towing a vitara

[fossil]

hi

i am looking to tow my vitara using an A frame my question is this -

do i put the main gearbox and transfer box in neutral and unlock the front hubs, i have heard that you can "wind up the gearboxes" then towing

is this the right way to go?

thanks

Phil

[twiss]

Hi there,

Firstly you should be aware of the legality of a-frame towing.
Generally it is OK as a method of recovering a vehicle that has broken down.
In this case the tow-er and the tow-ee should both be taxed, insured, MOTd.
I think you can tow any weight of vehicle just for recovering it. Possibly not, but I doubt its something you've get pulled over for.

If you are towing the Vit NOT for recovery reasons, it will count as a trailer but still needs tax and MOT.
Problem with this is, its only allowed to weight 750kg (vitara weighs way more!) unless it has brakes activated from the tow hitch (like a braked trailer).
This means that to be legal it really needs to be sitting on a braked trailer, AND be towed by a vehicle rated for the weight of the vitara and the trailer itself.
Then if you passed after 97 you will need to do a trailer test if the weight of the vehicle, trailer AND vitara are over 3.5 tonne. What a pain in the arse.

Anyway, if you are flat towing it long distance I would strongly recommend taking the rear prop off.
This will mean that the transfer case is not turning and will make the towing a lot easier and more efficient! It is only 8 bolts to remove the propshaft

If you leave the rear propshaft on... leave free wheeling hubs unlocked, and the transfer in 2wd.
Probably the same on a vitara but not 100%.... on an SJ if you put the transfer in neutral, it is actually in 4wd (front and rear props locked and turning together) and the gearbox prop is spinning freely (neutral-ish).

[Hodgie812]

I think your right Twiss.Neutral disconnects the gear box from the transfer box, and the t-box remains in 4wd. I read somewhere about a boy who got round removing his prop by fitting twin sticks to his t-box. Allowing normal neutral to the gear box and 2wd engaged to disconnect the drive to the front axle. FWH obviously disengaged.

[twiss]

Yeah with the twin sticks you can get true neutral...
Its fine to tow with the rear prop on in 2H but you will feel noticeably less drag on the tow car with it off