We need a hitch installed on an MCI 102A2 in Virginia (preferably). Any ideas?
Best to mount it on the back.
Quote from: Jim Eh. on March 21, 2017, 05:23:59 PM
Best to mount it on the back.
Sounds like the voice of experience.... ;D
I always use a receiver on both ends, easier to launch boats or park trailers in tight spots. Someone should be able to post you a link to their hitch build. Tdw
this is what I put on my 102c3 . hardest part was drilling holes in the frame
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Class-III-Multi-Fit-Hitch/1957059 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Class-III-Multi-Fit-Hitch/1957059)
dave
Quote from: sledhead on March 22, 2017, 04:32:38 AM
this is what I put on my 102c3 . hardest part was drilling holes in the frame
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Class-III-Multi-Fit-Hitch/1957059 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Class-III-Multi-Fit-Hitch/1957059)
dave
Did you have to make a lot of adjustments/alterations for this hitch to go on?
other then the 4 holes that had to be drilled through the bus frame ( 1/2 " thick ) on each side it all was adjustable on the hitch part .
1 hour to put it together and 3 hrs for the holes
dave
Sounds like a good way to go....although I dont think I can two my 05 Trailblazer (2 wheel drive) four down without an expensive modification to it. Using a tow dolly and towing it backwards sounds like a PIA.
Quote from: ccbmster on March 23, 2017, 03:27:29 PM
Sounds like a good way to go....although I dont think I can two my 05 Trailblazer (2 wheel drive) four down without an expensive modification to it. Using a tow dolly and towing it backwards sounds like a PIA.
A driveline disconnect might be worth looking into if you plan on keeping the Trailblazer for a while and see a lot of travel in your future.
I have an 2002 Ford Explorer that we want to tow on a dolly. 2 wheel drive. Ok to do this? Just put it in neutral and pray?
Quote from: ccbmster on March 23, 2017, 03:27:29 PM
Sounds like a good way to go....although I don't think I can tow my 05 Trailblazer (2 wheel drive) four down without an expensive modification to it. Using a tow dolly and towing it backwards sounds like a PIA.
Quote from: Billysurf on March 23, 2017, 07:38:54 PM
I have an 2002 Ford Explorer that we want to tow on a dolly. 2 wheel drive. Ok to do this? Just put it in neutral and pray?
Best to find a copy of the owner's manual for your vehicle and see what it says about flat-towing. Most manuals are available on-line if you don't already have one.
Trailer Life magazine publishes a towing guide annually, as does FMCA - usually in the Jan/Feb/Mar issue.
Towing backwards on a tow dolly is not recommended for safety reasons.
Do your homework before you end up with an expensive repair.
FWIW & HTH. . .
;)
No you are right the 2WD Trailblazer cannot be towed 4 wheels down,If you can find the info on the Escapees board most of those people use a flood system inexpensive to build just a recovery tank and a couple of valves.
They overfill the transmission to tow then start the engine and pump the excess fluid into the tank when ready to drive the vehicle it works a lot of people use the system on the 4L60E transmissions which you have,The Ramco pump or disconnect are good to but expensive,tow dollies are fine for front wheel drive but not for rear wheel drive.I would prefer a 2 axle car hauler trailer over the dolly for safety if you go that route but they are pain to deal with when parked
You can always just put it in neutral and let the engine idle while you tow it. Works fine, keeps the transmission lubed, but I never actually tried it - too chicken worrying about "what-if's"...
Quote from: bevans6 on March 24, 2017, 06:12:32 AM
You can always just put it in neutral and let the engine idle while you tow it. Works fine, keeps the transmission lubed, but I never actually tried it - too chicken worrying about "what-if's"...
I did that on our Lexus for a couple of trips the friggn headlights coming on at dark was my problem, then I bought a Jeep hook and go ;D
Hey Billysurf,
We tow a front wheel drive car on a dolly and have no problems, we've always been able to find a place to tuck it when at a camp ground. You just don't want to have to reverse with a dolly and car on board, things get all skew whiff real quick. When adding a hitch to our MCI 9, we picked a hitch that could handle the weight we wanted and then manufactured some brackets to mount it to the rear frame of the bus using existing holes in the frame. Ours is bolted in place, has worked great. Craig
I know several people that use the run the toad engine at a\idle while towing method.
