Flat towing

[Swisslulu]

For those of you who flat tow, could I please hear your pros and cons for the various systems i.e. Ready Brute, Hitch n go and Roadmaster. Not interested in any kind of trailer towing so please don’t bother sharing.

We don’t have a toad yet (or the MoHo) but it will be automatic so most likely a Suzuki Grand Vitara towed by an Iveco 50C.

[BernieQ2]

WE towed with a hitch and go Lesley , older model (heavy) newer are a lot lighter .
We had no problems with it .
Cant comment on other "A" frames .
Bernie .

[Swisslulu]

Thanks Bernie. We have not heard anything bad about Hitch n Go or Ready Brute but a couple of neighbours are investigating and think Roadmaster are superior (and more expensive I think). Not that cost is the deciding factor. One has a Grand Vitara and the other a Jimny, both auto.

[supersparky]

Lesley, do you know, or could you find out please, what mods they have done to the Jimny so it can be flat towed?

[Dot]

Hi Lesley George here, we tow a grand Vitara behind our Mitsi Fuso the Vitara is auto recommended not to go over 90k and run the(car) motor every 300k we use the roadmaster towmaster hitch, which has telescopic arms this makes hooking up easier. The good think about this setup is the convenience of a quick disconnect and two motorised vehicles backing with the car on is limited but can be done with care if needed. The Vitara is around 1700k and does increase our fuel consumption but the Vitara is a good car and we would not be without it.

[SteveW]

Having used both Hitch n Go and Roadmaster my observation is that Hitch n Go is OK for light vehicles that can be easily maneuvered that last inch or so, however, with a heavier vehicle the telescopic arms make for easy connection.

[Swisslulu]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Dave, I don’t believe the Jimny has had mods done yet as it is being trailer towed at the moment but they intend switching to flat towing. I will ask about the required mods next time I see them.

It sounds like Roadmaster is the better choice.

[BernieQ2]

Pic of mine Lesley , the jockey wheel made it a one person hookup . Jockey wheel drops off when about to connect the a frame .

Dave some I know have free wheel hubs on front and disconnect the rear drive shaft.

Bernie .

for shane (1).JPG

[T1 Terry]

Lesley, do you know, or could you find out please, what mods they have done to the Jimny so it can be flat towed?

Either drop the rear tailshaft and put the transfer box in 2WD, or fit a driveshaft disconnect set up, or put the Jimny in neutral and leave the engine running, it could even be in drive for that matter. This one can be an issue with some over excited Police officers, a vehicle with the engine running but no licenced operator in the drivers seat is one of those laws buried in the ancient offenses book somewhere and it would have to be argued that the vehicle is in the control of the towing vehicles driver via the A frame and active brake application remotely from the tow vehicles driving position. The motor running thing is an issue with heavy truck drivers who leave their driving position to do a trye check and load check but leave the engine idling to cool down the turbo.
The problem with flat towing a vehicle that can not select neutral in the transfer box is the main shaft spinning inside the transmission or gearbox without lubrication, with the engine idling the pump is running so the internals are lubricated stopping the damage.
There is a 4th option, a small electric pump is plumbed into the auto trans lubrication system and that keeps the oil moving across the wear points like bushes etc. There are mobs in the US that design and build these kits for different vehicles, so a Google search should turn up a few.

T1 Terry

[Dot]

Well you did ask Leslie Why not do it the easy way and buy ours