Need advice on towing a truck

What engine in RV and what is it rated for to tow,hitchwise?

Ill stay out of the tow capacity discussion but one thing you may have to deal with if you tow four down is a drive shaft disconnect. If it is a 4X4 this is fairly easy if you have a manual transfer case. If not you will either have to manually disconnect the driveshaft every time (what we do) or put on a driveshaft disconnect kit. It takes Angela about 5 minutes with a cordless ratchet to disconnect the driveshaft at one end and place in a hanger we made. Same thing in reverse. This is on an E350 based small motorhome we sometimes pull behind the pusher. Clearance is easy for her to slide under. Depending on the truck it should be the same.

Just something to think about.

Hi,

There are several 4 wheel drive trucks that you can tow 4 wheels down, many of them with automatic transmission if you like it that way.

Check here for the correct brackets. RoadmasterInc.com

Fred.

Since he likes to go fishing, I would assume that a 4x4 would be a better vehicle for him. "Most" all 4x4 pickups that have a "manual" transfer case that has a neutral position, can be towed 4 down. Those without the neutral position typically cannot. "Most" all manual transmissioned pickups (4x2 or 4x4) typically can be towed 4 down.

So, visit car lots and ask to see only those with those two criteria. Then check the owner's manual for "recreational towing" and find out for sure.

Also, as mentioned above, you can always purchase and install a "drive shaft disconnect" device that will allow you to pull it 4 down.

Dolly's typically are for "front wheel drive" vehicles and almost all pickups (except the Honda) are rear wheel drive....therefore a dolly won't help.

We pulled our Toyota 4x4 pickup that was manual trans and manual transfer case for years and thousands of miles....just got tired of shifting those gears.

Good luck

Ron

Ford 4x4 F series through 2012, with auto and shift on the fly are NOT towable 4 down. GM 4x4 with auto and electronic transfer case are towable 4 down. Dodge 4x4 is mostly towable 4 down, but check as they have some that are not. This is also true with most of the manual transmissions in the trucks. We like the GM products as they are very easy to set up and configure for 4 down. Also all GM trucks since about 2003 do not have a steering lock, so you lock the door and put the key in your pocket. Most of your late model(2000 & newer) DP's will tow any truck you want.

I and several friends tow Chevy 1500 extended and crew cab trucks. All are 4 wheel drive with auto transmissions (some 4 speed and mine is 6 speed)and the transfer case will go into neutral. Good vehicle to tow. So far I have noticed no difference in fuel mileage or anything else over the Jeep Liberty I towed for 11 years.

Thank everyone. I haven't had a chance to check on the tow weight yet, all the paperwork in out in the coach. Our coach is a 1999 so that may make a difference. A small truck would be fine (Ford Ranger size, we just want one that isn't a lot of trouble to tow.

EydieG wrote:
Thank everyone. I haven't had a chance to check on the tow weight yet, all the paperwork in out in the coach. Our coach is a 1999 so that may make a difference. A small truck would be fine (Ford Ranger size, we just want one that isn't a lot of trouble to tow.

Some Ford Rangers 4x4 are towable 4 down, by the addition of a neutral switch, which Ford dealers sell and install. However, not all years are able to be towed, so you have to do your homework. Also most small 4x4 GM trucks are towable, at least from 2000 on.

My 2012 F-150 4x4 is in fact towable 4 down with no modification required. You electronically switch to neutral tow mode and you are ready.

EydieG,

I don't know if you've purchased a smaller truck or not for towing but, we too are looking. What I've found out in the last few days can make any ones head spin as far as what can or cannot be towed with all four wheels down.

First, the Ford Ranger, a very popular smaller truck, is towed by many folks here. But, some homework MUST BE DONE prior to you even purchasing a potential Ranger. One thing right off the bat, in every one of the Dinghy Towing Guides, ( I have all from '04 to '13) any Ford Ranger, be it 4x4 manual, 4x4 Automatic or 4x2 manual, cannot be towed OVER 55 MILES PER HOUR! Now, that's according to the guides. Just how many folks abide by that rule, who knows? What kind of consequences are you facing if you go over that limit?

I know, I know, This P.I.T.A. state of CA has a 55 mph speed limit if towing anyway but, just about every other state has a higher one.

Now, here's the hard part. If, you pick a Ford Ranger 4x4 automatic, they come with different transfer cases in different model years. And, a very large percentage of them use ELECTONICALLY shifted transfer cases and, have NO NEUTRAL in them from the factory. But, as has been stated, there are options. One is to acquire the "NEUTRAL TOW KIT" AKA. "NTK", that can be installed by the dealer and, then some of the electronics in the truck has to be "reprogrammed" so the transfer case will in fact go into a neutral for towing purposes.

The 4x4 manual versions have no need for such a device and, no need for any "reprogramming" of any electronics. The 4x2 versions are towable also but, only in the manual version. I'm not a fan of the gizmos of drive shaft disconnects etc. But that's just me.

And, there is no way in he.. that I'm going to get under my truck, at night, in the day time, ANYTIME, after a days drive, before departure from home or a campground, and could be tying up a narrow road in a campground, AND UNDO ANY DRIVE SHAFTS!!! IT AIN'T HAPPENING! There are far too many choices out there for toads, in trucks, cars, SUVs, and more, for me to have to get under it, in ugly conditions, and wrench a drive shaft on or off.

I also don't drive any higher than 60-62 anyway but, the 55 mph for the Ranger towing may put the kabosh on purchasing one of those for our purpose.

The F-150, 4x4 automatic, all the way through '11 IS NOT TOWABLE AT ALL, at least according to any and all research I've done so far. I don't know about the F-150 4x4 manual as, a manual model of that truck is probably as rare as "Kryptonite". The F-150 4x4 Automatic for 2012 and newer IS FLAT TOWABLE, RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY!

I had to do a lot of learning in the last few days but, I've found out that almost all GM pickups, as in at least the 1500 4x4 Automatic are flat towable, even with the electronic shift transfer cases. I just had to learn how to set them up for towing. It appears most of the Dodges are too.

But, in all reality, check the Dinghy towing Guide and if possible, the owners manual, for the year of model that you're considering. I've actually found many owners manuals on line for intended trucks we were looking at and looked up instructions for RV towing.

Research my friends, research.
Scott