Towbar dragging, lock the steering - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

TVtommy · 02-21-2002, 01:18 PM

OK....another newbie has bought a rig.

Please dont flame me to death on this....

If I'm going to drag my 40 with a tow bar, should I lock the steering?

I tried to to a test drag over the weekend, and the 40 wanted to go in a different direction then I wanted it to (steering locked and not locked). (I had it aligned this morning)

I'll post a pic if we play nice.

Thanks in advance.

Tommy

The Jerk · 02-21-2002, 01:20 PM

i use to have the same problem with mine when it was srpung under and over. i couldnt never figure i tout. i noticed when turning slowly it would track right. even when i tied teh wheel tight to teh cage it would just drag the front around. so i gave up and just drove the turd all sumer! jiMMy

GloNDark · 02-21-2002, 01:25 PM

That's a caster problem. Too much caster and it moves the "steering point" of the tire. Mine did this last summer, I put in like 4 degree shims (Rotating the pinion down to about stock) and it follows my GMC no problem now. Sure was a shock watching the cruiser go a different way at 35 MPH

GhettoRig · 02-21-2002, 01:28 PM

DON'T LOCK THE STEERING! I created a nicely folded up towbar once when I accidently forgot to unlock the steering wheel.

The Jerk · 02-21-2002, 01:29 PM

it first did it to me in the middle of a busy intersection, everyone was honking, i was like fuck off with your horn and get out and help me turn the wheel so i can move it dumb asses. trailer time nwo baby! jiMMy

GloNDark · 02-21-2002, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy76FJ40
it first did it to me in the middle of a busy intersection, everyone was honking, i was like fuck off with your horn and get out and help me turn the wheel so i can move it dumb asses. trailer time nwo baby! jiMMy

No shit. I had 3 guys honking at me, and not one got out. So I gave them all the

and took my time. I would have gotten out and helped someone if I saw that happen.

wngrog · 02-21-2002, 01:44 PM

Get a stout tow bar and lock the steering with a "Club" type apparatus. i did it this way for years. Just leave a little play and don't try to turn too tight.

Better yet, fix your caster

Mark '73 FJ40 · 02-21-2002, 02:48 PM

I've always heard NOT to lock your steering with a tow bar.
How else are you going to go around corners??

The Jerk · 02-21-2002, 03:08 PM

its good to have somethign there to bring it back to center jsut incase. like a bungee cord or something. jiMMy

TVtommy · 02-21-2002, 03:14 PM

OOps....I'm still a newbie....cant post attachments yet

Berg · 02-21-2002, 03:25 PM

I had a problem with a Cruiser I was trying to tow. I had to lower the tow bar to change teh geometry . that solved the plowing and cornering problem. My bar was pointed down on a 20* angle. When I got it level , problem gone.

Jason M · 02-21-2002, 03:38 PM

I flat towed for years. Always used a Bungee tied to the bottom of the steering wheel and to the brake pedal...

Mr McGee · 02-21-2002, 05:50 PM

So, the ultimate question is....What in your guys' opinion is the best way to tow, besides trailers.

fj40guy · 02-22-2002, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr McGee
So, the ultimate question is....What in your guys' opinion is the best way to tow, besides trailers.

1. Trailer
2. Tow dolly
3. Flat towing

On the tow dolly, I found a good price at DISCOUNT HITCH in Austin, TX. Picked up the Tow Master Heavy Duty model for $750.

They are a pain to find once the RV's hit the interstate. Local RV places wanted $950, and tried selling the light weight versions saying "they only make one model"

Not enough room to store a full size trailer, but the cruiser can almost park over the dolly!

Tom

wild1 · 02-22-2002, 07:04 PM

The steering is not supposed to be locked. And dont try backing up when flat towing neither. BAD. VERY BAD.

TVtommy · 02-22-2002, 08:41 PM

I hear ya on the backing thing.

I tried it with the towbar again yesterday....I turned right, and the 40 wanted to go left.....whats that all about?

02-21-2002, 01:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
TVtommy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9506 Location: Chicago Posts: 66	Towbar dragging, lock the steering OK....another newbie has bought a rig. Please dont flame me to death on this.... If I'm going to drag my 40 with a tow bar, should I lock the steering? I tried to to a test drag over the weekend, and the 40 wanted to go in a different direction then I wanted it to (steering locked and not locked). (I had it aligned this morning) I'll post a pic if we play nice. Thanks in advance. Tommy __________________ The only substitute for power, is MORE power. '78 FJ40 Warn 8274, lockers F & R, and rust free floors!!!

