Flat towing ?

[jeepnick]

So I sold the Yj, going to pick up a scrambler in Nebraska next week
i always tow my rigs have a 2011 f250 6.2 and a nice trailer
my question is
the scrambler is set up to flat tow with a tow bar
anyone flat tow much?
i can get like 11mpg with my truck and empty trailer going out (900 miles)
and prob 8 coming back
or steal my wife's ecoboost explorer(5k tow rating) get like 23mpg going out
no clue coming back, it's rated for 5k towing I'd imagin the scrambler weight 4000-4500
At this point my plan is my truck just wondering anyone's opinion
the scrambler has lock outs front and rear so it'll be a true neutral
thanks

[DMG]

I would be a little concerned about stopping the scrambler with the Explorer. Plus a tow bar pushes the towing vehicle around more than a trailer. I would see if anyone local will let you try towing a similar rig with the explorer.

Pics of the Scrambler? Now you really have to change your sig!

[jeepnick]

I got talked out of it cause of no trailer brakes on the scrambler and legality of that

Dave I'll get in touch next week about getting it in your shop

[DMG]

Nice. Can't wait to see it.

If you can borrow or buy a Brake Buddy that would fix the brake issue but they are pretty expensive.

[OverkillZJ]

That thing looks nice, want!

[jackb1]

I flat towed a CJ5 to the outer banks twice with a 93 Chevy Van (the 1/2ton type). Flat towed, tow bar, no brakes but did put on some lights. I didn't know it at the time, but it probably wasn't legal due to brakes but I was 18 and didn't even consider that it might be dumb or illegal. I knew it was back there, but no problems or real concerns. I drove like a normal person and planned ahead for stops so never had a problem. Never needed to stop in a hurry so I don't know if it would have gotten ugly. I'm not suggesting you do it, but I did and it didn't seem bad.

[jeepnick]

Thanks for the input
i think I'll just drag my trailer out
prob the safest bet
the kid in me wants to fly out and drive it back but the seller said it gears out around 65 and I don't wanna be screaming for 15hours, although that would be the most fun

[justin'sbig7]

I sold a '68 cj5 with a dauntless v6 to a guy in Michigan. he came out and flat towed it back, got to Toledo and the jeep pushed his f250 out from around him and rolled. it twisted the frame on the f250, plus after it rolled it took out one bedside and then smashed the other into a jersey barrier totaled the jeep and the truck. I avoid flat towing at all costs now

[jeepnick]

I sold a '68 cj5 with a dauntless v6 to a guy in Michigan. he came out and flat towed it back, got to Toledo and the jeep pushed his f250 out from around him and rolled. it twisted the frame on the f250, plus after it rolled it took out one bedside and then smashed the other into a jersey barrier totaled the jeep and the truck. I avoid flat towing at all costs now

Geeze
flat towings out
Thats awful was the guy ok?

[justin'sbig7]

Yeah, he was ok physically but Toledo police took the jeep and held in impound because it hadn't been registered or transferred yet. It turned into a bit of an ordeal for the guy.

[Wrecker]

When looking at tow rating, remember that's ideal conditions. Take into account that what you would be towing is taller and has more leverage that the little Ford. When bad things happen, they happen quick. Also your dealing with something that you know nothing about rolling behind you for a long time. Tires and such can blow and you won't know until it's a bad time. Using a trailer you know and maintain is a sound choice. But take a spare for the trailer also. Know guys who have gone through a few on a shorter run.

[jeepnick]

True on the I don't know much about the scrambler, part of what talked me out of flying out and driving it back
i have a spare and the trailer goes in for inspection Monday
the explorer isn't all that small, it weights 5k and is a touch wider then the expedition
it was just a thought, truck/trailer seems the way to go

[justin'sbig7]

that is a sweet lookin scram by the way!

[scramblur]

Overkill, if you hold off on buying the new jeep for a few months you can probably get a good deal on this.(Hey someone had to say it) Good looking 8. Where at in Neb.?

[Deadman 94 xj]

Very nice

[Mykal]

I flat towed one time. I used the '98 5.9L ZJ to tow my Cherokee.
I was taking it about 10 miles through town at no greater then 25 mph.
The first two turns I took at around 20 mph it pushed me through them and started forcing the rear of the ZJ around with it. I slowed down.
I made it a total of 3.5 miles before the tow bar adjusting bolts broke and tore the tow bar to shreds. I was on a down hill and I stopped it with the rear bumper. I called a tow truck and threw the hitch in the scrap pile. Ill never flat tow again. I couldnt imagine what would have happened at even 45 mph.

Things I could have done to help. Buy a hell of a lot better tow bar. Had some type of braking system installed, hell even a buddy riding in it to apply the brakes would have been better. Called a wrecker in the first place.

[DMG]

I flat towed the LJ back from NC when I bought it. 80 mph all the way because I had to catch a flight to Chicago when I got back and I hadn't left enough time. My 2500 hd did it fine.

I always add safety chain attachment points that are not dependent on the bumper or receiver.

[gonecheenin]

I use to flat tow junk cars and the buggy all the time which was never lined up correctly and only ever had one small issue in Ebensburg when the buggy wouldn't return to center coming out of Walmart's parking lot & pushed Seismik's F-150 sideways in the intersection - I powered through the slide & kept going with zero issues after and planned to have it lined up soon to avoid that issue in the future. I picked up a trailer not long after & it's been a non-issue for me till recently since I'm setting up our White YJ to flat tow behind my truck & camper on vacations. I do not plan to go far till I test the setup, not because I'm afraid of it anymore than I am a trailer (properly setup towing is properly setup towing, I've seen upside down/wrecked truck & trailer combo's too!) but because there is alot to make sure is right for safe flat towing.

You need to ensure you have proper towbar angle & capacity, proper toe & caster on the towed vehicle, proper aux braking if the towed vehicle is over 3000lb, proper weight advantage over the towed vehicle (remember, no tounge weight to plant your rear tires!), proper driveline setup for flat towing the towed vehicle, and of course proper safety equipment like breakaways & saftey cables/chains.


I wouldn't do it at a whim unless I had no other choice (Seismik & I are never afraid of an adventure if it comes down to it!) but done correctly & safely flat towing is no different than dragging a trailer and it is a hell of alot lighter!!! (Main reason for flat towing with my camper on vacation if I'm not planning on any heavy wheeling)

[jeepnick]

Thanks for all the replies
i dragged the trailer out Friday and brought her home 26 hours total driving time
I have the tow bar set up so I can give it a shot sometime