Hey guys!

I've had my 04 V-8 Ford Explorer for about 3 years now so far, just have never towed with it before. I do not have the towing package, just the factory hitch that is 1 1/4 size. I think good for 3,500 pounds or so is it??

A freind of mine brought a V.W Thing (car) and I am suppose to drive up 7 hours tomorrow and pick it up. The VW already has a front end hitch so all I would have to do is pull this car behind me for 7 hours. (4 wheels on the ground)

Would I be looking at any troubles doing this? any advise any of you can give me on how to travel with pulling a car? LIke how fast can I go on the highway before its not safe? Speed limit there is 70mph, would that be to fast towing this car back?

Do I travel with overdrive off?

Thank you for any information in advance guys!

 

Ford Exploders are not good tow vehicles according to U Haul IT... or so they say...

However, hindsight 20-20 says that you might be ok. However, the car might not.

Read and fully understand whatever the \/ \/\/ -|- |-| | /\/ G's manual states...

Never heard of a VW Thing before... but hey, you never know what comes out of the woodwork..

 

The Thing is based on the old VW bug and weighs less than 2,000 lbs.

The tow bar probably places minimal weight on the tounge.

I think your V8 Explorer will tow it easily, as long as the Thing and the Explorer are mechanically sound. You will probably not have any problem staying in OD on flat ground, as the thing is small and light. The thing has bad aerodynamics, but tt will be in the wind shadow of the Explorer. I would probably try to cruise at 60 - 65 depending on conditions. If it is towing great, you might be able to pick up the pace a little.

BTW, the Thing was frequently towed on 4 wheels behind RV's and stuff back in the day. Most are manual transmission, so I would say just put it in neutral and pull it away. If it has the old VW automatic, I'm not sure how that would effect the towing. If it already has a front hitch, that's a good sign it has been towed safely before.

 

Yeah, but if you hear your engine struggling trying to up a hill, take it out of overdrive. You'll get alot more high end power that way (the max. amount of tq. your engine produces is usually about 1,000RPMS BELOW reline. So if it redlines at 4grand, your max tq is right around 3,000. As far as weight goes on your bumper. You should be fine. If it was a tandem axle on the other hand i would advice agenst it. But make sure all the lights are working an you should be fine.

 

i would say if your towing anything to take Overdrive off. if you dont the stress on the overdrive gears could make you loose an overdrive gear or mess up the transmission. i just always turn off Overdrive whe i tow or have somthing heavy in the bed....id rather my RPM's be higher then my tranny go BOOM!

 

are you kidding me? if you have the od off there will still be the same amount of stress on the tranny but more stress on the engine too...

 

Overdrive is a highway gear, for the sole purpose of lowering RPM's at higher speeds for lower fuel consumption. I would keep overdrive OFF untill reaching speeds around 50mph, then turn it on, an get up to 70mph (the speed limit you posted in your thread) an you'll be fine.

 

If your tranny is hunting, meaning shifting in and out of OD as you encounter hills and whatnot, take it out of OD. It is the constant shifting under heavy load that builds up heat and wears the transmission.

 

Thanks for the advise!


Still not to sure about the over drive though? I was thinking maybe keeping it off the whole time while towing this car, but I just want to do whats best for the tranny, which I'm still not sure what to do about keeping the OD on or off?

I just got back from the auto store, I had to buy these magnetic lights for towing, pretty shocked how expensive those lights where, like 50 bucks for a set

I think I'll be alright going 7 hours towing this car back, I just keep watching these videos on U-tube of these people towing cars and trailers and what so behind there SUV's and trucks and and having there load sway back and forth out of no where and having them flip over on the highway!

Needless to say I don't like to tow, but I'm helping a freind out.

 

i know the same amount of stress will be on the tranny. but the overdrive gears are not ment to tow it says right in the ford book when towing turn O/D off. i dont think you'll have a prob if you tow in O/D it will keep the RPM's lower but id rather sac. some gas mileage and have a happy Tranny then get bettter gas mileage and blow it up. Its your call all in all. i do argee once you hit a cruiseing speed at about 70 click the o/d on so your not at 4,000RPM's on the highway. Just what i do when i tow stuff.

 

I don't really care about what I'll get as far as gas mileage, since I'm doing this for a Friend, he is picking up the gas bill for me.

I think I'll drive with overdrive off until like some people have said until I set cruise for the highway.

Thanks for the advise though everyone, I mean I'm sure this was a stupid question to begin with, but as being that I have never towed anything I had to ask how to do it correctly.

Have a great memorial weekend everyone, and be safe!

 

Yep... you too... hope everyone's advice helped you out.

Be safe out there!

 

How are you towing this? on a trailer or by a strap?

 

Neither.

Its all there in the thread title and the first post.

 

You're joking...Right?? So when I tow my 16' boat with my PSD I should kick out the OD? Or does that mean my F-150 should have been dead long ago from doing many WOT redline shifts while towing said boat?


To the OP: The Thing is light enough to where you will be able to easily tow it in O/D. The only way you will fry your transmission is if it is already on its way out. If it is healthy, you will be fine. Only time you'll need to kick it out of over drive is if you notice the truck going in and out of overdrive (truck will rev up and down) constantly. This will happen when you have a strong headwind or while going up long hills. As for the swaying, take it slow. Don't just jump on the highway and cruise at 75 MPH. Start off slow and if you notice it start to sway, then back off.