Towing Backwards

[mepvic Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mepvic]

Can you tow a Prado backwards over long distances? Looking at a simple Aframe mounted on the rear towbar assembly of our big bus motor home and hooking it onto the Prado tow ball. Would be easier to fit the Aframe to the bus rather than the Prado. Safety chains would be fitted as normal.
Have been putting a smaller car on a large trailer but need a bigger car. Aframe easier than trailer.

[raydes Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close raydes]

NO ,you will stuff the transfer case gears up ,, Sorry I mean centre diff ,The centre diff would be turning constantly on its small spider gears with two wheels on the road and two off the road , It would get very hot and stuff it up quick time. If you lock the centre diff you wont be able to tow it with two wheels on the road without dragging the tyres across the road. This will make no difference forwards or backwards. The Prado is a Constant 4WD and all wheels should be off the ground to tow it. Ask any tow truck operator.

[Guest Close Guest]

Can't you put the transfer case on Neutral?
If you needed to tow backwards, how does the Prado follow the turns of the towing vehicle if the rear wheels are on the ground?

[Trekrider Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Trekrider]

I was told that if you put the Transfer Case into Neutral you can tow as much as you like but I just checked the manual and it says you should tow with all four wheels off the ground other than for very short tows.

[discoveraus Member Find all posts View Profile Close discoveraus]

Hello mepvic,

The 150 series does not have a neutral position in the transfer case so I would not tow one very far in any direction. The automatic is even more susceptable to damage when towing as the engine driven lubrication pumps would not operate and the gearbox would not be lubricated at all.

I would have thought that the manual gearbox models would be able to be towed backwards but it would be a real strain on the prado when turning corners as the steering could not follow the bus very well, A frames are a strain when towing forwards on tight corners so backwards would a real problem.

regards

Ross

[mepvic Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mepvic]

Thanks for the replies so far. It is my sons rig. He would be looking at an early model manual. The car should turn behind the bus ok. Not a big turning circle and the hinge would be at the car tow ball. Could leave steering wheel free and front wheels should follow rear

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

i don't think towing any car backwards, with 'A' frame from motor home to car, using the cars tow ball is viable. The front would not follow like they do when towed forward with A frame on the front and tow ball on the motor home.
Try driving backwards to see how hard it is to keep straight. The front wheel alignment is done so the steering returns to center, this does not work going backwards.
In my opinion, BAD IDEA.

[sebj Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sebj]

i would nearly think it would be cheaper on tyres and other parts to put it on a car trailer. No risk of damage up and out of the way

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

Good Idea to ask the Forum, as you will get many points of view.
Personally I would not do it. I was always told to disconnect the propeller shaft when towing any Automatic transmission vehicle.
Now an all wheel drive? I was thinking of one of those front Axel trailers that you see the Towies use , where the front wheels drive onto the trailer only. At least you would have tail , turn , & brake lights.
But If its in the manual as per Trekriders post above then I guess that's your answer.

Cheers
Troy

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

i don't think towing any car backwards, with 'A' frame from motor home to car, using the cars tow ball is viable. The front would not follow like they do when towed forward with A frame on the front and tow ball on the motor home.
Try driving backwards to see how hard it is to keep straight. The front wheel alignment is done so the steering returns to center, this does not work going backwards.
In my opinion, BAD IDEA.

Spot on, the castor is wrong and it would wobble everywhere.

[mepvic Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mepvic]

Thanks to all. Will stick to trailer.