Hi all!

I found a 1988 Raider parts truck with a bad motor and possibly a bad tranny for cheap. It's 50.2 miles from my house and I need to tow it home. My tow vehicle is a 400 horsepower Trailblazer with a Class III 2 inch receiver. There is also a wiring pigtail sitting in the glovebox, although I haven't tried to hook it up yet.

I'm looking at flat towing this parts truck to my house. There is a harbor freight tools down the street from me and I though of picking up some things from them and getting ready to set this up.

I wanted to make sure that a 5 speed SWB that will go into neutral and has a T-Case that will go into neutral will be okay to flat tow. Anyone flat tow a 5 speed SWB?

Anything I need to worry about?

I'm looking at this stuff:

Tow bar... $47.99
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94696



This set of safety chains for $19.99
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92450



This hitch ball/mount for $16.99
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94900



This light kit for $9.99
http://ww2.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96933



What say ye, Wire brain trust?


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I know I can push mine in 2WH with the 5-speed in neutral.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I've flat-towed mine a bunch of times. Just put the tranny shifter in neutral and leave the t-case shifter in 2H.

Regarding mounting the towbar the front of the rig, don't trust drilling into and mounting it to the front bumper. A buddy of mine did that and over time he ended up pulling it through the thin wall of the bumper. Try to mount it to the frame.

Also, don't forget to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery, put the key in the ignition, and unlock the steering wheel for the duration of towing (unless you feel like making turning more like a thrill-ride <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />).

For the cost of the tow bar, chain, lighting etc., you could rent a car trailer, probably save a few bucks.
Unless of course you have other uses for those items.

Jason,

I have all those pieces and regularly use them to get Monteros and Raiders. My concern when hitching up is the threads for the welded nuts that retain the bumper bolts. The last Raider that I towed (mine) is sketchy. When I towed Ray's former blue Monty (now our Molly), no sweat - everything was in great shape. Once I find someone to weld for me, I'm planning on a different removable mount for the tow bar. The observation about the bumper fatigue above is getting to be a concern to me, if just for public safety. For a one time trip, I wouldn't worry.

R-

Rent a tow dolly or car trailer and winch the donor on with a comealong.

You only have to worry about flat towind or dolly towing on an a/t, because the oil pump on the a/t only runs when the motor is turning, so towing burns up the tranny in the a/t with no lube oil circulating. M/T is splash lubed with no pump, so no problem.

I've flat towed an a/t with a working engine by just idling the engine during the tow. I pulled a 73 Fury from Hobbs, NM to B'ham, AL that way with no damage, ignoring the bumper that the tow bar broke. The Fury pulled out to pass in Jackson, MS on I20 on the way back. My last experience with a tow bar...

Cochese x2 on what CapnCrunch said. If your 50 mile tow involves the freeway, you definitely want it attached to the frame or tow dolly/tow trailer. If it's a 50 mile tow by street at low speed should be able to get by this one time, but look into welding for a long term solution. Due a search on my username for my setup on flat towing.

Ditto the tow-dolly most uhauls have them for something like $59/day. My neighbor bought that harbor freight tow bar setup and it is cheap, I mean C.H.E.A.P. I would be sketched out towing something with it personally.

tow-dolly is how I hauled my 2-door V6 raider home from Oregon with the 08 tundra and it pulled like sweet peas. Be sure you don't put the transfer case in neutrel it won't tow. Just leave transfer in 2H and put the gear shifter in neutrel obviously. Don't ask me why, mine wouldn't tow with both transmission and transfer in neutrel.

Whats a great price for a parts truck these days? I found a 90 black LWB LS model decent condition not running that I've considered picking up either to get it running or pimp out my 2 door. Guy wants $400 for it, gotta go drive 100 miles to get it too.

[hijack]

Where is this 90 non-runner? I want a non-running, decent body, Gen I. If it's near me, and you're not up for it...

[/hijack]

I tried to tow mine with both in neutral and got the same result. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Why is this???