TOWING M38A1 four wheels down

[Robin Craig]

Be very Careful!

Yes you can do it, alot do. If you were towing a trailer you would have the option of having it braked.

You will always be incrementally better off the larger the towing vehicle is in relation to the flat towed one.

We do it on a regular basis with a 2003 Dodge Ram Dually 1 ton towing a Land Rover 90.

The only problems i have personally had, have been preventable if you think about them.

Firstly, avoid at all costs atempting to reverse where possible, trust me.

Second, dont be doing this on the road when anything that will reduce the grip of the towed vehicle to the road. Those kinds of things are heavy rain and snow and ice.

Going around a corner with what in effect is a large pendulum behind you gets very exciting if the towed vehicle starts to loose traction and develop a mind of its own. Its a classic brown trousers moment.

Going around a corner in snow or on ice or during heavy rain, if the towed vehicle's front wheels loose grip it will want to go straight on and not make the corner. If you are decelerating the effect will be amplified as the towed vehicle will have the ability to push the rear of the towing vehicle sideways.

I have been driving and towing for a good number of years and have made most of the mistakes one can make, I'm not perfect, I have just been lucky so far.

Ensure your hardware is of a good grade and dont take chances.

Robin

[pzrwest]

A quick note on the safety chains.... always run your safety chains below the towing bar and cross them. If for some reason the towbar fails the bar cannot drop down and hit the ground and with the chains crossed the towed vehicle will track strait