Flat Tow an Excursion
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
Flat Tow an Excursion
Ok so I am planning on flat towing an excursion for about 60 miles. Tow bar, all 4 wheels on the ground, have lights, safety chains, etc.
What I would like to know is what I must do to the X so as not to damage anything. I presume hubs in auto mode. Truck in neutral? What about the rear drive shaft or the front drive shaft, must I drop them or what? If they need to be disconnected how do I do it?
Thanks in advance!
What I would like to know is what I must do to the X so as not to damage anything. I presume hubs in auto mode. Truck in neutral? What about the rear drive shaft or the front drive shaft, must I drop them or what? If they need to be disconnected how do I do it?
Thanks in advance!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
!!! Key in ignition & steering wheel unlocked !!! Without the key in the ignition & steering unlocked, the steering wheel will lock up once it passes a certain point in either direction. If the steering wheel locks, the X is going to attempt to go wherever its steering wheel is pointed, no matter where the towing vehicle is attempting to go or pointing.
What are you towing the X with? Ideally it would weigh the same or more than the X e.g. a motorhome
With a vehicle as heavy as the X, even behind a much heavier vehicle like a motorhome, you'd want a remote braking system to trigger the X's brakes off your trailer connector brake signal; otherwise it would be roughly equivalent to towing an 8,000 lbs trailer without trailer brakes. In many states, towing anything over a certain weight without brakes on the trailer is illegal e.g. IIRC, the weight limit for a trailer without trailer brakes in California is 1,500 lbs, though it could be higher, like 2,500 lbs; I don't remember the exact number, since I only ever tow a dual axle trailer with trailer brakes on at least one axle, and preferably both axles.
Some vehicles have a neutral position for the transfer case, as well as the transmission. I don't recall offhand if the rotary transfer case switch has a neutral position on the X, but if it does tow with both the transmission & trnsfer case in neutral.
What are you towing the X with? Ideally it would weigh the same or more than the X e.g. a motorhome
With a vehicle as heavy as the X, even behind a much heavier vehicle like a motorhome, you'd want a remote braking system to trigger the X's brakes off your trailer connector brake signal; otherwise it would be roughly equivalent to towing an 8,000 lbs trailer without trailer brakes. In many states, towing anything over a certain weight without brakes on the trailer is illegal e.g. IIRC, the weight limit for a trailer without trailer brakes in California is 1,500 lbs, though it could be higher, like 2,500 lbs; I don't remember the exact number, since I only ever tow a dual axle trailer with trailer brakes on at least one axle, and preferably both axles.
Some vehicles have a neutral position for the transfer case, as well as the transmission. I don't recall offhand if the rotary transfer case switch has a neutral position on the X, but if it does tow with both the transmission & trnsfer case in neutral.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
Flat tow, you leave it in park, remove the rear driveshaft, leave the front hubs in auto, but make sure they are actually unlocked. If they are not, than I'd pop the front driveshaft too.
But you only need to pull the axle end of the shafts, and tie the other end up, like ratchet strap it to the frame or something.
Than as already stated, key in ignition and turned to keep the steering wheel from locking up.
But you only need to pull the axle end of the shafts, and tie the other end up, like ratchet strap it to the frame or something.
Than as already stated, key in ignition and turned to keep the steering wheel from locking up.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 2
From: Greensboro, NC
With the electronic transfer case you can't switch to neutral. If you flat tow the Ex without disconnecting at least the rear drive shaft it will cause damage. The owners manual lists the alternative to a flat bed tow truck as shifting to 2wd, unlocking the front hubs and raising the rear wheels off ground with a dolly. The rear drive shaft disconnect will accomplish the same thing and is only 4 bolts.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, United Kingdom
Like the others have said, as far as I understand it, as you don't have a manual transfer gear shift, you can put the transfer box into neutral, so would have to drop the driveshaft.......................
Although, if the Excursion runs I 'think' you could leave it running in neutral?? but the other guys will know more than me!
Although, if the Excursion runs I 'think' you could leave it running in neutral?? but the other guys will know more than me!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 9
From: Minnesota
Just remember you dont have any brakes on the towed Ex, we tow heavy pickups all the time going from farm to farm or moving equipment around, it will push you around a little also!
By the way, what are you towing the Ex with?
By the way, what are you towing the Ex with?
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,693
Likes: 3
From: West of Chicago
I'd say you would be ok if you removed the driveshaft. Otherwise your transmission will not circulate filuid, potentially toasting the transmission!
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 255
Likes: 8
I'm planning on towing the X with an X.
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,273
Likes: 100
From: North Dakota
I'm planning on towing the X with an X.
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
Trans does not have to be in neutral. Park is just fine.
The 4 bolts for the drive shaft is right on the axle end
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 23
From: Westfield, Indiana
I'm planning on towing the X with an X.
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
I'm planning on towing the X with an X.
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
So if I get you all -
1- Key in ignition turned forward, but not run, so that the steering wheel is unlocked.
2- Truck in neutral.
3- Drop the rear drive shaft.
4- Auto hubs in "FREE Position or AUTO position"
So there is no need to drop the front shaft?
Where are the four bolts for the rear shaft?
Would i be better off just dropping the front shaft as well just in case?
Thanks again!
