Since this is a towing thread, I'll ask here. I've got an 04 Xterra with a 3" suspension lift. It's tipping the scales at just under 4k. The 81 is about 6500 and has a 351m. I was planning a flat tow on my next PCS (permanent change of station) move. Any issues going to arise with trying to tow this way? I have a custom bumper with tow points on the X and was going to use either a step bumper ball mount or a class iv hitch. What should I do for indicators on the X while towing? Just a few concerns.

 

Please don't hijack somebody else's threads, that's really not very nice..

 

My apologies. I thought I was on the topic of flat towing another vehicle with our old Fords.

 

You will have to be careful like the other guy, unless you are going to load the rear of your truck down with some weight. You also need to be very very careful with the X, do some research and see if it can be flat towed with the transfer case in neutral. A good place to find this stuff out is a RV forum or site. Some of those have lists of vehicles that can be flat towed and how to set them up to be flt towed, since RV'ers flat tow lots of vehicles behind class A motorhomes.

You never know about these newer 4x4 systems. You probably would be safe to pull both driveshafts out, but I am not sure how the frontend is setup.

As far as indicators, I think Harbor Freight has a cheap set of lights with magnets that you could stick on the X and then plug them into the trailer plug on the Ford. If you don't have a trailer plug, now is the time to get it setup and wired in.

And like I mentioned, if you are moving, try to put as much stuff in the back of the Ford as possible. The heavier the tow vehicle is, the better control you will have over the towed vehicle. It will be handy to put stuff in the X also, but try to only put lightweight things in it.

 

Thanks for the info. The X is a 2wd 4cyl with a manual, so less headaches there. I'll ask on my Xterra forum when I wake up from my post 24-hour duty nap.

 

You were on the right topic, but with somebody else's circumstances. It's LOTS easier when people's questions are kept separated, thanks.

 

You need to drop the driveshaft for a flat tow.