Community Forums

sldavis2003 · 05-15-2016, 02:56 PM

So, I had an 06 chevy hhr and flat towed it for several thousand miles and never knew it was behind my RV. I switched to an 02 chevy tracker 4x4 automatic and it feels like I am pulling my house. Fuel mileage has dropped 2 to 3 miles a gallon. Any suggestions, ideas??? I think I have checked all the basics, wheels are cool to the touch after several miles of towing, transfer case is in neutral, tracker coasts well when driving it.... Very perplexed a vehicle that probably weighs 300 pounds less causing this type of issue.... Thanks any suggestions will help.

10Boomer · 05-15-2016, 04:06 PM

Have you checked the toe in or out on the Toad? If tires are cool it doesn't lend itself to this issue. Weird.

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sldavis2003 · 05-15-2016, 05:05 PM

Yes, i had the front end aligned and checked when I bought the tracker and have driven it a couple thousand miles with no issue of tread wear or pulling. thanks again.

mbridinger · 05-15-2016, 05:12 PM

Did you change your front hubs from automatic to manual?

sldavis2003 · 05-15-2016, 05:57 PM

no, the owners manual say place the trans in park, the transfer case in neutral and leave the key on ACC. would the manual hubs make a difference? neutral is neutral,,, right?

sask66 · 05-16-2016, 05:13 AM

We tow a 2000 Suzuki Vitara and do the same procedure as you. Ours is a 5 speed manual, so transfer case in neutral, transmission in 2nd, key to acc. (As per manual). I can't unlock hubs as its full time, but again, we are following manuals instructions. It seems to tow o.k. but it is the first vehicle I've towed so nothing to compare it to.

mbridinger · 05-16-2016, 06:28 AM

I have owned 8 of these things. I have found that the automatic hubs can partially engage or never totally disengage as they get older. If one of them engages fully while driving, disaster can happen. Converting them to manual will eliminate this. I think I have an extra set in the garage. PM me your address and I will send them to you. Next you need to lift it and put some lower gears in the transmission. Then you will have some fun!

Gary RVRoamer · 05-16-2016, 02:32 PM

We towed a 2000 and a 2002 Tracker 4x4 SUV for around 45k miles with never a problem and never more than 0.5 mpg impact of mpg, so it's not the vehicle per se. And that was with a gas chassis coach. You do not need to change hubs on that model, unlike some earlier Trackers/Suzukis.

Clearly something is causing extra drag. If it's really in neutral+park (it wouldn't move at all if it was Park & not Neutral, right?), then maybe a dragging brake? If front end issue causing that much drag, the tires should be noticeable worn.

sldavis2003 · 05-16-2016, 03:42 PM

thanks everyone for the input and information.... still looking for the solution thou. since there is no visible wear on the tires, a recent front end alignment, no pull and tires cool to the touch after towing 45 miles, I think it is safe to say that is not the issue. As far as a brake hanging up, again the wheels are cool after towing and do not show any excessive brake dust. I think that is out. hubs maybe, but when i drive in 2 high, there is no binding when turning, so i think they are fine, but i am not ruling that out. So, what do you all think about a wheel bearing? but there is no noise, which is common with that fault mode.... Ugh,,

mbridinger · 05-17-2016, 06:04 AM

I guess you could jack up each corner and spin the wheels to see what happens. Put the transfer case in neutral as you would in tow mode. Use some wheel chocks so you dont kill yourself.