Community Forums

fkloster · 03-14-2011, 02:28 PM

Vehicle A) 1991 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Final Edition

Vehicle B) Any year BMW X3

Vehicle C) Any year BMW X5

Vehicle D) 1991 Land Rover Defender 90

And if any or all of these vehicles can be towed 4 down, what specific equipment would be needed i.e. transmission coolers or transmission limitations would i have?

Thank you so much I have to make some serious purchasing decisions here... wether or not to stick with a 'period correct' toad or go all out!

thanks in advance!

Route 66 · 03-14-2011, 02:34 PM

The two best resources for toad info is Remcotowing.com and Motorhomemagazine.com.

**NLOVNIT** · 03-14-2011, 02:57 PM

I can tell you from experience: No on any BMW's.

As Dirk mentioned, MH magazine has several years worth of dinghy towing guides you can download, but if you are ever in doubt, call Remco 800-228-2481.

Lori-

JMonroe · 03-14-2011, 03:09 PM

Rule of thumb. If it has a two speed transfer case, with a neutral position, probably. Full time 4WD, maybe, again depending on whether or not you can get the transfer case into neutral. AWD, probably not, but there are exceptions.

Some makes and models are/were available with more than one system, in the same year, so you need to do your homework, but if there's a big 4wd stick on the console, with an obvious neutral postion, it's 99.9% likely you're good to go.

Always-RVing · 03-14-2011, 03:14 PM

If at all in doubt, contact the vehicle manufacture and look in the owner's manual. There is too much at stake to have any doubt.

hooverbill · 03-14-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Batman_777

If at all in doubt, contact the vehicle manufacture and look in the owner's manual. There is too much at stake to have any doubt.

Very good advice. Way too much..."I think you'll be okay"...

Vegasdan · 03-14-2011, 05:30 PM

Yes, "I think you'll be ok".....boom...rattle rattle.

pdq_bc · 03-14-2011, 07:28 PM

ditto to what noted...

personal experience:
while our pontiac G5 was rated as okay for 4 wheel down towing - i still got confirmation of this from GM
i wanted it in writing
as well, i want assurance (yes; from GM) that i would not be "violating" the warranty

regards, pdq

jcthorne · 03-15-2011, 10:28 AM

Ford puts it right in the owners manual.

Current model Ford Explorer, Flex, Edge and Taurus, Lincoln MKT, MKX and MKS are all towable without modification. 2WD and AWD models. Ecoboost models too.

Escape is also towable but there are some minor 'issues' with the current transmission that are being worked out even though Ford says it is towable.

Vegasdan · 03-15-2011, 01:21 PM

Get a Jeep.

Robi.1014 · 03-15-2011, 09:31 PM

Given the age of vehicle's (a) and (d), good luck on getting the manufacturer to give you something definitive.

So let me offer an addition to Jay Monroe's advice:
Roll the subject vehicle down a hill while in neutral. At 25 MPH, shift into drive. If the engine turns over, you've got yourself a 4-down, towable vehicle.

For most of us old guys out there, forgive me for dipping back into the 1950's (when you could "push start" cars with automatic transmissions...because they had rear tranny pumps). Alas, transmission "rear pumps" went the direction of chrome bumpers. Stated differently: REMCO Towing will be your source of a tranny re-circ pump system....or a drive shaft disconnect system.

UK_Steve · 03-16-2011, 03:34 PM

Hi fkloster,

Here in the UK I have never towed a Defender, but have towed a Series II Discovery, A P38 2000 model Range Rover and a New Shape 2005 model year L322 Range Rover, the principle is the same with all three, select neutral on the transfer case and put the auto box into park (yes park) and away you go. Can’t tow an L322 from and including model year 2006, can’t select natural on the transfer case.

I say the principle is the same, which is the Disco is a manual selection of natural and Rangies natural is acquired electronically.

What I have heard about the Defender is:
I understand later models do not have a natural selectable transfer case, so no tow.
I have heard in the UK there seems to be two types of steering systems, one has a negative camber, and one does not. The Negative Camber version means the steering does not always return to the centre after tight turns. I would check with a dealer if such a system was ever provided on US spec Defenders.

Hope that helps?

Steve