Works simple and a whole lot cheaper and easier than ALL the other options.
OH and btw on most vehicles you can override auto headlights by setting the "E" brake one notch (not putting pressure actually on the brakes but opening the switch that opens the headlight circuit. (don't know if this works on a Lexus or not Clifford)
;D BK ;D
Jeep the only way to go....... ;D
I have a 2015 Colorado pick up with a 6 speed standard transmission , 4 banger ( love the truck ) and in my manual it is not rec amended to tow 4 down in neutral . my gm service guy did say off the record that it should be fine ?. so I use a aluminium car trailer and strap it down . it is a love hate relation ship as I like the way it tows and I can back up + the trailer has brakes on both axles ... but yes it is a pain in the a$$ to find a spot to store it when at the parks + it is a extra 1800 lbs that I am dragging around ( but the 550 hp of the cat hardly shows any difference )
any of you guys have any experience with the 6 speed transmission and towing 4 down ?
thanks for any help
dave
With a standard transmission the issue is usually that the output shaft is spinning while the input shaft is stationary, and the output shaft needle bearings are all splash-lubricated by the gears spinning on the layshaft, so they don't get lubed. One approach is to not worry about it, another approach is to stop and run the engine for five minutes once an hour to splash oil around and lube everything. The Miata guys debate this endlessly, it appears both methods work.. ;)
Dave I tow a 5 speed ranger. Ford say it is not tow able because it does not get oil to the 5th speed gears. It now has 250,000 miles and been towed for the last 5 years.
I think I do not drive enough miles each day to bother it. and it gets moved most times we stop if not more than to back up.
uncle ned
thanks uncle ned
I had a 5 speed ranger as well ( 2007 ) that I dragged behind the MCI for 5 years with zero problems and b 4 that I did the same with a nissan frontier ( 1998 )
and was hoping to do the same with the colorado .
dave
Quote from: TheHollands! on March 24, 2017, 07:09:40 AM
Hey Billysurf,
We tow a front wheel drive car on a dolly and have no problems, we've always been able to find a place to tuck it when at a camp ground. You just don't want to have to reverse with a dolly and car on board, things get all skew whiff real quick. When adding a hitch to our MCI 9, we picked a hitch that could handle the weight we wanted and then manufactured some brackets to mount it to the rear frame of the bus using existing holes in the frame. Ours is bolted in place, has worked great. Craig
Ok, great info!! Thank you!
Quote from: sledhead on March 24, 2017, 11:25:57 AM
I have a 2015 Colorado pick up with a 6 speed standard transmission , 4 banger ( love the truck ) and in my manual it is not rec amended to tow 4 down in neutral . my gm service guy did say off the record that it should be fine ?. so I use a aluminium car trailer and strap it down . it is a love hate relation ship as I like the way it tows and I can back up + the trailer has brakes on both axles ... but yes it is a pain in the a$$ to find a spot to store it when at the parks + it is a extra 1800 lbs that I am dragging around ( but the 550 hp of the cat hardly shows any difference )
any of you guys have any experience with the 6 speed transmission and towing 4 down ?
thanks for any help
dave
I have a 1996 Sonoma with a 5 speed and 4 clyinders engine. I have personally seen a 5 speed tranny blow up at the rear bearing on a Dodge 5 speed because the tow truck driver didn't disconnect the driveline. I installed a driveline disconnect and have towed that pickup 50,000 miles.
My new pickup is a 2005 GMC Canyon 4 wheel drive and it was designed to be towed. You press the 2 wheel drive and the 4 wheel drive buttons at the same time and it puts the transfer case in neutral, the steering unlocks and you can pull the key out. No fuses to pull, no mileage on the odometer.
--Geoff
I put a driveline disconnect on a 91 Explorer with manual tranny. Couldn't find any info on it at the time. Turned out I didn't need to do that, but it was already on. I used it for a few years and then bought another Explorer and had the electronic neutral transfer kit installed. That's the way to go!
