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02-17-2018, 07:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 319
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Towing backwards??
This summer will be going from Midland TX to the Madison WI area to visit family/friends.We will be towing my wife's 2009 Ford Explorer, 2 wd. Owners manual say's do not tow w/rear axle on the ground. I say we rent a car hauler, my wife say's get a dolly, back up on it and pull it backwards. Of course we need a steering lock, and a light bar put on the 'front' of the vehicle. Which is the better option? This will also be our first trip with our '95 Bounder, (Ford gas).
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02-17-2018, 07:17 PM
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#2
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Community Moderator
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Posts: 31,546
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I'm sure you're gonna get different responses, but for me I would not want to tow backwards. I'd go with the car trailer.
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Tony & Ruth........... FMCA#F416727
2016 London Aire 4519, Freightliner chassis, Cummins ISX, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Blue Ox Avail with AF1. TST 507 TPMS
No amount of money can buy you an extra second of time.
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02-17-2018, 07:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Gulf Streamers Club
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 19,925
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I'd use a car hauler, but you could tow on a dolly if you disconnect the drive shaft. Just be sure to mark the drive shaft and the connection at the diff so you get it installed exactly as to take it off.
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Bob & Donna
'98 Gulf Stream Sun Voyager DP being pushed by a '00 Beetle TDI
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02-17-2018, 07:58 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,336
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We would only recommend it if it is in the owners manual as an option for towing behind a recreational vehicle.
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02-17-2018, 08:23 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 1,343
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If it is just a one time deal I would rent a car hauler with surge brakes.
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2000 Allegro Bus 35R 3126 Cat 300 Allison 3060MD 6 speed
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02-17-2018, 08:35 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Tiffin Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Byhalia, MS
Posts: 3,368
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Funny, I've wondered the same thing. Personally, I don't see why it wouldn't work out just fine. I think I would try it before I took off on a trip. The only issue I can see is that in turns, its going to have to act differently than it normally would. The front wheels will have to steer from the rear, and being as how the rear end is up on a dolly, the effective caster angle is going to be vastly different than normal. I really don't see it being a problem, but I'd sure try a local trip to see how it works out first.
jt
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2019 Tiffin Phaeton 40IH
2005 Newmar Kountry Star Gas (Sold)
2022 JL Wrangler 4xe or 2017 Harley Ultra in tow
JT, Em & the boys, Kong & Baxter (rescued grey tabbies)
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02-17-2018, 08:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,400
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....I did it 30 years ago with a RWD sports car, from TX to DC. I didn't know any better and no one told me I couldn't do it. Basic issue is if you tow backwards, the heaviest part of the towed vehicle [motor/tranny] is at the back of the tow string. For stability, think most weight is preferred on the dolly pivot, and not at the tail-end because of tail whip!!!! I made the trip without incident but suspect I was probably just lucky....there could have been an issue....
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Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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02-17-2018, 09:10 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kitts Hill, OH
Posts: 2,252
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Scout
....I did it 30 years ago with a RWD sports car, from TX to DC. I didn't know any better and no one told me I couldn't do it. Basic issue is if you tow backwards, the heaviest part of the towed vehicle [motor/tranny] is at the back of the tow string. For stability, think most weight is preferred on the dolly pivot, and not at the tail-end because of tail whip!!!! I made the trip without incident but suspect I was probably just lucky....there could have been an issue....
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Just like you
I Have BTDT years ago with out problems. Mine was Florida to Ohio
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(RVM#26) THE U-RV 94 F-700/24 foot U-haul box home built RV
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02-17-2018, 09:16 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
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Some owners manuals will explicitly say if ok or not ok to tow backwards on a dolly. Check the manual for recreational towing section.
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Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
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02-17-2018, 09:40 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Plantation, Fl
Posts: 1,886
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According to Remco the 2009 Explorer is supposed to be towed on a trailer. I suspect the weight of a trailer (~ 1500 -2,000#) and the car (~ 4400 -4700#) would put you well over what your motor home is rated to tow. Towing on a trailer would also result in a lot more tongue weight than your motor home is rated for.
According to a Bounder owner's manual I saw earlier, your MH specs GVWR, GCWR along with everything else is located on a wardrobe door tag.
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2024 Jayco Redhawk 26 M (OCCC challenged)
2017 RWD F 150 with a drive shaft disconnect
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02-18-2018, 05:01 AM
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#11
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 10
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Perfectly fine if it fits without overhang issues. The hub bearings don't know which direction they're going so there is nothing mechanically wrong doing so. As a former tow truck driver it's the standard way to tow that model. Grab the back, strap the steering wheel to the brake pedal, hang the lights and go.
As to which way is better comes to your personal preference. I'm a die hard 5th wheel guy, you don't get much easier.
Steering wheel strap
https://www.awdirect.com/steering-wh...d-brake-locks/
Drag lights
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/g...8aAoKUEALw_wcB
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02-18-2018, 05:15 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Jackson,Ohio
Posts: 398
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Instead of the expense of renting a trailer why not rent a car in Michigan?
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02-18-2018, 05:18 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
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I never see RV's towing a backward toad. Got to be a reason.
If you bought a motorhome and this is the toad you want to use why not tow 4 down and make all the changes to make that happen? Else rent a car hauler trailer from U-Haul for this trip.
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02-18-2018, 05:35 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: western NC mountains!
Posts: 4,106
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why not disconnect the drive axle and pull with the tow dolly in the forward position? many folks do this on rear wheel drive vehicles...
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