TOWING M38A1 four wheels down

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Howard

I have been following your thread for a while.....BUT.... now that you included the total distance I would not do it as a flat tow.

I know we are all on tight budgets with our hobbies but the potential for trouble....some of it very costly...... is very high for a long distance tow.

Sure bearings can be repacked........ how good are the tires.... they may look good with lots of thread left...but.... how will they behave in that constant highway driving.

How much money have you got invested in the vehicle you are towing....? how much will it cost you to burn a rear axle bearing and have to find a replacement axle because the axle shaft has been chewed up....

How about the potential damage to your Ram.....???

The jeep you plan to tow is light weight and a rented U haul car trailer will safely handle it. Think of the piece of mind you will have driving back home not having to constantly look into the rear mirror and not having to keep your speed down in case the jeep tires can't handle it..... and no concerns for changing weather conditions..

One more caution.... if you are going that far ....make sure you have a spare for the trailer......oh and a suitable jack...... I speak from experience.

Hope to meet you one day..... you will need to visit the Hammond barn.

Bob C

Bob

[BOBM35A2]

Howard,
My rule of thumb is, if it's too far to drive, put it on a trailer and tow it.
Murphy's Law has always prevailed. Long distance flat towing is asking for trouble. Bearings, tires, and gears. If any one goes, your in a lot of grief. Stuck somewhere, broken parts, tow truck, watching your wallot and time thinning and of course Aggrevation. It's a Charlie Brown Play, if you get there alright your a hero, if you don't make it, your screwed. A good trailer is cheap and a dependable way to get your vehicle there. and back, time and time again. One bad flat tow and you've paid for that trailer, but you'll never get your agrevation spent back.
I've trailered my M38a1 CDN 2 over 2,000 miles this year and it's a very good feeling that when I back it off the trailer, I know excatly what condition it's in.
Good luck,
Bob M.

[OttawaValleyGuy]

Thanks you all again.

I do have a good trailer with 7,000 axles with brakes and a set of good ramps so I will forget about being a cheap old fart and do what is right.

Even my wife will now sit and be content.

I will be leaving for Florida on Thurs. morning and will try to post a pic of how we will be travelling.

I will be wintering at Daytona if any of you guys intend to get down that way.

Do any of you know of any Kaiser/jeep meets down that way?

Thanks
Howard

[Wpns 421]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Hi Howard

I have been following your thread for a while.....BUT.... now that you included the total distance I would not do it as a flat tow.

I know we are all on tight budgets with our hobbies but the potential for trouble....some of it very costly...... is very high for a long distance tow.

Sure bearings can be repacked........ how good are the tires.... they may look good with lots of thread left...but.... how will they behave in that constant highway driving.

How much money have you got invested in the vehicle you are towing....? how much will it cost you to burn a rear axle bearing and have to find a replacement axle because the axle shaft has been chewed up....

How about the potential damage to your Ram.....???

The jeep you plan to tow is light weight and a rented U haul car trailer will safely handle it. Think of the piece of mind you will have driving back home not having to constantly look into the rear mirror and not having to keep your speed down in case the jeep tires can't handle it..... and no concerns for changing weather conditions..

One more caution.... if you are going that far ....make sure you have a spare for the trailer......oh and a suitable jack...... I speak from experience.

Hope to meet you one day..... you will need to visit the Hammond barn.

Bob C

Bob

I completely agree with Bob, flat tows are ok for short distance anything else gates a trailer ride. Also if you want to attend any events in Florida go to the Steel soldiers website and sign on, then ask. Gilles