Flat tow prep

wana65stang · 03-20-2016, 03:44 PM

For all that flat tow, what do you have to do to your toad to make it flat towable, example , pull fuses, run engine every so many miles, key in -key out, stand on your hear and spin ( just joking on that one) and what are you towing?

grumpy0374 · 03-20-2016, 04:03 PM

Your going to have to choose a vehicle first, as each is going to have different procedures. There is no "general" procedure.
Grumpy

wana65stang · 03-20-2016, 04:14 PM

Hey Grumpy, not asking for a general procedure , asking for what you pull and what you have to do to it, trying to get a feel for what is the easiest vehicle to use as a toad. Cheers

grumpy0374 · 03-20-2016, 06:17 PM

2013 Subaru XV Crosstrek, manual transmission. No special procedures. Ignition to first position to unlock steering, emergency brake off, tranny in neutral.
Most any manual tranny Subaru can be towed 4 down with no special prep.
Grumpy

pilotalso · 03-20-2016, 06:32 PM

We connect the two arms of the tow bar to the tow plate. Then connect wire from trailer (push the connectors together). Hook brake and break away cables (D-ring clips) to car. Put car in neutral, flip fuse switch (home made so no pulling fuses), Key in accessory position, emergency brake OFF.

Ready to go. takes less than 5 minutes.

Chevy Sonic 2014 automatic. Book says to keep it under 65 mph and run the car to begin the day to circulate transmission fluid for a couple of minutes.

waiter21 · 03-21-2016, 03:42 PM

We flat towed a 2001 Honda Civic with automatic. I had a straight "A" tow bar (not collapsible) so I would attach it to the civic, then hold the tow bar up by the chains and the DW would slowly drive the car to line up the hitch to the MH ball.

After hitching up I would need to run the engine and cycle the transmission through the gears in proper sequence with the final step of leaving it in "N" and the ignition in "ACC". I added a "tow / drive" switch that basically cut 12 volt power from the ACC fuse. (no need to pull fuse, just flip the switch to "TOW" position.

I just bought an older Saturn Vue that I'm fixing and will flat tow.

Its a manual transmission so simply leave it in "N".

ALSO - I modified the steering column in the Vue to completely disable the steering column lock mechanism, so there is no need to put it in "ACC". I can turn the wheel without the key

gmacklem · 03-21-2016, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wana65stang

For all that flat tow, what do you have to do to your toad to make it flat towable, example , pull fuses, run engine every so many miles, key in -key out, stand on your hear and spin ( just joking on that one) and what are you towing?

All of the above, except the head spin thingy.

I just flat towed my 2013 Honda CR-V for the first time. I used a dolly a couple times last year and didn't like it. So I switched to flat towing. It hooks up about like everything else you would tow except that there is a break away switch to hook up. It activates the Blue Ox Patriot brake controller in the vehicle. I also had a switch installed to eliminate pulling the fuse.

The CR-V requires a certain procedure to run the transmission through the gears and idling before towing. Then you do it again after 8 hours of towing. Over all, I think I am going to much prefer it to a tow dolly.

ramair · 03-24-2016, 01:52 AM

Just purchased our new 2015 Ford Taurus and it states just drive up hookup and place in Neutral and turn off the car. Push button start so no need to keep key in. Can only tow max 65mph and there is no distance restrictions.

wana65stang · 03-24-2016, 07:38 AM

I'm liking ramair's Taurus as a toad, so far the easiest !!!

ericlakin · 03-24-2016, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmacklem

All of the above, except the head spin thingy.

I just flat towed my 2013 Honda CR-V for the first time. I used a dolly a couple times last year and didn't like it. So I switched to flat towing. It hooks up about like everything else you would tow except that there is a break away switch to hook up. It activates the Blue Ox Patriot brake controller in the vehicle. I also had a switch installed to eliminate pulling the fuse.

The CR-V requires a certain procedure to run the transmission through the gears and idling before towing. Then you do it again after 8 hours of towing. Over all, I think I am going to much prefer it to a tow dolly.

My dealer ran a battery charge line instead of having me pull the fuse. So far so good even on long trips.

BamaBob · 03-24-2016, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wana65stang

Hey Grumpy, not asking for a general procedure , asking for what you pull and what you have to do to it, trying to get a feel for what is the easiest vehicle to use as a toad. Cheers

Researching this as well and according to what I have read, Jeeps are by far the easiest and least complicated vehicles to tow: no speed or distance restrictions, nothing to disconnect before towing - just hook up, put the transfer case in neutral and go.

Carmel · 03-24-2016, 11:43 AM

Jeep Wrangler. Take the key out, transfer case in neutral, hook up lights and brakes and go as far as you like.

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wana65stang · 03-25-2016, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmel

Jeep Wrangler. Take the key out, transfer case in neutral, hook up lights and brakes and go as far as you like.

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Hey Carmel , just to clarify are you talking about a automatic transmission or stick?

Carmel · 03-25-2016, 06:33 PM

Mines a stick and I put it in 2nd. An automatic you leave in park I believe, neutral is taken care of at the transfer case.

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Rockin M · 03-30-2016, 02:28 PM

I just ran a charge line from my 2014 Forester to a 2013 Chevy Equinox. I put a 20 amp fuse at the Chevy battery but I have heard that a diode might be necessary. Can anyone comment on the diode and how do you calculated the value of the diode that might need to be added.
Thank you

Kevin & Judy · 03-30-2016, 02:42 PM

2012 Ford Focus. stick shift, put in neutral , just hook , plug in and go. no distance restrictions ,no key in ignition as the steering wheel does not lock. I can hook and unhook in about 3 minutes,
I also tow a jeep Wrangler, same this basically put trans in gear (stick)
or automatic in park. transfer case in neutral hook up and go.No keys in jeep as steering wheel does not lock,

GL1800Rider · 03-30-2016, 02:58 PM

I tow a 2015 Corolla because I wanted something that got good mileage and was reliable. Only requirement is to run the engine 3 minutes before driving. Ignition on Accessories and manual transmission in neutral. No other restrictions. Power shuts off after 30 minutes so I have a jumper from the battery for the Brake Buddy

n-e-d · 03-30-2016, 03:10 PM

2015 Jeep cherokee automatic-DW didnt want a "Jeep" or standard-Blue Ox tow bars hooked to Jeep,Patriot brake system- just clip on brake pedal plug into spare socket, push a button to get transfer case to neutral(only on Active II transmission) put in park shut off engine, no key in the ignition. I use tow bar lights plugged into coach socket and off we go.

Greydragon · 11-09-2016, 09:28 AM

I have a question. I have a Jeep Wrangler and a 2014 Forest River MH. I bought a collapsible tow bar. It has two bolts on each arm up near the hitch and one bolt at the point it connects to the Jeep. Are the bolts supposed to be tight, no movement in them or lightly loose?

BamaBob · 11-16-2016, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greydragon

I have a question. I have a Jeep Wrangler and a 2014 Forest River MH. I bought a collapsible tow bar. It has two bolts on each arm up near the hitch and one bolt at the point it connects to the Jeep. Are the bolts supposed to be tight, no movement in them or lightly loose?

What model is your tow bar?

Also, most tow bars require you to install a base plate to the TOAD; then there are specialized tow points that the tow bar attaches to.

Can probably help you more once we find out what tow bar system you have

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