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ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: rkteckt on March 17, 2005, 01:41:36 PM

Title: towing on mudders
Post by: rkteckt on March 17, 2005, 01:41:36 PM
Hi there,

If my Rocky Road bumper arrives in time im hoping to tow my Samurai to Florida for camping next week.  

I have buckshot wide mudders from a company called gateway.

I have driven it on the highway at 60mph but im concerned about towing it at 65 for 800 miles.........

Does anyone have any wisdom to share?

thanks
Chris
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: Digger on March 17, 2005, 01:49:41 PM
Yeah, if you plan on going that fast, rent a trailer! LOL!!!

Seriously, you should be ok, but I would be tempted to throw on a set of stock rims/tires for the tow and carry the mudders inside...
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: rkteckt on March 17, 2005, 01:57:43 PM
Am i taking a risk of losing the tread?  the knobs on the sidewalls are already pretty chewed up.

This is my first  lifted samurai and i've only had it about a month so i would hate to damage it so soon.....:-)

And i cant really carry the mudders, would have to leave them behind by the time i get four of us and camping gear packed.

Thanks for your time
Chris
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: DirtDevil on March 17, 2005, 02:38:23 PM
giver dude, sami's are so light it doesnt matter, I towed my lj 80 around on brand new swampers up the hyway alot
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: rkteckt on March 17, 2005, 02:41:32 PM
Thats what i need to hear......lol

I'll post a picture as soon as i figure out how.

thanks guys
Chris
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: bashzuk on March 17, 2005, 03:53:46 PM
OK now I have a question.
I've heard that when flat towing a samurai that you need to have the transfer case in neutral and the tranny in second and to start up the engine every so many miles to lube everything up.
I flat towed mine to Evans Creek and Elbe Hills
did it once with both tranny and transfer in neutral
and the rest with tranny in 2nd and transfer in neutral.
What's the true lowdown on this???
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: ussexplorer on March 17, 2005, 04:06:09 PM
If it is a standard. Don't really need to do anything. If it is a automatic. You can do a few things. Disconnect the drive line, or install a extra electric tranny pump. Basicly the tranny fluid is not flowing inside and build up heat. Also make sure your tire are aligned and such. Or your little truck will be all over the road back and forth back and forth while towing. Also you can unlock your 4x4 hubs too. That helps.

Later,

Josh
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: rkteckt on March 18, 2005, 01:07:09 PM
Turns out its a moot point, Rocky Road shipped my Deluxe crawler front bumper with towbar.......Without the tow bar or the 'Deluxe'   so im not going to have it in time for the trip after all.  

And i dont think im going to drive it down at 55 mph 800 miles to florida....... ;D
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: zooky on March 18, 2005, 10:56:25 PM
Quote
install a extra electric tranny pump

WTF? ;D
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: LawDog on March 19, 2005, 12:21:50 AM
I wouldn't worry too much about the tow.  RealRedSammi pulled his rig from Buffalo, NY to Zuwharrie, NC last summer, and he'll probably do it again this spring if we don't get another spot on my trailer.  It wandered a bit behind his Blazer, sittin' on 35's and all, but it was OK.  If anything I think the larger tires help steady the flat towed rig.  Oh, and just take off your drive shaft to flat tow, you don't have to have it in 2nd and start it a bunch of times.
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: 96track on March 19, 2005, 01:38:08 AM
I SEE ROCKY ROAD CAME THRU AGAIN (NOT) THOSE F|removethispart|@#|removethispart|@! PUT A 1.6 ADAPTER KIT ON EBAY THAT MY BUDDY BOUGHT WITH THE BUY IT NOW AND THEN THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER FOR 6 WEEKS AND THEN AFTER 3 MONTHS HE GOT IT. ALL I KNOW IS THAT THERE IS ONE COMPANY THAT I WOULD NEVER ORDER FROM RRO.
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: Chief on March 19, 2005, 02:09:22 AM
Rent a tow dolly. I do that every time I tow my tracker anywhere. Usually pull 150 mi to the trail. Got a long trip to thr Badlands in July. Should be about a 6-7 hr trip, going about 70 or so.  ;D
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: Bigzook on March 19, 2005, 02:47:26 AM
The factory suzuki manual says the whole thing about 2nd gear and flat towing. If you rent a dolly, be sure to take out the rear shaft for any trip over 50 miles. The tranny will eventully burn up the bearings as they get no oil on an incline. If you have an automatic, always take out the d/s. I saw a auto tranny burn up yesterday while being towed in 8 miles. Yes it was in nuetral. And no I did not do it.
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: LawDog on March 19, 2005, 07:12:43 AM
Quote
And no I did not do it.
;) ;)
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: DirtDevil on March 19, 2005, 07:35:24 AM
a buddy of mines a suzuki expert, he tells me never to put my T case into neutral because it acts the same way as putting it into 4 wheel drive, only the motors not conected, so I put it to the test and sure enough I was getting horrible noises out of it flat towing with the case in neutral, this is partly due to the fact that my front axle is full time, hubs always locked... but ya, just leave it in 2 wheel with the trans neutral or if yer a wimp take out the d shaft ;D
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: Chief on March 19, 2005, 08:24:41 AM
Quote
If you rent a dolly, be sure to take out the rear shaft for any trip over 50 miles. .


Good point! forgot to state that. Yes, I a;lwats take mine out.
Title: Re: towing on mudders
Post by: tracker8wr on March 20, 2005, 02:03:00 AM
actuallly when flat towing u put the t-case in nuetral and the tranny goes in second to keep the out put bearing form spinng on the tranny because it want get oil and will burn up. i recomend if u flat tow to disconect ur drive line if u r going more than 100 mile. it only takes a few minutes and then there is nothing to worry about. plus u can forget all what in nuetral and what gear. by the way it does not matter what gear u put it in i actually us 4th incase the t-case happens to lock/slides into gear the rear tires don't lock up and the sami goes all over the road possibley causing a collision.