Not your normal towing thread...
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
Not your normal towing thread...
I've looked around and haven't really found what I'm looking for. The subject is flat-towing a Super Duty and/or Excursion...
Looks like I'll be getting an Excursion pretty soon (well, I WILL be getting one- the "pretty soon" part is the maybe). I've already researched tow bars and mounts for these vehicles. My question is- what all am I looking at doing to prepare the TOWED vehicle for longer-distance towing? Preferably without having to dismantle anything or tearing anything up in the process. My goal would be to be able to tow one behind the other interchangeably with a tow bar across one or two states, then having the towed vehicle ready for use with as little fuss as possible once I got there.
The only experience I have with flat-towing with a tow bar is a CJ7 I used to have- but it didn't have a drivetrain or driveshafts when I towed it) and of course HMMWV's when I was in the Marines- which was military, so you just put the transfer case in neutral and rolled, no lights or anything.
Oh, and both trucks are 4x4, and both have electronic transfer cases (for now).
Looks like I'll be getting an Excursion pretty soon (well, I WILL be getting one- the "pretty soon" part is the maybe). I've already researched tow bars and mounts for these vehicles. My question is- what all am I looking at doing to prepare the TOWED vehicle for longer-distance towing? Preferably without having to dismantle anything or tearing anything up in the process. My goal would be to be able to tow one behind the other interchangeably with a tow bar across one or two states, then having the towed vehicle ready for use with as little fuss as possible once I got there.
The only experience I have with flat-towing with a tow bar is a CJ7 I used to have- but it didn't have a drivetrain or driveshafts when I towed it) and of course HMMWV's when I was in the Marines- which was military, so you just put the transfer case in neutral and rolled, no lights or anything.
Oh, and both trucks are 4x4, and both have electronic transfer cases (for now).
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
What you are trying to do is toad. Those issues are well covered on RV forum, where flat towing other vehicle behind motorhomes is standard issue.
Check if your truck is design to be towed. Some transfer cases allows to be shifted to N, some don't.
Other issue is safety and legality. Towing the same weight with no brakes is not too safe to start.
Toads are not trailers, therefore legally in most states don't have to have brakes, but not too many officials understand the murky laws.
To be safe I would add a brake system like BrakeBuddy or similar.
Tow bars are the easiest issue in all that mess.
Good luck with figuring it all out
Check if your truck is design to be towed. Some transfer cases allows to be shifted to N, some don't.
Other issue is safety and legality. Towing the same weight with no brakes is not too safe to start.
Toads are not trailers, therefore legally in most states don't have to have brakes, but not too many officials understand the murky laws.
To be safe I would add a brake system like BrakeBuddy or similar.
Tow bars are the easiest issue in all that mess.
Good luck with figuring it all out
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
From: Virginia
Excursions do not have a ready neutral position for the transfer case. They were never made with a floor shifter for the transfer case, only the ESOF dial with no neutral position. I have also seen in my owner's manual that they are not to be towed (by a tow truck) with any wheels on the ground. Only a flatbed will ensure no damage to the drivetrain. So I am 99% sure you shouldn't two it in the manner you were planning on. Does the Excursion run? You might just need to find someone to drive it back.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 25
From: Chino, California
...or you could do one of two things instead of towing if you're doing it alone:
1. If there's an airport nearby, get a round trip flight on Southwest or some other low cost carrier, fly to the city the other Excursion is, and drive it back. Use the return ticket on a future trip.
2. Rent a small car (one way) to the location of the other Excursion, return it there, and drive the Excursion back.
Both options allows you to get back home using the same mode of transportation if the deal doesn't pan out. If it pans out, you'll just drive the new Ex home.
1. If there's an airport nearby, get a round trip flight on Southwest or some other low cost carrier, fly to the city the other Excursion is, and drive it back. Use the return ticket on a future trip.
2. Rent a small car (one way) to the location of the other Excursion, return it there, and drive the Excursion back.
Both options allows you to get back home using the same mode of transportation if the deal doesn't pan out. If it pans out, you'll just drive the new Ex home.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Where are you towing it from? Where is it going?
Lots of folks out here and in my case I travel a lot. For example, I am in Fayetteville, ar right now and if you happen to be in little rock and need the ex towed to Birmingham, I could throw it in my trailer since I am going that way.
It's a long shot but you never know.....
And I would really hope that you decide to trailer it. It's the safest and best way to do what you need to do.
Lots of folks out here and in my case I travel a lot. For example, I am in Fayetteville, ar right now and if you happen to be in little rock and need the ex towed to Birmingham, I could throw it in my trailer since I am going that way.
It's a long shot but you never know.....
And I would really hope that you decide to trailer it. It's the safest and best way to do what you need to do.
Trending Topics
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
My question is- what all am I looking at doing to prepare the TOWED vehicle for longer-distance towing? ...My goal would be to be able to tow one behind the other interchangeably with a tow bar across one or two states, then having the towed vehicle ready for use with as little fuss as possible once I got there
The only way I can think of to repeatedly get two functional Ex's across two states and have them both 100% ready to roll on arrival is either find a 2nd driver, have one pull a deckover with the other on it, or stack them both on a wedge.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Don't assume anything about the vehicle >>> contact manufacturer.
Electronic transfer case might have the option, but the option will not be listed in Owners Manual.
As a fact, I know that lot of people toad Hummers. Those have electronic case, where after pushing 2 buttons at certain sequence will put them in N.
Something somebody found from the manufacturer and now everybody interested is doing it.
Than you have systems that install driveshaft couplings with quick disconnect, but those cost pretty money.
Electronic transfer case might have the option, but the option will not be listed in Owners Manual.
As a fact, I know that lot of people toad Hummers. Those have electronic case, where after pushing 2 buttons at certain sequence will put them in N.
Something somebody found from the manufacturer and now everybody interested is doing it.
Than you have systems that install driveshaft couplings with quick disconnect, but those cost pretty money.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,176
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
I guess I didn't give enough information...
One truck is my 99 F250, the other will be an Excursion (01 if I get the one I'm looking at). The issue is NOT getting it home- it is local to me. Most trips would be from north-central Indiana to southern Kentuck and back, maybe a few to Wisconsin.
The Ex is a theft recovery vehicle that I will be playing with a little. I plan to replace the transfer with the non-electric one (current case is cracked). I plan to do the same later in the pickup. I haven't researched the braking subject yet, but it was probably going to be my next question (adding something to activate the towed vehicle's brakes). With the cases swapped to manual, would this still be doable, or no?
One truck is my 99 F250, the other will be an Excursion (01 if I get the one I'm looking at). The issue is NOT getting it home- it is local to me. Most trips would be from north-central Indiana to southern Kentuck and back, maybe a few to Wisconsin.
The Ex is a theft recovery vehicle that I will be playing with a little. I plan to replace the transfer with the non-electric one (current case is cracked). I plan to do the same later in the pickup. I haven't researched the braking subject yet, but it was probably going to be my next question (adding something to activate the towed vehicle's brakes). With the cases swapped to manual, would this still be doable, or no?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
The toad brake systems are pretty available, but not cheap.
The most advertised is Brake Buddy, but overpriced IMHO. Do ebay search.
BrakeBuddy Vantage Select | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle
The most advertised is Brake Buddy, but overpriced IMHO. Do ebay search.
BrakeBuddy Vantage Select | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
oldboots1950
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
41
Sep 22, 2017 07:44 PM
mickelsons
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
1
Nov 29, 2007 02:10 AM