We tried to use the towbar today, had the steering unlocked and unstrapped, as we pulled put to the left the wheels on the sami went hard right! Do i need to strap the steering? Also do I need to remove the rear DS on a 200mi. trip?

Originally posted by bigbronco2
We tried to use the towbar today, had the steering unlocked and unstrapped, as we pulled put to the left the wheels on the sami went hard right! Do i need to strap the steering? Also do I need to remove the rear DS on a 200mi. trip?

Was the parking brake set maybe?
You don't need to strap the steering.
I'd take out the driveshaft every time.

I've towed a few thousand miles with the battery disconnected, rear driveshaft removed, and key in the ignition with the steering unlocked. No problems except for a flat tire.

Are you fully welded or spooled? I was having the same problem after I spooled the rear. My alignment is also off just a hair and that will effect it also.

Now I trailer it. So much for the $150.00 tow bar.:rolleyes:

I'm spooled as well and flat tow without a problem and I'm running 33"s I just turn the key as stated above to unlock the ignition and unbolt the rear driveshaft at the 3rd and bungee cord it up out of the way. No problems.


Koko

i am not spooled or locked. i just added 2" shackles which i heard i have to do alignment now. I was also going from concrete to 4' of dirt and on to pavement...maybe the dirt screwed me up? I will just pull a little harder and go out wider...just weird(typical vehicle problems i guess.)

Not sure of the situation you were in when it happened, but I flat tow all the time. There are a few situations where that happens right at the start but I just turn the wheels back and get the rig going straight and the problem takes care of itself.

Oh, another thing, make sure the tire pressure in your tires is at the rated pressure. That helps a lot.

ok thanks, i will try again in a few minutes...:)

I had that same problem when I ran extended shackles on the front of my zuk. The wheels would lock one way when going around a corner and not go back centered again. If you've got long shackles that may be the source of the problem. I also bought a trailer and solved that problem:D

ok I tried it again. the locked the wrong way on the dirt , i straightened them out and it towed fine, it just gets screwy when turning on dirt. so i will strap the steering to only allow a limited range of movement. thanks for all ur help.
Later,
D.:jeep:

I flat tow my zuk all the time. I've never had any problems whatsoever.
One day i tried to flat tow my buddies zuk, (which is a trailer queen) a short distance. Just so we would not have to drive up and get the tralier.
I could not even get his zuk out of the driveway, The second the tow rig would hint a left turn the zuk would steer right and try to fold the 35x16x15 boggers under the itself. Same results for right turns.
The reason this happened is the longer shackels on his rig plus the front pinion angle is way up. he never cut and turned his knuckles to compensate.
After that situation i think you may have the same problem of the longer shackles throwing your steering outta whack.
Cheap solution would be to put the stock shackles back on and try it again. I am pretty sure thats your problem.

I've heard of some people having simular problems when the tow
rig had a long overhang past the rear wheels,like on a motor
home.

The only time mine got screwy was if I accellerated much while turning, like when pulling out from a parking lot onto a street or taking a left or right from a stop sign. Just had to take it easy doing that. Otherwise it was 75mph the whole way, no prob.

The only time I have ever had a problem with any Zuk was when the caster angle was screwed up by a bad SPOA.
When the angle gets close or passes 0 degrees things get real interesting. On the rig I had problem with I simply used the seat belt to limit the amount the wheel could turn......ever

it went well when we tested it. it was just the dirt turning thing, I just discod' the rear ds and strapped it to a crossmember. so far so good! thanks again