possibly a very dumb question.

[rifle6]

Sorry if this is dumb,
but I'm putting a tow bar on my XJ to drag on the highway.
do I unlock the steering wheel? and leave it unlocked?

 

[BCGPER]

Unlocked, and don't get yourself in a position where you have to back up.

 

[skiboarder]

Unlocked, and don't get yourself in a position where you have to back up.

Yep and yep. Both can be bad. Don't ask.

 

[Nappy]

Unhook the battery, leave the key in so it won't lock. Put everything in neutral.

 

[mbryson]

Unhook the battery, leave the key in so it won't lock. Put everything in neutral.

I've always left the transfer case in neutral, trans in gear.

steering unlocked so the steering can "follow" the tow vehicle

 

[Nappy]

I've always left the transfer case in neutral, trans in gear.

steering unlocked so the steering can "follow" the tow vehicle

You're probably correct. I just see my friends that tow direct doing those things. I never have myself.

 

[mbryson]

You're probably correct. I just see my friends that tow direct doing those things. I never have myself.

Worked for me when I flat towed my XJ for a few years. Definitely prefer a trailer over flat towing (for a LOT of reasons) but know where people are coming from with the flat tow. I think you spend about $2-300 to setup to flat tow (minimum) and I finally decided to put that $ towards a trailer (that was when trailers were about $1000-1200). I'm sure I don't need to go over advantages/disadvantages of trailer vs flat tow.

BC mentions a solid one above, but I like the brakes on a trailer at least as much as the backing up. Flat tow in a snowstorm once or twice and you'll decide a trailer is a "need".

 

[Pile of parts]

Different transmissions/t-cases have different combinations as to what gear/neutral selection should be made. Consult the manual. But, as said earlier, unlock steering and don't back up.

 

[STAG]

We have a piece of work equipment that the front steering axle rolls freely when towing. Yeah I learned that you can't back up ha.

 

[anderson750]

When I flat towed my TJ, I put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in 3rd.

 

[STAG]

Do most transfer cases still count miles in neutral?

 

[Cherokeester]

Make sure the tow bar sits level like this. Use a riser or drop to make it so.

 

[Kevin B.]

Why put the transmission in gear?

 

[anderson750]

Why put the transmission in gear?

I did a lot of research before I flat towed and this is one of the things I came across as to why.

The only way the rear bearing gets lubed is from the input shaft turning, as in when the engine is running. Even though you put the t case in neutral, there is enough friction from the oil to spin the input of the t case, which turns the output on the trans, and being the trans input isn't turning, the un-lubed rear trans bearing seizes up, and eats up the others in front. Putting the trans in gear (and this also applies to automatics) stops he output of the trans and saves the bearings. Confused yet?

 

[STAG]

Sounds like unbolting the driveshaft and unlocking the hubs is the ultimate best.

 

[toys4rocks]

Sorry if this is dumb,
but I'm putting a tow bar on my XJ to drag on the highway.
do I unlock the steering wheel? and leave it unlocked?

Unlocked, and put the trans in park, and the transfer in nuetral. I have already done the research on this and have thousands of flat tow miles on my XJ. And no it does not add miles to the odometer.

 

[rifle6]

kinda glad i asked. there is alot more going on than i thought!

thanks