that your stock bumper is gusseted to the frame and not just relying on the bumper as a mount. Any tow bar will tear the bumper like paper.

The only thing that I did was change the hardware to grade 8.

Dennis


How did you gusset Dennis?

[tcm glx]

?

Posi in the back, open up front....

What do i need to do, put the transfer in N?

[saki669]

Posi in the back, open up front....

What do i need to do, put the transfer in N?
Yes. Tranny in Park. Transfer case in N. Key in vehicle and steering "unlocked".

[tcm glx]

Yes. Tranny in Park. Transfer case in N. Key in vehicle and steering "unlocked".


You used to flat tow with the Lbby right? Any issues at all? Anything special needed to be done?

[4xSanta]

Just make sure your tow bar is close to level when hooked up to tow rig or it can do bad things under hard braking........SANTA

[saki669]

You used to flat tow with the Lbby right? Any issues at all? Anything special needed to be done?

Just had to take the damn spare off the Liberty every time I wanted to tow anything. It got in the way of the hitch. No problems with the Grand Cherokee.

The only special thing is you need a reverse drop hitch to bring the tow bar level. I use about a 7" drop hitch mounted upside down with my XJ at ~5.5"

Where will you mount the tow bar points on your XJ?

[tcm glx]

Just had to take the damn spare off the Liberty every time I wanted to tow anything. It got in the way of the hitch. No problems with the Grand Cherokee.

The only special thing is you need a reverse drop hitch to bring the tow bar level. I use about a 7" drop hitch mounted upside down with my XJ at ~5.5"

Where will you mount the tow bar points on your XJ?

Dont know yet, any recomendations?

[Leep]

Dont know yet, any recomendations?

When I had my stock bumper I mounted it right in the middle of the stock mounts with a back plate sandwiched to the bumper with frame mounts to the factory holes on the frame.

Worked well as the bumper was just hiding all my shitty fab and gussets...

[saki669]

Dont know yet, any recomendations?

I had a front hitch, so I drilled it and mounted the tow points there. It worked great until I got the aftermarket bumper, then I had to move the tow points to the front of the bumper because the bumper prevented the tow bar from articulating properly. I actually slotted the tow bar ends to fit them on the D-Ring points of the front bumper. If this confuses you I can take a pic, or you are welcome to drop by and check it out.

http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/front_hitch.jpg

The front hitch also allowed me to do this:

http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/tds_wall.jpg

[paulhead]

Got lockers? If so take those into account when planning to flat tow.
Characteristics? Locked? Spooled?

[tcm glx]

I had a front hitch, so I drilled it and mounted the tow points there. It worked great until I got the aftermarket bumper, then I had to move the tow points to the front of the bumper because the bumper prevented the tow bar from articulating properly. I actually slotted the tow bar ends to fit them on the D-Ring points of the front bumper. If this confuses you I can take a pic, or you are welcome to drop by and check it out.

http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/front_hitch.jpg

The front hitch also allowed me to do this:

http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/tds_wall.jpg


SICK SICK SICK!!


Paulhead,

My Xj is a 1992, automatic, AW4 with a 231, with a posi in the rear, and open in the front.

[saki669]

SICK SICK SICK!!

Paulhead,

My Xj is a 1992, automatic, AW4 with a 231, with a posi in the rear, and open in the front.

I have a Detroit in the rear and a Tru-Trac in the front. I have no issues flat towing. The XJ follows along happily. Even in the dirt over big bumps, washes, whoops... it's fine.

[4xSanta]

Great pic,where is that at?........SANTA

[saki669]

Great pic,where is that at?........SANTA

The notches at Truckhaven.
Another favorite... I was completely standing upright on the brake pedal. Haha.
http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/Truckhaven_11_06/images/P1000928.jpg

Heres the rest.
http://www.emeraldcourt.net/pics/Truckhaven_11_06/index.htm

It was all winch lines.. nothing spectacular. :anon:

[karstic]

Is this any good?? Where can i get a good quality flat towbar?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TowBar-Tow-Bar-Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-TJ-Cherokee-CJ8-CJ7-CJ5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33653QQihZ002QQitem Z120203797398QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Looks just like the Valley Industries one I bought from U-haul.

