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Country Coach Restoration, Repair & Parts Forums => Country Coach Archive => Topic started by: James Spivey on March 15, 2010, 12:57:54 am

Title: I have gotten confused
Post by: James Spivey on March 15, 2010, 12:57:54 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57337 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57337)
I tow a Hummer H3. No issue and tows great. However, I was thinking about getting a new toy, and to haul that toy I need a truck. Now bear in mind this is no emergency, but I have gone to several dealers and the current staff is just about a dumb as a bag of rocks.
I know Hummer H3 has a truck, but get this, since they are going out of business the morons are now marking up the product. No deals, and wait in line and by the way coffee here at the show room is now a buck. So I went over to Ford and I have not found anyone who could tell me what can be told 4 down. I know FMCA has a publication but I have misplaced it.
So here is my question which trucks can be towed for down? Trucks only and I already know about the Hummer H3T. I am thinking that they will have to be two wheel drive, but I am not sure. I know the Hummer is all electric when going to neutral for towing.
Thanks I know the answer is when in this group, thanks in advance. I am still taking with the wife and her honey due list for my toy is a big list, and I am not sure I could live long enought to complete it and enjoy the toy.

Jim Spivey 2006 Allure 31432 Looking for toys!


Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Cougerkath on March 15, 2010, 01:23:04 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57338 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57338)
Jim,

If you search motorhome magazine for the dingy guide you will see their list by year and model. There are quite a few Chevrolet/GMC and Fords that are towable. Most towable 4 down you will find will be 4 wheel drive though and some automatic transmissions have issues. If you are happy with the Hummer look at the Chevy/GMC stuff. We love all our Chevys. Remember to always check the owners manuals when you get serious. Have fun hunting.
Safe travels,
Kathy

'06 Inspire #51782
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Jim Hill on March 15, 2010, 01:45:20 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57339 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57339)
Hi Jim,

I have a 2006 Ford F250 4x4 Super Cab, Automatic, Turbo Diesel and tow it behind my 2008 Tribute 260 with ease. It cost me about $3200 to get it ready for towing, which included Air Force 1 Brake Kit and installing a cable operated release for the drive line. Works fine now.

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Chuck & Mary B on March 15, 2010, 01:45:22 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57340 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57340)
Hi Jim S,

The Ford F150 and 250--4 wheel drive auto can be towed 4 down. There is a parts kit that needs to be installed. The parts dept should know about it. Don't know about the new 2011 models coming out in April. Go to www.remcotowing.com (http://www.remcotowing.com) for a list.

Chuck & Mary B

Laughlin, NV

Shelby Dog, Miss Kitty, Mr Lucky Cat
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Mike Cebula on March 15, 2010, 02:14:46 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57342 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57342)
Go to http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/ (http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/) and look down the right side of the page for the block titled "DINGHY GUIDE". There are 9 dinghy towing guides available from 2002 to 2010 in PDF format for download.

Mike Cebula
'95 Magna 5266
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Bikerbill44 on March 15, 2010, 09:14:54 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57344 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57344)
I can't believe it. JIM SPIVEY confused?
Jim, if its a full-sized 4-wheel-drive Ford, GM, Dodge, Hummer "truck chassis" AND it has a NEUTRAL position for the 2-4 wheel drive transfer case you SHOULD have no problem. I know the full-sized Fords give up the neutral as soon as you move up into a nicer class than a work-truck with bench seat. With the "work truck" Ford uses the old fashioned floor shifter for the transfer case which is eliminated when you get bucket seats. Then they use the electric knob shifter for the transfer case and according to Ford their full-size trucks do not have any optional "kit" to modify the electric shift. One thing you need to watch is if the vehicle has full-time, all-wheel-drive it probably does not have a switch to put the transfer case in neutral for towing. That is the case with the GMC Yukon + Cadillac line. Switch to the Chevy Suburban and there is no problem. GM felt that those owning the fancier GMC line and Cadillac line wanted a "simpler" method than deciding when you want 4 wheel on or off so they made it automatic. Good shopping but ALWAYS check the owners manual before buying it! Jim, consider looking at the Chevy Avalanche 4 wheel-drive. Easily carries 5 adults, covered truck short-bed in the back. Has the new smaller V-8, is a 4-8 cylinder with the 6 speed transmission, we get 15+ around town and 18-20 on trips. I just bought one in early January, when Chevy was giving away BIG discounts. I will eventually set it up to flat-tow. Presently we use our older Suburban for flat-towing.

Bill n Barb, Poconos of PA, 1998 CC Prevost 40'XL #60365
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Ray G on March 15, 2010, 09:30:01 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57345 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57345)
Jim,I tow an 09 4x4 1500 Silverado, and you just push 2 buttons and tow, its the easiest of all the trucks I investigated. What kind of toys are you going to put in the bed?

