hi all,
as a newbie this is my first posting however I have been reading this Forum site for quite a while and have learnt a hell of a lot.thanks for that. I would like to hear from fellow travellers who are towing a vehicle behind there motorhome. I will be towing a Suzuki grand vitara using the A frame set up. I've been told that you must put the 4 wd transfer into Neutral then the other gear stick into 2nd gear, also you must not exceed 90 kph,and don't do more than 300kl without  starting the engine and let it run for a while. Could someone confirm or explain.  

Hi Gold coaster I can't comment on disengaging 4wd etc but I seem to recall that A frames are'nt legal in some states......ie, Victoria, so perhaps check this out with your motoring organisation/insurance company to be safe.
All the best, enjoy your travels,
Ozi

Hey Godlcoaster, I agree with ozi, I have also seen somewhere that the "A-Frame" has been made illegal in a couple of places now, it may be worth the while looking into it. Other options you have are at a short front lift trailer (drive the front wheels on only) or a full car trailer, this would negate the need to do anything to the car at all except drive it on and off the trailer, just my humble opinion. Hoo Roo Happy Days Grumps

thanks guy's, everything is right in qld for a frame towing and it also complies in other states because it is a braked system.

Hey Goldcoaster, Good to hear you have done your homework regarding the law, I would have a chat to the suzuki service techs and see what they have to say about it all, afterall they are the ones that mend em after we break em. Hoo Roo Happy Days Grumps

I've been told that you must put the 4 wd transfer into Neutral then the other gear stick into 2nd gear, also you must not exceed 90 kph,and don't do more than 300kl without  starting the engine and let it run for a while. Could someone confirm or explain.  


Putting the transfer into neutral will stop the gear box from being driver from the rear wheels, therefor less wear & tear on the box, less resistance to the towing effort.
As for 2nd gear, no & nothing gained, however if this is done & the transfer for any reason happened to re-engage then you would be cranking the motor .The 300kl bit, can,t see any logic in that

Towing cars this way for long distancess  means the load on the diff gears[ which is far less than the driven load] is on the back of the crown wheel & pinion gears , this could cause a wear factor as the diff gear contact is the same as in reverse.

hi grumpy,,,
spoke to suzuki and that is what they said.I just can't get my head around it,so I was hoping someone that was already towing one could enlighten me.
thanks again 

Maybe they have a gearbox oil pump (some vehicles do) and by leaving the main box in second gear the oil pump does its job and keeps the gearbox nicely lubed up.
cheers
blaze

I am pretty sure that the handbook details the method to be used. Best to follow that. Many CMCA members flat tow them successfully. Cheers, Peter

thanks peter
The handbook is as my first post,but I would like to hear from someone that is doing it this way.Just dragging it in 2nd gear doesn't seem logical.The a frame gets fitted this week so I can't try it yet. Will have to wait and see.thanks again.

goldcoaster wrote:

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thanks peter
The handbook is as my first post,but I would like to hear from someone that is doing it this way.Just dragging it in 2nd gear doesn't seem logical.The a frame gets fitted this week so I can't try it yet. Will have to wait and see.thanks again.

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I think it is quite logical goldcoaster. The drivetrain is disconnected by having the transfer case in neutral. That is very important.

Cheers,
Peter

 

I think you misunderstood me,I am referring to having to tow it in 2nd gear.I know the transfer case has to be in neutral, but I really need comment from someone that is towing one now.thanks for your input 

And having it in second gear prevents the gearbox components from constantly rotating due to a tiny amount of power being transmitted through the transfer case and into the gearbox by the friction of the moving oil in the transfer case............ .........or at least that is my storey........ Cheers, Peter

Am brand-spanking new to this site and this topic - but reading the few items that I've seen, it seems to be a good natured and helpful gathering! That being so, (here's where I get sneaky!), can anyone PLEASE tell me, where, in the Central west of NSW is there a reliable source of parts for a 312D Mercedes-Bens 1998 Sprinter campervan? My friends have just bought one second hand and while it's run well, a problem has arisen wit the fuel pump sensor wich is showing a malfunction light and reduces the engine power. A friendly mechanic in Dubbo has checked it out but says that if it is the pump, there are none available (as far as he knows) in Australia!!! If anyone can give a pointer on tis, we'd be most grateful as we're planning a10 day trip south in about a fortnight.

Mike - I suggest you may get a better response if you start a separate thread for your question.

Hi PeterD - gladly, but in me yiou have a No. 1 computermoron, so please can you point me in the right direction to do this? And my apologies for current mix-up.

O.K. Just noticed the "start a new topic" heading, so here goes.....................