Towing the truck
#1
12-01-2010 | 09:14 AM
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From: CT
#4
12-01-2010 | 09:52 AM
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From: Mount Airy,MD
#5
12-01-2010 | 10:34 AM
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Crazy days.
People used to walk to get around when camping, then they hauled bicycles. Both good forms of exercise.
People started using small **** boxes as tow behind's (Atleast its economical and easy to tow).
Just a few months ago, I saw a large motorhome towing a lifted, big *** new Duramax behind it. To me that's just retarded. Flashing money around, when you could have just bought a travel trailer and used the dang truck as it was intended.
Towing a truck or SUV behind these rigs just seems so over the top to me. A few years ago, friends of ours towed their truck behind their motorhome and ended up in the service shop in the middle of no where, the motorhome couldn't handle the added towing weight. That had to be expensive.
People used to walk to get around when camping, then they hauled bicycles. Both good forms of exercise.
People started using small **** boxes as tow behind's (Atleast its economical and easy to tow).
Just a few months ago, I saw a large motorhome towing a lifted, big *** new Duramax behind it. To me that's just retarded. Flashing money around, when you could have just bought a travel trailer and used the dang truck as it was intended.
Towing a truck or SUV behind these rigs just seems so over the top to me. A few years ago, friends of ours towed their truck behind their motorhome and ended up in the service shop in the middle of no where, the motorhome couldn't handle the added towing weight. That had to be expensive.
Last edited by dlenkewich; 12-01-2010 at 10:36 AM.
#6
12-01-2010 | 10:39 AM
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From: St. Charles, MO
Winner winner chicken dinner. If you had a 2wd truck, you could disconnect the driveshaft.
#7
12-01-2010 | 12:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Vernon, NY
I've got a friend who I've camped out with, he's got a nice Prevost '08 Marathon with a modified Cat C-15 that he's got tuned and modified and it cranks over 1000 hp. That thing will do 0-60 mph faster than anything that big I've ever been in. And that is towing a double axle car trailer with a F350 scab 4x4 diesel. That bus handles it like there is nothing behind it and the ride is unbelievable. But he's got money to burn... and I mean burn. 
So would I rather have a Prevost or a truck with trailer style camper? I'd take the Prevost... especially that one he's got.
So would I rather have a Prevost or a truck with trailer style camper? I'd take the Prevost... especially that one he's got.
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#8
12-01-2010 | 02:38 PM
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From: Joplin MO
#9
12-01-2010 | 02:45 PM
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From: Mount Airy,MD
Unlike the 97 to 03, the IWEs on 04 up disengage the front axles. Also, not sure it wouldn't cause wear on the IWEs as instead of the axle driving the IWE, you now have the IWE driving the axle. To have the IWEs freewheeling as in normal 4x2, you would somehow have to get constant vacuum to the IWEs, or have the engine running the whole way. To me it would be just a lot easier to have a trailer rather than doing all the work of pulling the driveshafts.
If you search in the 04 up forums about grinding, you will see a lot about damage to the IWEs when they are not engaging/disengaging properly while in 2wd.
If you search in the 04 up forums about grinding, you will see a lot about damage to the IWEs when they are not engaging/disengaging properly while in 2wd.
Last edited by kingfish51; 12-01-2010 at 02:48 PM.
#10
12-01-2010 | 06:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,017
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From: Decatur,AL
It doesn't matter what trans you have, it's the transfer case that matters. Seeing as you have an FX4 and I've never seen an FX4 with a manual shift transfer case, you'll need to pull the driveshafts.
Straight out of the 2006 owners manual:
Straight out of the 2006 owners manual:
RECREATIONAL TOWING
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An
example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
4x4 vehicles equipped with manual-shift transfer case:
• Release the parking brake.
• Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF position.
• Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
• Place the transfer case lever in N (Neutral).
• Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) vehicle speed.
• The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.
• The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transfer case components.
