Topic: flat towing my runner

[funnrunner51]

I plan on flat towing my 4runner to Vegas behind my f150 this thanksgiving. I have never used a tow bar but I'm all set up for one and going to be using a Reese tow champ. So my question is do I leave the steering wheel unlocked or locked I'm thinking unlocked. second question should i pull the driveline or throw the tranny and transfercase in neutral?

[jrock]

What year? I believe I have read, from Marlin himself, you need to pull the rear DS. If you do not your rear main bearing will not get oil and you will toast it.

[emsvitil]

Steering is unlocked.

Removing the DS would be the safest thing to do.

[83yota]

X3 on removing the ds

[funnrunner51 [OP]]

OK cool thanks. Its a 1990. Now what about the steering do I just leave it unlocked and disconnect the battery or do I tie it off

[79coyotefrg]

OK cool thanks. Its a 1990. Now what about the steering do I just leave it unlocked and disconnect the battery or do I tie it off

if you want that reese tow bar to fold up when you go to make a turn leave the wheel locked or tied off.   the wheel MUST BE UNLOCKED.

[funnrunner51 [OP]]

Thanks 79coyotefrg that's what I thought, you want the truck to turn not drag

[emsvitil]

OK cool thanks. Its a 1990. Now what about the steering do I just leave it unlocked and disconnect the battery or do I tie it off

I already answered that question..............
(2nd reply)

[funnrunner51 [OP]]

Sorry emsvitil didn't see that, thanks though

[Rocksurfer]

Front hubs unlocked, make sure the steering is unlocked and  you will want to pull the ds. The way I pull the ds is to mark the spline location for reinstallation later if you don't it will become unbalanced, pull the rear bolts on the third and just slide it out leaving the spline end hang. Lighting of course is important and you may need a braking system and breakaway on the towed vehicle to be legal.

Oh and if you leave the front end of the rear ds on don't try to drive it in fwd. Makes lots of noise.

[Goldrush]

ya like stated above, pull the ds. i would be the best thing to do, but if ur too lazy to do that, u can just let it idle while ur towing it. so ya, i wouldnt towing while idleing but it is a possiblilty lol. so ya thats my 2 cents.

[Rocksurfer]

Leaving it idling won't work, you still need to have it in neutral so the bearings and seals will not get the proper lube and will still burn out. Plus you will probably overheat too.

[jimbo74]

flat towing is pretty rough on the tow vehicle, make sure your f150 can handle it...... make sure you can handle it...... i flat towed an 84 xcab and it still pushed around the 02 f350 4x4 longbed crewcab quite a bit

[Rocksurfer]

Never had any issues flat towing except that my Samurai turned left once when I was turning right. I have towed with my motorhome and never felt anything, I've towed my Willys with my 80 Toyota 4x4 and it towed like a champ, I've towed my Willys with an Expedition with no trouble, I've towed my 80 Toyota with my Dodge Van with no trouble, the one time I did feel that I felt uncomfortable was when I towed my 80 Toyota with my Ranger, it was a little squirrelly.