Uh oh there went the toad

bronson · March 19, 2021, 04:24:53 AM

Someone left their new toad in 4 wheel low. Engine estimated at over 50000 rpm.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/39794/rv-driver-annihilates-their-new-jeep-wrangler-by-flat-towing-it-in-4-low

Bill Gerrie · March 19, 2021, 04:59:30 AM

That will sure hurt. A friend of mine lost his VW engine when the transmission dropped into gear while towing. I guess he was lucky to get away with only a $10,000 bill.

luvrbus · March 19, 2021, 05:14:37 AM

Had a Sidekick pop into gear while towing back in 2000 @ 65 mph
was so much damage I gave it to the tow truck driver

blue_goose · March 19, 2021, 05:45:41 AM

One of the SE Busnuts left his VW in gear and the insurance co paid for the damage.
Jack

dtcerrato · March 19, 2021, 06:46:24 AM

Now these are horror stories we hope we never have to experience. Since 1973 we have towed eight different makes of toads 1/2 auto tranys & so far so good.

luvrbus · March 19, 2021, 06:50:56 AM

Quote from: dtcerrato on March 19, 2021, 06:46:24 AM
Now these are horror stories we hope we never have to experience. Since 1973 we have towed eight different makes of toads 1/2 auto tranys & so far so good.

I don't see a automatic popping in gear,I never put our Jeep in 1st gear it was always in 4th towing so if it did pop in gear the engine would not be turning high RPMs once was enough for me

Utahclaimjumper · March 19, 2021, 06:59:43 AM

I used to tow my air cooled VW with the keys in the ignition to keep the steering lock pin disengaged ,, well it engaged one time and I caught it 80 miles later with major wear on the front tires.. Since then I use the ignition key only, instead of the whole ring of keys..>>>Dan

dtcerrato · March 19, 2021, 07:02:31 AM

Probably our safest tows were those requiring drive shaft disconnect, we had to do that on a 71 F250 and had a Judson drive shaft disconnect on our automatic 91 Explorer.
Our worst towing event was when the front bearing pack went out on our 05 Sierra & wiped out the tire, rim, and whole front corner dragging it that way on back roads through AL at night.

luvrbus · March 19, 2021, 07:09:47 AM

Quote from: Utahclaimjumper on March 19, 2021, 06:59:43 AM
I used to tow my air cooled VW with the keys in the ignition to keep the steering lock pin disengaged ,, well it engaged one time and I caught it 80 miles later with major wear on the front tires.. Since then I use the ignition key only, instead of the whole ring of keys..>>>Dan

Doyle did that on his Saturn in 40 miles both front tires blew in the middle of west Texas lol but he had the keys in his pocket.I like towing the Envoy flip a switch remove the keys and lock the door then ride off into the sunset

6805eagleguy · March 19, 2021, 07:42:30 AM

Quote from: bronson on March 19, 2021, 04:24:53 AM
Someone left their new toad in 4 wheel low. Engine estimated at over 50000 rpm.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/39794/rv-driver-annihilates-their-new-jeep-wrangler-by-flat-towing-it-in-4-low

Impressive that they could mess up so bad....

Jim Blackwood · March 19, 2021, 08:08:47 AM

Oddly enough it's an easy mistake to make, what with the distractions that often accompany a departure. I left the Samurai in gear one time and although it spewed oil out up under the hood that tough little bugger didn't come apart. I still wonder how. After that I began to use the trailer. This is one situation where I think the e-car could make a lot of sense.

Jim

oltrunt · March 19, 2021, 08:30:54 AM

Yup. Stupid is as stupid does (ask me how I know). When I got home my mig and I welded the steering lock pawl in the unlocked position. A secondary upside is that I don't have to leave the key in the lock. Jack

lvmci · March 19, 2021, 08:44:18 AM

My first Fiat 500 with manual 5 speed, was a great tow, so light. I left town and in Lancaster, CA on the 14 hwy an 18 wheeler tank truck flipped over blocking all lanes, a nearby exit ramp was the only way around. In the miles of stop and go, a guy runs up to the bus drivers window and frantically yells out my little car is on fire! My rear view camera doesn't show anything, I jump out to see the engine on fire, hubcaps melting, fire underneath, nothing camera could see. I run up to the car in front, telling her about the fire to please move forward, as we were on a bridge, with the abutment sticking out. She flips me off and rolls up her window, the guy that warned me about the fire, starts pounding on her window yelling at her, I yelled there could be an explosion. The fire now is getting bigger. She refused to move so I forced my way thru the tight space tearing the rear wheel well guard, pull off on to the embankment, to disconnect the car and move the bus forward.
I get home after the whole episode, in the mail was an emergency recall on the fiat, manual transmission. Do not drive your car! Have it towed to nearest fiat dealer, asap. Regarding manual trans that might have a fire...

Don't know why my picture are upside down, I even reversed the picture then selected the upside down picture, to see if it reversed to right side up, down know why it's doing that...

edvanland · March 19, 2021, 09:11:20 AM

Why I tow a trailer. Many time in our boat club in the winter when we turned into a 4 wheel drive club I would up with my but being towed on the ground and another club members car on my trailer. I just don't like towing on the ground.

Utahclaimjumper · March 19, 2021, 10:37:45 AM

When I had an 02 Jeep Liberty, it had to have the key installed and in the first position to keep the steering unlocked.. I had a key made that did NOT have a chip,, it would unlock the steering but not start the engine.. Now with the 2012 Liberty that I now have ,, there is no steering lock so a key is not needed..>>>Dan