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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 12:19:54 PM

Title: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 12:19:54 PM
Our growing family and specific needs are changing so our Land Cruiser 100 series that we've towed for several years now (well over 40,000 miles) might be replaced by an AWD Toyota Sienna. I am looking for specific technical info from anyone who knows the ins and outs of the Toyota AWD system. I know that the FWD Sienna's can be towed 4 down with a lube pump installed, what mechanically might be different about an AWD model that might need extra lubing beyond a transmission lube pump? (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171015/f3fa1a2f0a9fff6567d003afb1de4b95.jpg)


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Lin on October 15, 2017, 03:02:25 PM
What does Toyota/owner's manual say about it? You could check with Remco too.
Title: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 03:22:01 PM
Of course toyota always says no. Even said no for my Land Cruiser which I have towed 40,000 miles without any problems.  For them it's a liability. But I know if I don't take the necessary steps to properly lubricate things, I can definitely mess something up. What I'm trying to do is determine what physically needs lubrication during a flat tow situation besides the transmission in an AWD Sienna.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: luvrbus on October 15, 2017, 03:40:19 PM
I don't think any AWD can be towed 4 down without a Remco or stopping every 100 miles and going through the gears towing our Lexus Rx 300 for awhile I would leave it running on short trips 
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 04:22:17 PM
So Cliff my deeper question, is if we were to leave the van running and idling in neutral while we towed it, what exactly is going on that allows us to tow it while it is idling in neutral? Is it just the transmission lube pump? Aramco would take care of that.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: luvrbus on October 15, 2017, 04:56:13 PM
It keeps the pump running to lube the transmission, lol I paid 40g for the 300 in 1999 because I was told you could tow it for down before I got home Lexus set a letter saying no.I bought a trailer for it what a pain I gave up and bought a Jeep
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 07:26:11 PM
Crazy. I hate the murkiness surrounding all of this. It's insane that a car made to travel on all four tires down the road can't be pulled on all four tires down the road.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Lifes2short4nofun on October 15, 2017, 07:31:08 PM
I have flat towed a AWD Cadillac Escaledes and a AWD GMC Denali and used the Remco pump.  I still seemed to develop a little hesitation in the transmission on both after some time.  I have put a diveshaft disconnect on a Ford conversion van and a Lincoln Town Car.   I finally went to a Suburban where it could disconnect from the factory with the 4x4 and it was so much easier. 
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: windtrader on October 15, 2017, 07:51:56 PM
Scott,

Have you considered other similar style vehicles? Maybe an older, great condition mini-van that might be easier to tow. If you have a front wheel drive only car, at worst case, you can dolly the front wheels and have zero worries about the running gear.
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 15, 2017, 09:17:27 PM
Lifes2short, please tell
Me more. I'm interested in all the gory details of your remco pumps and trans hesitations etc.

Don, did the dolly years ago. Never ever going back. Flat tow is really the only way to go when you're full timing like us and also driving the kind of mileage we drive during our tours...I'm putting on 13,000 miles in three months on the coach this tour alone. Dollys, trailers, etc just don't work for this level of travel intensity. And we are trying to go for something newer safer tons of air bags, collision avoidance, blind spot monitoring etc with my two year old and another baby on the way.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: buswarrior on October 16, 2017, 07:21:28 AM
Who used to print that towed guide? FMCA?

Why AWD? All that extra complexity for what benefit?

Risk management vs cost control vs unknown towing wear

4x4 with a proper neutral transfer case?

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: luvrbus on October 16, 2017, 07:25:49 AM
FMCA and Good Sam's both have tow able guide for vehicles fwiw, AWD live in their own world if you need 1 tire they want all four tires replaced  ???
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: buswarrior on October 16, 2017, 07:32:04 AM
If I was given an AWD vehicle, I would politely trade it in.

Way too many lined up at the transmission shops.

4x4 and their transfer cases are bad enough...

I prefer to run my vehicles to high mileage, AWD doesn't seem to have the stamina for that duty in any sort of economically reliable way.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: luvrbus on October 16, 2017, 07:37:47 AM
I love the GM 4x4 SUV's for towing flip a switch remove the keys lock the doors and go
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Lifes2short4nofun on October 16, 2017, 05:55:27 PM
Scott,

Both of my experiences running the Remco pumps and the traveling you are going to be doing you are going to have issues.  My transmissions started to have a little slippage and I had about 50k miles driven on the vehicles and about 15k towed. 
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 16, 2017, 09:33:44 PM
Eek. Ok. I'm scared and I'm running away. So it appears I'm stuck with a 2015 Ford Expedition... they can flat tow, and it has the room we need for our family.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: eagle19952 on October 16, 2017, 10:10:24 PM
Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 16, 2017, 09:33:44 PM
Eek. Ok. I'm scared and I'm running away. So it appears I'm stuck with a 2015 Ford Expedition... they can flat tow, and it has the room we need for our family.