02-21-2002, 01:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
The Jerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 107 Location: Pollock Pines Ca Posts: 14,135	i use to have the same problem with mine when it was srpung under and over. i couldnt never figure i tout. i noticed when turning slowly it would track right. even when i tied teh wheel tight to teh cage it would just drag the front around. so i gave up and just drove the turd all sumer! jiMMy __________________ RockZombie:68FJ40 LPG350/sm420/d300/d60/d70

02-21-2002, 01:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
GloNDark Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Dec 2000 Member # 2482 Location: Yo momma house Posts: 11,731	That's a caster problem. Too much caster and it moves the "steering point" of the tire. Mine did this last summer, I put in like 4 degree shims (Rotating the pinion down to about stock) and it follows my GMC no problem now. Sure was a shock watching the cruiser go a different way at 35 MPH __________________ GET IT Dave!! save me a spot bro......i'll miss you...

02-21-2002, 01:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
The Jerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 107 Location: Pollock Pines Ca Posts: 14,135	it first did it to me in the middle of a busy intersection, everyone was honking, i was like fuck off with your horn and get out and help me turn the wheel so i can move it dumb asses. trailer time nwo baby! jiMMy __________________ RockZombie:68FJ40 LPG350/sm420/d300/d60/d70

02-21-2002, 01:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,065 Blog Entries: 4	Get a stout tow bar and lock the steering with a "Club" type apparatus. i did it this way for years. Just leave a little play and don't try to turn too tight. Better yet, fix your caster __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

02-21-2002, 01:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
GhettoRig Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Member # 3774 Posts: 369	DON'T LOCK THE STEERING! I created a nicely folded up towbar once when I accidently forgot to unlock the steering wheel.

02-21-2002, 02:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
Mark '73 FJ40 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Member # 2492 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 836	I've always heard NOT to lock your steering with a tow bar. How else are you going to go around corners?? __________________ I've spent a lot of money on trucks and beer. . .. . the rest I wasted.

02-21-2002, 03:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
The Jerk Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 107 Location: Pollock Pines Ca Posts: 14,135	its good to have somethign there to bring it back to center jsut incase. like a bungee cord or something. jiMMy __________________ RockZombie:68FJ40 LPG350/sm420/d300/d60/d70

02-21-2002, 03:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
TVtommy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9506 Location: Chicago Posts: 66	OOps....I'm still a newbie....cant post attachments yet __________________ The only substitute for power, is MORE power. '78 FJ40 Warn 8274, lockers F & R, and rust free floors!!!

02-21-2002, 03:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
Berg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1176 Location: Utah Posts: 2,474	I had a problem with a Cruiser I was trying to tow. I had to lower the tow bar to change teh geometry . that solved the plowing and cornering problem. My bar was pointed down on a 20* angle. When I got it level , problem gone.

02-21-2002, 03:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
Jason M Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Member # 5286 Location: Vegas Posts: 9,827	I flat towed for years. Always used a Bungee tied to the bottom of the steering wheel and to the brake pedal... __________________ DEAR MADAM: THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECENT ORDER FROM OUR SEX TOYS WEBSITE. YOU'VE REQUESTED THE LARGE RED VIBRATOR AS FEATURED ON OUR WALL DISPLAY. PLEASE SELECT ANOTHER ITEM. THAT'S OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER

02-21-2002, 05:50 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mr McGee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9216 Location: Kimberly, Wisconsin Posts: 1,830	So, the ultimate question is....What in your guys' opinion is the best way to tow, besides trailers. __________________ Nick Hietpas...1985-2003 Rest In Peace

02-22-2002, 07:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
wild1 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Member # 7600 Location: edmonton alberta canada Posts: 461	The steering is not supposed to be locked. And dont try backing up when flat towing neither. BAD. VERY BAD. __________________ jeeps with stuff

02-22-2002, 08:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
TVtommy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9506 Location: Chicago Posts: 66	I hear ya on the backing thing. I tried it with the towbar again yesterday....I turned right, and the 40 wanted to go left.....whats that all about? __________________ The only substitute for power, is MORE power. '78 FJ40 Warn 8274, lockers F & R, and rust free floors!!!

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