How to use a towbar on the road? is it safe?

I need to tow my jeep, i was going to get a cheap tow bar or build one. So what do i do? Just bolt it to the front bumper? Will the front wheels follow when i turn or will it cause me to crash? Should i disconect the steering box?

 

I have mounts attached to the front bumper on mine and use a Reese 5000# unit. If your jeep is in good shape it should track straight and you do not need to disconnect anything.

 

How far is the tow and with what transfer case?

 

If the tow bar is used right it is safe. one bit of advice I would have is to use a fullsize rig to do the towing so you would have bigger brakes and good weight so the jeep doesnt through you arround. depending on the trans and transfer case you may need to disconnect the drive line. if you post that info some one hear could tell you what you will need to do.

 

If you search for 'flat towing' you'll get lots of hits

 

The steering toe-in on the towed vehicle must be correct. It makes the front wheels self centering.

A toed-out condition will put both vehicles in the ditch, after a few very exciting moments.

Pete

 

oh how do i put this? and not step on any bodys toes, it is as safe,but only as safe as you are. if you have never towed a vehicle i would suggest you talk with several people who have,full size vehicle definitely recmonded as mentioned previously,and a good strong tow bar mounted securely,and also if it is your first time take your time these things take experience,like anything else the more you do something the more you learn and the better you become at it,maybe i am over reacting,but i have drove tractor trailer for 10 years and seen alot of stuff go wrong that could have been prevented. braking major factor,leave yourself plenty of room to stop,steering avoid quick changes in direction,and also you canot back up while hooked,you will grubshuck the front end of the jeep,long story short drive like you were hauling dynamite,and you should be ok

 

almost forgot attach to bumper or frame rails,and do not disconnect the steering box or any thing steering related two more things to consider,i didnt notice what year jeep ,locking steering wheel you may want to leave the key in it in a position where the ignition is off but the steering wheel is not locked, rarley but some times in a non locking steering wheel you will have to tie the steering wheel in the straight foward posistion,but not really tight,sometimes in a really tight turn like a intersection the wheels will not straighten up,also definitely make sure every thing is out of geer

 

agin Depending on the trans and transfer case depends on how you tow if in dought pull the rear drive line and unlock the front hubs.

 

ok thanks, well i dont know too much about it, its kinda rough so the steering is iffy at best. Its a 75 cj5 258 3 speed so that makes it a dana 20 transfer case right? I dont know. just put everything in neutral and hope for the best?

 

I would pull the rear driveshaft just to be safe. I was told i could leave the rear shaft in mine and I believed it right up until the time it left out of the back of the model 18 T/C taking the parking brake and half (yes, half)of the rear pinion with it.I guess the pinion snapped off when the parking brake hit the asphalt.I was towing it behind a Winnebego, and never heard or felt a thing. I stopped at a red light and when i went to take off, I heard the tires screeching on the Jeep. I pulled over to check things out,it wasn't pretty. I never did find the driveshaft and parking brake. R) Good luck.

 

If you do choose to flat tow, put the transfer case in neutral, put the transmission in gear. Verify by strating it up and letting out the clutch. Prior to towing, make sure all tires and wheel bearings are in good shape. One of our members lost a rear wheel bearing on a jeep while towing and ended up in a wreck.

 

What is the reason for towing? Are you just going from "point A to point B" one time only? Or are you planning on towing on a regular basis? If it's a one time only tow, then consider a tow dolly or trailer it (Best choice, nothing needs disconnected!). If you're planning on towing regularly, then make sure all bearings are in good condition, hubs unlocked, and I would (personnally) disconnect front and rear driveshafts. This would ensure the tranny/transfer case was out of the picture. (Obvious statement follows... disconnect drivelines from diffs, not transfercase!)
This is just my humble opinion, others may agree or disagree.

 

just currious on what tumbelweed was told about not getting proper lubrication on flat tow,dont see how it would compromise lubircation, i mean dont get me wrong you just have got my mind thinking how it could. :?

 

With the t-case in neutral you are not spinning the gears. On a Dana 20 the rear output is high up in line with the transmission output. In order to get oil up from the sump to that bearing the gears need to be turning to fling it up. They do not ride in an oil bath like the front output.