The transfer case N (Neutral) position overrides the transmission
and puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission
gearshift lever position. The vehicle can move forward or
backward.
This position should only be used when towing the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn
off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
After reaching the destination, you must place your vehicle’s 4x4
gearshift lever in gear (2H, 4H or 4L).
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmission and 4x4 vehicles
equipped with an electronic-shift transfer case:
• Release the parking brake.
• Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF position.
• Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
• Do not exceed a distance of 50 miles (80 km).
• Do not exceed 35 mph (56 km/h) vehicle speed.
• The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transfer case components.
If a distance of 50 miles (80 km) or a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the front (4x4 only) and rear
driveshafts. Ford recommends the driveshafts be removed/installed only
by a qualified technician at an authorized dealer. See your authorized
dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid or transfer case fluid loss, damage to the
driveshaft and internal transmission and transfer case
components.
Vehicles equipped with Control Trac four-wheel drive system:
Vehicles equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel drive system cannot
be towed with any wheels on the ground. See your authorized dealer if
you must flat-tow a vehicle equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel
drive system.
Follow these guidelines if you have a need for recreational towing. An
example of recreational towing would be towing your vehicle behind a
motorhome. These guidelines are designed to ensure that your
transmission is not damaged.
4x4 vehicles equipped with manual-shift transfer case:
• Release the parking brake.
• Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF position.
• Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
• Place the transfer case lever in N (Neutral).
• Do not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h) vehicle speed.
• The maximum recommended distance is unlimited.
• The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transfer case components.
The transfer case N (Neutral) position overrides the transmission
and puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission
gearshift lever position. The vehicle can move forward or
backward.
This position should only be used when towing the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn
off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.
After reaching the destination, you must place your vehicle’s 4x4
gearshift lever in gear (2H, 4H or 4L).
Vehicles equipped with automatic transmission and 4x4 vehicles
equipped with an electronic-shift transfer case:
• Release the parking brake.
• Turn the key in the ignition to the OFF position.
• Place the transmission in N (Neutral).
• Do not exceed a distance of 50 miles (80 km).
• Do not exceed 35 mph (56 km/h) vehicle speed.
• The vehicle must be towed in the forward position to ensure no
damage is done to the internal transfer case components.
If a distance of 50 miles (80 km) or a speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) must
be exceeded, you must disconnect the front (4x4 only) and rear
driveshafts. Ford recommends the driveshafts be removed/installed only
by a qualified technician at an authorized dealer. See your authorized
dealer for driveshaft removal/installation.
Improper removal/installation of the driveshaft can cause
transmission fluid or transfer case fluid loss, damage to the
driveshaft and internal transmission and transfer case
components.
Vehicles equipped with Control Trac four-wheel drive system:
Vehicles equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel drive system cannot
be towed with any wheels on the ground. See your authorized dealer if
you must flat-tow a vehicle equipped with the Control Trac four-wheel
drive system.
#12
12-03-2010 | 07:30 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,550
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From: Mount Airy,MD
The owners manual is contradicting itself. For towing by a wrecker, it states.
On 4x2 vehicles, it is acceptable to tow the vehicle with the front wheels
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the
ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
on the ground (without dollies) and the rear wheels off the ground.
On 4x4 vehicles, it is recommended that your vehicle be towed with a
wheel lift and dollies or flatbed equipment with all the wheels off the
ground.
If the vehicle is towed by other means or incorrectly, vehicle
damage may occur.
#14
12-03-2010 | 01:13 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,550
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From: Mount Airy,MD
Neither quote is wrong. In the Rec. towing portion it states what you do. In the emergency section on having the vehicle towed it states what I posted, ie, do not tow with wheels down on 4x4. Use dollies of flatbed. That is why I stated it contradicts itself. Only on the 2wd does it say you can tow with the front wheels down.
#15
12-03-2010 | 01:17 PM
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From: Canada