long distance tow

I have flat towed a CJ a few times, and it went fine.

A lot depends on the vehicle you use to tow it. If it has a long wheelbase, good brakes, outweighs the CJ by a lot, and the weather is good, I wouldn't rent a trailer. Note the mechanical condition of the CJ has to be up to the trip too.

 

towed the Jeep all the way to New Mexico and back two years ago.
towed the Jeep to Colorado and back last year
starts to sway at about 70 MPH
longer tow bar would help in flat towing long distances
trailer and/or dolly is a hassle if you ask me

 

x2

I flat towed my jeep 300miles last month with a 3/4 ton diesel crew cab shortbed truck. it weighs 3 times what the jeep does. I had zero troubles towing or stopping the jeep. It sure was a lot less hassle then renting the trailer. If you have a truck large enough and everything is in good shape on the truck and jeep id flat tow over trailer.

 

What about the break lights? Are they difficult to connect on a painless wiring system?

 

I used a trailer to tow mine from California to Oklahoma. I did it because I didn't want to worry about anything. Thing is, I worried all 1500 miles about those tie down straps holding on the tires (that were probably too big for them).

 

Great idea! Thanks!

 

This has been covered before. When flat towing, the transfer case should be in neutral and the transmission should be in gear. If the tranny is left in neutral it could be damaged.

 

When I bought mine I was pulling it with a tow bar, and the steering wheel free with no problems. It went around corners with no problems. In the end I found a Uhal and put her up on the trailer. The Uhal guys hooked the trailer up to our Yukon, but must not have had the coupler on the ball, well when I drove her on the trailer I launched the kid off of the trailer tongue and he started talking in a higher pitched voice.
In the end I have 33's in front and had to let almost all the air out of the front tire's and if and when I make a long haul will put her up on a trailer.

 

Did you just tee into the turn/stop and tail lights on the Jeep and connect direct to your tow vehicle, like a trailer?

 

I thought so ... same way mine is set up

 

Don't mean to butt in but I drive semi's (25 yr)s. And have pulled cars flat and on dollies. Flat tow don't tie wheel leave loose. On a dolly tie wheel, because dolly pivots on hitch ball and plate that tires sit on. Otherwise there is the possibility for dog tracking into the next lane with a dolly forwards or backwards . Too many pivot points without the steering wheel secured (with dolly).

 

I've towed many rigs on tow bars, tow dollies and trailers (I'm also a semi truck driver, at one time I towed professionally, both 10 car transporter and combo/flatbed rigs)
Personally I use a car trailer (The fact that I own one helps that decision.)
I also built a tow bar set-up for my '88 Ranger truck. It works good for what it's designed for, and I tow it with a Durango.

It really doesn't matter what you tow, or tow with, as long as its done right (and safe).

 

yea....to each their own i suppose.....I've done it once and really didn't enjoy it at all.

I guess if thats what i was used to i may have a different opinion ...



I know I like having a trailer......gives me a safer feeling....and i can get it home easier if something breaks.

My TJ had C-clip ford 8.8 axle in the back.....if that busted i wouldnt be able to get it home by flat towing. same if it had been a stock D35.

I was on the trail 2 yrs ago and one of the guys broke off the knuckle of the axle....cant flat tow that home

and my biggest complaint again....no trailer brakes!

 

If anyone is so inclined, could they explain the trans "in gear" preference please. The PO of my Jeep flat towed exclusively w/ case and trans in neutral. Someone mentioned possible damage to trans when in neutral, but I'm having a hard time understanding why. TIA.

 

The spinning output shaft of the transfer case will cause oil to sling around in the transfer case. This oil action will cause the input shaft, from the tranny to the transfer case, to start to spin. If the tranny is not designed to be towed in nuetral, the bearings could run dry. It is similiar to placing a running electric fan next to an unplugged fan. The unplugged fan will start to turn.