Looks like I gotta flat tow, need advice.

[kwrangln]

Well, the move is getting closer, and as of now it looks like flat towing is the only option for getting the heep half way across the country.

Question is, towbar length, is longer better?

Most bars I've seen are about 4 feet between the tugger and tugge, would a longer bar be any better? I'll throw one together (dont worry bout the fab part) so can make it whatever length will work best.

Tugger will be a 4x dodge quad cab short bed gasser.

Tugge will be a YJ on full widths and 37's.

So, what say the masses, ideal distance between hitch and bumper is what? Or has everyone just used the commercially available stuff and called it good?

Anything I'm overlooking here, My thought is longer would be better, less angle on the bar from the height difference between mounting point and hitch, and maybe its flawed thinking, but kinda like the tail on a dart, further from the driving force the more stable.

[Travis Waldher]

longer is better. I think mine was a little over 3' long and it towed my YJ with 33's and then 36's just fine. I did run a raised hitch to level things out. If you have to choose between tow bar pointing up or down, choose down. This was towing with a short bed extended cab gasser.

Some advice on flat towing.

1) Put a good 4-500lbs of something in the bed. It helps cement the rear axle down.

2) Carefull on crappy pavement, it can cause the jeep to wag, especially if going downhill. Since there is no brakes, it can be HARD to get back under control.

3) If it's wet out, and your are on a clover leaf. Even if you know your Jeep could safely do it at 35mph, don't assume that while it's being towed it can. Unless you want to experience an 8 wheeled drift around the clover leaf.

[yager]

I bought a Reese adjustable few years back, was ~$100 wal-mart even had the HD one. Ya id definlty shoot for a downward angle on the bar.

Everything Travis said ! 1,2,3 and it can easily come around on you in a corner... If that happens, find the gas pedal and hang on. (pull over after to empty out your underwear)

Make sure your tow is set good, if you have to fight it when you drive it normally thats not a good sign, you want it to be happy with no input from the wheel.

Speeking of which... don't forget to unlock your steering wheel :) go slow and drive safe...

On a side topic...
I know they make $$$ flat tow brake acutators... I was thinking about it one day and it seems to me you could make a simple lever arm device that bolts to the floor. Use 2 trailer brake magnets, and some metal around it to give it something to push/pull against... Add a small vacume pump to run the brake booster and using your regular brake controler to actuate it all, have some simple cheep brakes on a flat tow'd rig.

[Po' riggity]

Mines just a commercially bought tow bar I believe.. got in and the bumper that the tow bar mounts to from a friend.. its about 3' long I think. Definetly point it downward a touch, or level, but try not to get it TOO steep on a downward angle. Ive never had any issues flat towing, but I would suggest unbolting both driveshafts, at least at the diff sides, and tying them up.

Scott

[saprobe]

also make sure that you have some provsion for lights.i used to just run the magnetic tow lights and i liked that better than permanently wiring a plug to my rigs tail lights cause i could use em on other junk. theyve been handy a couple times even in picking up trailers that didnt have working lights.

here in ohio the towed vehicle is supposed to be liscenced and insured if any wheels are on the ground. friend of mine flat tows his junk everywhere with no plate,but thats his luck ;) i always put a plate from something else i owned on it when i towed mine(even tho thats not really correct either,but i thot it was better than no plate)

and it goes without saying to make sure the rig is in good enuff shape to drive-dont flat tow it unless the wheelbearings,steering,etc. are all up to it.

[welndmn]

'Looks like I gotta flat tow, need advice. "

Don't, Beg to borrow or even rent a trailer.

[NastyNate]

Yep, I'll never flat tow again. I would rather not make a wheeling trip, than to have to flat tow. Two wrecks was enough for me.

[saprobe]

i used to flat tow my rig to the trails all the time,75 miles or so each way. i wont try and say its as good as having a trailer,but its way better than driving it. nothing wrong with flat towing if you take some simple precautions and and smart enuff to properly maintain your trail rig so the wheels and steering dont fall off :flipoff2: