Community Forums

Tom222 · 06-16-2012, 06:39 PM

Have been told that if you pull with four wheels on the ground , that you have to stop every 200 miles and start the tow vehicle to keep the motor fluids flowing. Is this true?

Thanks
Tom

padre44 · 06-16-2012, 06:52 PM

Depends on the car - read the owner's manual. Saturns are ones that need no extra messing with other than removing a fuse.

Tom222 · 06-16-2012, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padre44

Depends on the car - read the owner's manual. Saturns are ones that need no extra messing with other than removing a fuse.

What about a jeep?

Craig_R · 06-16-2012, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom222

What about a jeep?

I can't speak for all jeeps but I only have to put the transfer case in neutral on mine.

Just a suggestion, but if you want a more specific answer you need to ask a more specific question. Ask the question again but this time state the year, make, model and power train that are in the vehicle.

336muffin · 06-16-2012, 07:31 PM

Tom, I would check on your specific vehicle. Call Blue Ox or other tow bar manufactures and get the answers. Many Jeeps are easy and some with Quadratrac are different, but I'm not sure. I tow a Saturn with no restrictions. With the price of a trans or transfer case I would call the pros. Different years are specific difference.

Skip426 · 06-16-2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom222

Have been told that if you pull with four wheels on the ground , that you have to stop every 200 miles and start the tow vehicle to keep the motor fluids flowing. Is this true?

Thanks
Tom

The start up is not for the motor , but to circulate auto trans fluid . Remco Fluid Pumps also have good info on a lot of vehicles.
Best info on Jeeps is in the owners manual.

Gary RVRoamer · 06-16-2012, 09:18 PM

The Suzukis and Chevy Trackers have/had that 200 mile recommendation but I don't recall any others that did. And most people ignored it anyway.

Towing procedures vary by vehicle make, model and year. There is no one single answer to any question you could ask about towing procedures.

wanderso · 06-16-2012, 09:29 PM

I just switched from a dolly to towing a 2003 Chevy tracker 4 wheels down with a road master falcon 2 all terrain tow bar. While the dolly was fine, the tracker tows very well and I cut 600 pounds of tow weight. It's worth it to tow 4 down if you get a rig that supports it.

Mr_D · 06-16-2012, 09:33 PM

On the Honda CR-V and Fit Honda says you can go 8 hours on the clock, not 8 hours towing. So if you stop for lunch, sightseeing, shopping, etc that time also counts.

Our 97 Jeep GC with Quadratrack had no speed or time limits. Very easy to tow, hated the fuel mileage, reliability and ride though. Our '05 Ody gets better mileage, rides nicer and, while Honda says it can't be towed four down I have done it. Went back to towing it on the dolly due to the damage and battery problems after towing it four down.

Tom222 · 06-16-2012, 11:34 PM

I appreciate the info. The reason I ask the general question is because I don't have a vehicle yet, or a rig. I am taking baby steps and getting all the info I can get. I just think pulling a vehicle sounds like a lot of work loading and unloading on a dolly. It may be better for me to get a motorcycle lift instead of pulling a vehicle. I am 56 years old with back issues and planning to buy a rig and travel and enjoy my retirement.

Craig_R · 06-17-2012, 12:19 AM

Check this out Tom.

Application Charts | Remco Towing

Just type in the make, model and year of the vehicle you're considering and it will tell you what you need.

ahicks · 06-17-2012, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

The Suzukis and Chevy Trackers have/had that 200 mile recommendation but I don't recall any others that did. And most people ignored it anyway.

Towing procedures vary by vehicle make, model and year. There is no one single answer to any question you could ask about towing procedures.

On the bold, I agree. Thinking there's a certain degree of caution on the part of the vehicle manfs. in this regard, and they are very conservative in their recommendations because of that.

fredaevans · 06-17-2012, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom222

What about a jeep?

Depends on the year/model. My 2002 Liberty 4x4 (manual) says 'no need,' but I do it anyway. That said, hit the link above and the same car as a manual transmission or AWD has a BIG NO to towing four wheels down.

Interesting that with the 4x4 it's a yes, otherwise a no way.

Craig_R · 06-17-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredaevans

Depends on the year/model. My 2002 Liberty 4x4 (manual) says 'no need,' but I do it anyway. That said, hit the link above and the same car as a manual transmission or AWD has a BIG NO to towing four wheels down.

Interesting that with the 4x4 it's a yes, otherwise a no way.

In most cases wtih the 4WD there is a transfer case between the transmission and the drive-shafts. This will allow you to put the transfer case in neutral thereby isolating the drive-shafts from the transmission/engine.

With 2WD and AWD you don't have that option. As much as we like our Liberty we would have much preferred to keep our Subaru Outback with AWD but it could not be towed 4 down for this reason.