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Towing a GEO Tracker

Yahoo Message Number: 87570
Has anyone flat-towed a GEO Tracker? Any suggestions will help as I set up for towing. I just got a 1996 Tracker and the manual states "N" for the Transfer Case and 2nd gear for the Tran. However, in checking Google for info I found recommendations to put the Tran in 4th gear. The comment was to prevent engine damage if the transfer case slipped into gear while towing.

Thank you,

Randy 32' CC

Re: Towing a GEO Tracker

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87582
It sounds like you are towing a Tracker with a manual transmission. We have been flat-towing a 1996 Tracker since it was brand new and we have always put the transfer case in neutral and the automatic transmission in park. The equivalent of that in a manual transmission would be the same neutral position for the transfer case and 2nd gear to immobilize the transmission. If you have manual front wheel hubs, they must be in the "free" position and if you have automatic hubs, they should be "unlocked" (and I don't know how you do this on automatic hubs). That was why we ordered ours with manual hubs because flat towing with automatic hubs was supposedly risky (according to the owner's manual) but I've seen many other Trackers being towed flat with automatic hubs.
The other related prescribed procedure is to leave the ignition key to the ACC (accessory) position to unlock the steering wheel. BUT I found that if you just turn the key from "ON" to full "OFF" and leave the key in the ignition, the steering wheel will remain unlocked until the key is actually removed. In this way you never have to fear running down your battery. You can test this to give yourself assurance that the wheel stays unlocked until you actually remove the key and hear the lock click into place.
The manual also calls for stopping every 200 miles and running the engine for 1 minute with the transmission in Drive. Then shift back into Park and off you go again.

We love our Tracker!!

Steve B

2002 Intrigue #11382