Towing XJ w/ ARB front bumper behind RV

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Sep 25, 2015 | 02:09 PM

#16

Muddz

Seasoned Member

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 290

Likes: 1

From: USA

Year: 1995

Model: Grand Cherokee (ZJ)

Engine: 4.0L

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbug

Once the key falls out of the pin then there is nothing left to control the vehicle. Cables and chains may keep it from becoming loose from the tow rig but it can become out of control. In my case the pin did not fail, instead the key came out and allowed the pin to fall out. A bolt with a nyloc is much more secure.

I use padlocks for towing instead of lynch pins. If the lynch pins aren't ring locked one or both sides, the tow bar slips off.

Roadmaster tow bars are installed over vertical supports that are lock with lynch pins. If a lynch pin isn't completely locked, the pin falls out and the tow bar becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle.

Lynch pins work only if the locking rings are in the locked position. Padlocks work as good or better and keep the tow vehicle secured in an area where you may need to leave a vehicle parked unattended for a while. I've heard of people making off with trailers and various types of towing equipment that's been left unsecured.

Safety chains are used for any towing problems that might occur (so you can stop and fix them) and to prevent a trailer or tow vehicle from breaking loose, going off on it's own path. Can also be used to secure trailers and tow vehicles when parked.

My portable tow brake includes a break-a-way switch that closes if a tow vehicle breaks loose, the tow vehicle brakes are automatically applied with a warning light and buzzer. Includes a tow brake monitor installed near the driver that has a warning light and buzzer for any problems that might occur. The monitor communicates with the tow vehicle (tow brake), different brake settings can be adjusted while driving. Having an additional set of brakes that can be adjusted for different towing conditions, improves maneuverability, weight handling, decreases stopping distances, etc.

Chrysler FSM recommends using a flat bed or all four wheels off the ground and optionally either front or rear off the ground. Their recommendations include the same type of instructions for towing disabled vehicles. All four wheels off the ground is a recommended and preferred type of towing for disabled vehicles.

One problem with towing that can potentially occur when flat and dolly towing 4WD vehicles is the TC after being placed into neutral potentially slips out, locking the front and rear axles. Unlikely to happen if the TC is in good condition. A damaged TC on the other hand could potentially slip out of neutral and lock both axles. When towing off road in rough terrain, a TC potentially could slip out of neutral.

Some people disconnect one end or remove the entire driveline when flat towing and using a tow dolly.

You can also install manual lock out hubs on the front wheels which will free the front wheels from the axle differential. Most XJ's except for a few using a front axle vacuum disconnect , the front driveline is always connected to the differential and turning when in the TC is neutral, 2 or 4 wheel drive mode, has some effect on fuel economy. Lockout hubs can be engaged as stock hubs or disengaged while towing and in two-wheel drive most of the time.

Some of the problems with manual locking hubs, quality conversion kits can be expensive, while cheaper alternatives locking hubs have been known to blow out under more extreme conditions. Some Jeep owners pick up compatible parts from the JY and build their own conversion.

Last edited by Muddz; Sep 26, 2015 at 01:00 AM.