Tow Bar trying to flat tow to BBBB HELP!!!!

[ruckindaddy]

First off let me say it is good to be home in the states, I apprecaite all the support CB gives to troops in Iraq, I just got back a few weeks ago and wasn't able to get on CB the whole time I was gone. Sooo I need some help...

I bought a tow bar yesterday in hopes to flat tow the bronco up to BBBB tomorrow. Once I got it all hooked up and started towing, the bronco wheels would turn all the way the opposite direction and bind. I thought maybe it needed an alignment, so I got an alignment today but it still does the same thing. I tried locking the steering wheel and it worked but when I would turn the front tires would drag a little, any suggestions? Help please?

Brandon

 

[needabronco]

I don't know mine doesn't do that when I towbar it, but I've heard it can happen. I think it has something to do with the amount of lift of your bronco?

 

[ruckindaddy]

Yeah it is crazy, Matt and Steve of SoCal Broncos both have a bigger lift than mine and it works great, probally something simple that is off, I hope the guys at the alignment shop can figure it out in the morning if not it is a 100 mile trek in the up to Big Bear.

 

[Viperwolf1]

You don't have enough positive caster. A new set of bushings with more caster would be the long term solution. You could probably tie up the steering wheel in the straight ahead position if you don't mind scuffing around corners.

 

[SnwMnkys]

When my family would tow our old MG behind our motorhome my dad would take a bungee cord and tie it around the steering wheel and then around the seat frame. Not to tight, but just tight enough so the wheel wanted to come back straight when not forced into a turn.

 

[Viperwolf1]

When my family would tow our old MG behind our motorhome my dad would take a bungee cord and tie it around the steering wheel and then around the seat frame. Not to tight, but just tight enough so the wheel wanted to come back straight when not forced into a turn.

That's what the positive caster will do also. The only problem with that in this situation is if the bungee breaks or pops off, the wheels are going to want to turn and that could be a dangerous thing at towing speed. Better to tie the wheel up tight in this case.

 

[Madgyver]

Chain the steering linkage so that it doesn't move much...

 

[ken75ranger]

Chain the steering linkage so that it doesn't move much...

That's probably the way I would go.

 

[hunt&fish]

Make sure you've got the same air pressure in both front tires.

 

[broncow72]

You don't need to chain the linkage. Mine did the same thing and I was able to get by with a 1" tie down on the steering wheel. Viper's right though. Not enough caster. I only have a 3.5" lift and the 7* bushings are not enough to correct this. I will probably go with radius arm extenders. This should give another 2-3 degrees.

 

[sprdv1]

Welcome home..

 

[oleguy74]

welcome and thank you!!!

 

[Madgyver]

Yeah dude, Welcome home and Thanks....

 

[tripleb]

i had a tow bar hooked to bumper that did that on a truck with 4 inch susp lift and 35 in tires.made a new tow bar from a old plow and mount .it hooked alot lower than bumper height and towed like a dream.good luck and god bless

 

[blubuckaroo]

This won't help your caster problem but make sure that the towbar inclines up from the bronco to the tow vehicle. It will track better and will also help control the bronco in a hard stop by forcing the front wheels down.

 

[garberz]

First off let me say it is good to be home in the states, I apprecaite all the support CB gives to troops in Iraq, I just got back a few weeks ago and wasn't able to get on CB the whole time I was gone. Sooo I need some help...

I bought a tow bar yesterday in hopes to flat tow the bronco up to BBBB tomorrow. Once I got it all hooked up and started towing, the bronco wheels would turn all the way the opposite direction and bind. I thought maybe it needed an alignment, so I got an alignment today but it still does the same thing. I tried locking the steering wheel and it worked but when I would turn the front tires would drag a little, any suggestions? Help please?

Brandon

Welcome home Brandon, thank you for your service to our country. Hopefully everything worked out for you at BBBB. I've seen pics and have heard stories, sounds like a great time. I'll be there in 09'. I should be ready enough by then. So what happened with the tow bar issue?
Mark.

 

[Bronco_Rider]

First, Thank You and your family for defending our freedoms and keeping us safe.

Saw this message the other day.

"With out the United States Military, There woud be no United States of America"
It says it all.

Bush is OK but our elected politicians are despicable!

A Viet Nam veteran

What tires are you running. 15 x 10 or 15 x 8 will cause the vehicle to lock side to side.
Grab a 15 x 6 and try them. It should drastically improve the problem

Bronco_Rider

 

[Flintknapper]

When my family would tow our old MG behind our motorhome my dad would take a bungee cord and tie it around the steering wheel and then around the seat frame. Not to tight, but just tight enough so the wheel wanted to come back straight when not forced into a turn.

That is what I've always done too. I use two bungee's though (one on each side of the steering wheel).

Also, I use nothing but the good rubber strap type bungee's (not the elastic cords). The good rubber ones will last a long time, have reinforced eyelets and steel hooks. I've never had one break or come loose.

I have towed my Bronco about a zillion miles in the 20+ years I've had it and never had a problem tying off the steering wheel. In fact... the whole reason I even have my Bronco is to use it on the ranch and hunt which means lots of towing.

I have lockouts on the rear and just unlock at all four corners and tow.

 

[garberz]

I have lockouts on the rear and just unlock at all four corners and tow.

Your fortunate to have bought the Warn full floater kit, they don't offer it any more for the Ford 9". All I have is a 1/2" wrench to remove my drive shaft. I've towed it several thousand miles and never had any alignment issues. Never had to tie the steering wheel either.