I have read that it is not advised to tow anything with the AWD setup a Sy/Ty uses. But what about when using the 4wd front differential setup where the front axle can be disengaged? The transfer case would not have any load on it that way. It should be Ok to tow a motorcycle and trailer shouldn't it? Any opinions are appreciated....
Towing with AWD?
- Thread starter l-eater
- Start date
Re: Towing with AWD?
LIGHT towing is OK.
I've seen a few guys tow jet-ski's. Techincally you are not supposed to tow anything at all with it, but we all we can't leave well enough alone and some do it anyway.
As stated above the AWD isn't the problem, it's the notoriously weak tranny.
If I was going to tow anything with a Sy/Ty, I would have at least the following mods.
1. Airshocks on the back to help keep the wheels off the cladding
2. GINORMOUS tranny cooler to keep the heat down
3. Tranny temp gauge to keep an eye on things to make sure it doesn't overheat (easier to stop for a drink and let the tranny cool than to replace a tranny)
I would also HIGHLY HIGHLY reccomend that you are 100% sure your truck is running in good condition before you tow. If you have any knock at all I wouldn't do it.
LIGHT towing is OK.
I've seen a few guys tow jet-ski's. Techincally you are not supposed to tow anything at all with it, but we all we can't leave well enough alone and some do it anyway.
As stated above the AWD isn't the problem, it's the notoriously weak tranny.
If I was going to tow anything with a Sy/Ty, I would have at least the following mods.
1. Airshocks on the back to help keep the wheels off the cladding
2. GINORMOUS tranny cooler to keep the heat down
3. Tranny temp gauge to keep an eye on things to make sure it doesn't overheat (easier to stop for a drink and let the tranny cool than to replace a tranny)
I would also HIGHLY HIGHLY reccomend that you are 100% sure your truck is running in good condition before you tow. If you have any knock at all I wouldn't do it.
George Blake
DONATING MEMBER
Re: Towing with AWD?
I'm with these guys, the problem is the trans and the rear suspension. I remember back in the day when guys actually BRAGGED about doing boosted launches towing jet skis. If you must tow, keep it in DRIVE. NOT OD. This way you keep everything in a 1:1 ratio and your overruns will be engaged. You still have the problem with the suspension though. As bad as it sounds, you may have to get a torsion bar setup (on the tow kit, NOT the suspension) so weight can be transferred to the front more.
I'm with these guys, the problem is the trans and the rear suspension. I remember back in the day when guys actually BRAGGED about doing boosted launches towing jet skis. If you must tow, keep it in DRIVE. NOT OD. This way you keep everything in a 1:1 ratio and your overruns will be engaged. You still have the problem with the suspension though. As bad as it sounds, you may have to get a torsion bar setup (on the tow kit, NOT the suspension) so weight can be transferred to the front more.
Robert Lone
MUTANT
Re: Towing with AWD?
This was brought up some months ago. I still plan to tow my boat w/ my Sy. Boat and trailer tip the scales around 2 tons (had my Dad wiegh it) and I have a 4 wheel disc system for the trailer waiting to be installed.
Now don't get me wrong, I won't be rowwing the gears like an idiot. I'll take my time and just go from point A to point B. It's only about 15 minutes away.
But then again, I can't do boost launches anyway...:eyes:
This was brought up some months ago. I still plan to tow my boat w/ my Sy. Boat and trailer tip the scales around 2 tons (had my Dad wiegh it) and I have a 4 wheel disc system for the trailer waiting to be installed.
Now don't get me wrong, I won't be rowwing the gears like an idiot. I'll take my time and just go from point A to point B. It's only about 15 minutes away.
But then again, I can't do boost launches anyway...:eyes:
Re: Towing with AWD?
4k lb trailer with a Sy scares me for one reason......Your trailer weight has just become more than your truck weight.
While 15 minute drive isn't bad, and probably OK. Much more than that and I would be WAY scared.
I did This the other day, and don't think I want to repeat it very often. Roughly 6klbs behind a roughly 4klb truck....
4k lb trailer with a Sy scares me for one reason......Your trailer weight has just become more than your truck weight.
While 15 minute drive isn't bad, and probably OK. Much more than that and I would be WAY scared.
I did This the other day, and don't think I want to repeat it very often. Roughly 6klbs behind a roughly 4klb truck....
George Blake
DONATING MEMBER
Re: Towing with AWD?
I'm serious about that torsion bar setup. You basically install the bars (two of them), use the trailor jack to get the truck's suspension where you want it with the trailor hooked up and then use a cheater bar and pull down the chains to lock the torsion bars in. It will make it brake MUCH better and ride MUCH better. I've towed with and without the setup on a ford and it was night and day. It just looks like it's MUCH better for the truck doing the work.
I'm serious about that torsion bar setup. You basically install the bars (two of them), use the trailor jack to get the truck's suspension where you want it with the trailor hooked up and then use a cheater bar and pull down the chains to lock the torsion bars in. It will make it brake MUCH better and ride MUCH better. I've towed with and without the setup on a ford and it was night and day. It just looks like it's MUCH better for the truck doing the work.
Re: Towing with AWD?
Also known as a weight distributing hitch.
When Jeff and I went to Baltimore to pickup Roberts truck I used this setup for the first time. NIGHT AND DAY difference from what I'm used to. Very little sway from the trailer, and the truck braked, and overall handled better.
I'd say anything over about 2k lbs I'd start seriously looking at one. Roughly 10-15% trailer weight is tongue weight, and you don't want much more than that on the hitch from the truck with the stock Sy/Ty rear suspension. Again, airshocks will help here, as will a WDH
George Blake said:
Also known as a weight distributing hitch.
When Jeff and I went to Baltimore to pickup Roberts truck I used this setup for the first time. NIGHT AND DAY difference from what I'm used to. Very little sway from the trailer, and the truck braked, and overall handled better.
I'd say anything over about 2k lbs I'd start seriously looking at one. Roughly 10-15% trailer weight is tongue weight, and you don't want much more than that on the hitch from the truck with the stock Sy/Ty rear suspension. Again, airshocks will help here, as will a WDH
George Blake
DONATING MEMBER
Re: Towing with AWD?
See how the ass end went down? You now have NO steering. Your braking is also set up with the bias toward the front....That does NO good with the front wheels up in the air. With the torsion bar setup it transfers weight to the front of the truck and makes it set level. With that system on THAT truck, you would've had no problem.
See how the ass end went down? You now have NO steering. Your braking is also set up with the bias toward the front....That does NO good with the front wheels up in the air. With the torsion bar setup it transfers weight to the front of the truck and makes it set level. With that system on THAT truck, you would've had no problem.
Re: Towing with AWD?
Actually it towed decent that way. I purposely left off the WDH there, and had a bit more tongue weight than I needed to create a "worst case" secnario to test the truck......Still did decent aside from the somewhat lack of power (195hp 4.3 aint enough for that)
Actually it towed decent that way. I purposely left off the WDH there, and had a bit more tongue weight than I needed to create a "worst case" secnario to test the truck......Still did decent aside from the somewhat lack of power (195hp 4.3 aint enough for that)
midnightbluS10
Banned
Re: Towing with AWD?
Since you're starting with stock Blazer suspension, there shouldn't be much of a problem with towing.
l-eater said:
Since you're starting with stock Blazer suspension, there shouldn't be much of a problem with towing.