Towing 4 wheels down
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Towing 4 wheels down
Does anyone know if a stock 54 F100 3 speed manual transmission can be towed behind a motorhome with all 4 wheels down? I'm reading that it depends on where the oil slinger is in the transmission - either the input shaft or output shaft.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
My '56 F-600 was towed to me with all 4 wheels down. He disconnected the driveshaft at the axle and used a custom tow bar that was a solid "v" shape made out of something heavy steel. Only problem I saw with doing it that way is if you make a turn one way then turn another way right after it takes a little bit for the wheels to align so it drags for a few feet up front.
If you're towing a lot a trailer would be a good investment, be easier on your truck, but if you're just going from point A to point B it's not really a problem. You're going to want that thing to be really attached though, to the frame, not axles or anything.
If you're towing a lot a trailer would be a good investment, be easier on your truck, but if you're just going from point A to point B it's not really a problem. You're going to want that thing to be really attached though, to the frame, not axles or anything.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
I am thinking of selling my F350 and 5th wheel and getting a motor-home. I'll need something to tow behind it and was just wondering. Now I'll need to see if I can tow a T5 5 speed 4 wheels down. I have a 5.0 that I can build and put in the F100. I really don't want to be crawling underneath to reinstall the driveshaft every time I stop. I hear driveshaft disconnects are pricey!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Early on, before automatics became "standard", towbar towing was quite commonly done, especially with racecars. If you needed to tow an automatic you dropped the driveshaft. I did have the tranny jump into gear while flat towing a 36 Chevy from AL to NY once, but that was the only time we had a problem. Today, I would not recommend it for anything involving long distances or high speed interstate towing, it's way too hard on the towed vehicle, and near impossible to back up without someone steering the towed vehicle at the same time. Small open bed trailers suitable for your truck are relatively inexpensive $1.5-4K and easy to find, and will pay for itself in short order in convenience and reduced wear and tear on both vehicles. Plus, once you have the trailer you'll likely find all kinds of other uses for it.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 216
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From: North Branch, MI
I've towed a vehicle 4 wheels down behind my motor home for some time now and the only real problem I've encountered is backing up and in most cases it's just a matter of watching where your pull in and making sure you can drive through other wise you get out unhook and move what ever you are towing and re-hook when you get turned around.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 2
From: Bartlett, TN
Good advice. I'm sure I'll look into something else.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 692
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From: Gatesville, TX
I will agree, get a trailer. Get one with ramps that shove in the back or get one of the hydraulic tilt beds. I have one with ramps and I can tow it 70 MPH loaded and not even know it's back there. I love it. Before you buy one, tell them you want to load your car and tow it around a little. The trailer I had before this one was rough riding both loaded and empty. Shook the truck. Never did figure out why. Thought maybe it didn't have enough tongue weight, but it was the same loaded with the car pulled all the way forward as it was empty.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,525
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From: oh
I have about 10 trailers and sell them also. I always need another trailer for hauling something. This is the best way all around to tow a old truck,in my opinion.
I also tow-dolly my big trucks....short distances.
Also keep AAA OR GOOD TOWING INSURANCE ....LOL
I also tow-dolly my big trucks....short distances.
Also keep AAA OR GOOD TOWING INSURANCE ....LOL
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jerryst
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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May 7, 2012 11:27 PM