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Have you considered pre-2015 Honda CRV's
or a Ford Flex ?

what are you going to do with 365hp ?

i think the 8v92 has spoiled you  ;D
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 17, 2017, 08:16:01 AM
Lol. CRV is too small, Ford Flex is also too small. I have to haul Audio Equipment and my family. That includes a full 88 key 70lb keyboard.


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: eagle19952 on October 17, 2017, 08:26:31 AM
Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 17, 2017, 08:16:01 AM
Lol. CRV is too small, Ford Flex is also too small. I have to haul Audio Equipment and my family. That includes a full 88 key 70lb keyboard.


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The Lincoln Navigator gets better reviews.

oops edit...no it does not. only the GLS class does..
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: luvrbus on October 17, 2017, 09:11:26 AM
I had a 2000 Navigator man those were gas hogs 10 mpg around town
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 17, 2017, 12:24:11 PM
The new ecoboost models get 22mpg on the Hwy now cliff


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: brmax on October 17, 2017, 02:18:18 PM
We have came a long way in 20 plus years " so were" shutting cylinders down to be Eco again.
I understand there is a bit more in the head nowadays, please i wished they would just give me the tax savings and send me a check. I will try to get off the go pedal ; )

Floyd
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: bigred on October 17, 2017, 05:22:06 PM
Scott:Type "dingy towing guide "into your search engine and this should get you some good info.There are darned few automatics that you can tow .Jeep is about the only tow and go listed anymore and only certain ones of them.If you are willing to change gears ,that would open up a lot more opportunity's.
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 17, 2017, 05:45:13 PM
Hi bigred, yeah we've decided on a Ford Expedition.. explicitly states they can be flat towed...


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Dave5Cs on October 17, 2017, 06:16:10 PM
Quote from: Scott & Heather on October 17, 2017, 08:16:01 AM
Lol. CRV is too small, Ford Flex is also too small. I have to haul Audio Equipment and my family. That includes a full 88 key 70lb keyboard.


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Hey Scott With a Keyboard that heavy you might want to get a smaller computer! ::) Glad I could help...
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: eagle19952 on October 17, 2017, 09:54:00 PM
Quote from: Dave5Cs on October 17, 2017, 06:16:10 PM
Hey Scott With a Keyboard that heavy you might want to get a smaller computer! ::) Glad I could help...

i'm guessing he sets up at the drive in theater...
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Dave5Cs on October 17, 2017, 10:18:19 PM
AH ;D
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 18, 2017, 01:57:49 AM
lol guys. Har har har. *rolling eyes and smacking forehead


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Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: windtrader on October 18, 2017, 10:01:45 AM
Quote from: eagle19952 on October 17, 2017, 09:54:00 PM
i'm guessing he sets up at the drive in theater...
Even funnier. I sort of thought it was true. Being a sheltered west coastie, I thought they y'all out in the heartland still go to drive ins and drink beer.  ::)
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: eagle19952 on October 18, 2017, 01:13:32 PM
Quote from: windtrader on October 18, 2017, 10:01:45 AM
Even funnier. I sort of thought it was true. Being a sheltered west coastie, I thought they y'all out in the heartland still go to drive ins and drink beer.  ::)

with an 88 pound keyboard i figured hauling an appropriate  monitor around would be prohibitive  ;D
Title: Re: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: muldoonman on October 18, 2017, 05:50:55 PM
Scott, just traded a 2013 F150 XLT Supercrew 4X4 that i towed all over. Made for towing with the 4WD. Plenty of room for the kiddos in cab area and put a topper on it and all kinds of storage in back bed. Just be sure you get the 6 and 1/2 foot bed. Wife has a 2014 Expedition  and I know the pick up had more room and versatile. Pu was a heck of a lot cheaper also when I bought both.
Title: Technical Flat Tow Questions
Post by: Scott & Heather on October 18, 2017, 08:55:31 PM
Thanks :) deed is done already. Truck actually has blue ox bracket already installed professionally.


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