TOAD Towing

[sedcom]

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

[Philturnersr]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

I have had my wife do that several times but we only back straight for short distance…..never had a problem.
28A Chateau with 2003 Jeep TJ toad.

[The Gritz Carlton]

You also can tell her that...then take off for the remainder of the 400 miles in peace and quiet.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Yes... you COULD possibly do that, and many people have successfully done it. Some things to consider:

If you inadvertently damage your tow bar (most manufacturers SPECIFICALLY say DO NOT back up) - you stand the chance of voiding your warranty.

Also, ask yourself if it's worth taking the chance to save 10 to 15 minutes. I prefer NOT to take those risks... just unhitch, move the TOAD, back up the MH. When you're done, just move to a convenient spot and re-hitch.

[abjbrtd]

"But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed?"

Originally Posted by Philturnersr

I have had my wife do that several times but we only back straight for short distance…..never had a problem.
28A Chateau with 2003 Jeep TJ toad.

Depends on the partner

dw is not very good at it

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

Why would you want to? Prior planning should keep you out of those types of situations.

[abjbrtd]

Originally Posted by EA37TS

Why would you want to? Prior planning should keep you out of those types of situations.

Should and we do
We were driving along singing a song... ops missed our exit, we're ok Google maps says left at next exit, straight for 2 miles left...OPS somebody forgot to tell Google the gate will be CLOSED today

[HMCSW]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

Never had. I did watch a couple do just that when they overshot their site.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by abjbrtd

Should and we do
We were driving along singing a song... ops missed our exit, we're ok Google maps says left at next exit, straight for 2 miles left...OPS somebody forgot to tell Google the gate will be CLOSED today

Pulls up to gate and stops.
Gets out and unhitches TOAD.
Pulls TOAD out of way.
Backs up motorhome... turns around.
Hitches TOAD to motorhome.

Now... what verse were we singing?

[trowan]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

Just use the jeep to backup your rig.

[lwmcguir]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

I have a surge brake dolly and tow with a bit over 65 feet

Given it is a surge brake dolly that works well you don't back up without stressing the hitch and sliding tires. Luckily I have never needed to backup. If you think you might, electric brakes are for you

Unloading, unhooking, and reloading does take longer than towing 4 down so I avoid getting in that tight spot

Also tow the F150 4 down

[AJMike]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I thought I remembered seeing something in the Jeep instructions for flat towing that you should never back up the vehicle when it is set up for flat towing. Something about damaging an automatic transmission.

I know the transmission is in neutral and the transfer case is in neutral (at least they should be) so I would not think it would be an issue, but I have this nagging feeling that I did read somewhere to never do that.

Then again, perhaps I am wrong. It has happened before …

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by AJMike

Perhaps I am wrong, but I thought I remembered seeing something in the Jeep instructions for flat towing that you should never back up the vehicle when it is set up for flat towing. Something about damaging an automatic transmission.

I know the transmission is in neutral and the transfer case is in neutral (at least they should be) so I would not think it would be an issue, but I have this nagging feeling that I did read somewhere to never do that.

Then again, perhaps I am wrong. It has happened before …

I believe the problem with backing up is that the towed’s steering will be different from the coach and the difference will apply huge unintended forces on the towing equipment. In fact because of the castor on the towed’s wheels it will quickly go to full lock. On my Jeep you are supposed to tow with the automatic transmission in park….

[alajeu]

I have been in a couple of situations where I have wanted to back up but my Blue Max system cost too darn much to chance the damage. Just unhitch and re hitch. Don't chance it.


Alajeu

[sip]

In a bind I have even backed up by myself ... back up a bit, when the toad starts going off and binding, pull forward a bit, stop, go adjust toad steering, repeat.

Its not really anything magical happening. You just don't want the toad to turn and bind up and then you push against it all bound up (or worse it going into something you don't want to drive into).

Edit: Regarding surge brake (I have surge brakes as well), I didn't notice it engaging when backing up slowly. But that's certainly something to watch for ... as when you back up you are potentially activating the surge brake as lwmcguir said as well. Should probably disconnect the surge brake cable but I havne't had to before ... but I also haven't back up too often .. just a couple times for short distances in like tight gas stations or once when trying to make a tight u-turn.

[MJC62]

I have thought about it and decided no joy for us. My reasoning, the tow bar is designed to engage the arm locks in forward. I don't know if the locking mechanism will stand up to forces in the opposite direction.
In actuality with a little preplanning backing up has not been an issue and if I do get pinned in somewhere I will take the 10-15 minutes to unhook, move the MH and re-hook up the Cherokee. We are retired No need to be in that big a hurry anyhow

[Capt.Tom]

Originally Posted by sedcom

Hi all

I am about to tow a Jeep Wrangler 4 down for the 1st time. I know you cannot backup when towing 4 down. But has anyone ever had their partner sit in the towed vehicle and steer so the front wheels don't bind, just to allow backing up say 10 or 20 feet if ever needed? Just wondering.

Thanks

Yes. You have to have the TOAD running so the power steering is functional. Had to do it a couple of times over the last 22 years.

[Chateau_Nomad]

So... on a busy freeway - 70mph speed limit. You missed your exit, and the next exit is 10 miles.

You see a turnaround spot in the median up ahead... but there's a no U-turns sign. What to do??

It's the same thought process for deciding whether to back up with a toad in tow. For some it's damn the torpedoes...

[Capt.Tom]

Originally Posted by MJC62

I have thought about it and decided no joy for us. My reasoning, the tow bar is designed to engage the arm locks in forward. I don't know if the locking mechanism will stand up to forces in the opposite direction.
In actuality with a little preplanning backing up has not been an issue and if I do get pinned in somewhere I will take the 10-15 minutes to unhook, move the MH and re-hook up the Cherokee. We are retired No need to be in that big a hurry anyhow

The traffic behind you may be in more of a hurry than you are.

[ducksface]

Originally Posted by trowan

Just use the jeep to backup your rig.

This is an excellent solution.