Ray G

03 Magna 6267

Mar 14, 2010 11:57:57 PM,
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Mikee on March 15, 2010, 11:18:53 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57348 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57348)
The only FORD 4 X $ that can be towed anymore is the manual transfer case. The electric or automatic transfer case cannot be towed anymore. The change was made in 2006 or 7

Chuck do you have a source that gives different information?

Mikee
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Melvinshapiro on March 15, 2010, 12:15:36 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57349 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57349)
We tow an Escalade.... with full-time 4x4. It has a REMCO TRANSMISSION PUMP: http://www.remcotowing.com/node/6 (http://www.remcotowing.com/node/6) It works great. Have towed it over 15K miles.
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: James Spivey on March 15, 2010, 12:25:55 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57350 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57350)
Mikee sad to say Ford dealer here in CA. did not know what I was talking about and walked away from me when I started to read literature. I have to say I had expected more from Ford. GM was worse but expected.

Jim Spivey

Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Eaglequailhawk on March 15, 2010, 02:59:18 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57352 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57352)
Jim,

go to www.remco-towing.com, look for the application charton the side bar. You can enter any make vehicle, the model, and any year and find out what you need to tow it. If the vehicle is towable "as is" it will say that. Hope this helps Mary-Ann

2000 Magna 5856
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Countrycoachbrad on March 15, 2010, 03:15:40 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57353 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57353)
Jim,

We tow a Toyota Tundra full size 4x4 (best truck made in my opinion) with a Remco driveline disconnect kit and an Air Force One braking system. It is great!

Dick B

04 Intrigue #11830
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Larry F on March 15, 2010, 06:48:44 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57358 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57358)
Jim

Here's a link (http://www.motorhomemagazine.com/output.cfm?ID=952129) to the FMCA towing guide.
Larry, 03 Allure 30856
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Judy on March 15, 2010, 10:33:33 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57367 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57367)
Jim, when I was shopping for a truck to tow behind my other motorhome I had problems with sales people. I finally asked to see the manual and found that the truck I was interested in could be towed 4-down. That is a 2004 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab, 4-wheel drive with push button controls which will allow the transfer case to be put in neutral. I have been towing this truck for 6 years with two ATV's on a rack.

Judy

2006 Inspire 51760

(with an M&G braking system)

So here is my question which trucks can be towed for down? Trucks only and I already know about the Hummer H3T. I am thinking that they will have to be two wheel drive, but I am not sure. I know the Hummer is all electric when going to neutral for towing
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Gene's E-Mails on March 15, 2010, 11:12:39 pm
Yahoo Message Number: 57369 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57369)
For 11 years I have towed a Blazer and a 2002 GMC full size 4x4 pickup. My wife and I have enjoyed just pushing two buttons for ten seconds to disconnect the transmission and towing without any extra equipment. When we want to disconnect, we push one button for a second and the transmission is ready to go. We pull one fuse and no mileage is recorded when we tow. Can't be easier than that. My wife frequently does the entire job by herself. The Chevy and GMC are 99% the same, but the suspension setup gives the GMC a different (nicer ride in my daughter's and my opinion) . I have the M and G Rngineering out of Athens, Texas (903-675-1147) breaking system with an air cylinder mounted behind the master cylinder under the hood. Therefore, I have no extra equipment inside the cab of the vehicle.

Gene Merryman

2000 Allure #30496
Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Jim Hill on March 16, 2010, 12:42:49 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57370 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57370)
To tow the electronic transfer case Ford, just leave the Hubs Un-Locked.

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260

Title: Re: I have gotten confused
Post by: Bikerbill44 on March 16, 2010, 08:07:24 am
Yahoo Message Number: 57381 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/57381)
I didn't know Fords came with manual hubs anymore standard. And they are usually only on the front wheels. By unlocking the manual hubs up front you have taken care of the front differential but the rear differential will spin unless you would add hubs to the rear wheels. Don't know if anyone makes them for that purpose. Probably would need the Remco DriveLine disconnect than otherwise the rear driveshaft would continue to spin the transfer case.
My comments re: 4x4 flat towing were aimed at vehicles you can "shift" the transfer case with into neutral. Many other vehicles can be flat-towed with the use of a transmission pump or drive-line disconnect. I am not a fan of drive-line disconnects as past experience relocking it on a hill caused serious damage to personal body and vehicle body too.
And if you really look hard or ask the proper questions Ford dealerships "used" to have a booklet that was all about "towing." This is where they discuss how and which models can be flat-towed.

bill n barb, poconos of pa, cc 1998 Prevost 40'Xl #60365