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? about tow vehicle, need help

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Sandyc

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? about tow vehicle, need help
« on: November 27, 2016, 12:25:39 am »
Can I tow any vehicle with standard transmission. Just put it in neutral and go? Does it have to be 4wd? I have a small truck that's a standard 2wd, hate to buy something else different. Thanks
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TomHanlon

Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2016, 07:26:05 am »
Look in your owners manual under recreational towing or towing four down.
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TheLuvShack

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2016, 09:33:38 am »
Your owners manual is a good source of info. I've also found this website to be helpful.
http://www.motorhome.com/download-dinghy-guides/
Keep in mind that not all supplemental braking systems are compatible with every toad so check the website of the brake system that you hope to use. Good luck and safe travels.
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randallandchris

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2016, 10:28:15 am »
If dinghy towing, i.e. without a car dolly and using baseplate and towbar, need to consider the steering wheel lock if present and maybe leave the key in and pull a fuse.  Also must add taillights or adapt existing lighting.
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Michelle Dungan

Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #4 on: November 27, 2016, 05:34:39 pm »
Right.  Key-in and turned on far enough to keep steering from locking, which is often far enough to send some power to starter solenoid without actually engaging starter, power to accessories that might include running the HVAC fan eternally on low speed, electric fuel pump, etc.  So, yes, read your manual carefully, as it should state how far to turn the key, whether fuses have tobe removed, and whether flat or ANY towing, including with dollies, is even feasible.
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jatrax

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #5 on: November 27, 2016, 08:45:42 pm »
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Can I tow any vehicle with standard transmission.
Short answer is "maybe".

You cannot make a blanket statement like that.  Some you can, some you cannot, some you can with restrictions.  Read your owners manual or do a search online for "towing behind RV" and you will get a lot of good info.

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Pax

Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2016, 07:51:05 am »
Also, some cars do not have keys....

And, some dealers do not know which of their vehicles can or cannot be towed.  I had to educate one.

   - Mike
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TomHanlon

Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2016, 08:47:10 am »
Some times during the year the cars manufacture will change their mind or some thing on the car will change  and weither or not the car can be towed will change. The only real anwser is in that cars owners manual, not in a magazine or on some forum.
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2016, 10:41:51 am »
Hi Sandyc,

A back alley method to provide a good idea whether or not your vehicle can be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground is to research if a tow bar hardware kit called a bracket or base plate is available.  If you can't buy a tow bar bracket to mount onto your vehicle to accept a tow bar, then your question is kind-of answered by reverse engineering.  As previously discussed, there are flavors of vehicle models (manual versus automatic) that come into play.  That is where your owners manual will help.  If you can find the proper tow bar bracket (or base plate) for your little pickup truck with manual transmission, then it seems promising.

Even if your vehicle is permitted by the auto maker for towing with all 4 wheels on the pavement, you'll need the proper bolt-on bracket to actually tow it.  ROADMASTER and BLUE OX are the two biggest suppliers I know of.  I would imagine there are other brands to check out.

I reinforce the previous replies.  As newer vehicles have become more and more "Techie" with push button start and so much else, there is more to consider.  It seems tow dollies will be become more popular to get past all that for newer front wheel drive vehicles.  Not so much with 4WD and AWD vehicles.

Ron Dittmer
« Last Edit: November 28, 2016, 01:58:02 pm by ron.dittmer »
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jatrax

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2016, 12:07:22 pm »
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And, some dealers do not know which of their vehicles can or cannot be towed.  I had to educate one.
Sadly, never trust the dealer.  Most likely you already know more than they do.

I stopped at my local Jeep dealer last month to start looking into a tow.  Hey, its a Jeep dealer, they know all about towing right?  I told the sales dude "I need a light weight 4x4 that can be towed all wheels on the ground.  His reply was that I had come to the right place as all Jeeps can be towed that way.  And then proceeded to show me the new Jeep Renegade.  Which is not 4 wheel towable.  When I started asking questions about the transmission and transfer case and what procedure to use to get it ready for towing the reply was: "there is a mount plate that goes on the front and that makes it OK to tow". 

Bottom line: do your own research and do not trust anyone trying to sell you something unless you are confident they actually know something about the product they are selling.

Here is a good place to start: http://www.motorhome.com/download-dinghy-guides/
And here: http://webcontent.goodsam.com/motorhomemagazine.com/2016DinghyGuide.pdf
And here: http://www.davesmith.com/dinghy-towing.htm

But the only document that really counts is the owners manual.
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donc13

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2016, 01:08:12 pm »
Quote from: Sandyc on November 27, 2016, 12:25:39 am
Can I tow any vehicle with standard transmission. Just put it in neutral and go? Does it have to be 4wd? I have a small truck that's a standard 2wd, hate to buy something else different. Thanks

The quick answer is NO!   Simply because attempting to tow any vehicle requires a lot of consideration.  How much does the vehicle weigh?   Will you exceed Gross Vehicle Combined Weight rating?   Does the vehicle manufacturer have instructions on how to tow with all 4 wheels down, are you going to add supplemental braking?   Etc.

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Cat House

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2016, 09:18:19 pm »
What is the vehicle?  Somebody in the group may have some experience.  We have towed a Honda Fit and a Geo Tracker...

Marilyn
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HenryJ

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Re: ? about tow vehicle, need help
« Reply #12 on: December 09, 2016, 01:33:35 pm »
Many vehicles do not tow, some may with modifications that may require you to do some action before connecting your  tow apparatus. And all vehicles require brakes that can be activated when you are on the road. State laws need checking for where you will be traveling. then in Canada you need your proof of ownership for whatever you are driving and towing and like here it changes by Provence.  FMCA has an once a year issue which covers most  cars one might tow and the  specifics.  If you are a member you will receive it in the mail.   The 2015 Jeep Wrangler tows well has the diodes in the lights that once had to be installed for the lights to work and does not drain the battery. You do have to go through. Set up operation to get the car in towing mode. Ours is a 4 wheel drive automatic
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Good luck. Patricia
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Patricia
A new day has dawned now only traveling with Miss Elle . Jim will be watching over us.
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