flat towing

[Terry W]

It seems I read here that there is a reason you can't just put the transfer case in neutral and leave the hubs unlocked and tow your scout all over the place, but, I can't remember the reason. Just curious, thinking about towing it behind my motorhome......Thanks

[Bill usn-1]

I used to tow mine behind my pacearrow.

BUT
if you have not corrected the caster you make a turn and the scout will follow you into the turn and not come out of the turn. Dragged my front tires sideways till I could pull over.

It is also recommended to lock in a front hub so it turns the TC front shaft and circulates the fluid.
I can't remember if I actually did that on mine or not but I towed it a lot of miles back in the day of low fuel cost.

[rbelflower]

I flat tow mine all the time.
I used to put the TC in neutral and lock the front hubs.
Then I noticed an oil small even after short distances.

After just a few trips, my front yoke started leaking.

I have since replaced the yoke to fix the leak, it's better but not perfect.

I still put it in neutral, but I no longer lock the front hubs.
No more smell.

Just make sure the towbar is rated to the weight of your IH.

Also, a suplemental brake system makes a HUGE difference.

Hope that helps.

[Greg R]

It's always safer, or when in doubt, to remove or disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle and disengage the front axle. Some owner's manuals say it's okay for short distances up to 30 or 40 MPH with a manual transmission to leave the driveshaft connected. It's always a rule for an automatic transmission to disconnect the driveshaft.

The question is if the transmission or transfer case is getting lubrication with the output shafts turning. With gears turning there is splash lubrication, in neutral there are no gears turning so then do the bearings or does the spline shaft in the transmission get lubed and there is no lube in an automatic without the pump.

Aside from testimonies of "no ill effect" and do they apply to YOUR platform; it's safer to remove the driveshaft.

[scoutboy74]

Originally Posted by Greg R

It's always safer, or when in doubt, to remove or disconnect the driveshaft from the rear axle and disengage the front axle. Some owner's manuals say it's okay for short distances up to 30 or 40 MPH with a manual transmission to leave the driveshaft connected. It's always a rule for an automatic transmission to disconnect the driveshaft.

The question is if the transmission or transfer case is getting lubrication with the output shafts turning. With gears turning there is splash lubrication, in neutral there are no gears turning so then do the bearings or does the spline shaft in the transmission get lubed and there is no lube in an automatic without the pump.

Aside from testimonies of "no ill effect" and do they apply to YOUR platform; it's safer to remove the driveshaft.

X infinity. Ya dun Sailor Jerry proud Mr. Greg.

[Bill usn-1]

Agree that removing the driveshaft is the safest way, but it's just a PITA to have to remove and install every time you hook it to the back of the MH.

We are inherently lazy creatures so always look for ways to reduce the labor involved.

Keeping the TC full of fluid and popping it in neutral is so much easier.

[Doc Stewart]

Another Doc Stewart Story:

My brother's father-in-law was the chief of the CHP here in California. As he was about to retire, he bought a small Ford pickup to tow behind his motor home. The salesman told him he could just hook it up and tow it.

We checked. Towing it that way would burn up the trans rear bearing as it got no lube in that mode.

Bro and I drove it to the dealer and asked the service manager if it could be towed. No, it needs a disconnect says he. So install a disconnect says we. $300 says he. Your sales man told the CHP Chief the wrong information says we. OOPS! says he - pick it up Wednesday says he - no charge.

As far as I know that little truck is still the Toad for his motor home 12 years later.

Spinning bearings and gears have to have lube and how they get it varies from make to make.