Towing a Geo Tracker
Chuck Gell
transmission, manual front hubs. It's very towable with all four wheels on
the ground per the owners manual. The procedure is: Transmission in
"Park"; Parking brake off; Ignition key in "Accessory" so that steering is
not locked; Transfer case in "Neutral"; Every 200 miles or less start the
engine and run it up for a minute with the automatic transmission in "Drive"
to circulate oil to the transmission parts. The question is -- the manual
says the maximum speed should be 50 mph (yawn). We've towed ours for over
4000 miles at normal speeds of up to 60 mph, occasionally up to 65 or 70 in
certain traffic situations. So far there is not even a hint of any
problems.
Any one else have experience or information on towing these neat little Geo
Trackers??
Chuck
Jerry McDonald
Have had no problem, speeds have presented no problem so far, just don't
tell your Service agreement provider....if you go over the recommended
50mph...
Jerry 'Mac'
Chuck Gell wrote in message <764dbi$3v7$1...@denws02.mw.mediaone.net>...
Fredrick Schreier
5 speed tranny. Only problems so far were: Couldn't get a Base Plate for the
towbar that would fit. Odometer is cranking off warrantee miles as we tow it
down the road.
First problem was solved by taking the closest of the 3 base plates we
received and welding it to the frame instead of bolting it on. (Half of the
bolt holes had no metal behind them.) Second problem will be fixed by adding
a Remco Speedometer disconnect devise in the speed-o cable. Then all will be
well again.
--
----------------------------------------------
Hope to see you on the road.
Fred Schreier
Please send email replies to
fesch...@usa.net
--------------------------------------------
Chuck Gell
Bridges in Chelsea, MI) installed it okay, although the engine pan
protective skidplate had to be modified (and it makes oil changes more
difficult -- but I DO want the oil to stay in the pan even if we do rough
4-wheeling).
We're using the Remco disconnect, and it works fine. Just be sure to turn
on the RV lights each time to activate it. (This is one more labelled
spring clothespin I clip on the RV gearshift lever when we're parked.)
Chuck
(in Michigan, wishing we were in Florida........)
Fredrick Schreier wrote in message <770ba9$8...@bgtnsc03.worldnet.att.net>...
brian
>
> We also tow a 1998 Chevy Tracker 4X4. Manual reads the same and we have the
> 5 speed tranny. Only problems so far were: Couldn't get a Base Plate for the
> towbar that would fit. Odometer is cranking off warrantee miles as we tow it
> down the road.
Not only warrantee miles. Every mile that you pull is registered as real
wear in both axles (gears, ring and pinion, and all bearings) and in the
transfer case (bearings) and associated drive shaft's universal joints
(four of them). Not a big deal perhaps, but it is adding real miles to
much of your running gear.
By removing your rear drive shaft or by using a disconnect device on the
rear, you can remove all of the front differential, t-case, and drive
shaft universal wear from those added miles. Perhaps it's not a big
deal, you choose what works for you.
I tow as you do for short tows but remove my rear drive shaft for longer
trips. If I need to use the Suzuki before re-installation of the rear
shaft I drive it in 4-wheel drive using the front wheels only. This
works good on any road at any speed, and even works well on dirt roads
and trails till some real "hard stuff" necessitates re-connection (takes
about ten minutes).
brian
Chuck Gell
record not only the registered odometer mileage but also indicate that I
towed it without registering those miles. I live in Michigan, but suspect
many states have this requirement. They aren't engine miles, but I agree
that some bearings and other parts are being "used."
Chuck
brian wrote in message <3693CEB2...@sundown.sdsu.edu>...