[karstic]

http://www.rvtoyoutlet.com/c-HT02/p-7514.html

That is the same one that both Alan and I have Tony. That is a good price if shipping does not gouge you.

You just need to make sure that your stock bumper is gusseted to the frame and not just relying on the bumper as a mount. Any tow bar will tear the bumper like paper.

The only thing that I did was change the hardware to grade 8.

Dennis

Do they actually have one in stock? I kept getting, "It'll be here tomorrow"

[Kejtar]

?
I don't flat tow, but from what I recall the case is that if you have a front locker you will have issues of sorts.

[JohnX]

I don't flat tow, but from what I recall the case is that if you have a front locker you will have issues of sorts.
Yep....Try rolling a front locked jeep around the lot with the tcase in neutral. Things start binding up in a hurry. Usually results in a u-joint break if you have the stock axles.

IIRC , when you shift the case into neutral, it actually locks the front and rear together, but not to the tranny. So if you have 2 lockers, you get major binding on even a slight turn.

I towed Amies second XJ home from Portland behind her first XJ, only one issue. Like Santa said, make sure the bars a level. If not, your tow vehicle can actually lift your rearend while under braking....this can be catastrophic if you are in a slight turn.

[saki669]

IIRC , when you shift the case into neutral, it actually locks the front and rear together, but not to the tranny.


What you talkin bout willis???

http://sportsmed.starwave.com/i/magazine/new/arnold_jackson.jpg

This I need to see to believe....

[Kejtar]

IIRC , when you shift the case into neutral, it actually locks the front and rear together, but not to the tranny. So if you have 2 lockers, you get major binding on even a slight turn.

That reminds me something Goatman said: IIRC when you get 2Low kit the way the shifting shifts and you gain a true N (or is it with a 4:1? Can't remember).

[Clean Racing]

Yep....Try rolling a front locked jeep around the lot with the tcase in neutral. Things start binding up in a hurry. Usually results in a u-joint break if you have the stock axles.

IIRC , when you shift the case into neutral, it actually locks the front and rear together, but not to the tranny. So if you have 2 lockers, you get major binding on even a slight turn.

.


Yes the 231 does not have a true Neutral it locks the front out put to the rear, and disengages the input from the transmission. I ran into this 6 years ago flat towing a YJ with full detroit's front and rear. I had to pull the front drive shaft in order to tow it. Even then it was a pain, after that it has been trailered...

[saki669]

Yes the 231 does not have a true Neutral it locks the front out put to the rear, and disengages the input from the transmission. I ran into this 6 years ago flat towing a YJ with full detroit's front and rear. I had to pull the front drive shaft in order to tow it. Even then it was a pain, after that it has been trailered...

That is interesting. The tru-trac works fine. When I replace the axle I'll have to go with an ARB or something else selectable....

This backs you guys up:
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/howto/3103/index.html

[hellbilly04]

Tony,

I've seen this same tow bar at Pep Boys & Walmart, save your self shipping $$$..

Billy

Is this any good?? Where can i get a good quality flat towbar?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TowBar-Tow-Bar-Jeep-Wrangler-YJ-TJ-Cherokee-CJ8-CJ7-CJ5_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33653QQihZ002QQitem Z120203797398QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[tcm glx]

Sweeeet bily. Thanks.

[Jump This]

Got lockers? If so take those into account when planning to flat tow.

Why?

A spool might cause some issues but lockers???

:dunno:

[Kejtar]

Why?

A spool might cause some issues but lockers???

:dunno:
because as it was posted above the front and rear axles get locked together in N

[cal]

IIRC , when you shift the case into neutral, it actually locks the front and rear together, but not to the tranny. So if you have 2 lockers, you get major binding on even a slight turn.



I keep hearing this, so I've made a hobby of shifting every 231, 207 and 242 I see into "N", and checking. I havent found one single one to date that locks the front and rear together - from my 87 to tom's 2001 and everywhere in between.

[saki669]

I keep hearing this, so I've made a hobby of shifting every 231, 207 and 242 I see into "N", and checking. I havent found one single one to date that locks the front and rear together - from my 87 to tom's 2001 and everywhere in between.

