Towing a truck

[Minnie&Mickey]

I need some advice from the experts here on the Camping boards. We bought our MH used last year and it has a Blue Ox towing thing on the back. We've never used it to tow because we didn't have a towable vehicle. My husband is thinking about buying a truck to tow so that we can eventually put a golf cart in the bed. He wants a GMC Sierra truck and he said that if he buys a 4 wheel drive vehicle, he can just disconnect something (drive shaft or something) and it becomes towable. Is that correct? I just want to check with the experts before we buy a truck that we can't tow. We used to think that if we bought a 2 WD with a tow package, we could tow it, but we've found out that is incorrect.

 

[4mickey2]

we also have a blue ox (the larger one/not sure which one that is but..) and would be able to tow our gmc sierra 4x4. i will ask jeff what would need to be done. but, he thought the same thing. if we would want to take the truck and the gc we could.

i will let you know what he says. he's flying around the yard on the zero turn right now. lol

 

[4mickey2]

suggestion: ask a tech in the back about towing the vehicle. salesmen don't know anything about it. lol

AND GET A HOLD OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, LOOK UP TOWING YOUR VEHICLE.

now this is straight from our owners manual..

DINGHY TOWING:

When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to LOCK.

Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles

Two wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with all four wheels down on the ground. Two wheel drive transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground.

Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles:

Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1> Firmly set the parking brake.

2> Shift an automatic transmission to PARK (P), or a manual transmission to FIRST(1).

3> Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.

4> Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See the Four-Wheel drive on page 2-35 for the proper procedure to select the neutral postition for your vehicle.

5> Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.

6> Turn the ignition off.CAUTION:
Shifting a four wheel drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in Park for an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or other could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.

 

[4mickey2]

remember this is for our GMC Sierra (2003).

 

[mnsprk]

Remco makes a "disconnect kit" for driveshafts that will let you tow many 2wd vehicles that are normally not towable. I would contact them if you want to stay with a 2wd. The device works slick, I had one a 2001 Chev S-10.

\http:///www.remcotowing.com/remco_drive_shaft_coupling/

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Great info! Thanks, Cheryl! He is looking at a used 2010 GMC Sierra. There is enough room in the bed for a golf cart, right?

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Remco makes a "disconnect kit" for driveshafts that will let you tow many 2wd vehicles that are normally not towable. I would contact them if you want to stay with a 2wd. The device works slick, I had one a 2001 Chev S-10.

\http:///www.remcotowing.com/remco_drive_shaft_coupling/

Thanks, for the info. We'll check into that too.

 

[mnsprk]

Thanks, for the info. We'll check into that too.

Should have added, if you go with the disconnect see if they have a dealer in your area and have them do the measuring.. If it's wrong it's their baby.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

Definately, if you have to have a driveshaft disconnect installed, and you are not 100% sure how to do it, have a professional do it. You (or they) will also have to install a base plate/mounting system on what ever vehicle you decide to use to hook the tow bar to it, plus wiring the lights on your tow vehicle.

If you buy a 4X4, do not assume it can be towed with the gearcase in neutral. Many newer vehicles, like the new Nissan Titan 4X4 for example, still have to use a driveshaft disconnect. Also, most intallers will have access to order a new driveshaft with the disconnect installed, rather than risk cutting the old one & welding it back together.

 

[Pappy2Camp]

suggestion: ask a tech in the back about towing the vehicle. salesmen don't know anything about it. lol

AND GET A HOLD OF THE OWNERS MANUAL, LOOK UP TOWING YOUR VEHICLE.

now this is straight from our owners manual..

DINGHY TOWING:

When towing your vehicle, turn the ignition to LOCK.

Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles

Two wheel drive vehicles should not be towed with all four wheels down on the ground. Two wheel drive transmissions have no provisions for internal lubrication while being towed. To properly tow these vehicles, they should be placed on a platform trailer with all four wheels off the ground.

Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles:

Use the following procedure to tow your vehicle:
1> Firmly set the parking brake.

2> Shift an automatic transmission to PARK (P), or a manual transmission to FIRST(1).

3> Securely attach the vehicle being towed to the tow vehicle.

4> Shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL. See the Four-Wheel drive on page 2-35 for the proper procedure to select the neutral postition for your vehicle.

5> Release the parking brake only after the vehicle being towed is firmly attached to the towing vehicle.

6> Turn the ignition off.CAUTION:
Shifting a four wheel drive vehicle's transfer case into NEUTRAL can cause your vehicle to roll even if the transmission is in Park for an automatic transmission, or if your vehicle is in gear, for a manual transmission. You or other could be injured. Make sure the parking brake is firmly set before you shift the transfer case to NEUTRAL.

This is great info, but would like to add.... Have someone sit in the truck and hold the break and NOT set the emergency break. This way you cant forget to undo the emergency break and burn it out. I can neither confirm nor deny having first hand experience in this...

i would also like to add this link:

http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/dinghytowingguide/


I have a 2005 3/4 Yukon XL and have towed it behind our MH with no problems.. cept it no longer has emergency breaks.....

peace

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am hoping that I can convince my husband to buy the GMC Sierra, but now he's back talking about keeping his old pickup truck. I think I must be married to the only man that never wants a new vehicle.

 

[mnsprk]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am hoping that I can convince my husband to buy the GMC Sierra, but now he's back talking about keeping his old pickup truck. I think I must be married to the only man that never wants a new vehicle.

Maybe he's just being very frugal.