Toad (towed) question...

[travelingfools]

Last weekend I scored a brand new Blue Ox tow bar at a garage sale with all the accessorys for $100. Just ordered the kit from J.C. Whitney to build the bracket for the front of my van and started pricing oil pumps. THe REMCO at camping world looked to be around $900. Isn't this just a 12v pump that mounts in the tranny coolant lines that circulates the oil ? What are your thoughts on just buying a pump that will pump tranny oil and splice it in to the lines with a bypass valve. Seems like a simple inexspensive alternative ? I plan on towing my '95 Windstar. Although it's in really good shape, its only worth about $1000. Seems not right to me to put a $900. pump in it... I dunno, maby Im just trying to be thrifty ( <-- read cheap).

[jjrbus]

 There is a great amount of collective knowledge on this forum from a large number of people that want to help. But now is the time to go to the experts.
Remco is a great co, very service orientated that will spend time with you and give you expert guidence.

    http://www.remcotowing.com/

I was told to buy a tranny pump from Ebay for my 98 Windstar, just hook it up and go.  The 98 Windstar has some valve in it that shuts off the flow of fluid, I would have burned out my tranny in short order!!!!!!!

[JackConrad]

     Might be able to go to Remco website, find the specs on the pump as well as the plumbing schematic. I did not take time to look before posting this, Paula said "SUPPER READY!!"   Match specs to a cheaper pump and you should be good to go. Another option I have seen used is to let the toad idle while towing. I know a couple that tow a Ford Econoline van fro Ohio to Florida and back like this. Also know a couple that tow a PT Cruiser this way.  Jack

[Lin]

If towing while idling, how difficult would it be to have some sort of warning if the car stalls?

[JackConrad]

Install a warning light and/or beeper in the bus connected to the low oil light in the toad.  Jack

[Sojourner]

Or an hooded PC camera toward tow's dash board and monitor from your hooded screen.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[edroelle]

Remco previously used Sureflow pump PN 8000-643-210, available for less than $105.  They now use Aquatech pump PN 78-REM-50010006, that is only available from a Remco dealer for about $250.  Seems like quite a lot of profit somewhere !!

The Remco system includes a valve, which circulates fluid through the transmission.  It is unique in that they milled a small notch in the valve to allow some circulation in the regular fluid circuit, even when the pump was on.  I did have more detailed information about that valve, but lost it in our barn fire.

The Remco system also has a pressure switch which tells you that the pump is working.  This prevents destroying a transmission by forgetting to turn the pump on, or in the case of pump failure.    I think the pressure switch was about 15 or 20 PSI.   You can build this yourself using lights and relays.

I would recommend buying a used system if possible, and replace the pump if necessary.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

[HighTechRedneck]

Install a warning light and/or beeper in the bus connected to the low oil light in the toad.  Jack

That is a great idea.  Would also warn in case the oil got low or thinned out from getting too hot.

While at it, might be good to do the same for the over temp warning light.

[JackConrad]

I would recommend buying a used system if possible, and replace the pump if necessary.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI

If you want to search for a used system, go to www.hitchtrader.com  That is where we found the towbar brackets for our Grand Cherokee. I know several people that have found great deals there on all types to towing equipment.  Jack

[boogiethecat]

As always, ebay to the rescue...

    Item number: 120282329614