new member. watchin 2 years... gotta flat tow 69 Bronco w/98 4runsr5 600 miles in nasty weather, 3 grades, snow etc. Sounds lame, but any imfo is greatly apprieciated...thanx

 

Not familiar with a bronco setup but if it is like are yota's you should disconnect the rear drive shaft. Even if it is in neutral in the transfer case. Is it 4x4?

you should disconnect the drive shaft so you do not burn up the transfer case.

 

If you're going 600 miles why don't you rent a tow dolly from U Haul? They are only about $50 a day. You don't need the extra insurance. Tell them you're towing a Miata though. The problem you might run into with flat towing is hard stops. The U Haul has surge brakes which help. You don't need anything beyond 4 flat tow wiring with it. You still need to disconnect the driveshaft with a dolly.

 

If you are talking about just using a tow bar, I would suggest not doing it. A tow bar doesnt have enough pivoting at the bumper in sharper turns and will want to push the rear end of your runner straight in a curve. Then add snow on the mix, you will have plenty to handle. Also a stock 69 Broncos bumper is not built heavily enough for me to do that kind of distance towing and is only held on by a few bolts.

Nervo made a great suggestion on the Uhaul Dolly. I have done lots of towing with them at great distances. You should pull the rear drive shaft. Just remember the extra width of the tow dollys tires and drive the two trucks considering your self driving from the rear. Alot of inexperinced towing drivers forget about the width and the wider turns needed for towing.

Also when using a dolly, no backing up!!! You will run the tires/fenders into the doors or side of the truck when backing. Consider using truck stops for fuel and breaks when on the road. If staying overnite in a motel, check the parking lot out well before pulling in and make sure you have a good parking area for getting out and doing straight line driving. Even going forward you are limited in the sharpness of the turns you are taking.

Yours being a '98 I think you have the Diff lock. If getting into a steep grade on snow and engage it when in 4x4, it could be easily forgotten, every little bit helps. Then I would disengage it when over the hill. With 600 miles to drive, you will have alot of different routes available to you.

 

I would recommend against locking the diff lock unless you're in deep snow. On the (plowed) road it will cause you to lose control more easily because if both tires slip (as in the case of using too much throttle and the diff is locked) your rear end will slide sideways, bad news with a heavy trailer out back too. If only one wheel slips your other one helps prevent you from sliding sideways.

Take it from a guy that has experience driving an e-locked 4Runner in inclement weather conditions. For on the road, you're better off with it unlocked.

 

Yea, don't engage the locker while towing something. Plus, unless you have the grey wire mod, you can't do this in 4hi.