Towing a 2000 Chevy Tracker

[Burwoods]

I have sent a private message to someone after reading through the towing section here. But we are still wondering and when speaking with mechanic that will be putting the base plate on our tracker so we can tow it with a tow bar behind our motorhome he did not know the answer. So a 2000 Chevy Tracker 4WD RWD standard, being towed obviously 4 wheels down. Do we have to disconnect the drive shaft and reconnect when we reach our destination? We were told to ask U-haul, but have heard nightmare stores that the answers there have ruined vehicles. So what do you all say? Mechanic is saying oil and******will come out if we disconnect. Man looking for something simple..lol. We also have a 2000 Pontiac Montana, but we feel is rather big to tow.

Thanks

[kaydeejay]

Burwoods wrote:

kaydeejay wrote:
Hi Sally,
No way you want the steering unlocked if you tow with the vehicle backwards, the rear wheels raised and the fronts on the ground.
Running in reverse would immediately result in the front wheels turning full lock one way or the other due to caster effect. They MUST be locked in the straight ahead position so the vehicle simply acts like a trailer.

Got it thank you, makes sense to me now. Sometimes I just need to be taken by the hand and walked through it..lol. Thanks again.

But again, you have a transfer box for your part-time 4WD so none of this applies - according to that manual you CAN tow it 4-down.

[Burwoods]

kaydeejay wrote:

Burwoods wrote:
Same manual I was looking at, this may sound like a stupid question, but wouldn't you want your steering wheel in an unlocked position if you were towing with the back wheels up so that they turn and do not damage your steering? Sally

Hi Sally,
No way you want the steering unlocked if you tow with the vehicle backwards, the rear wheels raised and the fronts on the ground.
Running in reverse would immediately result in the front wheels turning full lock one way or the other due to caster effect. They MUST be locked in the straight ahead position so the vehicle simply acts like a trailer.

Got it thank you, makes sense to me now. Sometimes I just need to be taken by the hand and walked through it..lol. Thanks again.

[kaydeejay]

Burwoods wrote:
Same manual I was looking at, this may sound like a stupid question, but wouldn't you want your steering wheel in an unlocked position if you were towing with the back wheels up so that they turn and do not damage your steering? Sally

Hi Sally,
No way you want the steering unlocked if you tow with the vehicle backwards, the rear wheels raised and the fronts on the ground.
Running in reverse would immediately result in the front wheels turning full lock one way or the other due to caster effect. They MUST be locked in the straight ahead position so the vehicle simply acts like a trailer.

[Burwoods]

kaydeejay wrote:

Burwoods wrote:

opnspaces wrote:
Can you post a link to the manual?

This is where we found 2000 Chevy Tracker Manual
http://justgivemethedamnmanual.com/chevrolet/chevrolet-tracker-owners-manual/

Try this one. from GM of Canada that says a 4WD IS towable 4-down. Section 4-44 spells it out.
A 2WD (ie NO transfer case) has to be towed with the rear wheels off the ground.
You say you have a second shifter to select 4WD?
Even if you run in 2WD most of the time, you have a transfer case and you can tow it (according to the above link).

Ignore the bit about clamping the steering wheel, that is in the wrong place and only applies if you are towing backwards with the rear wheels off the ground.
In fact those pages are VERY badly written and actually contradict themselves as a couple of paragraphs later (section 4-45) they tell you to move the key to the accessory position to unlock the steering wheel!

Same manual I was looking at, this may sound like a stupid question, but wouldn't you want your steering wheel in an unlocked position if you were towing with the back wheels up so that they turn and do not damage your steering? Sally

[kaydeejay]

Burwoods wrote:

opnspaces wrote:
Can you post a link to the manual?

This is where we found 2000 Chevy Tracker Manual
http://justgivemethedamnmanual.com/chevrolet/chevrolet-tracker-owners-manual/

Try this one. from GM of Canada that says a 4WD IS towable 4-down. Section 4-44 spells it out.
A 2WD (ie NO transfer case) has to be towed with the rear wheels off the ground.
You say you have a second shifter to select 4WD?
Even if you run in 2WD most of the time, you have a transfer case and you can tow it (according to the above link).

Ignore the bit about clamping the steering wheel, that is in the wrong place and only applies if you are towing backwards with the rear wheels off the ground.
In fact those pages are VERY badly written and actually contradict themselves as a couple of paragraphs later (section 4-45) they tell you to move the key to the accessory position to unlock the steering wheel!

[DougE]

The instructions on page 4-45 are the same as for my 1991 Sidekick that I towed for quite a few trips. Be sure to lube the trans every 200 miles (or sooner) as instructed.

[Burwoods]

opnspaces wrote:
Can you post a link to the manual?

This is where we found 2000 Chevy Tracker Manual
http://justgivemethedamnmanual.com/chevrolet/chevrolet-tracker-owners-manual/

[Burwoods]

opnspaces wrote:
Does your tracker have a second shift liver to put it in 4 wheel drive?

yes it does

[opnspaces]

Does your tracker have a second shift liver to put it in 4 wheel drive?

[opnspaces]

Can you post a link to the manual?

[Burwoods]

I have found an owners manual online and an RV dealer here found the same thing after saying he could do all the work and we could tow 4 down for just over 5000 dollars (What)? Anyway the owners manual says to tow with a dolly with the back wheels up as it is a RWD. Make sure vehicle in neutral and key in ignition so steering is unlocked. We are thinking tow dolly then we could tow either of our vehicles.

[Ro646a]

If your Tracker has the 2nd shift lever to switch it from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive you can tow it 4 down. Just put the transfer case in neutral, the transmission in park and you can tow. Just take a couple of minutes and let it run with the transmission in drive when you stop for gas or to take a break.

We have had three of these cars (2000, 2002, and 2004)and they are perfect for towing. We have towed all of them all day long at 65 mph with no problems whatsoever.

If you turn off the ignition without removing the key you should be able to leave the key turned off and the steering wheel will still be able to steer. The steering column does not lock until you remove the key.

Feel free to send me a private message if you need any more information.

[RJCorazza]

I would not jump to those conclusions. A quick search revealed that many flat tow the Chevy Tracker. The Chevrolet document I skimmed over seemed to say the same, but it's your project.

[Burwoods]

Nutinelse2do wrote:

Burwoods wrote:

loulou57 wrote:
Please correct me if I am wrong here..... Just asking!

I was always under the impression that you never towed a 4WD you put them on a trailer. If I was ever to need a tow with my 4WD, my hubby said make sure they flat bed the vehicle.

ok so hubby says it is a standard two wheel rear wheel drive you can put into 4 Wheel drive. I have no idea what I am talking about obviously, but seems I am the one asking. After reading the internet for hours I thought no biggy but transfer case in Neutral, and gear shift in neutral, make sure key is in ignition to unlock steering and attach two bar and off you go with 4 down. Now I find something on line that say you CANNOT tow as a dingy at all. So confused.

Is it a 4wd or 2wd?
We towed our tracker 4wd for many thousands of miles. The question is which is it? That will answer your question.
If it is 4wd, put the 4wd transfer case in neutral and the key to first position to unlock the wheel. Easy peasy. Just stop every couple humdred miles and run the engine for a little bit.

2wd rwd with the capability of switching to 4wd. Looks like it is untowable without a flat bed. We can tow my Pontiac Montana with a tow dolly, but it is a heavier vehicle then add dolly weight.