Towing with a locked rear?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Hillbilly · 08-21-2002, 06:54 PM

I've been slowly building up my tow rig. Now I'm getting ready to swap the rear out for a heavier axle that has a detroit already installed. I've owned detroits before, and know their caracterstics. I'm just alittle concerned with that much weight on the rear when hard turning, like in parking lots with a heavy load. I'd go with a selectable locker, but this is a good deal and there isn't one made for my rearend.

DRM · 08-21-2002, 06:56 PM

What's to worry about? CUCV's came with rear Detroit's and carried around a several thousand lb. communications bed insert, as well as towing as needed - no worries...

70~K5 · 08-21-2002, 08:25 PM

I've driven Dump trucks with detroits in both drive axles and had no problems towing a equipment trailer behind it.

wheelinjp · 08-21-2002, 09:28 PM

I dont think you have anything to worry about. I have a rear locker in my f350 and it tows great.

TEX · 08-22-2002, 06:33 AM

While we're on the subject, what kind of "quirks" could I expect from a Detroit in a mostly street-driven 4x4 with 141" wheelbase & no lift?

Reason I ask is my tow rig has an open rear & putting a Detroit in would be REAL cheap (14-bolt), and there have already been some occasions when at least a L/S would have come in handy.

TEX

Blair · 08-22-2002, 08:16 PM

It seems like the heavier and longer the truck is, the less you will feel a detroit. A friend had an old F250 with a ton of weight in tools and stuff on the bed and a long wheelbase. In that truck you really felt almost nothing out of the Detroit and it was the old style locker. I have ridden in Jeeps with various lockers and some of them were scary as far as unplanned lane changes etc. Anyway in a fairly heavy fullsize I say go for it. Shouldn't notice it much at all other than the squeaks from the tires on turns. Later

TEX · 08-26-2002, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blair
It seems like the heavier and longer the truck is, the less you will feel a detroit.

That's kind of the logic I was using. 143" wheelbase & 5,600lb truck EMPTY. Figured it might feel kinda like my old 117" 4,500lb truck that had a L/S rear.

TEX

187racing · 09-04-2002, 10:11 PM

I've never really noticed much difference towing with a locked or open rear, but when the 9 inch in my truck was locked, i would occasionally break an axleshaft. both times was turning a corner from a stop, I think the load placed on the axles and the lack of tire chirpage due to the weight on the back of the truck. I have since upgraded to a sterling 10 1/4 and had 0 problems

YELLER BLAZER · 09-09-2002, 04:05 PM

Wifes suburban is detroited with a 14 bolt pulls my 8000# trailer without complaint and it runs about 1100# of tongue weight

Hillbilly · 09-09-2002, 04:42 PM

This is all good to know. I was just worried about having the tow rig all loaded up with camping gear and two rigs on the gooseneck and then have all that weight on the rear and be cutting it hard to try and park somehwere and BAM! There's goes all the fun. Maybe I'll hide a spare on the frame somewhere for peace of mind. Maybe I worry too much

08-21-2002, 06:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Hillbilly Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 857 Location: Dickson TN Posts: 1,154	Towing with a locked rear?? I've been slowly building up my tow rig. Now I'm getting ready to swap the rear out for a heavier axle that has a detroit already installed. I've owned detroits before, and know their caracterstics. I'm just alittle concerned with that much weight on the rear when hard turning, like in parking lots with a heavy load. I'd go with a selectable locker, but this is a good deal and there isn't one made for my rearend.

08-21-2002, 06:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
DRM Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 8 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 35,021 Blog Entries: 1	What's to worry about? CUCV's came with rear Detroit's and carried around a several thousand lb. communications bed insert, as well as towing as needed - no worries... __________________ >David > 4x4Spot.com >It only hurts the first* time you agree with me...* >"A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men."

08-21-2002, 09:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
wheelinjp Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 2119 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 1,228	I dont think you have anything to worry about. I have a rear locker in my f350 and it tows great. __________________ How many licks does it tak.... AWWW JUST SUCK IT

08-22-2002, 06:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
TEX Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Member # 603 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 14,198	While we're on the subject, what kind of "quirks" could I expect from a Detroit in a mostly street-driven 4x4 with 141" wheelbase & no lift? Reason I ask is my tow rig has an open rear & putting a Detroit in would be REAL cheap (14-bolt), and there have already been some occasions when at least a L/S would have come in handy. TEX __________________ www.probog.com Thanks to: www.heiseroil.com Extreme Performance www.kmelectronics.com Bear Creek Auto Recyclers www.svrehorsepower.com

08-22-2002, 08:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
Blair Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Member # 7069 Location: Twin Falls ID Posts: 236	It seems like the heavier and longer the truck is, the less you will feel a detroit. A friend had an old F250 with a ton of weight in tools and stuff on the bed and a long wheelbase. In that truck you really felt almost nothing out of the Detroit and it was the old style locker. I have ridden in Jeeps with various lockers and some of them were scary as far as unplanned lane changes etc. Anyway in a fairly heavy fullsize I say go for it. Shouldn't notice it much at all other than the squeaks from the tires on turns. Later __________________ More power!

08-21-2002, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
70~K5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Member # 11392 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 1,088	I've driven Dump trucks with detroits in both drive axles and had no problems towing a equipment trailer behind it.

09-04-2002, 10:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
187racing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2725 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 368	I've never really noticed much difference towing with a locked or open rear, but when the 9 inch in my truck was locked, i would occasionally break an axleshaft. both times was turning a corner from a stop, I think the load placed on the axles and the lack of tire chirpage due to the weight on the back of the truck. I have since upgraded to a sterling 10 1/4 and had 0 problems

09-09-2002, 04:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
YELLER BLAZER Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Member # 12615 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 509	Wifes suburban is detroited with a 14 bolt pulls my 8000# trailer without complaint and it runs about 1100# of tongue weight __________________ The bus I ride is so short it is a yellow Smart Car full of squirrels, monkeys and clowns.

09-09-2002, 04:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
Hillbilly Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 857 Location: Dickson TN Posts: 1,154	This is all good to know. I was just worried about having the tow rig all loaded up with camping gear and two rigs on the gooseneck and then have all that weight on the rear and be cutting it hard to try and park somehwere and BAM! There's goes all the fun. Maybe I'll hide a spare on the frame somewhere for peace of mind. Maybe I worry too much

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