Is it a bad idea to flat tow a Jeep with a Spool in the rear axle? I have a locker in now and was trying to decide wether to put a spool in the rear and move the lunch box locker to the front or just buy a locker for the front. It will only be towed on occasion but further distances like Moab. Thanks
Flat towing
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I've got a buddy who flat tows his Sami w/ rear spool all over with no problems... Well, unless you forget to put the t-case in neutral
Heck yeah, I will probably just disconnect the drive shaft. Does he have the Sami trying to keep going straight as he turns because it can't ratchet or do you not notice any difference? My steering column also doesn't lock so should I probably bungie or tie the steering wheel to the seat brackets to keep the front wheels from turning?
I think it's fine if the wheel doesn't lock. In fact, I want to say that it's better that way?
The Sami is so light, that it's not an issue at all that the diff is spooled. I think unbolting the d-line on the 3rd member end, and bungee'ing it up is good insurance of anything grenading your t-case and tunnel.
When flat towing, wouldn't you want the front wheels to turn? Otherwise you will never be able to turn any corners. The fact that it is being towed will keep the wheels straight when they need to be.
I have flat towed my Jeep for years. First with a limited slip in the rear, then an ARB, and now it has a spool. I can't tell a difference when towing any setup. I don't even bother disconnecting my drivelines, just put the T-case in neutral and go.
I have flat towed my Jeep for years. First with a limited slip in the rear, then an ARB, and now it has a spool. I can't tell a difference when towing any setup. I don't even bother disconnecting my drivelines, just put the T-case in neutral and go.
Maverick
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Huh??? Tell that to RVers and their Toads. Why is flat towing a bad idea?
I prefer a trailer mainly because
a) it doesn't wear on the Jeep tires,
b) I can break the jeep and still tow it and
c) trailer brakes.
Other than that, flat towing a jeep is nice and simple. I towed the freak all over for a few years before I could afford a trailer.
Benefits to flat towing
a) less weight to tow (though not necessarily less friction)
b) less equipment cost
c) no parking for trailer
If it's a CJ with the D300, disconnect the driveshaft.
I highly doubt you could tell the difference between spool and open diff. You definately want to leave the steering wheel unlocked.
Having said all that, I'd just put a locker in the front and leave the locker in the rear. I hate driving with a spool in the rear. What kind of 4x4 do you have?
I prefer a trailer mainly because
a) it doesn't wear on the Jeep tires,
b) I can break the jeep and still tow it and
c) trailer brakes.
Other than that, flat towing a jeep is nice and simple. I towed the freak all over for a few years before I could afford a trailer.
Benefits to flat towing
a) less weight to tow (though not necessarily less friction)
b) less equipment cost
c) no parking for trailer
If it's a CJ with the D300, disconnect the driveshaft.
I highly doubt you could tell the difference between spool and open diff. You definately want to leave the steering wheel unlocked.
Having said all that, I'd just put a locker in the front and leave the locker in the rear. I hate driving with a spool in the rear. What kind of 4x4 do you have?
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For those of us who can't afford trailers at this point in time, flat towing a Jeep is fine if done right. A trailer would kick ass to have no doubt, but make sure you set everything up right to flat tow and you will be ok.
Back to your original question though rather than a trailer tow vs. flat tow debate: you won't notice the spool while flat towing. As Maverick said, you will notice it more while driving.
Back to your original question though rather than a trailer tow vs. flat tow debate: you won't notice the spool while flat towing. As Maverick said, you will notice it more while driving.
It's still a bad idea when RV'rs do it. Although doing it with a Class A does remove the biggest of the bad things and that is the fact that your tow rig weighs enough to control the towed vehicle.
But even with the Class A you still have the fact that you are putting wear and tear on much more expensive parts in the towed vehicle. Bearings and tires for trailers are WAY cheaper than they are for vehicles. Plus when you flat tow your crawler you still get to leave it in Moab when it breaks down, if you have it on a trailer you get to drag the parts onto the trailer and head for home.
I'll never intentionally flat tow anything, but then again I don't think towing with anything smaller than a 3/4 ton is a good idea. Call me alive... errr I mean crazy.
But even with the Class A you still have the fact that you are putting wear and tear on much more expensive parts in the towed vehicle. Bearings and tires for trailers are WAY cheaper than they are for vehicles. Plus when you flat tow your crawler you still get to leave it in Moab when it breaks down, if you have it on a trailer you get to drag the parts onto the trailer and head for home.
I'll never intentionally flat tow anything, but then again I don't think towing with anything smaller than a 3/4 ton is a good idea. Call me alive... errr I mean crazy.
Buy one extra set of crawling tires and have to drive back to Moab one time to pick up your junk with a borrowed trailer and you've paid for a trailer.
Maverick
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Does that make it a BAD idea though? Trailer is better, but flat is not bad, per se.
Oh ya, right with you on the 3/4 ton! I was gonna mention that in my first post, but got distracted by O'Reilly. Tow vehicle has to be heavier than flat-towed vehicle...even then, an empty 3/4ton pickup can get pushed around by a big-block blazer...especially on wet roads...usually when a cop is watching.
Milner
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But don't back up while flat towing
I have flat towed a couple times. It really isn't that bad. Tended to follow the ruts worse then the trailer does, and lack of brakes kinda sucked, but if you only tow a couple times a year.... I wouldn't want to do it any further than Moab and not with anything bigger than 35's on the towed rig. There was considerable more drag than with the trailer.
I have flat towed a couple times. It really isn't that bad. Tended to follow the ruts worse then the trailer does, and lack of brakes kinda sucked, but if you only tow a couple times a year.... I wouldn't want to do it any further than Moab and not with anything bigger than 35's on the towed rig. There was considerable more drag than with the trailer.
It is a CJ2A. I have a locker in the rear and a Jeep factory TJ limited slip in the front. I was thinking of a spool since there are 3.73 gears now in the axles and I will go to 4.56 so it would only be 150.00 for the spool and no need for the different carrier. If I did go with the locker it would be a Detroit since it would only be slightly more than a lunch box locker and a carrier to replace the limited slip. The Jeep will almost totally be offroad only but the locker would be nice for turning on the trail.
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I would prefer a trailer but I don't have room for a tow rig and trailer. I would really only need to flat tow it to Moab and it would be with a Dodge 2500HD diesel that I would borrow from my dad and my brother would be taking his Jeep and trailer so if I broke I can always put it on his trailer and he could drive the Jeep back since it is street legal. The downside would be if we both broke. The Jeep probably only weighs 3,800 pounds and the Dodge is 7,500 pounds and has good enough brakes but the Jeep does have 36" tires which might be a problem. I guess the other option would be to rent a trailer.
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But don't back up while flat towing
I noticed what happens. The tow bar I got with the Jeep is buckled in half from them backing up so I still need to replace it before I try to tow.
I can understand not having money for a trailer, but as to not having room for a trailer.... just park it under the Jeep
To tell the truth I don't have room for the Jeep either and have to park it in my brother's back yard.
I do want a trailer if I can figure out how to fit two trailers back there but with gas prices I would only be using it 2x a year for Moab.
I flat towed my toyota for a few years before I could afford a trailer. The loaded truck weighed about 4k loaded. I towed both with an 01 4runner and an 01 f350 stroker. Behind the stroker... never really felt it was there. Behind the 4 runner was a whole nother issue. It would push it around corners and don't even think about trying to brake and turn at the same time.
With all that being said.... I am still alive and Meat even still talks to me. :greg:
With all that being said.... I am still alive and Meat even still talks to me. :greg: