Towing an Auto

BigJules · September 23, 2011, 02:41:19 PM

I read a good article recently about recoveries. I always thought you had to drop the drive shafts off the dead tow a vehicle with an automatic transmission. Turns out all you need to do (if it is a 4wd) is put the transfer case in neutral.

Bill · September 23, 2011, 02:59:13 PM

That is new news to me too...
Bill and Morag

Pirate_Pete · September 23, 2011, 05:20:42 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmmm

Mine has a knob on the dash 2wd, 4wd, low 4wd.

Bushman · September 23, 2011, 05:39:34 PM

HHHMMM like wise

mine is 2wd 4H, 4HL ,4L

tilt tray if towed or cradle with all 4 wheels off the ground

Flat tow is OK eg recoveries for short distances at low speed

funny how you see heaps of Suzki, Foresters being flat towed behind Motorhomes

Alloy C/T · September 23, 2011, 05:42:46 PM

On an auto Rodeo which has the 3 buttons for engagement - 2wd -4x4H -4x4L you need to push all 3 buttons in with the ignition OFF and while holding the buttons in turn the ign ON but do not start the vehicle ,continue to hold while putting g/box from park to neutral , turn ign OFF , transfer case remains in neutral until ign is turned on and drive be it 2wd or 4x4 H/L selected .

davidy61 · September 23, 2011, 06:12:53 PM

Quote from: Bushman on September 23, 2011, 05:39:34 PM
funny how you see heaps of Suzki, Foresters being flat towed behind Motorhomes

That's becuase the newer Suzuki's on their dash button apart from 4HL and 4LL have an "N" setting which disengages everything so it can be flat towed. Don't know about the Foresters but they aren't real 4WD's and are AWD's. Don't think they have low range either.

Crisp Image · September 23, 2011, 06:43:47 PM

My Full time 4WD Prado has no neutral as it is always in 4WD and I have to turn a switch to get it from h4 to l4.

D4D · September 23, 2011, 07:08:42 PM

Quote from: Crisp Image on September 23, 2011, 06:43:47 PM
My Full time 4WD Prado has no neutral as it is always in 4WD and I have to turn a switch to get it from h4 to l4.

Really? I have a N on the transfer case in my 120.

Crisp Image · September 23, 2011, 08:02:45 PM

Quote from: D4D on September 23, 2011, 07:08:42 PM
Really? I have a N on the transfer case in my 120.

I have a 150 and the transfer i done by electric switch not a lever.

BigJules · September 25, 2011, 11:40:05 AM

Here is some feedback for the manufacturers then. We need a Neutral.

Prado BB · September 25, 2011, 11:42:27 AM

Quote from: bigjules on September 25, 2011, 11:40:05 AM
Here is some feedback for the manufacturers then. We need a Neutral.

well said

Patr80l · September 25, 2011, 05:31:43 PM

My Touareg has low range but no neutral. I saw a diagram of the transfer case and it looked like it had planetary gears instead of the usual cogs. No neutral but I can change from L to H at up to 40km/hr.
In the manual it gives instructions on towing the vehicle; Select N (on the main, PRNDS stick),stay under 50km/hr and no further than 50km. That's not a strict as "never tow an auto".

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Towing an Auto