Flat tow the Rubicon

[Tanner]

Is there any issues or certain set up I need to flat tow my 06 Rubi behind the motor home (ie: everything in neutral, transfer case in or out etc)
Thanks

[hps4evr]

I believe manual transmission in gear and transfer case in neutral. Auto trans should be in park. I cannot recall if you leave steering locked or unlocked....

[cLAY]

unlocked

[Bnine]

Better if you can get a dolly. Then disco the rear driveshaft. Lot less wear and tear.

[JENSSEN]

Parents have flat towed the 2004 we have now since new behind their motorhome ; we now use the same set up behind our class C. It has been wired with two toggle sitches to kill factory lamps and make them operate like trailer lights off the tow unit.

It has had one oil seal swapped on the rear diff to date

[WillJeep]

I tow an 05 Rubicon auto a few thousend km a year , trany in park  , transfer case in neutral , first position with the key releases the steering colom
I have magnetic lights but will up grade to wire in a plug.
If you  have a stock bumper, I have a tow bar with custom mounts that fit over the bumper using the bumper bolts and you can still use your tow hooks

[dubbleJs]

Do you guys fasten the steering wheel at all? I've seen people put the seat belt through the wheel...is that legit?

[hps4evr]

Do you guys fasten the steering wheel at all? I've seen people put the seat belt through the wheel...is that legit?

Tow truck drivers do this.
And the transfer case fluid pump runs off the rear output shaft so it should be ok to run with shafts on. But like Bill said less wear and tear taking them off. Depends how long it's being towed.

[Tanner]

I always thought that tow truck drivers secured the steering wheel so the wheels tow like a trailer since one axle is off the ground. I'm thinking the steering wheel needs to be free for flat towing so the wheels can turn and follow the tow vehicle. Some good tips here though. My Rubi is manual transmission and I would not have thought to leave that in gear.

[Vinman]

If you don't unlock the steering column to allow the front wheels to steer, bring an extra set of front tires.

[Bnine]

Ya, the problem is, if you have trouble with a ujoint, and it lets go. It destroys the t-case, drive shaft and all kinds of other stuff.

Guy on ROF just had it happen to him last yeah. CV heated, blew apart and destroyed most the drivetrain without him knowing it.

It does happen.

[cLAY]

Tow truck drivers throw  the seat belt thru the steering wheel because they are towing the vehicle backwards with the front wheels on the ground.  When going backwards the wheels want to go to either full left or right and stay there. Steering alignment causes the wheels to self center when going forward so you leave the steering wheel unlocked and the towed vehicle will track behind the motorhome.

If you need to back up a long ways either lock the steering wheel or have someone else steer. As a general rule you cann't back up very much with a tow bar.