Hello all, I am all rigged up to flat tow my 02 Jeep Wrangler behind our truck-camper, I just really don't understand what keeps the towed vehicle tracking directly behind the towing vehicle and it is a little creepy to me. The other day I was driving that jeep on a 2 lane state hwy with normal imperfections, repairs ect, I let go of the wheel and the Jeep after hitting this imperfections starts to drift off a straight track.My Jeep only has 42k miles and the front end alignment feels fine (no pulling) and no abnormal tire wear, and no slop in the tierods, trackbar, idler ect.Can someone explain this method and how the towed vehicle stays tracking correctly? Is it the positive caster or ?? Thanks for any help easing my fears of disaster

You didn't mention how you have the jeep hooked to the tow vehicle, but if you are using a typical tow bar from, say, Blue Ox, the tow bar takes care of the tracking. It is rigid left to right and the towed vehicle has to follow the tow vehicle as a result. Once the tow bar is locked into place, the towed vehicle will remain directly behind the tow vehicle. Look at it this way, there are thousands of vehicles being towed this way, even as we speak. It must work. I've towed my Jeep about 100,000 miles and never had a problem.

As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.

The front wheels on your Jeep (and all cars/trucks) pivot at a slight angle called the caster. Think of the front wheels on a grocery cart. When you push it straight ahead, the wheels stay straight. When you apply a side force, they readily turn, but if you don't maintain the turning force, they straighten out again. Your Jeep front wheels work the same way.

sch911 wrote:As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.I have the Blue Ox 5k bar with 2" ball coupler and Blue ox baseplate.I am just wondering what makes the loose (not locked) steering on the Jeep make a turn with the towing truck and then return to center without going into a bind

lonetow wrote:sch911 wrote:As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.I have the Blue Ox 5k bar with 2" ball coupler and Blue ox baseplate.I am just wondering what makes the loose (not locked) steering on the Jeep make a turn with the towing truck and then return to center without going into a bind

New to flat towing and a little nervous | Good Sam Community

lonetow
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
lonetow wrote:
sch911 wrote:
As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.

I have the Blue Ox 5k bar with 2" ball coupler and Blue ox baseplate.
I am just wondering what makes the loose (not locked) steering on the Jeep make a turn with the towing truck and then return to center without going into a bind
lonetow
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
sch911 wrote:
As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.

I have the Blue Ox 5k bar with 2" ball coupler and Blue ox baseplate.
I am just wondering what makes the loose (not locked) steering on the Jeep make a turn with the towing truck and then return to center without going into a bind
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2014
The front wheels on your Jeep (and all cars/trucks) pivot at a slight angle called the caster. Think of the front wheels on a grocery cart. When you push it straight ahead, the wheels stay straight. When you apply a side force, they readily turn, but if you don't maintain the turning force, they straighten out again. Your Jeep front wheels work the same way.
sch911
Explorer
Jan 03, 2014
As stated the tow bar is rigid. And you leave the steering wheel unlocked. It will follow the towing vehicle perfectly.
larry_cad
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2014
You didn't mention how you have the jeep hooked to the tow vehicle, but if you are using a typical tow bar from, say, Blue Ox, the tow bar takes care of the tracking. It is rigid left to right and the towed vehicle has to follow the tow vehicle as a result. Once the tow bar is locked into place, the towed vehicle will remain directly behind the tow vehicle. Look at it this way, there are thousands of vehicles being towed this way, even as we speak. It must work. I've towed my Jeep about 100,000 miles and never had a problem.

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