"clamping device designed for towing" Tracker

[Kahoona]

Attached is s page from our 1996 Trackers manual. I have read all kinds of things about towing Trackers. It seems like the manual instructions vary from year to year. Mine says I need to clamp the steering wheel. Won't clamping the wheel wear tires? If I do it why not just use the steering lock. On out Honda we never restrained the wheel. I understand there is a bungee method. How tight do you bungee. Where is the bungee attached? Does anyone have a picture?

[znt1186]

That depends on what is on page 4-43. I owned two Trackers, a '97 and a '03. the '97 could not be towed flat. It had to be towed on a dolly mounted backward, and was a total pain. In that case, the steering wheel did need to be clamped so the front wheels would track straight behind the dolly. That lasted about a year when I traded for the '03 that could be towed flat with a tow bar. With a tow bar, the steering wheel must be unlocked. Pay careful attention to what style of hubs you have on the front wheels. It appears that automatic hubs can't be towed except on a trailer.

[Kahoona]

Well done znt! That was indeed the "backwards on a dolly" method. Thanks.

It does say not to town with the automatic hubs. I may have to put in some manual ones. The previous owner pulled it 4 down for nearly 100,000. miles so I may just make very sure they are disengaged before towing.