Thats why I thought it sounded funny. I have had my rear tires in the air, shifted into N on the transfer case and they moved just fine. If they were locked with the front they shouldn't move at all.. correct?
They moved together as soon as the locker engaged, but the rear shaft spun freely, independent of the front.

[saki669]

Apparently we are all right on this one. There is a difference between different years of the NP-231 T-case. I dont know when the split was, but on the older cases the shafts are indeed locked in neutral. The newer cases include a true neutral! Check this out:

http://www.opiebennett.com/images/Jeep/D4-ford9-swap/Day%2015/np231.htm

[cal]

That part I knew - but I've found true nuetrals going back as far as 87. I'm wondering if it was more random selection than year.

[saki669]

That part I knew - but I've found true nuetrals going back as far as 87. I'm wondering if it was more random selection than year.
Or perhaps Manual Vs. Auto.... :eyes:

[desertracer]

When I first read that neutral meant the front and rear axles are locked together, I thought some of you guys were smoking crack:greensmok. I know for a fact that with all four tires in the air (on my 97) and the TC in N, the front and rear axles are completely independent of one another. It is definately true neutral.

Maybe its just the Jeeps with vacuum discos with the transfer cases that lock the axles together.

[Leep]

I have a 89 auto disco front. I flat tow it all the time. My longest trip was 250 miles non stop and no issues.

My durango is a 2000 and the instructions to flat tow it is t-case "N" and trans in park. It is all wheel drive.

Never had an issue at all.

[saki669]

When I first read that neutral meant the front and rear axles are locked together, I thought some of you guys were smoking crack:greensmok. I know for a fact that with all four tires in the air (on my 97) and the TC in N, the front and rear axles are completely independent of one another. It is definately true neutral.

Maybe its just the Jeeps with vacuum discos with the transfer cases that lock the axles together.

But what year is your transfer case?????

[desertracer]

But what year is your transfer case?????

'99....I think.

[JohnX]

For the record...

I HAVE broken a front ring gear in the XJ from dragging it around my parking lot while Tcase was in nuetral. And that was back when it had a trutrac.

I do not know the cause...be it the Tcase issue, or the trutrac....but it did bind up and break.

[tcm glx]

So i have an open front, no need to worry right?

[scottmcneal]

yep, you can tow yours.. Flat

[Gerr]

I keep hearing this, so I've made a hobby of shifting every 231, 207 and 242 I see into "N", and checking. I havent found one single one to date that locks the front and rear together - from my 87 to tom's 2001 and everywhere in between.
my wifes 242 has a true nutral but the 231 in my YJ and the one I had in my XJ both locked the axels together in nutral. and in all 3 cases it didnt apear to do so on the bench when I had the cases out

[tcm glx]

Ok, cool!

[Clean Racing]

Just get a mile marker front hub kit for the D30 and forget about it...flat tow all you want without the worries...

[WebDog]

Just Make sure you get the mounts secure to the frame some how, i got a custom bar made that bolts to the frame.

I towed my xj 4,000 miles in a 3 week RV trip with no problems.

[Muad'Dib]

Can you flat tow a Jeep Cherokee with another Cherokee?
Might be a stupid noobish question .. but i would like to know. I have an opprotunity to get another Jeep that is in great shape just needs engine work. Its 400 miles away, and all i have is My Current Jeep...
Advise??

Thanks

[karstic]

You probably can, but how safe?

Auto or manual? Got a trans cooler?

Throw some extra weight in the back of the tow Cherokee.

Watch your speed, keep plenty of following distance.

This advice is worth what you paid for it.

[Muad'Dib]

Yeah an Auto that has an aftermarket tranny cooler..


It can be done but its not safe thats my understanding from your post...

Thanks

[karstic]

Yeah an Auto that has an aftermarket tranny cooler..


It can be done but its not safe thats my understanding from your post...

Thanks

IDK what's the towing capacity of a Cherokee?

Something to consider when flat towing is that your towed vehicle has no brakes. So when you brake, the weight transfers to the front of the tow vehicle, effectively leightening up the rear end. Why's that bad? Cause you still have 3500# of Cherokee pushing you from behind. If you're going straight not much of a problem. But if you are in a turn or going into a turn the towed Cherokee can push the rear end of the tow Cherokee around.