How to flat tow an AWD SUV?

[Nixonrv]

I have a 38 ft Monaco Knight with 330 Cummins Diesel. I have towed using a car hauler in the past for my car, but I need to tow a bigger vehicle so the while family can fit in it once we are at our destination.

I have a 2007. AWD Cadillac Escalade with 95k miles on it.

This is my question. I think the Main issue with towing the AWD is that there is no oil pump on when the engine is off.

What if I simply leave my car in Neutral and leave the engine running while I am pulling it behind the Motorhome ? That should keep the transmission and transfer case lubed right?

I am only going a total of 250 miles to get to my destination for my son's baseball tournament, the. We will use the SUV for about 3 days and the hook it back up and return home.

Do you think this will work? Just leave the engine running and in neutral. I will probably stop after a couple hours and check on it..... It's less than a 5 hour trip anyway.

Please let me know your thoughts. It is out of warranty so not worried about that. I already have a blue on tow system for it.

I really would prefer to flat tow and looking for a work around that I will probably only use a few times a year and never more than 300 a 400 miles

Thanks!

[MRUSA]

"cautious driving leaving plenty of room to brake" is just self-deception. No matter how cautious you are, you cannot control what others do. There is no telling when another driver will pull in front of you, run a red light in front of you, or have a blowout in front of you. You need to be able to stop in all types of unexpected circumstances, unless you don't mind killing yourself or somebody else.

[Nixonrv]

Thank you. That is good to confirm that it can be towed with the kit. I will look into one. With having the trip this coming weekend, I may just do the engine idle and stop more often..... Like once every 90 mins or so to check in everything.

But I wouldn't mind equipping it for longer hauls as I don't plan on Selling it anytime soon!

[Corkey05]

From Remco website in reference to your Cadillac.

"•Vehicle can be flat towed with Lube Pump Kit. Vehicle cannot be flat towed from Manufacturer as is"

Follow the link below and fill in the blanks for your vehicle.

REMCO TOWING

FWIW - if you leave the engine running you open yourself to several issues you can't control from the drivers seat of the MH. To add, most manufacturers specifically warn against extended idling of the engine which can cause damage to the transmission. The very thing you're trying to avoid.

[Nixonrv]

I will try calling blue ox tmrw. Cadillac has said you can't flat tow it, but I am pretty sure it is to avoid burning up the transmission and transfer case. Hoping that with the engine idling and in neutral, that they will both stay sufficiently lubed.


Should be similar to just putting the vehicle in neutral when coasting down a big hill?

Thanks again for everyone's feedback. I definitely don't ever plan on towing cross country or often this way, but think this work around makes the most sense a couple of these baseball tournaments we will be going to this year.

[racerchaser]

According to the FMCA Towing Guide there are no 2007 Cadillacs cleared for towing 4 down. Look at your owner's manual for that subject and ask a Cadillac service manager. Call Blue Ox. They know what can be towed and if a pump will solve your problem. The usual reason cars are not towable 4 down is the transmission. That is why almost all of the Hondas are no longer towable.

[Nixonrv]

I do have a brake buddy that I used to use when towing an older jeep. But I sold the jeep a couple years ago.

I will have to see if it will work while the engine is on. If not do you think the combo of my engine brake and cautious driving leaving plenty of room to brake would suffice?

Thanks for your replies!!

[Mandalay_Parr]

You should have a breaking system in the SUV when towing. It may not work properly with the engine running.

[Dutch_12078]

I know folks that have towed their cars south every fall and back in the spring that way. There's some risk of course, but if you're willing to accept that, go for it. Installing a Remco transmission pump would be a safer solution, albeit a more costly one. I do hope you have an auxiliary brake system for a toad that heavy.