Towing the VX

[SlowPro48]

Yeah, my bro was a repo man for a while and found that out the hard way when he towed an AWD Honda with only the rear wheels on the ground. I think by 4-down he mean with all four wheels on the road so there wouldn't be a speed differential between front and rear most of the time and when there was it wouldn't matter with the TOD in neutral anyway. BUT - since we don't have hubs that can unlock, basically the whole drivetrain would still be spinning so I think it must be more of a wear issue.

No worries - I'm sure some knowledgeable VXer will wade into this conversation soon and then we'll know!

[SlowPro48]

...but of course that wouldn't be solved by a different transfer case so we're back to square 1..

OK - time to fold some laundry. Maybe there will be an answer in the morning. What is this... Twitter?

[rowhard]

No worries - I'm sure some knowledgeable VXer will wade into this conversation soon and then we'll know!

Que LDUB

[crotchrocket]

You can solve the front wheel issue with locking wheel hubs that litterally disconnect the front wheels from the tranny by simply turning a switch on the hub. Inexpensive and simple to fit.

The rear is more problematic.

you could reverse it onto this and tow it backwards with the front wheels running freely

http://www.northerntool.com/images/p.../125760_lg.jpg



also look here

http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide..._behind_rv.php

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...g-options3.htm

[VX KAT]

You can solve the front wheel issue with locking wheel hubs that litterally disconnect the front wheels from the tranny by simply turning a switch on the hub. Inexpensive and simple to fit.

The rear is more problematic.
you could reverse it onto this and tow it backwards with the front wheels running freely
http://www.northerntool.com/images/p.../125760_lg.jpg

also look here
http://rv-roadtrips.thefuntimesguide..._behind_rv.php
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-p...g-options3.htm

Looking down the road a ways...we'd like to tow the VX behind our FJ to get to Moab or maybe behind an RV one day. (FJ has 5,000 lb tow capacity...I know it's getting close here). Read this thread and the several other threads referenced, but not sure we're clear.

1) Crotch mentioned using a dolly and tow it backwards, with rear wheels up. Did this turn out to be an OK solution?

2) Crotch also mentioned getting FRONT LOCKING WHEEL HUBS which easily disconnect front wheels from tranny.....then could you tow it on dolly backwards with rear wheels up? Isn't that what you just got, the AVM manual hubs? Crotch, are they VX specific...what's the model number? My quick search so far hasn't found them yet for the VX.... Any downside to doing this? With this method, any other things ya gotta do so you don't screw other stuff up on the VX?

3) The Remco towing site lists the VX and many products available, but the "Application notes" happen to mention that TOD AWD MUST be towed on a trailer....so are those parts listed part of their Drive Shaft Coupling device or not? Many don't sound like it to me.

4) Remco's info talks about RearWD...so if you got Remco's Drive Shaft Coupling installed for the rear wheels, could you then tow the VX with Front wheels on dolly?

Any other options....while trying to avoid flatbed method if possible? Be kind, I don't know squat about this stuff.....

[tom4bren]

Theoretically it is a doable approach.

I would still have concerns about excessive bearing wear on the front wheel assemblies, uneven tire wear since only the fronts are down for extended periods, running tires backwards that were 'broke in' rolling forward and I don't even want to think about the damage if you ever forgot to unlock the hubs.

I'll be looking into the car trailer option. I don't think loading/unloading from a trailer is any more difficult than with a dolly. Storage of the trailer is really the only downside. I think the rig would tow better on a trailer anyway (especially if equipped with surge brakes).

[Ldub]

Que LDUB

I use the "search" function...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

[Riff Raff]

Travelin2--- I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I'd leave the VX at home and get a little gas miser micro-car camp site beater that's front wheel drive and use a simple single-axle tow-dolly with the car's front drive axle on the tow-dolly itself.

Get something like a used cheapo Ford Festiva, Kia, Hyundai, etc. that doesn't weigh jack-sh!!!!!!!t, and is front wheel drive (for tow-dolly convenience). Save the VX for when you're at home. Your VX will last longer (parked at home), and your Motorhome will get better MPG, saving you money all-around. Just my 2-cents.

[Ldub]

Travelin2--- I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I'd leave the VX at home and get a little gas miser micro-car camp site beater that's front wheel drive and use a simple single-axle tow-dolly with the car's front drive axle on the tow-dolly itself.

Get something like a used cheapo Ford Festiva, Kia, Hyundai, etc. that doesn't weigh jack-sh!!!!!!!t, and is front wheel drive (for tow-dolly convenience). Save the VX for when you're at home. Your VX will last longer (parked at home), and your Motorhome will get better MPG, saving you money all-around. Just my 2-cents.

... on that!

[tom4bren]

Travelin2,

It sure would be nice to be able to tow the VX 4 down but it really isn't a good idea.

Swapping out the transfer case with a neutral will be a major undertaking and very expensive.

Disconnecting the rear driveshaft and putting the front wheels on a dolly worries me too. The limited slip in the rear diff may not like that at all (not sure).

Putting the transfer case selector between TOD and 4L just plain scares the hell outa me.

Eons ago I read an article about someone who had installed locking hubs front and rear for the purpose of towing 4 down. This wasn't on a VX but the concept still applies. I'm talking about an article I read 20 years ago so there's no way I'd ever be able to remember where I read it but it is something you could look into.

[SlowPro48]

Putting the transfer case selector between TOD and 4L just plain scares the hell outa me.

Most definitely a concern as I verified this morning that there is no detente for neutral - so you would have to fab up a bracket of some kind to make darn sure the lever stayed in place while being towed. I think that would be a lot easier than figuring out how to put in a different transfer case though!

[SlowPro48]

I use the "search" function...

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ghlight=towing

Yeah you did - and it didn't turn up squat did it?

Did you even read those threads? The last one has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand (it talks about CV boots getting torn by towing on a rollback) and NONE of those threads answer the question of why changing out the transfer case would allow 4 down towing.

I'm just trying to learn something NEW here...

...I already know how to use the search function!

[Ldub]

Yeah you did - and it didn't turn up squat did it?

Did you even read those threads? The last one has absolutely nothing to do with the topic at hand (it talks about CV boots getting torn by towing on a rollback) and NONE of those threads answer the question of why changing out the transfer case would allow 4 down towing.

I'm just trying to learn something NEW here...

...I already know how to use the search function!

Yep... read every word...I was trying to illustrate that towing the VX is mostly, not recommended.

I'm very happy that you know how to use the search function...

I think Crotchrocket might have the best idea.

[SlowPro48]

...I was trying to illustrate that towing the VX is mostly not recommended.

But why? What would swapping out the transfer case change? That's all I'm asking!

What's the difference between putting some other transfer case in neutral and pulling the VX behind an RV - and putting the existing transfer case in neutral and pulling it behind an RV? All I can think of is several thousand dollars and a lot of aggrevation but there's probably more to the story and it got me curious and that's why I'm asking.

BTW LBub, I've decided that, although I DO know how to use the search button, you are so good at it that I'm going to stop using it and instead I will post my inane questions then wait for you to post the search results as links - that way all I have to do is click my mouse. Sweet, huh? We're going to have to talk about quality control though. I'm still not sure what damaged CV boots due to improper tie down on a rollback has to do with towing but I'll have another cup of coffee and maybe it will come to me.

[Ldub]

[QUOTE=SlowPro48;161906]BTW LBub, I've decided that, although I DO know how to use the search button, you are so good at it that I'm going to stop using it and instead I will post my inane questions then wait for you to post the search results as links - that way all I have to do is click my mouse. Sweet, huh? [QUOTE]

Oh, I'm SURE that you can count on me.........