I still have that original disconnect if someone wants to use it. Would require a modification to your existing driveline or you could just have another one built with this unit.
The mounting hardware and cable might need some TLC. It's located in MN. Make me an offer if interested. The mfg used to take the old ones in on trade for a new one. Don't know if they still do. I think at the time, it was $300 on a trade in. I paid the guy $150 for this one and he shipped it directly to the mfg. So I got $150 off the price of the new one.
Great info! I appreciate it! I may just put it on a trailer and save the headache!
Quote from: Billysurf on March 27, 2017, 10:46:18 AM
Great info! I appreciate it! I may just put it on a trailer and save the headache!
That will work for sure ;D
Quote from: luvrbus on March 27, 2017, 11:05:42 AM
That will work for sure ;D
As long as the hitch on your bus can handle the hitch weight.
And then there's always the triple locked Land Cruiser. Towed 30,000 miles without a single issue. Transfer case in neutral, key in acc to unlock steering, and away we go. I wired my brake lights, running lights, and turn signals into the appropriate circuitry from my bus to my Land Cruiser so the Land Cruiser brake, turn and tail lights all operate with the bus system. (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170328/6b1c4c2c129df05bea4e1a775290f63a.jpg)
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Quote from: gumpy on March 27, 2017, 04:18:26 PM
As long as the hitch on your bus can handle the hitch weight.
At the moment, there is no hitch on my bus! BUT, I'm thinking at least 7,000 would do it....?
Unless I missed something, your question was about a hitch for your MCI, not info about your toad.
I have an Eagle so am not too familiar with the MCI and the cradles. I do know Greyhound Canada tows trailers in Alberta, BC and Yukon.
Since you are asking, I assume you too are not too knowledgeable about what is required. I would look for a reputable welder and have something made that will do anything you require. You must also get good info from someone that understands the cradle setup on the MCI.
There are those that will tell you it can't safely be done. It can. Don't be one of those folks that go to Walmart, buy a cheap hitch and mount it to the bumper. That's an accident waiting to happen!
I don't know how to post pictures in this post but go to photobucket.com and look in akroyaleagle to see my hitch and trailer. My coach has over 20 trips to/from Alaska towing heavy trailers. Never had any problem.
Quote
And then there's always the triple locked Land Cruiser. Towed 30,000 miles without a single issue. Transfer case in neutral, key in acc to unlock steering, and away we go. I wired my brake lights, running lights, and turn signals into the appropriate circuitry from my bus to my Land Cruiser so the Land Cruiser brake, turn and tail lights all operate with the bus system.
Hi Scott,
That's so great to know. I have an 80 series that was planned to sit at home while sorting out other cars in the stable to toad. What is needed on the front bumper? Any specific product or generic ok?
thanks
Don.
The tow adapters for your car/truck are sold by the tow bar manufacturer. I have a Blue Ox tow bar anduse their adapters. It is rated at 10,000 lbs. I tow my 1 ton work with the Blue Ox and it weighs 9500 pounds. This tow bar stays on the bus when disconnected.
--Geoff
Quote from: akroyaleagle on March 28, 2017, 09:28:14 AM
Unless I missed something, your question was about a hitch for your MCI, not info about your toad.
I have an Eagle so am not too familiar with the MCI and the cradles. I do know Greyhound Canada tows trailers in Alberta, BC and Yukon.
Since you are asking, I assume you too are not too knowledgeable about what is required. I would look for a reputable welder and have something made that will do anything you require. You must also get good info from someone that understands the cradle setup on the MCI.
There are those that will tell you it can't safely be done. It can. Don't be one of those folks that go to Walmart, buy a cheap hitch and mount it to the bumper. That's an accident waiting to happen!
I don't know how to post pictures in this post but go to photobucket.com and look in akroyaleagle to see my hitch and trailer. My coach has over 20 trips to/from Alaska towing heavy trailers. Never had any problem.
Thanks for the advice and pics!!!! heading to look now...
I actually built my own custom mounts and welded them directly to the frame ends. You might want to take the 80 series bumper cover off and see if you can do the same. Sorry OP for the thread drift :(
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